Flexible circuit package

Abstract

A flexible circuit package. The circuit package includes a termination point on a flexible base substrate. The termination point is connected with an interface by conductive material on the base substrate. The conductive material extends across the surface area of the base substrate in multiple individual connections, which are in communication with each other and separated by voids in the conductive material for mitigating communication failure between the termination point and the interface during or following flexion, stretching, compression or other deformation of the base substrate and the circuit package. The termination point may include an input module such as a sensor, switch or other input. The termination point may include an output module such as a light, vibrator or other output. The interface may include an output interface for receiving data or an input interface for sending a command or other signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A circuit package comprising:
 a flexible base;   a first termination point connected with the flexible base, wherein the first termination point comprises at least one temperature sensor;   an output interface configured to receive data from the first termination point;   a first connection trace for providing electrical communication between the first termination point and the output interface;   a second termination point connected with the flexible base, wherein the second termination point comprises at least one output module;   an input interface configured to communicate a signal to the second termination point;   a second connection trace for providing electrical communication between the input interface and the second termination point; and   a protective cover connected with the flexible base comprising a first protective layer and a second protective layer for protecting the circuit package from damage.   
     
     
         2 . The circuit package of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection trace is connected with the first termination point in straight-line patterns without sharp angles, and wherein the second connection trace is connected with the second termination point in straight-line patterns without sharp angles. 
     
     
         3 . The circuit package of  claim 1 , further comprising a conductive material connected with the flexible base and in electrical communication with the first termination point and the second termination point, wherein at least a portion of the conductive material comprises an interconnect including at least two leads, the two leads separated by a void for mitigating propagation of a crack in the conductive material. 
     
     
         4 . The circuit package of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor, wherein the output interface is further configured to communicate the data to the processor, and the processor is configured to communicate an input to the input interface. 
     
     
         5 . The circuit package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one output module comprises a light, and wherein the signal communicated from the input interface instructs the light to activate, change brightness, change colour, or change flashing pattern. 
     
     
         6 . The circuit package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one output module comprises a speaker. 
     
     
         7 . The circuit package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one output module comprises a transmission device. 
     
     
         8 . The circuit package of  claim 1 , wherein the protective cover is configured to receive a foot of a user. 
     
     
         9 . The circuit package of  claim 8 , wherein the protective cover comprises an insole. 
     
     
         10 . The circuit package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor comprises a material that is sensitive to changes in an electrical property, and wherein the electrical property is a resistance, a capacitance, a conductance, or an inductance. 
     
     
         11 . A method of communicating through a circuit package, comprising:
 a. communicating data from a first termination point connected with a flexible base of the circuit package to an output interface, wherein the first termination point comprises at least one temperature sensor, and wherein the first termination point is in electrical communication with the output interface through a first connection trace;   b. communicating a signal from an input interface to a second termination point connected with the flexible base, wherein the second termination point comprises at least one output module, and wherein the input interface is in electrical communication with the second termination point through a second connection trace; and   wherein the flexible base is connected with a protective cover comprising a first protective layer and a second protective layer for protecting the circuit package from damage.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first connection trace is connected with the first termination point in straight-line patterns without sharp angles, and wherein the second connection trace is connected with the second termination point in straight-line patterns without sharp angles. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible base is further connected to a conductive material, and the conductive material is in communication with the first termination point and the second termination point, and wherein at least a portion of the conductive material comprises an interconnect including at least two leads, the two leads separated by a void for mitigating propagation of a crack in the conductive material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein between steps a. and b., the method further comprises:
 communicating the data from the output interface to a processor; and   communicating an input from the processor to the input interface.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one output module comprises a light, and wherein communicating the signal between the input interface and the second termination point comprises instructing the light to activate, change brightness, change colour, or change flashing pattern. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one output module comprises a speaker. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one output module comprises a transmission device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising receiving a foot of a user at the protective cover. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the protective cover comprises an insole. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor comprises a material that is sensitive to changes in an electrical property, and wherein the electrical property is a resistance, a capacitance, a conductance, or an inductance.