INTERFACING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE TO A CONTROLLER
First Claim
1. A method of interfacing an electronic device to a manually operable fabric controller forming part of a personal item, comprising the steps of:
- selecting an electronic device;
identifying an appropriate interface device appropriate for the selected electronic device, from a set of interface devices, wherein each of said set of interface devices has a generic physical interface for connection to said fabric controller and a specific physical interface for connection to a specific type of electronic device;
connecting the generic physical interface to said fabric controller;
supporting the electronic device in a pocket in said personal item;
connecting the specific physical interface to the electronic device; and
controlling the electronic device in response to operation of the fabric controller, wherein the interface device has been programmed to supply appropriate control commands to the electronic device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of interfacing an electronic device to a manually operable fabric controller forming part of a personal item, such as an item of clothing or bag. A set of interface devices, each comprising a housing enclosing a processing circuit with analogue ports and control ports, and supporting a first physical interface connected to analogue ports and connectable to a fabric sensor and a second physical interface connected to control ports and connectable to a specific type of electronic device. In this way, it is possible for different electronic devices to be controlled by operation of the fabric sensor supported by the personal item. A method of establishing a music-enabled item of clothing or bag. The identification of an appropriate interface device is facilitated at locations where electronic devices or accessories are made available. The fabric sensor may be removable from the personal item.
85 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of interfacing an electronic device to a manually operable fabric controller forming part of a personal item, comprising the steps of:
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selecting an electronic device; identifying an appropriate interface device appropriate for the selected electronic device, from a set of interface devices, wherein each of said set of interface devices has a generic physical interface for connection to said fabric controller and a specific physical interface for connection to a specific type of electronic device; connecting the generic physical interface to said fabric controller; supporting the electronic device in a pocket in said personal item; connecting the specific physical interface to the electronic device; and controlling the electronic device in response to operation of the fabric controller, wherein the interface device has been programmed to supply appropriate control commands to the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A set of interface devices, each interface device comprising:
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a processing circuit with analogue ports and control ports; a housing, for enclosing said processing circuit and for supporting a first physical interface and a second physical interface; each interface device has a substantially similar first physical interface connected to said analogue ports and connectable to a fabric sensor forming part of a personal item, each interface device has a specific second physical interface connected to said control ports and connectable to a specific type of electronic device, such that when connected each interface device allows a specific type of electronic device to be controlled by the fabric sensor, and said set of interface devices includes interface devices having different specific second physical interfaces, such that said set of interface devices allows different specific types of electronic device to be controlled by the fabric sensor of said personal item. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of establishing a music-enabled item of clothing or bag, wherein an item of clothing or bag is chosen from a collection of controller enabled items of clothing or bags, each of said controller enabled item of clothing or bag having a fabric position sensor included therein with a generic electrical connector;
- comprising the steps of;
selecting an electronic music player and inserting said music player into a pocket of said item of clothing or bag, wherein said pocket also has a connection to ear-pieces; identifying an appropriate interface device appropriate for the selected electronic device, from a set of interface devices; connecting a generic interface of said interface device to said generic electrical connector; connecting a specific interface of said interface device to said electronic device; and controlling the selected music player in response to applying manual pressure to the fabric position sensor of the chosen item of clothing or bag. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- comprising the steps of;
Specification