Patent Description:
The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to an article of apparel including sensors that are powered by a wireless signal.

Articles of apparel, such as shirts, pants, hats, shoes, and the like, are conventionally and advantageously some or all of comfortable, washable, and robust. As a result, such articles of apparel have conventionally been made substantially of fabrics and other textiles. Articles of apparel often include pockets or other mechanisms to secure objects to or with respect to the article of apparel, typically fashioned out of the same or similar fabrics as those used in the rest of the article of apparel.

<CIT> describes a garment intended to identify a danger situation for the user and react. The garment comprises an emergency device provided with sensors. Furthermore, the emergency device comprises an electronic processing unit and a supervisor and communication unit.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a system comprising a mobile device and an article of apparel in accordance with the appended independent claim <NUM>. According to a second aspect, there is provided a method in accordance with the appended independent claim <NUM>. Further optional features are provided in the appended dependent claims.

Example methods and systems are directed to apparel with wireless-powered sensors. Examples merely typify possible variations. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, components and functions are optional and may be combined or subdivided, and operations may vary in sequence or be combined or subdivided within the scope of the claims. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of example embodiments. It will be evident to one skilled in the art, however, that the present subject matter may be practiced without these specific details within the scope of the claims.

As a result of a general need to be washable, comfortable, and robust, articles of apparel have in the past only infrequently incorporated electronics elements. In particular, electronics are well-known to be susceptible to water, such as from the elements, washing, or human sweat. As such, articles of apparel that do incorporate electronics may require measures, such as conventional waterproofing, to protect the components against moisture.

However, such measures may suffer from a certain vulnerability in particular: electronics often require a physical electronic interface for one or more of a source of power and an ability to transmit and/or receive data, among other inputs or outputs from the electronics. Conventionally, such interfaces are wired which may inevitably present a vulnerability through which moisture may enter the system. Steps that may be taken to protect such physical interfaces from moisture may result in the article of apparel being relatively less robust, owing to the potential for the mechanical breakdown of the moisture protection, and less comfortable, owing to the bulkiness or rigidity of such protection.

An article of apparel has been developed that provides for the wireless transmission of power and data to operate sensors and other electronics positioned in or on the article of apparel. The article of apparel includes a pocket or other securing mechanism to position and retain a mobile device, such as a smartphone or similar piece of electronics, in relation to an antenna, such as a near field communication (NFC) antenna. The antenna establishes a wireless link between the mobile device and the antenna, providing power to the sensors and receiving data from the sensors.

As such, the article of apparel does not necessarily utilize an internal power source as power may be provided by the mobile device. The electronics in the article of apparel may be fully waterproofed with no direct contact electromechanical interface. As a result, the article of apparel may be readily washable and substantially impervious to the elements during normal use while still generating and providing sensor data.

<FIG> is an article of apparel <NUM>, in an example embodiment. As illustrated, the article of apparel <NUM> is a shirt but various examples may include any garment or other article that may be worn on or otherwise secured to a body of a person or other animal.

The article of apparel <NUM> includes an antenna <NUM> configured for wireless communication with a primary antenna. The wireless communication may be according to near field communication (NFC) standards and practices, including in the <NUM> megahertz (MHz) ban according to the ISO/IEC <NUM>-<NUM> standard promulgated in <NUM> or according to any other suitable wireless communication standard that has been or may be developed.

The antenna may be coupled to or be a part of an NFC tag <NUM>. The NFC tag <NUM> may include an electronic data storage, controller, transceiver, power source, and various other electronics needed or suitable for NFC communications. The tag <NUM> is passively powered and derives its operational energy from the wireless signal received from the antenna <NUM>. In various examples, the tag <NUM> may be or may be replaced with any suitable electronics that are configured to receive power from a mobile device and transmit data to an external receiver.

The tag <NUM> is coupled to sensors <NUM> via conductors <NUM>. The sensors <NUM> are positioned in various locations on the article of apparel <NUM> and may be configured to sense various conditions. Various numbers and positions of sensors <NUM> are contemplated as appropriate for the conditions sensed by the sensors. In various examples, the sensors <NUM> include one or more of motion sensors, moisture sensors, heat sensors, heart rate sensors, near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensors, and other suitable sensors that are known in the art or that may be developed. Each sensor <NUM> detects a sensor condition dependent on a respective sensor type; thus, the sensor condition of a motion sensor is motion, and so forth. Each sensor <NUM> outputs a sensor signal indication of the sensor condition as sensed.

