Abstract: A remote control for controlling consumer electronic devices and/or PC's. The remote control including a progress/status indicator for indicating the status of a download process or the status of an e-wallet.

Abstract: An automatically switched camera system includes sensors for providing data of an image scene having subjects who are behaving in a manner which make them potential targets of the camera system, a pre-take indicator for providing an advanced notification to the subjects of the image scene that one of them is about to become a target of the camera system, a multimodal image analysis module communicating with the sensors and the pre-take indicator, for analyzing the data of the image scene provided by the sensors to select one of the subjects as a target of the camera system and outputting an indicator function command that causes the pre-take indicator to provide the advanced notification to the selected subject.

Abstract: A wearable garment, usable by athletes, workers, and the elderly or infirm, incorporates an easily operated manual activator/switch located in a readily accessible position on the garment. A user wearing the garment can operate the switch by merely touching the appropriate location on the surface of the garment. The switch is electrically coupled to a signaling device, such that operation of the switch activates the signaling device to transmit a signal or signals for summoning help or identifying the geographic location of the bearer of the signaling device, or otherwise assisting the bearer. Pockets and/or other forms of support on the garment can be provided to assist in carrying signaling devices coupled to the switch as well as ancillary equipment such as power supplies.

Abstract: There is provided a fluid-advancing fiber capable of being sewn, woven or knitted, using conventional methods, into a conductive mesh for use with various wearable fabrics for making direct contact with the skin. The fluid-advancing fiber has an inner portion and an outer portion, one or more conductive elements adjacent the outer portion, wherein the one or more conductive elements are adapted to constrict when heated by electric current and relax when cooled. The fluid-advancing fiber facilitates comfortable fluid communication between different wearable fabrics and the skin.

Abstract: A quick release buckle for securing both an electrical connection and a mechanical coupling includes a multiple pin male portion of an electrical connector. The buckle also includes means for receiving the male portion of an electrical connector to form an electrical connection, a first protective housing containing one of the multiple pin male portion and the means for receiving the multiple pin male portion and capable of insertion, and a second protective housing containing one of the means for receiving the male portion and the multiple pin male portion. The second protective housing is capable of receiving the first protective housing to form a mechanical coupling. In addition, the first and second protective housings include at least one quick-release mechanism for fastening and decoupling the buckle.

Abstract: A mechanism for electrically connecting various electronic devices to a garment is provided. The mechanism has a sliding track adapted to support a variety of different electronic devices. The sliding track has one or more channels enabling elective electrical communication between at least one electronic device and a power source. The electronic device is adapted to be selectively supported by the sliding track such that the electronic device can slide along the sliding track. The mechanism has one or more channels having at least one conductive element disposed therein. The first conductive element is shaped to conform to one or more channels to provide an ideal electrical contact surface. The one or more channels are adapted to selectively enclose or seal the conductive element.

Abstract: An interactive control system and related apparatus uses disposable, low-cost control objects, such as cards or leaflets or three-dimensional visual shapes, for controlling and navigating through electronic “menu” programs of electronic equipment. The system incorporates visual detection equipment, of known type and function, that is capable of recognizing the color and locating the spatial orientation of a particularly shaped and colored control object. When the control object is displayed to a visual sensor of the visual detection equipment, an associated microprocessor converts the shape, color and spatial orientation of the control object into electronic signals for directing and controlling an external electronic program in a known manner. Because the control objects are passive and non-electronic, they can be made at very low cost and can be treated as disposable. In addition, printed matter can be included on their exposed surfaces to provide advertising and instructional material.

Abstract: There is provided a conductive fiber capable of being sewn, woven or knitted, using conventional methods, into a conductive mesh for use with various wearable electronic devices and/or sensors that make direct contact with the skin. The conductive fiber, when combined with a non-slip fiber, facilitates comfortable electrical communication between different electronic devices and the skin.

Abstract: A quick release buckle for securing both an electrical connection and a mechanical coupling includes a multiple pin male portion of an electrical connector. The buckle also includes means for receiving the male portion of an electrical connector to form an electrical connection, a first protective housing containing one of the multiple pin male portion and the means for receiving the multiple pin male portion and capable of insertion, and a second protective housing containing one of the means for receiving the male portion and the multiple pin male portion. The second protective housing is capable of receiving the first protective housing to form a mechanical coupling. In addition, the first and second protective housings include at least one quick-release mechanism for fastening and decoupling the buckle.

Abstract: A wearable garment includes medical sensor devices of well-known design that are selectively pressed against the skin of the wearer when it is desired to obtain medical readings, such as heart rate or temperature, or to apply treatment such as electrical pulses for defibrillation purposes. The garment incorporates one or more bands of flexible material that circumscribe portions of the wearer's body, with at least one sensor device positioned on the garment between the band and the wearer's body. To assure the comfort of the wearer, the circumference of the band can be shortened selectively from a first dimension, which loosely circumscribes a desired portion of the wearer's body, to a second, lesser dimension, which more tightly circumscribes the wearer's body and presses the sensor securely into contact with the wearer's skin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selective shielding of fabric antennas incorporates the fabric antenna into the body of wearable garments and provides protection for wearers of the garment while allowing wearers to displace a portion of the garment body selectively, so as to render the antenna active or inactive. To protect wearers of the garment from the RF field that may be generated when an antenna is in use, a metallic fabric shielding layer is positioned in the body of the garment between the antenna and the body of a wearer. Another layer of metallic shielding fabric mounted to a layer of protective fabric formed as a displaceable layer of the garment body. The disclosed embodiments of the invention show displaceable layers in the form of foldable cuffs on sleeves, epaulets, decorative pocket-like flaps, and faux seams.

