WO2004036891A2

WO2004036891A2 - Wearable interactive system

Info

Publication number: WO2004036891A2
Application number: PCT/IL2003/000835
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gil Sudai; Maya Fridler; Alon Atsmon; Avraham Dahan; Clara Dahan
Original assignee: Wonderscreen Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-10-21
Filing date: 2003-10-15
Publication date: 2004-04-29
Also published as: AU2003272063A1; AU2003272063A8; WO2004036891A3

Abstract

A device is presented capable of producing on a display (202) that is attached to an item of clothing (201) an image based on a signal received from a wireless communication device (204).

Description

WEARABLE INTERACTIVE SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention generally relates to the field electronic devices for enhancing the appearance of clothing items and for rendering such clothing items interactive. More specifically, the present invention is a method or a system for producing an image on a display adapted to be attached to an item of clothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [002] Decorative electric or electronic devices have been used in recent years to enhance the appearance of clothing items with a luminescent visual effect. One group of such devices utilizes lighting technology to create visual effects on an item of clothing. Such lighting technology commonly utilizes one or more light emitting diodes or electro-luminescent units in sneakers or other articles of clothing. However, these lighting elements are generally not capable of displaying complex text and/or images, and in any event are not programmable and therefore provide only limited display and display adaptability capabilities.

[003] Despite considerable technological advancement in the fields of electronic display and wireless communication current decorative electronic devices suffer from poor display quality and/or limited programmability or adaptability of the displayed content. There is a need for a device which may provide a display that can be fastened or otherwise attached to an article of clothing, and which display may be programmed or otherwise adapted based on signals received from a user. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[004] Some embodiment of the present invention relate to an apparatus, method and a system for producing, on a display adapted to be attached to an item of clothing, at least one display image generated based on signals received from a wireless communication device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[005] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

[006] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [007] Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustration of a wearable alpha-numeric display programmed by a phone, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

[008] Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the invention in which a picture or video content may be displayed on display unit; and [009] Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a system of two wearable devices in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0010] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[001 1 ] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[0012] Throughout the specification and the claims, the terms "non-mediated", "non-mediated signal" or the like may be used to describe any communication that is conducted, carried or transmitted from a sender to a receiver without the intervention of an intermediate device mediating the signal. Thus, for example, a DTMF signal transmitted acoustically to a sensing device such as a microphone may be non-mediated where there is no intervening medium transmitting the signal from the transmitter to the receiver.

[0013 1 According to embodiments of the present invention, a method and a device are presented for producing, on a display adapted to be attached to an item of clothing, at least one display image generated based on an input signal received from a wireless communication device.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the signal may be received from the wireless communication device in a non-mediated manner, that is to say, that the signal may be conducted, carried or transmitted from the wireless communication device to a receiver associated a device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, without the intervention of an intermediate device mediating the signal. The transmitter may be adapted to generate any signal which may be compatible with the receiver of the device. Such signals may include, but are not limited to, DTMF signal, electromagnetic signals, etc.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of components of a device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, adapted to receive input signals from a wireless communication device. In accordance with the non-limiting embodiment shown, the wireless communication device 101 is able to transmit signals to the device 100 in a non-mediated manner, and the receiver or sensor 104 associated with the device is able to receive the signals from the wireless communication device 101 transmitted thereto in a non-mediated manner. The device 100 may include a sensor 104, a decoder 106, a processor 108 and a display unit 110. The device 100 may also include a power source 112. As part of some embodiments of the present invention, -the device 100 may receive a signal 102 from a mobile or wireless communication device 101.

[0016] According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the signals from the wireless communication device 101 to be received in a non-mediated manner by the device 100 may be acoustic sounds, for example but not limited to, dial tones, uttered words, music and the like. According to other embodiments of the invention, the non-mediated signal may be an electromagnetic signal, for example but not limited to, an infrared, RF or Bluetooth™ signal. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited in this respect, and that any suitable signal which may be transmitted and received in a non-mediated manner may be used with embodiments of the present invention. [0017] As part of some embodiments of the present invention, the wireless communication device 101 may be any device which is adapted to produce signals, which signals may be transmitted and received in a non-mediated manner by a device 100 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, thereby causing a display image to be displayed. According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the wireless communication device 101 may be a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant or any other suitable device. According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the wireless communication device 101 may be any device capable of communicating electromagnetically, acoustically, or otherwise wirelessly and in a non-mediated manner with a device 100 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. For example, as part of some embodiments of the present invention, a wireless communication device 101 may be specifically designed for the purpose of communication with a device 100 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention the device 100 may be adapted to receive the signal 102 produced by the wireless communication device 101, for example through a sensor 104, such as a microphone, piezoelectric acoustic sensor, or any other suitable sensory device. The sensor 104 or an accompanying module may translate the signal and/or may input the translated signal to a decoder 106. For example, the sensor 104 may translate an acoustic input signal to electric impulses suitable for processing by the processor 108. The processor 108 may be adapted to produce control signals to control one or more parameters of the display unit 110. The control signals may be associated with the input signal, such the display provided by the display unit may be influenced by the input signals received by the device 100.

