Abstract: A new welding system is provided that makes use of breath of the operator to control one or more operating parameters of the power source or welding machine (or “welder”). The welding system may be configured for arc welding, and the welding machine or welder may include a constant voltage power source with varying current (or vice versa). In such an embodiment, the welding system includes a breath-based controller with a mouthpiece through which the operator can breathe or blow in air. The breath-based controller processes the user's breath to determine user input, and this operator input is communicated to the welder or welding machine (via wired or wireless communication links) to control arc intensity (i.e., current for a constant voltage welding machine) or arc length (i.e., voltage for a constant current welding machine). An operator uses the breath-based controller to remotely control the welding machine with high precision.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an arm band that captures sensor data used to identify hand gestures. When worn on the arm, the arm band permits a computing device to identify different gestures made by the hand. In one embodiment, the band measures a change in position of the tendons that control the positions of the fingers on the hand which can then be correlated to a particular hand gesture. For example, the thickness of the user's arm increases in a direction perpendicular to the palm of the hand when the fingers are extended relative to the thickness of the arm when the fingers are curled into the palm of the hand. By detecting this change in thickness, the computing device can distinguish between different gestures.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an arm band that captures sensor data used to identify hand gestures. When worn on the arm, the arm band permits a computing device to identify different gestures made by the hand. In one embodiment, the band measures a change in position of the tendons that control the positions of the fingers on the hand which can then be correlated to a particular hand gesture. For example, the thickness of the user's arm increases in a direction perpendicular to the palm of the hand when the fingers are extended relative to the thickness of the arm when the fingers are curled into the palm of the hand. By detecting this change in thickness, the computing device can distinguish between different gestures.