In various examples, the conductors <NUM> are secured with respect to a material <NUM> that forms a substantial majority of the overall structure of the article of apparel <NUM>. The material <NUM>, such as a textile material, may include multiple and varied individual pieces of fabric or other materials stitched or otherwise secured with respect to one another to form the basic architecture of the article of apparel <NUM>. As such, the material <NUM> is not necessarily a unitary component but rather may incorporate any and all materials that may be utilized in apparel generally, including textiles, leather, rubber, synthetic fabrics, and the like, and may be secured with respect to one another according to any of a variety of securing mechanisms, including stitching, glue, welding, and fasteners in general.

The conductors <NUM> may be secured with respect to the material <NUM> according to any of a variety of mechanisms. In examples where the material is a woven material, such as a fabric or textile in general, the conductors <NUM> may be incorporated into a weave of the material <NUM>. In an example, the conductors <NUM> may be woven into the material <NUM> at the time of the manufacture of the material <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the conductors <NUM> may be included in or along a seam of the material <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the conductors <NUM> may be molded or otherwise secured within a synthetic material, such as a plastic or polymer, at the time of manufacture of the material <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the conductors <NUM> may be attached or otherwise secured to a surface of the material <NUM> with fasteners, such as with thread, glue, and/or other suitable fasteners.

As illustrated, the conductors <NUM> are secured with respect to the material <NUM> so as to allow the conductors <NUM> to stretch, bend, flex, and otherwise conform to and retain resiliency during similar movements of the underling material <NUM>. The conductors <NUM> of the illustrated example are secured in a "W" or saw tooth configuration to allow for stretching and bending along a long axis of the conductor <NUM>. Any additional configuration that promotes or at least allows for stretching, bending, flexing, and the like may be implemented in addition or alternative to the illustrated configuration. Additionally or alternatively, the conductor <NUM> itself may stretch and readily flex, in which case the conductor <NUM> may, in a relaxed state, trace relatively straight lines between points on the material <NUM>.

The antenna <NUM>, tag <NUM>, sensors <NUM>, and conductor <NUM> may function as a self-contained electrical system (<FIG>) that is waterproof and otherwise mechanically isolated from environmental conditions. Thus, in various examples, the electrical system does not incorporate exposed or intentionally exposable electrical contacts or other connection points. The components of the electrical system in general may be coated with suitable materials that may provide for waterproofing and for environmental isolation in general.

The article of apparel <NUM> further includes a mobile device holder <NUM> configured to seat and secure a mobile device having a primary antenna configured to communicate with the antenna <NUM>. The mobile device may be a conventional mobile device known in the art, such as a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), media player, or any consumer or custom device that includes a primary antenna (<FIG>) and a power source configured to supply power to the primary antenna.

<FIG> is a detailed depiction of the mobile device holder <NUM> in relation to the antenna <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The holder <NUM> is attached to or otherwise part of the material <NUM> so that the primary antenna of the mobile device is positioned with respect to the antenna <NUM> to facilitate wireless communication between the primary antenna and the antenna <NUM>. As illustrated, the holder <NUM> is directly over the antenna <NUM>. Various additional examples may have the holder <NUM> offset with respect to the antenna <NUM> in such a way as to still allow for wireless communication. Further, additional antennas <NUM> of the same type as the antenna <NUM> may be incorporated into the article of apparel <NUM> and positioned to further facilitate wireless communication as appropriate. Thus, for instance, a first antenna <NUM> may be positioned as illustrated while a second antenna <NUM> may be positioned offset with respect to the holder <NUM>.

Further, various antennas <NUM> of differing types may be incorporated to allow for or otherwise facilitate communication and power transfer in a variety of different wireless bands and according to a variety of wireless communication modalities. Thus, one or more additional antennas may be incorporated that is configured to communicate in ultra-high frequency (UHF) bands, e.g., at approximately <NUM>, among other bands. The additional antennas may be substantially co-located with the antenna <NUM>, either closely adjacent to or partially overlapping the antenna <NUM>, or may be positioned anywhere on the article of apparel <NUM> as appropriate.