[0019] According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, an input signal or a combination of input signals from the wireless communication device 101 may invoke the display of a display image associated with the signal or signals. The display image may be a textual or visual image or content which may appear on the display unit 110. The textual or visual image or content may include an image, a pixel, a combination of pixels, a pattern, a symbol, a stills image, an animation, a movie, a video clip, a banner, a commercial advertisement, a light spot, a color dot, spot or area, alphanumeric text, a sentence or any other form of expression suitable in connection with embodiments of the present invention. Each of the aforementioned display images may be associated with a single input signal or with a combination of input signals. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the input signals may also invoke other output devices such as a speaker (not shown). The speaker may produce audio content in response to a signal or a sequence of signals received from the wireless communication device or from any other source. The speaker or any other output device may or may not be fitted onto the clothing item and may or may not be incorporated into the display unit 110.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the input signals from the wireless communication device may be input by a user, for example a person operating the wireless communication device. In this case, even a substantially simple display image such as a sentence or a simple visual image may require a multiplicity of input signals. The user may also invoke a plurality of input signals or a stream of input signals. For example, the user may execute a video data stream transmission, which data stream may be received by the device, translated and displayed on the display unit. Thus, a substantially composite and dynamic display may be achieved with little effort required from user. In an alternative embodiment, an input signal or sequence of input signals may invoke or execute a preprogrammed display image programmed into the device. The device may be preprogrammed with a plurality of display images and each may be associated with a specific signal or sequence of signals from the wireless communication device. In another embodiment, the input signal from the wireless communication device may be modified or mediated by an intermediate communication element. For example, the display image may be affected by such factors as the identity of a caller initiating a communication session with the wireless communication device that is associated with the device of the present invention. Different callers may cause different signals to be generated by the wireless communication device, such that the signal from the wireless communication device may be individually associated with each caller, respectively. Accordingly, for each caller or for each group of callers a distinct signal may be generated and transmitted, resulting in the generation of a distinct display image on the display unit. . [0021]In some embodiments of the present invention, each display image may be associated with a plurality of input signals, and each of the input signals may determine one or more display parameters of the display image. For example, a display image may be associated with first and second input signals, where the first and second input signals may represent, for example, the X,Y coordinates on a display unit to be used for displaying the display image. In another exemplary embodiment, the display image may be further associated with a third input signal which may be used to determine the color of the display image to be displayed. Other display parameters may be associated with further input signals, either in addition or in alternative to the input signals discussed hereinabove. Default values may be defined and may be assigned to a display image in case certain parameters are not defined by the set of input signals associated with that display image.

[0022] According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the display unit 110 may be one or more light emitting diodes (LED), such as, for example, an array of LEDs, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an electro-luminescent display, for example, in the form of a two-dimensional panel or tube, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), an active pixel display (APD) or any other suitable display known today or yet to be devised in the future. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may be substantially thin and flexible. Thin and flexible display unit may be more convenient when attached to a clothing item. The display unit 110 may be substantially transparent or may have a specific color, . The display unit 110 may either be rendered transparent when operated in a specific mode of activation or the display unit 110 may be transparent when operated in a non-active mode, e.g. when idle. Similarly, the display unit 110 may have a specific color when operated in a specific mode of operation, which may be determined for example by an input signal received from a wireless communication device 101, or the display unit 110 may have a specific color when operated in a non-active mode, e.g. when idle. The transparent display unit 110 may enable the exposure of some body areas or body parts. For this end, the display unit 110 may be fitted directly onto the body or may be fitted onto a clothing item having surrounding the display unit 110, thereby creating a transparent window where the display unit 110 is located. In an embodiment of the invention, the user may, by sending the appropriate input signal, select the desired degree of transparency or opacity of the display unit. Additionally or alternatively, in an embodiment of the invention, the user may, by sending the appropriate input signal, select the desired area or location of transparency of the display unit.

