WEARABLE COMPUTING DEVICE

• US 20130311132A1
• Filed: 05/10/2013
• Published: 11/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: TOBITA, Hiroaki
• Granted Patent: US 9,417,106 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/150
• CPC Class Codes: A41G 3/00 Wigs for dolls only A63H3/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/063 with tactile perception
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1604 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5002 Means for controlling a set of similar massage devices acting in sequence at different locations on a patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5015 using specific interfaces or standards, e.g. USB, serial, parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/061 with electronic detecting or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/16 for measuring distance of clearance between spaced objects
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position

Abstract

Wearable computing device, comprising a wig that is adapted to cover at least a part of a head of a user, at least one sensor for providing input data, a processing unit that is coupled to the at least one sensor for processing said input data, and a communication interface that is coupled to the processing unit for communicating with a second computing device. The at least one sensor, the processing unit and the communication interface are arranged in the wig and at least partly covered by the wig in order to be visually hidden during use.

Claims

1. Wearable computing device, comprising:

a wig that is adapted to cover at least a part of a head of a user,

at least one sensor for providing input data,

a processing unit that is coupled to the at least one sensor for processing said input data, and

a communication interface that is coupled to the processing unit for communicating with a second computing device,

the at least one sensor, the processing unit and the communication interface being arranged in the wig and at least partly covered by the wig in order to be visually hidden during use.

2. Wearable computing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wig comprises a plurality of natural and/or artificial hair pieces which cover and visually hide the at least one sensor, the control unit and the communication interface.

3. Wearable computing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication interface is adapted to wirelessly communicate with the second computing device, which second computing device is locally separated from the wearable computing device.

4. Wearable computing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first actuator for providing tactile feedback signals to the user, wherein the processing unit is adapted to generate output signals for controlling said first actuator, and wherein said first actuator is arranged in the wig and at least partly covered by the wig in order to be visually hidden during use.

5. Wearable computing device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising at least three further actuators for providing tactile feedback signals to the user, wherein the processing unit is adapted to generate output signals for controlling said at least three further actuators, wherein said at least three further actuators are arranged in the wig and at least partly covered by the wig in order to be visually hidden during use, and wherein said first actuator and said at least three further actuators are arranged in a cross-like pattern, wherein one actuator is arranged on each side of the wig, on a front, a back, a left and on a right side of the wig.

6. Wearable computing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the processing unit is adapted to generate output signals for controlling said first actuator and/or said at least three further actuators to provide tactile feedback signals depending on data received from the second computing device.

7. Wearable computing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a GPS sensor for providing position and location information.

8. Wearable computing device as claimed in claims 4, wherein the control unit is adapted to evaluate said position and location information and to control said first actuator and/or said at least three further actuators to provide tactile feedback signals to the user according to the evaluated position and location information to provide the user with navigation information.

9. Wearable computing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an ultrasound transducer coupled to the processing unit for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasound waves to detect an object in a surrounding of the wig.

10. Wearable computing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a camera sensor that is coupled to the processing unit for delivering image information from the surrounding of the wig.

11. Wearable computing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a switch button for generating controlling signals to control the second computing device, wherein the second computing device comprises a visual presentation device.

12. Wearable computing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a laser pointer that is arranged in or on the wig.

13. Wearable computing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a remote control for controlling the second computing device.

14. Wearable computing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a wig position sensor that is coupled to the processing unit for providing positioning data including information of a position of the wig relative to a reference position on the user'"'"'s head.

15. A system comprising:

a wearable computing device, including a wig that is adapted to cover at least a part of a head of a user, at least one sensor for providing input data, a processing unit that is coupled to the at least one sensor for processing said input data, and a communication interface that is coupled to the processing unit for communicating with a second computing device, the at least one sensor, the control unit and the communication interface being arranged in the wig and at least partly covered by the wig in order to be visually hidden during use; and

the second computing device for transmitting and/or receiving control data to and/or from the wearable computing device, which second computing device is locally separated from the wearable computing device.