The holder <NUM> of the illustrated example forms a pocket into which a mobile device may be inserted through a top opening <NUM> and retained by a friction fit of a pocket material <NUM>. The pocket material <NUM> may be the same as the material <NUM> or may be a second material different than the material <NUM>. In an example, the pocket material <NUM> is an elastic material configured to conform to and secure the mobile device. In various examples, if the material <NUM> is sufficiently elastic to retain the mobile device securely then the material <NUM> may be utilized as the pocket material <NUM>. However, if the material <NUM> is insufficiently elastic then an alternative elastic material may be utilized as the pocket material <NUM> instead.

The holder <NUM> further includes an interface opening <NUM> configured to allow a user of the mobile device, such as a wearer of the article of apparel <NUM>, to interface with the mobile device. For instance, in examples where the mobile device is a smartphone with a touchscreen interface, the user may interact with the user interface of the mobile device through the interface opening <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. The interface opening <NUM> may be entirely empty or devoid of any interface material or may incorporate a covering material that may nevertheless permit interaction with a touchscreen user interface of the mobile device, as known in the art.

Various alternative examples of the holder <NUM> include, as an alternative to or in addition to the pocket as illustrated, brackets, cinches, straps, or any mechanical device that that may secure, attach, or otherwise retain the mobile device with respect to the antenna <NUM> and to the article of apparel <NUM> generally. Furthermore, while the holder <NUM> is depicted as being positioned on the sleeve of the article of apparel <NUM>, it is to be recognized and understood that the antenna <NUM> and the holder <NUM> may be repositioned to any of a variety of positions on the article of apparel <NUM>, in which case the construction of the holder <NUM> may or may not advantageously change or otherwise be configured to reflect the location of the holder <NUM>. Thus, for instance if the holder <NUM> were positioned on the shoulder of the article of apparel <NUM> the holder <NUM> may be or may incorporate straps that secure the mobile device with a friction fit rather than or in addition to the pocket as illustrated. Further, additional structure may be added as necessary or desired to secure the mobile device and provide a comfortable wearing experience for a wearer of the article of apparel <NUM>.

As illustrated, the antenna <NUM> is a coil antenna configured to communicate according to an NFC modality. It is noted and emphasized that the antenna <NUM> may be an etched antenna configured to communicate according to NFC or may be any other antenna configuration configured to communicate according to any other wireless communication modality. The antenna <NUM> has a major surface <NUM> that is parallel to a major surface of the material <NUM>. The holder <NUM> is configured to bring the primary antenna of the mobile device into substantial alignment with the antenna <NUM> by placing a major surface of the primary antenna substantially parallel with the major surface <NUM> of the antenna <NUM>.

<FIG> is an abstract, side profile depiction of a mobile device <NUM> as secured by the holder <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The mobile device <NUM> includes a primary antenna <NUM> and a transceiver that is configured to communicate over the same frequency band and according to the same communication modality as the antenna <NUM>. In circumstances where the mobile device <NUM> has more than one antenna, such as where the mobile device <NUM> is a smartphone configured to communicative via cellular modalities, Bluetooth, and the like, the article of apparel <NUM> may incorporate multiple antennas configured to communicate according to those additional modalities and/or the antenna <NUM> and tag <NUM> may be configured to communicate over one or more of those bands and according to one or more of those modalities as well as according to the band and modality as disclosed herein, e.g., NFC.

As illustrated, the mobile device <NUM> is secured within the holder <NUM> so as to place the primary antenna <NUM> in substantial alignment with the antenna <NUM>. Alignment may be assessed in any dimension, including absolute proximity. Substantial alignment does not require maximized proximity between the primary antenna <NUM> and the antenna <NUM>. In an example, the antennas <NUM>, <NUM> may be considered to be in substantial alignment if a center <NUM> of the primary antenna <NUM> is within one centimeter of the antenna <NUM>. According to the invention, the antennas <NUM>, <NUM> are considered in alignment if the antennas <NUM>, <NUM> are able to communicate with one another. Thus, in various examples, the holder <NUM> is configured to provide alignment that is more substantial than mere basic connectivity and communication. However, it is to be understood that various examples of the holder <NUM> in relation to the antenna <NUM> may not necessarily provide for better than basic alignment of the antennas <NUM>, <NUM>.