[0023] As part of some embodiments of the present invention, a wireless communication device 101, which may be a wireless telephone, for example, may be used to produce one or more signals, such as sounds 102, for example, using acoustic transmission or dial tone multi frequency (DTMF). The DTMF signal 102 may be produced by a user physically present at the device. Another example of an input signal may be a spoken word played by the user or by the speaker of the wireless communication device. The signal may be received by device 100, for example through a sensor 104, such as a microphone. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that the microphone may be any electroacoustic transducer adapted to produce electrical impulses, for example, alternating current impulses, based on sound waves received. As this may be done in many ways, any type of microphone may be suitable for use in connection with embodiments of the invention. . A decoder 106 may be used to decode the signal, for example, into one or more alphanumeric characters or images, or a combination of such. The decoded signal may then be received by a processor 108, and may be processed, such that an output display signal may be generated. The output display signal produced by the processor 108 may be sent to a display unit 110. The processor 108 may include any hardware or software necessary to produce an output to the display unit 110 based on the decoded signal. A power source 112, such as, for example, a flat, printed or a paper battery, may be used to power the display unit 110 and/or other components, including but not limited to the processor 108, the decoder 106 and/or the microphone 104. The power source 112 may also include or be associated with a flat coil, a planar transformer, a printed transformer or any other suitable transformer (not shown) if necessary to power the display unit 110.

[0024] It will be understood that while acoustic signals are used in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 , the invention is not limited in this respect. Any signal which may be produced by a wireless communication device and which may be received by the receiving element without the intervention of a mediating device may be suitable. For example, an electromagnetic signal such as infrared, RF or Bluetooth™ may be suitable for use in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a wearable alphanumeric display programmed by a telephone, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. A shirt 200 may have attached to it a display unit 202 as part of a device 201 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. It will be understood that while a shirt was used for purposes of illustration in the embodiment shown, the invention is not limited in this regard, and any article of clothing may be used in connection with embodiments of the invention. The display unit 202 may be attached using any known form of attachment, for example, clips, hose holders, Velcro™, zipper, button, glue, stitching, welt, hook and loop fasteners, etc. The display unit 202 may also be attached directly to the body as an article of clothing (for example, a display unit that will be fastened around the neck). The display unit 202 may be flexible and substantially thin and may thus be conveniently attachment to the clothing item. A user may use a telephone 204, such as, for example, a mobile telephone, to program or otherwise communicate with the display unit 202 by way of DTMF input signals received by a DTMF detector 206. In response to the input signals, the display unit 202 may show an alphanumeric message 208 corresponding to the DTMF input signals. It will be recognized that other acoustic sounds or signals emanating from the wireless communication device 204 may activate, adapt or otherwise alter the display. For example, the ringing of a wireless telephone 204 may cause a certain predetermined text or picture to appear on the display. [0026] It will be understood that while some embodiments of the present invention have been described with respect to an alphanumeric message, the display unit 202 may be programmed to display or show any other display image, including but not limited to, geometric shapes and visual images, such as photographs and/or video content.

[0027] Furthermore, it should be noted that in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, each display image, such as visual image, alphanumeric symbol, video content, etc., may be associated with a specific signal and/or a specific string or combination of signals, such that a composite visual image, video content or a plurality of text or symbol characters (e.g. a sentence) may be displayed in response to a specific input signal or in response to a relatively short sequence or combination of input signals. In other cases, a composite visual image, video content or a plurality of text or symbol characters may be achieved by collectively displaying a combination of a plurality of smaller display images, such as dots or pixels or small groups of dots or pixels, each being individually associated with a specific input signal. The combination of a plurality of such smaller images may collectively provide a composite image. [0028] Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the invention in which a picture 300 may be displayed on display unit 202. For example, the picture 300 may be produced by a telephone 204, such as, for example, a mobile telephone, having a photographic display or a digital camera associated with it. The picture 300 may be transmitted by any in a non-mediated manner by any suitable transmitter, for example, by infrared, RF communication or DTMF. As such, an appropriate receiver or sensor 206 is required in connection with display unit 202. Alternately or additionally to displaying pictures or images, display 202 may be programmed to display colors, flash periodically, or otherwise change the display based on input signals, for example from wireless communication device 204. It will be understood that the text, images and other visual aspects of the display may be used to convey any content, including, for example, advertisements, a score or statistic on the uniform of an athlete, an interactive game and/or other content, which display may be programmed or otherwise adapted by any non-mediated signal.

[0029] The image 300 displayed by the display unit 202 may be updated or refreshed from time to time and in various refreshment rates or frequency. For example, the display unit 202 may be programmed to display, for example, 24. 50 or 60 sequential images per second, thus enabling the display of images in a manner to provide video content. The updated images may be received from time to time, for example shortly after an event has occurred, from the wireless communication device. Alternatively, the images may be programmed into the device 201 in advance, and the signal from the wireless communication device may instruct the device 201 which images to display. The displayed image may be updated randomly, when a certain event occurs (e.g. receipt of updated input signal) or in accordance with one or more predefined patterns.

