Abstract: A security system for deployment within a retail environment is shown. First tags (108 to 112) are concealed within an item of merchandise. Each of these first tags is configured to transmit a first signal modulated to specify a unique first tag code in response to being energised at an exit gate. Second tags (113 to 117) are each independently attached to the merchandise and are configured to communication with mobile devices to facilitate the purchase of the items. A data communication apparatus (119) communicates with mobile devices and controls responses of an exit gate when detecting output signals from the first tags. User selected tags transmit second output signals to a mobile device in response to respective user interactions, with each for the second output signals being modulated by a unique second code. The mobile devices relay received second codes to the communication system.

Abstract: An association between a user of a mobile device (301) and an item of merchandise (501) is shown, in which each item of merchandise as a tag (601) attached thereto. The movement of tags is monitored to produce movement data (801). Proximity data is generated for each mobile device identifying tags that are in close proximity (802). The movement data is processed in combination with the proximity data to identify an association between a user and a mobile device and an item of merchandise to which an associated tag has been attached (803).

Abstract: The charging of an electrical device (101) supported by an animal is disclosed. The animal is walked on leash (103) and the leash is connected to the electrical device (101). When connected in this way, the electrical device is charged such that charge is available when the animal is released from the leash such that the electrical device may be operated.

Abstract: A security tag is shown for location upon an article and removal from the article upon receiving authorisation. An internal processor (303) is arranged to transmit an output signal to an external processor indicating that a customer has identified an interest in an article. A physical switch (103) is operated to initiate a procedure for purchasing the article and releasing the tag. The tag transmits an output signal to initiate a release procedure and then receives an input signal to effect a release. The output signal is received by a mobile device and the mobile device interacts with an administration system directly to effect the purchase of the item prior to the administration system issuing the input signal. After receiving the input signal, actual release is only achieved after a further manual operation being performed by the user.

Abstract: A linear sensor (101, 201) comprising electrically conductive textile fibers (103, 105, 205, 207) and electrically insulating textile fibers (106, 208). The sensor comprises at least two conductive elements (102, 104, 204, 206) having electrically conductive textile fibers (103,105, 205, 207). The sensor also has electrically insulating textile fibers (106, 208) spaced to separate the two electrically conductive elements when no pressure is applied to said sensor, and to allow electrical conduction between the two conductive elements under the application of pressure.

Abstract: A sensor having a three layer construction comprising a first knitted conductive textile plane, a second conductive textile plane and an intermediate separating plane penetrable by the first knitted conductive textile plane to allow the first conductive textile plane and the second conductive textile plane to make electrical contact under a mechanical interaction. The intermediate separating plane defines structural endpoints from which the first knitted conductive textile plane deforms towards the second conductive textile plane under a mechanical interaction. The first knitted conductive textile plane has conductive yarn knitted to form a repeating pattern of stitches each comprising a stitch looping portion SLP having a looping portion footprint LPF. Within the sensor, there is at least one of a plurality of described dimensional relationships between stitches of the first knitted conductive textile plane and structural endpoints of the intermediate separating plane.

Abstract: A linear sensor (101, 201) comprising electrically conductive textile fibers (103, 105, 205, 207) and electrically insulating textile fibers (106, 208). The sensor comprises at least two conductive elements (102, 104, 204, 206) having electricall conductive textile fibers (103,105, 205, 207). The sensor also has electrically insulating textile fibers (106, 208) spaced to sepa the two electrically conductive elements when no pressure is applied to said sensor, and to allow electrical conduction between the two conductive elements under the application of pressure.

Abstract: A flexible foldable keyboard apparatus includes a flexible foldable keyboard (101) having a key defining plane (102), an interface device and phone supporting device (103). The phone supporting device (103) is arranged to unfold from a storage configuration, in which the phone supporting device (103) is folded onto the key defining plane (102) to allow the key defining plane (102) to be wrapped around the phone supporting device (103), to present a telephone supporting configuration, in which the phone supporting device (103) is configured to receive a mobile telephone (401). The phone supporting device (103) is configured to support a mobile telephone (401) in an orientation in which an electrical connection is provided between the interface device and the electrical connectors of the mobile telephone (401), such that the mobile telephone (401) and the flexible foldable keyboard (101) are in electrical communication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manually operable input apparatus (202) for a portable electronic processing device (102), such as a mobile phone or hand-held processor. The apparatus defines a plurality of regions (303, 304) each representing a respective data item and comprises a plurality of sheets configured to produce a response to a mechanical interaction. Furthermore, the sheets are configured to be wrapped around the device to provide a protective cover.

