Abstract: There is provided a switch having a flexible upper member, that is substantially electrically non-conductive, having an inner surface with an upper contact area that is electrically conductive and connected to a circuit, and a lower member that is substantially electrically non-conductive, having an inner surface with a lower contact area that is electrically conductive and connected to the circuit, wherein the upper member and the lower member are sealingly connected to form a chamber therebetween, the upper contact area and the lower contact area are separated by at least a portion of the chamber and a force applied to the upper member causes the upper contact area and the lower contact area to make contact and close the switch of the circuit.

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 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 garment is provided comprising a fabric shell (10) hosting one or more electrical conductors (12) the or each of which is connectable to at least one of a plurality of electronic devices (14, 16, 18, 20) housed in respective pockets (P) of the fabric shell (10). The pockets (P) are detachable from the fabric shell (10), with each pocket comprising a fabric cover provided with mechanical connectors, such as patches of Velcro™, zips or press studs. The garment fabric shell (10) is provided with complementary mechanical connectors to enable the fabric cover and device to be removably attached to the garment, each pocket includes an electrical connection between a device in that pocket and one or more of said electrical conductors (12).

Abstract: A lamp assembly for general illumination and/or ornamentation has a base with a support member bearing both a lamp-bulb receiving socket and a lamp shade. The lamp shade, or other ornamental element of the lamp assembly is formed at least in part of an electroluminescent material and, in the disclosed form, the inner surface of the shade is reflective. The lamp assembly, accordingly, includes two sources of illumination, namely the electroluminescent material and a lamp-bulb received in the bulb-receiving socket. A conventional line cord is provided to connect the lamp to any ordinary source of electrical power, and a four-position electrical switch coupled to the line cord permits a user to direct power selectively to the lamp socket, or to the electroluminescent shade, or to both simultaneously. In its fourth position, all electrical power is cut-off so that the lamp is not illuminated.

Abstract: A lamp assembly for general illumination and/or ornamentation has a base with a support member bearing both a lamp-bulb receiving socket and a lamp shade. The lamp shade, or other ornamental element of the lamp assembly is formed at least in part of an electroluminescent material and, in the disclosed form, the inner surface of the shade is reflective. The lamp assembly, accordingly, includes two sources of illumination, namely the electroluminescent material and a lamp-bulb received in the bulb-receiving socket. A conventional line cord is provided to connect the lamp to any ordinary source of electrical power, and a four-position electrical switch coupled to the line cord permits a user to direct power selectively to the lamp socket, or to the electroluminescent shade, or to both simultaneously. In its fourth position, all electrical power is cut-off so that the lamp is not illuminated.

Abstract: Pen-shaped modules of the type widely used by health care personnel and other workers in sensitive environments, are provided with two separate pocket clips positioned in opposed spaced-apart relationship. Markings associated with each clip clearly identify one clip as “ON” and the other clip as “OFF”. At least one of the clips performs electrical switching functions so that when the “ON” clip is fastened to the fabric of a wearer's garment, the electronic module is activated; that is, the module is turned “on”. In the alternative, when the “OFF” clip is attached to the wearer's garment, the electronic components of the module are deactivated; that is, the module is turned “off”.

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 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: 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 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 being 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 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: An apparatus and method for reducing the level of power consumption in an electronic device when the electronic device is operating in a standby mode or low-power mode. The level of power consumption is reduced by alternately shutting off standby power and turning on standby power to the electronic device. A standby cycle timer circuit is provided for automatically controlling the supply of standby power to the electronic device during standby mode. The standby cycle timer circuit becomes inactive when the electronic device resumes normal operation.

Abstract: A personalized memory storage apparatus and an associated display apparatus for the personalized memory storage apparatus. The personalized memory storage apparatus, memory pebbles, include a body and a key, where the body includes an electronic unit having a chip, an input and output device, a battery or other power source and a reader/contact and the key includes an electronically readable element therein which is read by the reader/contact to allow activation of the electronic unit for recording and replaying electronic data. The memory pebble also includes a chamber or slot for storing a physical items such as a photograph, coin, emblem or the like. The display apparatus includes sockets for receiving the pebbles and generally a centralized playback unit for replaying the electronic data contained in each pebble. The display apparatus allows large number of pebbles to be viewed for present and future enjoyment.

Abstract: A wiring structure for incorporation into garments allows electrical or electronic equipment carried about the person to be connected together. The cabling structure comprises cabling of electrical conductors or optical fibres and cabling terminations in the form of connector components. The connector components facilitate connection and disconnection with the electrical or electronic equipment and in order to do so are provided in the finished garment at accessible locations. The cable terminations are mounted on fabric portions allowing attachment with garments using traditional garment construction techniques. A fabric carrier piece may be provided.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the activity of an object at a remote location, includes a consumer electronic appliance having a first input for receiving data indicative of a program and a second input for receiving data indicative of the activity of the object. An activity sensor placed at the remote location senses the activity of the object and transmits data indicative of the activity to the second input of the consumer electronic appliance. The consumer electronic appliance may include an activity detector that measures the activity of the object in the object data. The activity detector may automatically cause the consumer electronic appliance to present the activity of the object if the measured activity meets a predetermined activity threshold. The consumer electronic appliance may also enable the user to momentarily observe the activity of the object or continuously monitor the activity of the object.

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: A garment is provided comprising a fabric shell (10) hosting one or more electrical conductors (12) the or each of which is connectable to at least one of a plurality of electronic devices (14, 16, 18, 20) housed in respective pockets (P) of the fabric shell (10). The pockets (P) are detachable from said fabric shell (10), with each pocket comprising a fabric cover provided with mechanical connector means, such as patches of Velcro™, zips or press studs. The garment fabric shell (10) is provided with complementary mechanical connector means to enable the fabric cover and device to be removably attached to said garment, each pocket further comprising means to establish electrical connection between a device in that pocket and one or more of said electrical conductors (12).

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: 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.