[0030] Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a system of two wearable devices in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A first shirt 400 may be associated with a first device 404 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, and a second shirt 410 may be associated with a second device 414 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The first and the second devices 404 and 414 may each include a display unit 402 and 412, respectively. The display units 402 and 412 may be fitted, mounted or otherwise attached to the first and second shirts 400 and 410, respectively. The first and the second devices 404 and 414 may each include an output generator or an array of output generators (not shown) such as an acoustic speaker, for example, a piezoelectric speaker, or an infrared light emitting diode to communicate with each other via non-mediated signals. The display units 402 and 412 on the shirts 400 and 410 may thus display synchronized or otherwise complementary content based on the communication.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first and second devices 404 and 406 may have mutual interaction capabilities, such that the display of each of the first and second devices 404 and 414 may be affected by one another. In one example of such mutual interaction, an input signal received by the first device 404 may affect the second device 414, such that certain images or content displayed by the display unit 402 of the first device 404 may affect the second device 414, and specifically, the image or content displayed by the display unit 412 of the second device. The mutual interaction may represent any mutual act άty or status, such as a game between each of the users operating the first and the second device or various levels of hierarchy between users, etc. The interaction may be further associated with additional factors such as the distance between the two devices. For example, a light may be activated when the distance between the units is shorter than a predetermined distance.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, a first device 404 associated with the first shirt 400 may include a DTMF or SMS receiver 406 that may be adapted to receive a DTMF/SMS message from a mobile phone (not shown). The display unit 402 may be adapted to display the message received by the receiver 406. The first device may also include a transmitter 408. The transmitter 408 may send the signal received from the mobile phone. The transmitter may also be adapted to send a signal independently, for example, the transmitter 408 may be adapted to send a signal produced by the first device 404. A second device 414 associated with the second shirt 410 may include a receiver 416 and a display unit 412. The receiver 416 may be adapted to receive the message sent by the transmitter 408 associated with the first shirt 400. The display unit 412 may be adapted to display the message received by the receiver 416. The second device 414 may also include a transmitter 418 and the first device may also include a receiver 406, such that they may mutually communicate with each other. [0033] A method in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may include receiving a signal, for example, a non-mediated signal, decoding or otherwise processing the signal to extract certain content and prepare or format such content to be produced on the display, then processing the signal to determine one or more display parameters which may be associated with the signal, and finally, displaying a display image based on the signal.

[0034] According to some embodiments of the present invention, receiving, decoding and producing a display image may be repeated for each display image forming a composite image or alphanumeric symbol or text. According to some embodiments of the present invention, each signal may be associated with one or more specific images or with one or more alphanumeric symbols, and the one or more images or alphanumeric symbols may be displayed when the signal corresponding with that image(s) or alphanumeric symbol(s) is received.

[0035] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An apparatus able to be attached to an article of clothing comprising: a receiver able to receive an input signal from a wireless communication device; a processor able to produce a display signal based at least on said input signal; and at least one display unit able to accept said display signal and produce at least one display image based on said display signal.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input signal from said wireless communication device is a non-mediated input signal.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said apparatus is able to be removably attached to an article of clothing.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said display unit is thin and flexible.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising means for attaching said display to an article of clothing.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said input signal is an acoustic signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said input signal is a dial tone multi-frequency signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said input signal is an infrared signal.

9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said wireless communication device is a mobile telephone.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said display unit comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said display unit comprises a liquid crystal display.

12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said display unit comprises an electroluminescent display.

13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said display unit comprises an organic light-emitting diode.

14. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said display unit comprises an active pixel display.

15. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said display unit has a plurality of modes of operation, and wherein said display unit is substantially transparent when said display unit is in at least one of said plurality of modes of operation.

16. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said receiver comprises a microphone.

17. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising a power supply unit.

18. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said display image includes text.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said text comprises text preprogrammed into a memory associated with said display unit

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said text comprises text encoded in said input signal.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said text comprises song lyrics associated with said input signal.

22. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said display image is one of a group consisting of a still image, an animation and video content.

23. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said display unit is configured to display an interactive game.

24. A system comprising: a first article of clothing; a wireless communication device able to transmit a first input signal; and a first wearable display unit able to be attached to said first article of clothing, receive said first signal and display a display image based on said first signal.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said first input signal is a non-mediated input signal.

26. The system of claim 25 comprising means for attaching said display unit to said first article of clothing.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein said input signal is an acoustic signal.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said input signal is a dial tone multi-frequency signal.

29. The system of claim 25, wherein said display unit is chosen from the set consisting of a plurality of light emitting diodes, a liquid crystal display and an electroluminescent display.

30. The system of claim 25, comprising a microphone.

31. The system of claim 25, comprising: a second article of clothing; and a second wearable display unit able to be attached to said second article of clothing, receive a second input signal and display a display image based on said second signal.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein said second input signal is produced by said first wearable display unit.

33. A method comprising receiving an input signal from a wireless communication device; processing said input signal to obtain a display signal; and displaying on a display unit able to be attached to an article of clothing a display image based on said display signal.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said input signal is non-mediated.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein said input signal is an infrared signal.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein said input signal is an acoustic signal.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said input signal is a dial tone multi-frequency signal.