Abstract: Data processing apparatus (101 and 102) configured to receive signals from an input sensor (106) arranged to duplicate or replace operations of a keyboard, in which the signals correspond to positions of mechanical interactions with the sensor (106). The apparatus comprises processing means (1202) configured to process data derived from the input sensor including positional data corresponding to the position of a mechanical interaction with said input sensor (106) and a second data type corresponding to the absence of a mechanical interaction with said input sensor. The processing means (1202) is configured to generate data representing a first character in response to processing an item of data of said second type followed by positional data corresponding to a first position, and to generate data representing a different second character in response to processing positional data corresponding to a different second position followed by an item of data of said second type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foldable alpha numeric keyboard device (2301) configured to input data items into a computer or similar processing device (2307). The keyboard device comprises a first electrically conductive fabric sheet, a second electrically conductive fabric sheet and an interface circuit configured to supply voltages to and receive outputs from said keyboard. In addition; the keyboard is configured to produce an output in response to a mechanical interaction and the interface circuit is arranged to respond to the mechanical interaction and to provide a data item to a computer or similar processing device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer keyboard having a key sensing device that provides two levels of sensing by generating electrical signals depending on the force applied on the keys. The different levels of key sensing can be used to provide different functions, for instance, in a software application. This key sensing functionality can be provided on all or only some of the keys of the keyboard. For example, the different pressure levels applied on the key can be used to control cursor movement or scrolling and to produce pressure-based shifting between lower case and upper case. A method of providing pressure sensitive key functionalities for a keyboard comprises producing a signal by applying a pressure to a key which is configured to produce different signals in response to different pressure levels applied to the key. A user interface response is generated based on the signal produced by the pressure applied to the key.

Abstract: A tactile feedback simulating fabrication for use with an input device provides flexible mouldings (801) locatable above detection positions. Flexible mouldings (801) provide tactile feedback simulating a key-press. Each of the mouldings (801) defines a top portion (802) and a flexible side wall (803). A flexible fabric layer (804) is attached to the flexible mouldings thereby significantly enhancing the durability of these mouldings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manually operable input apparatus (202) for a portable electronic processing device (102), such as a mobile phone or hand-held processor. The apparatus defines a plurality of regions (303, 304) each representing a respective data item and comprises a plurality of sheets configured to produce a response to a mechanical interaction. Furthermore, the sheets are configured to be wrapped around the device to provide a protective cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data input device suitable for inputting data to electronic processing means. The data input device is configured to produce an output in response to a mechanical interaction and may be reconfigured into two operational configurations. In a first flexible configuration the device may be bent or flexed about a first axis, and in a second rigid configuration the data input device is substantially rigid such that bending or flexing of the device about the first axis is inhibited.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer keyboard having a key sensing device that provides two levels of sensing by generating electrical signals depending on the force applied on the keys. The different levels of key sensing can be used to provide different functions, for instance, in a software application. This key sensing functionality can be provided on all or only some of the keys of the keyboard. For example, the different pressure levels applied on the key can be used to control cursor movement or scrolling and to produce pressure-based shifting between lower case and upper case. A method of providing pressure sensitive key functionalities for a keyboard comprises producing a signal by applying a pressure to a key which is configured to produce different signals in response to different pressure levels applied to the key. A user interface response is generated based on the signal produced by the pressure applied to the key.

Abstract: Data processing apparatus (101 and 102) configured to receive signals from an input sensor (106) arranged to duplicate or replace operations of a keyboard, in which the signals correspond to positions of mechanical interactions with the sensor (106). The apparatus comprises processing means (1202) configured to process data derived from the input sensor including positional data corresponding to the position of a mechanical interaction with said input sensor (106) and a second data type corresponding to the absence of a mechanical interaction with said input sensor. The processing means (1202) is configured to generate data representing a first character in response to processing an item of data of said second type followed by positional data corresponding to a first position, and to generate data representing a different second character in response to processing positional data corresponding to a different second position followed by an item of data of said second type.

Abstract: A tactile feedback simulating fabrication for use with an input device provides flexible mouldings (801) locatable above detection positions. Flexible mouldings (801) provide tactile feedback simulating a key-press. Each of the mouldings (801) defines a top portion (802) and a flexible side wall (803). A flexible fabric layer (804) is attached to the flexible mouldings thereby significantly enhancing the durability of these mouldings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data input device suitable for inputting data to electronic processing means. The data input device is configured to produce an output in response to a mechanical interaction and may be reconfigured into two operational configurations. In a first flexible configuration the device may be bent or flexed about a first axis, and in a second rigid configuration the data input device is substantially rigid such that bending or flexing of the device about the first axis is inhibited.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foldable alpha numeric keyboard device (2301) configured to input data items into a computer or similar processing device (2307). The keyboard device comprises a first electrically conductive fabric sheet, a second electrically conductive fabric sheet and an interface circuit configured to supply voltages to and receive outputs from said keyboard. In addition; the keyboard is configured to produce an output in response to a mechanical interaction and the interface circuit is arranged to respond to the mechanical interaction and to provide a data item to a computer or similar processing device.