Abstract: A thin battery (100) has a central portion (110) and two end portions (120). One of the two end portions includes a positive voltage connection (121) exposed on both the top and bottom surfaces of the battery. The other one of the two end portions includes a negative voltage connection (122) exposed on both the top and bottom surfaces of the battery. Each of the end portions (120) includes a magnetic element having a north magnetic pole on one of the top or bottom surface of the battery and a south magnetic pole on the other one of the top or bottom surface of the battery. Multiple batteries may be connected to each other through magnetic attraction. The battery may be securely attached and electrically connected to a garment (1000) using positive and negative conductive surfaces/contacts (1010, 1020) on a fiber layer of the garment and a corresponding magnetic element (1050) beneath the conductive surfaces/contacts that attracts and secures the battery in place.

Abstract: A medical training and simulation system includes a plurality of inanimate objects, each being associated with an identification tag which stores an identification code which uniquely identifies an associated object. A database stores information of the objects. A reader reads a respective identification code of a selected object. An information retrieving processor retrieves the stored information which corresponds to the read identification code of the selected object. A device reproduces at least a portion of the retrieved information of the selected object.

Abstract: A patient carrier is hereby proposed for use in a radiation imaging suite, the patient carrier comprising at least one sensor configured to detect one or more parameters in a group of environmental parameters in the radiation imaging suite and physiological parameters of a patient positioned on the patient carrier, and an event initiator arranged to initiate an event in the radiation imaging suite based on the one or more detected parameters.

Abstract: A time management system for monitoring a patient in a healthcare facility is disclosed herein. The time management system comprises a monitoring device to monitor the progress of a procedure being undergone by the patient in the healthcare facility and output a monitored signal indicative of the progress of the procedure, as well as an indicator to indicate the progress of the procedure based on at least the monitored signal.

Abstract: A medical training and simulation system includes a plurality of inanimate objects, each being associated with an identification tag which stores an identification code which uniquely identifies an associated object. A database stores information of the objects. A reader reads a respective identification code of a selected object. An information retrieving processor retrieves the stored information which corresponds to the read identification code of the selected object. A device reproduces at least a portion of the retrieved information of the selected object.

Abstract: A modular wearable circuit suitable for demonstrating basic principles and/or concepts of electronics and electronic components by providing any number of the garments that can cooperate as a set to define a variety of different circuits capable of performing electrical or electronic functions. Each garment includes an integrated conductive network connected to one or more conductive connection points and one or more electronic components. Each garment represents and operates as at least one electronic component and is cooperative with one or more complementary garments to define one or more electronic circuits capable of performing an assortment of electronic operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fabric display using the action of electrostatic charges to manipulate visual displays. The fabric display comprises areas of furry fabrics (16) that can serve as visual effects or display of information and can be usable in a wearable garment, furniture, or other suitable locations where it can be incorporated to close a circuit. Through activation by the user, the surface of furry fabrics (16) is electrostatically charged causing the furs to repel from the surface and each other in a substantially vertical orientation with portions of the furs extending cut of the surface, thus revealing the color of the fabric surface.

Abstract: There is provided a fabric interconnect comprising a portion of a garment manufactured to contain a seamless tube-like elastic chamber to enable insertion of an electronic device having a conductive portion, wherein the chamber has a first inner surface that is substantially electrically conductive and a second inner surface that is substantially electrically non-conductive, and at least one fabric electrode coupled to the first inner surface. The electronic enclosure includes an outer casing having at least one conductive area. The electronic enclosure can be aligned in the chamber to a conducting and non-conducting position, by forcing the conducting area of the electronic enclosure to be in contact with the (conductive) first inner surface of the fabric interconnect, thereby turning the electronic device “on” and “off”. For example, by rotating the electronic device within the chamber or by pushing or pulling the electronic device to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A thin battery (100) has a central portion (110) and two end portions (120). One of the two end portions includes a positive voltage connection (121) exposed on both the top and bottom surfaces of the battery. The other one of the two end portions includes a negative voltage connection (122) exposed on both the top and bottom surfaces of the battery. Each of the end portions (120) includes a magnetic element having a north magnetic pole on one of the top or bottom surface of the battery and a south magnetic pole on the other one of the top or bottom surface of the battery. Multiple batteries may be connected to each other through magnetic attraction. The battery may be securely attached and electrically connected to a garment (1000) using positive and negative conductive surfaces/contacts (1010, 1020) on a fiber layer of the garment and a corresponding magnetic element (1050) beneath the conductive surfaces/contacts that attracts and secures the battery in place.