Abstract: A garment comprises a fabric shell (10) to which a number of electronic devices (12, 14) are removably attached, suitably in respective pockets (16,18). Linking the devices (12, 14) are a pair of electrical conductors (20, 22) with a fabric cover (24) over at least a part of their length. The fabric shell (10) and fabric cover (24) are provided with complementary connectors such as press-studs (26) to enable the fabric cover (24) and conductors (20, 22) to be attached to the garment, and easily removed therefrom for upgrades and/or cleaning of the garment.

Abstract: A quick release buckle for securing both an electrical connection and a mechanical coupling includes a multiple pin male portion of an electrical connector. The buckle also includes means for receiving the male portion of an electrical connector to form an electrical connection, a first protective housing containing one of the multiple pin male portion and the means for receiving the multiple pin male portion and capable of insertion, and a second protective housing containing one of the means for receiving the male portion and the multiple pin male portion. The second protective housing is capable of receiving the first protective housing to form a mechanical coupling. In addition, the first and second protective housings include at least one quick-release mechanism for fastening and decoupling the buckle.

Abstract: A wearable garment includes medical sensor devices of well-known design that are selectively pressed against the skin of the wearer when it is desired to obtain medical readings, such as heart rate or temperature, or to apply treatment such as electrical pulses for defibrillation purposes. The garment incorporates one or more bands of flexible material that circumscribe portions of the wearer's body, with at least one sensor device positioned on the garment between the band and the wearer's body. To assure the comfort of the wearer, the circumference of the band can be shortened selectively from a first dimension, which loosely circumscribes a desired portion of the wearer's body, to a second, lesser dimension, which more tightly circumscribes the wearer's body and presses the sensor-securely into contact with the wearer's skin.

Abstract: In a garment 10, 12 incorporating an electronic device such as a radio 16, a variable of the device, such as volume, is varied by the use of two cords 22, 24, the electrical resistance of each cord decreasing in accordance with an increase in tension applied to the cord; pulling one cord increases the volume of the radio and pulling the other cord decreases the volume. The stronger the pull, the faster the change in volume. The ends of the cords lie outside the garment and carry toggles 26, 28 for easy operation by a gloved hand. Alternatively the ends of the cord outside the garment may be connected to opposite ends of a manual grip 48.

Abstract: A sliding electrical switch (10) for use in a garment (32) has two spaced elongate flexible surfaces (16, 18), at least one electrical contact on each surface (22a, b, c, d, e, f), and a slider (20) slidable along the surfaces to cause electrical connection between the contacts. There may be a number of spaced contacts (22a, b, c, d, e, f), the slider (20) acting as a selector switch; or there may be two continuous spaced contacts (96, 98), movement of the slider (90) providing a variation in resistance. The slider can be a bead (20) running on cords (16, 18) attached to the edges of spaced pieces of fabric (14, 18); or a buckle (42) sliding on a strip (50); or a zip fastener traveller (66), adjacent teeth (64) of the zip being electrically connected (68); or a bead (90) running on lengths (82, 84) of flexible tubing with internally conductive strips (96, 98).

Abstract: There is provided a conductive fiber capable of being sewn, woven or knitted, using conventional methods, into a conductive mesh for use with various wearable electronic devices and/or sensors that make direct contact with the skin. The conductive fiber, when combined with a non-slip fiber, facilitates comfortable electrical communication between different electronic devices and the skin.

Abstract: A method is directed to producing a pseudo three-dimensional display for a display device. The method provides for sensing a user position and determining positioning information for at least one object displayed on the display device. The method further provides for determining display data for the at least one object based on the user position and the positioning information. The method additionally provides for displaying the at least one object utilizing the display device based on the determined display data. The method of sensing the user position may provide for identifying a user utilizing a sensor device and determining the user position relative to the sensor. The user position may include multi-dimensional vector data identifying at least one viewing angle of a user relative to the display device. The positioning information may include a multi-coordinate location and a depth location for each object within the object database.

Abstract: A wearable garment having an electrode and sensors mounted in a predetermined position relative to the wearer's skin provides a quick and efficient way to measure the body-fat composition of the person. The body-fat sensor includes a pair of shoes having a weight-measuring sensor and a wearable body structure, of flexible material, having an inner surface, wherein a flexible electrical conductor is affixed to the inner surface of the wearable body structure. The body-fat sensor further includes an impedance-measuring circuit having at least one pair of electrodes, where the pair of electrodes is electrically coupled to both ends of the electrical conductor, so that the body-fat composition of the person can be measured based on the data received from the weight sensor and the impedance-measuring circuit.

Abstract: A television receiver, or some other display device, includes a display, a video signal processing circuit, a display driving circuit, and a control unit for controlling the video signal processing circuit and the display driving circuit. In order to reduce power consumption by the television receiver when the television receiver is not being viewed, the television receiver includes a presence detector for detecting the presence of a person in a room containing the television receiver. When the presence detector does not detect the presence of a person, the control unit disables the display by turning off either the video signal processing circuit or the display driving circuit, or both. When the person re-enters the room, the presence detector indicate this to the controller which then re-enables the display by turning on the video signal processing circuit and/or the display driving circuit.