The British army are due to intoduce new "Smart" uniforms, potentially by the end of this year:

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-17580666

I'll take 2 of those please 

QuoteThe company has patented a number of techniques for weaving complex conductive fabrics

patented a weaving techniques common now give it a break. I can see a  patented machine that does the weaving but techniques  that is just [spoiler]fubar.[/spoiler]

Does look pretty cool doesn't it 

As for patenting techniques for weaving, I suppose to do that there would have to be something pretty unique about the way it is done for them to be able to do so.

Unless it has been pateneted as intelectual property maybe.......

A few of things spring to mind which I'm sure have been thought about, although there seems to be little information.

Magnetic signature, interference from external electrical force and water. 

Sorry all but time to rant 
it is just a weave of conductive material, that would be like a wire manufacture putting a patent on how many times they twist the copper strands per inch of there wire for better continuity or to prevent from breakage. now if they came up with a insulator to rap the weave made of certain compounds/material then I can justify a patent being issued for the insulator.

if a certain weave creates a certain magnetic signature, or affects interference from external electrical forces, or even repels water or evaporates water better, that to me just does not justify worthiness of a patent. people been weaving items since  well ages ago. now if they want recognition for there effort I can see them naming the weave, but definitely not getting a patent on it 
rant over 

Quote from: sybershot on April 03, 2012, 04:09:38 AM
Sorry all but time to rant 
it is just a weave of conductive material, that would be like a wire manufacture putting a patent on how many times they twist the copper strands per inch of there wire for better continuity or to prevent from breakage. now if they came up with a insulator to rap the weave made of certain compounds/material then I can justify a patent being issued for the insulator.

I get your point but making a patent for the machine that does the weaving is still valid. Assuming the machine does the weaving in a unique or novel way.

Snowcrash agreed, I mentioned it would be okay to patent a machine. they are placing a patent on just the weave itself