Abstract: An e-garment that includes embedded circuitry and a battery for power the embedded circuitry further includes several charge generator circuits that can include both active and passive charge generators, such as solar cells, triboelectric generator, piezoelectric generator, and thermoelectric generator circuits. Each different generator circuit accumulates charge in a respective storage capacitor until the voltage of the respective capacitor is sufficiently higher than that of the battery to overcome the forward voltage bias of a protective diode, where some of the charge flows out of the capacitor to the battery. Each of the charger generator circuits can contribute charge to the battery to prolong its operating time needed between recharges, if not actually recharge the battery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing vibration alerts to a user of a communication device uses a vibration alert application executing on the communication device that analyzes messages received by the communication device to select a corresponding vibration pattern to be used in alerting the user. An indication of the vibration pattern is transmitted to a vibration alert accessory having multiple vibration elements and that is communicatively linked with the communication device. The vibration alert accessory controls the vibration elements to perform the indicated vibration pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing vibration physiotherapy includes a vibration accessory that can produce vibrations over a range of frequencies, and is controlled by a communication device. The communication device executes a physiotherapy application program via which a user can select various operating modes to control vibration of the vibration accessory. The vibrations can be selected to be a constant frequency or the vibrations can be controlled to vary over time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing vibration alerts to a user of a communication device uses a vibration alert application executing on the communication device that analyzes messages received by the communication device to select a corresponding vibration pattern to be used in alerting the user. An indication of the vibration pattern is transmitted to a vibration alert accessory that is associated with the communication device. The vibration alert accessory controls a vibration motor to perform the indicated vibration pattern.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for monitoring ambient sound and vibration levels at the location of a user allows a determination as to whether the user is exceeding a maximum allowed exposure time as determined by an occupational standard. The sound and vibration level data can be evaluated locally at the mobile communication device, as well as transmitted to a backend system to allow supervision of personnel associated with the backend system as a further assurance that personnel comply with exposure limits. Further, the mobile communication device, in response to ambient conditions, adjusts the settings of its alerting sound and the vibration level of an associated vibration accessory to ensure perception of alerts by the mobile communication device for the user of the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for monitoring ambient sound and vibration levels at the location of a user allows a determination as to whether the user is exceeding a maximum allowed exposure time as determined by an occupational standard. The sound and vibration level data can be evaluated locally at the mobile communication device, as well as transmitted to a backend system to allow supervision of personnel associated with the backend system as a further assurance that personnel comply with exposure limits. Further, the mobile communication device, in response to ambient conditions, adjusts the settings of its alerting sound and the vibration level of an associated vibration accessory to ensure perception of alerts by the mobile communication device for the user of the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus logs alerts and response to alerts for members of an organization. When an alert message is transmitted to a user (i.e. the user's communication device), the alert activity is logged in a record. When the user acknowledges the alert, or fails to respond to the alert, the result is also logged. As such the organization can enforce compliance with alerting procedures and actions to be taken upon receiving an alert message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus logs alerts and response to alerts for members of an organization. When an alert message is transmitted to a user (i.e. the user's communication device), the alert activity is logged in a record. When the user acknowledges the alert, or fails to respond to the alert, the result is also logged. As such the organization can enforce compliance with alerting procedures and actions to be taken upon receiving an alert message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing vibration alerts to a user of a communication device uses a vibration alert application executing on the communication device that analyzes messages received by the communication device to select a corresponding vibration pattern to be used in alerting the user. An indication of the vibration pattern is transmitted to a vibration alert accessory that is associated with the communication device. The vibration alert accessory controls a vibration motor to perform the indicated vibration pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing vibration physiotherapy includes a vibration accessory that can produce vibrations over a range of frequencies, and is controlled by a communication device. The communication device executes a physiotherapy application program via which the user can select various operating mode to control vibration of the vibration accessory device. The vibrations can be selected to be a constant frequency or the vibrations can be controlled to vary over time.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (700) for capturing and cataloguing media filenames can include a media capturing device (101, 102 or 103), a context input device (106) for a providing a context value associated with at least one media file, and a processor (106) coupled to the context input device. The processor can be programmed to apply the context value to a media filename or a group of media filenames. The media capturing device can be a digital camera, a digital audio recording device, a digital video camera, a camera phone, or a portable computing device with any combination thereof. The context input device can include a voice capturing device and the system can further include a voice to text converter and tagging engine for tagging textual representations of captured voice associated with media captured by the media capturing device.

Abstract: A point of sale device (102) establishes a short range secure radio link (105) with a wireless payment device (104) to complete a transaction. The point of sale device transmits the transaction information to the wireless payment device (304) so the a user of the wireless payment device can approve the transaction (306). Upon approving the transaction, the wireless payment device transmits payment information to the point of sale device (308). The point of sale device uses the payment information to contact the appropriate payment source (110) to record the transaction. Upon the payment source confirming the transaction, the brand of the financial institution, card associations, and affinity groups acting as the payment source is announced so as to be observable by those in the vicinity of the point of sale device.

Abstract: A point of sale device (102) establishes a short range secure radio link (105) with a wireless payment device (104) to complete a transaction. The point of sale device transmits the transaction information to the wireless payment device (304) so the a user of the wireless payment device can approve the transaction (306). Upon approving the transaction, the wireless payment device transmits payment information to the point of sale device (308). The point of sale device uses the payment information to contact the appropriate payment source (110) to record the transaction. Upon the payment source confirming the transaction, the brand of the financial institution, card associations, and affinity groups acting as the payment source is announced so as to be observable by those in the vicinity of the point of sale device.