Additionally or alternatively, the antenna <NUM> and the primary antenna <NUM> each have a major axis <NUM>, <NUM> projecting from their respective centers <NUM>. The antenna <NUM> and the primary antenna <NUM> may be considered to be in substantial alignment when the axes <NUM>, <NUM> are substantially coaxial. In an example, the axes <NUM>, <NUM> are substantially coaxial when the axes <NUM>, <NUM> are within approximately one (<NUM>) centimeter of one another.

<FIG> is a block diagram of the electrical system <NUM> of the article of apparel <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The electrical system <NUM> includes the antenna <NUM> and various blocks included in the tag <NUM>, including, but not limited to, a power supply <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and an electronic data storage <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> and the controller <NUM> are coupled via the conductor <NUM> to the sensor <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna <NUM> may further be a component of the tag <NUM>, forming an integrated RFID tag.

As illustrated, the example electrical system <NUM> includes no long-term power source, such as a battery, super capacitor, and the like. Rather, the electrical system <NUM> is a passive system and components of the electrical system <NUM> operate when a current is induced in the antenna <NUM> by the mobile device <NUM> and the primary antenna <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> rectifies and coverts the current to a voltage suitable for operation of the various components of the electrical system <NUM>. As such, in the illustrated example, not only the components of the tag <NUM> but also the sensors <NUM> operate when the mobile device <NUM> has established a wireless link with the antenna <NUM>, and in various examples only when the mobile device <NUM> has established a wireless link with the antenna <NUM>.

In various examples, power storage elements, such as batteries, super capacitors, and the like may be included in the electrical system <NUM> to provide a long term source of power for the electrical system <NUM>. In such an example, the electrical system <NUM> may still function according to the various other principles disclosed herein and may optionally still obtain system power from the current induced in the antenna <NUM>. In such examples, the current induced in the antenna <NUM> may recharge such a power source or supplement the power provided by the power source. However, it is emphasized that examples are explicitly contemplated in which no long term power storage is included in the electrical system <NUM>.

The electrical system <NUM> is isolated from environmental conditions by an environmental barrier <NUM>. The environmental barrier <NUM> may be made from or may include an encapsulant, such as a silicone rubber or other similar material, that may be molded, brushed, or otherwise applied to the various components of the electrical system <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the environmental barrier may be or may include a casing or other structure in which some or all of the components of the electrical system <NUM> may be enclosed.

As illustrated, the environmental barrier <NUM> thus fully or substantially isolates the electrical system <NUM> from water and/or other environmental contaminants, such as elements that are or may be corrosive to electronics. Even if the environmental barrier <NUM> may unintentionally degrade over time owing to normal use and washing of the article of apparel <NUM>, the environmental barrier <NUM> as initially constituted includes no intentional ingress or egress points for environmental elements. The sensors <NUM> may constitute an exception where measuring an environmental condition is integral to the operation of the sensor, such as a moisture sensor. However, such sensors <NUM> may nevertheless incorporate their own environmental isolation that would, without unintended deterioration, isolate the rest of the electrical system <NUM> from environmental conditions.

The sensors <NUM> are coupled via the conductor <NUM> to the controller <NUM>. Data that is generated by the sensors <NUM> may, when the controller is powered, be manipulated and stored in the electronic data storage <NUM> and/or transmitted via the antenna <NUM> to the mobile device <NUM> or other device that may be within range of the antenna <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may transmit the sensor data by modulating the current induced in the antenna <NUM> according to conventional communication modalities that are compatible with the antenna <NUM> and mobile device <NUM>. While not illustrated, the electrical system <NUM> may incorporate a dedicated transceiver block configured to modulate the current in the antenna <NUM> to transmit data and to detect modulations in the current induced by the mobile device <NUM> to transmit data to the electrical system <NUM>. The modulation as detected may be sent as data to the controller <NUM>.

The sensors <NUM> are further illustrated as being coupled to the power source <NUM> directly via a second conductor <NUM>'. The second conductor <NUM>' may optionally be implemented for active sensors <NUM> that utilize external power to generate sensor data. The sensor data may then be transmitted to the controller <NUM> via the conductor <NUM>. The second conductor <NUM>' may be co-located with and routed alongside the conductor <NUM>, as illustrated herein. Sensors <NUM> that are not active sensors may not incorporate the second conductor <NUM>'. While the second conductor <NUM>' is illustrated with particularity, it is to be recognized and understood that any number of conductors may be implemented as appropriate and necessary to operate the various sensors <NUM>.