Abstract: Luggage or carrying container (1) having an interface (10) for cooperating with one or more electronic and/or wireless devices (20, 22, 24, 26, 28), a rechargeable power source (30), an integrated antenna (40), and a wireless communication system (50). The luggage (1) allows a user to better manage various electronic devices/accessories in terms of space, efficiency and operation during travel.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for establishing electrical communication between various power sources, as well as with a variety of different electronic applications including smart fabrics having electrical characteristics, such as a conductive fiber network and/or electronic devices/systems, associated therewith is provided in which a connecting element (22, 122, 222) is utilized to accomplish a threaded connection between two or more batteries (10, 110, 210, 310) and/or various other electronic applications (e.g., smart fabric applications) via one or more through channels (20, 120, 220) associated with each battery. The threaded connection, once appropriately established facilitates electrical communication by and between the various batteries and/or electronic applications as needed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stretchable fabric that may serve as a switch device or coupling to an electronic device and a power source by merely stretching or pushing the fabric. The stretchable fabrics may be usable in a wearable garment, furniture, or other suitable locations where it can be incorporated to close a circuit. Through a releasable stretching or pushing action by the user, electrically conductive strips integrated in the fabrics come in contact to activate related ancillary equipment such as power supplies or electronic devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stretchable fabric that may serve as a switch device or coupling to an electronic device and a power source by merely stretching or pusing the fabric. The stretchable fabrics may be usable in a wearable garment, furniture, or other suitable locations where it can be incorporated to close a circuit. Through a releasable stretching or pushing action by the user, electrically conductive strips integrated in the fabrics come in contact to activate related ancillary equipment such as power supplies or electronic devices.

Abstract: A handbag (10) is provided with an integrated power source (20), an integrated conductive network and a user interface operatively associated with a multi-functional strap (14) separably associated with the handbag (10), all of which cooperating to provide means for improving the overall experience associated with managing a number of portable electronic devices (18) individually and/or simultaneously. The handbag (10) includes a body (12) that defines at least one compartment for accommodating various personal items and means suitable for accommodating any of a variety of portable electronic devices (18) so as to be operatively connected to the power source, the interface. In addition, the handbag (10) includes a separable strap (14) having the user interface (30, 60) operatively associated therewith. The strap (14) is also advantageously suitable to connect portable electronic devices (18) to remote devices and to effectuate refreshing the integrated power source (20) via an external power supply.

Abstract: A battery, device and method for establishing electrical communication between a power source and fabrics having electrical characteristics, such as a conductive fiber network, associated therewith is provided in which a clip that is operatively associated with a battery securely but releasably engages and/or holds fabric such that when a portion of fabric, which fabric portion includes conductive contacts corresponding to the terminals of the battery, is appropriately engaged and/or held via the clip an electrical connection between the battery and fabric can be established such that electric power or signal can be transferred to any one or more electronic devices and/or systems associated with the fabric.

Abstract: A garment 20 includes magnetic interconnects 21 which serve to form mechanical connections to close garment 20 as well as to form electrical connections, for example, between power source 4 and a device 7. Interconnects 21 are formed by a first portion 22 and a second portion 23 which form a mechanical connection via magnetic attraction. First 22 and second 23 portions can be quickly coupled and decoupled and contain all the advantages of magnetic couplings, including ease of connection and simplicity of design.

Abstract: A modular wearable circuit suitable for demonstrating basic principles and/or concepts of electronics and electronic components by providing any number of the garments (10) that can cooperate as a set to define a variety of different circuits capable of performing electrical or electronic functions. Each garment includes an integrated conductive network connected to one or more conductive connection points (22) and one or more electronic components (24). Each garment represents and operates as at least one electronic component and is cooperative with one or more complementary garments (10) to define one or more electronic circuits capable of performing an assortment of electronic operations.

Abstract: Current batteries lack the requisite design, functionality, and user interface required by the fashion/garment industry. The invention proposes a battery, a battery housing, a wearable garment, and a method for supplying power, all of which involve a battery. The portable power source of the invention includes a fuel cell, or a battery, a positive terminal, a negative terminal, a housing, a mechanical resistance generator, at least one aperture for receiving at least one electrical connector, and a moveable portion coupled to the housing which the mechanical resistance generator presses against the at least one electrical connector against the positive terminal and the negative terminal to form a circuit.

Abstract: There is provided a time-delay soft switch that has one or more first layers (10) of material with first elastomeric properties and one or more second layers of material with second elastomeric properties differing from those of the one or more first layers (10). One or more first layers (10) and/or one or more second layers (20) are each provided with at least one electrically conductive portion surface (12, 22). The time-delay switch provides, via the relative elastomeric properties of the layers, a time delay for opening and/or closing of an electric circuit that is compatible with the soft, flexible nature of a fabric.

Abstract: There is provided a fabric interconnect system (1) operatively integrated, at least in part, into a textile. The inter-connect system (1) includes a connector (10) with at least two perforated layers (20) with perforations (22) and one or more flexible layers (30) of material with protruding fibers (32) that are suitable to permeate and/or engage the at perforations (22) to accomplish a secure electrical and mechanical connection.