<FIG> is an example of the holder <NUM> in relation to multiple antennas <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The antennas <NUM> may be or may include the antenna <NUM>. The antennas <NUM> are secured to the material <NUM> with respect to the holder <NUM> to facilitate communication between at least one of the antennas <NUM> and the primary antenna <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM>. The antennas <NUM> include antennas of varying types configured to communicate according to varying wireless communication modalities, as disclosed herein.

In an example, coil antennas 500A are substantially overlapped by the holder <NUM>, which is configured to bring the coil antennas 500A into close alignment with the primary antenna <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM>. The coil antenna 500A may be configured to communicate according to a first communication modality, such as an NFC modality. The use of multiple coil antennas 500A may increase a likelihood of the primary antenna <NUM> being in substantial alignment with at least one antenna 500A irrespective of the position of the primary antenna <NUM> in the mobile device <NUM>. Thus, the holder <NUM> and the article of apparel <NUM> in general may be configured to seat and interface with multiple makes and models of mobile devices <NUM>.

The antennas <NUM> further include a dipole antenna 500B. The dipole antenna 500B is simplified as illustrated and it is to be understood that the dipole antenna 500B may be any antenna configured to communicate according to a second communication modality different than the first communication modality, such as any of a variety of wireless communication modalities, including but not limited to UHF, Bluetooth, and other modalities. As illustrated, the dipole antenna 500B is offset with respect to the holder <NUM> and does not overlap the holder <NUM> generally. In such an example, the dipole antenna 500B being offset may save space on the material <NUM> proximate the holder <NUM> while still maintaining communicative coupling between the dipole antenna 500B and the primary antenna <NUM>. It is noted and emphasized that the dipole antenna 500B in particular, and the antennas <NUM> generally, are not necessarily offset with respect to the holder <NUM> and that, if space permits, all of the antennas <NUM> may overlap the holder <NUM>. However, various antennas <NUM> may be offset with respect to the holder <NUM> while still maintaining the capacity to communicatively couple to the primary antenna <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> for using the article of apparel <NUM>, in an example embodiment.

At <NUM>, a mobile device <NUM> is secured by the holder <NUM> such that a primary antenna <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM> is in alignment with the antenna <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the mobile device <NUM> energizes the primary antenna <NUM>, inducing a current in the antenna <NUM> which is passed to the power supply <NUM>. To the extent that the mobile device <NUM> ceases to induce the current in the antenna <NUM>, the remaining operations of the flowchart <NUM> terminate effectively immediately for lack of operating power.

At <NUM>, the power supply <NUM> converts the current as received from the antenna <NUM> into power to operate the controller <NUM> and the sensors <NUM> and transmits the power at least to the controller <NUM> and, in an example, to the sensors <NUM> as well.

At <NUM>, the sensors <NUM> obtain sensor data and transmit the sensor data to the controller <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the controller <NUM> receives the sensor data and formats the sensor data in a form that can be stored in the electronic data storage <NUM> and/or transmitted to the primary device <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the controller <NUM> determines if the sensor data, as formatted, should be transmitted to the mobile device <NUM>. The determination may be made based on a command from the primary device <NUM>, a subroutine executed by the controller <NUM> that causes the controller <NUM> to transmit the sensor data both received and as stored in the electronic data storage <NUM>, or a subroutine executed by the controller <NUM> that causes the sensor data to be streamed to the mobile device <NUM> as the sensor data is received and formatted by the controller <NUM>.

At <NUM>, if the controller <NUM> causes the sensor data to be transmitted to the primary device <NUM>, transmitter circuitry that may, in various embodiments, be a component of the power supply <NUM> or the controller <NUM> modulates the current in the antenna <NUM> according to the sensor data as formatted which results in a current in the primary coil <NUM> similarly being modulated in a way that allows for the sensor data to be read in the mobile device <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may store the sensor data as formatted in the electronic data storage <NUM>. In operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may access the sensor data as stored in the electronic data storage <NUM> and transmit the sensor data as accessed to the primary device <NUM>. The flowchart <NUM> may then return to operation <NUM> for as long as the current is induced in the antenna <NUM>, terminating when the current is no longer induced in the antenna <NUM>, either because the mobile device <NUM> ceases inducing a current in the primary antenna <NUM> or because the primary antenna <NUM> is taken out of alignment with the antenna <NUM>, e.g., because the primary device is removed from or otherwise becomes unsecured with respect to the holder <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> for making the article of apparel <NUM>, in an example embodiment.

At <NUM>, an antenna configured to communicatively couple with a primary antenna of a mobile device, is secured with respect to textile material of an article of apparel. In an example, securing the antenna is at a location on the textile material that is overlapped, at least in part, by a mobile device holder. In an example, securing the antenna at the location on the textile material is such that, when the mobile device is secured in the mobile device holder, the primary antenna of the mobile device is in alignment with the antenna.

In an example, the antenna has an antenna major surface and the primary antenna has a primary antenna major surface, and wherein securing the antenna and the coupling the holder causes the primary antenna of the mobile device to be in alignment with the antenna when positioned in the holder such that the major surfaces are substantially parallel with respect to one another. In an example, the antenna has a primary axis and the primary antenna has a primary axis, and wherein securing the antenna and the coupling the holder causes the primary antenna to be in alignment with the antenna when the primary axes are substantially coaxial.

In an example, securing the antenna includes securing a plurality of antennas, including the antenna, with respect to the textile material, the plurality of antennas being secured to the textile material with respect to the holder such that the primary antenna is communicatively coupleable with at least one of the plurality of antennas when positioned in the holder. In an example, the plurality of antennas include a first antenna configured to communicate according to a first communication modality and a second antenna configured to communicate according to a second communication modality different than the first communication modality. In an example, securing the plurality of antennas include securing at least one of the plurality of antennas substantially overlapped by the holder and at least one of the plurality of antennas is not substantially overlapped by the holder.

At <NUM>, a power supply, coupled to the antenna, is secured with respect to the textile material, the power supply configured to output power based on a current as generated in the antenna when communicatively coupled with the primary antenna.

At <NUM>, a controller is secured with respect to the textile material, the controller coupled to the power supply and operable based on the power as output by the power supply. In an example, the controller is configured to receive the sensor signal and transmit data indicative of the sensor signal to the mobile device via the antenna.

At <NUM>, a sensor is secured with respect to the textile material, the sensor coupled to the textile material, communicatively coupled to the controller via a conductor and configured to detect a sensor condition and output a sensor signal when powered by the power output by the power supply.

At <NUM>, an electronic data storage of the electrical system is secured with respect to the textile material and wherein the controller is configured to store data indicative of the sensor signal in the electronic data storage. In an example, the controller is configured to store data received from the mobile device via the antenna in the electronic data storage. In an example, the controller is configured to transmit data stored in the electronic data storage to the mobile device via the antenna.

Some or all of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may occur concurrently where the relevant components are components of a single RFID tag <NUM>. In such an example, some or all of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may come from the single step of securing the RFID tag to or with respect to the article of apparel.

At <NUM>, an environmental barrier is formed, configured to isolate an electrical system including the antenna, the power supply, the controller, and the sensor, from an environmental condition. In an example, forming the environmental barrier provides no point of ingress for the environmental condition. In an example, the environmental barrier is an encapsulant and forming the environmental barrier comprises applying the encapsulant to all components of the electrical system. In an example, the environmental barrier is a waterproof barrier.

At <NUM>, the mobile device holder is coupled to or otherwise secured with respect to the textile material of the article of apparel, mobile device holder configured to secure a mobile device with respect to the article of apparel.

Claim 1:
A system, comprising:
a mobile device (<NUM>), comprising:
a primary antenna (<NUM>); and
a mobile device power source configured to supply power to the primary antenna;
an article of apparel (<NUM>), comprising
a textile material:
a mobile device holder (<NUM>), coupled to the textile material, configured to secure the mobile device with respect to the article of apparel; and
an electrical system (<NUM>), including:
an antenna (<NUM>, 500A, 500B), configured to communicatively couple with the primary antenna of the mobile device, positioned in relation to the holder, and positioned to be in substantial alignment with the primary antenna of the mobile device such that the primary antenna and the antenna are able to communicate with one another when the mobile device is secured in the mobile device holder; a power supply (<NUM>), coupled to the antenna, configured to output power based on a current generated in the antenna when communicatively coupled with the primary antenna;
a controller (<NUM>), coupled to the power supply, operable based on the power as output by the power supply; and
a sensor (<NUM>), coupled to the textile material, communicatively coupled to the controller via a conductor (<NUM>), configured to detect a sensor condition and output a sensor signal when powered by the power output by the power supply.