Functional, socially-enabled jewelry and systems for multi-device interaction

Abstract

An item of wearable jewelry, such as a bracelet, includes a support having an energizable indicator. A sensor detects a triggering event, and a control unit energizes the indicator to generate a default indicating condition by default, and to change the default indicating condition in response to detection of the triggering event.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-pall of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 540,242, filed June 27, 2017, which is the U.S. national stage application of[0002]International Patent Application No. PCT / US2015 / 000484, filed Dec. 23, 2015, which, in turn, claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 097,527, filed Dec. 29, 2014. This application also claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 362,274, filed Jul. 14, 2016. The contents of all said applications are incorporated herein by reference thereto in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0003]In general, the invention relates to communication and signaling devices that can be used for decoration, interaction, and gaming, and more particularly, to functional jewelry that can communicate and allow users to interact.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]For decades, perhaps since the advent of television, society has b...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a bracelet or jewelry that has a removable and interchangeable layer that can be covered and lit up by LEDs. The layer has various segments that can be designed with printed or three-dimensional features. One segment can have a prism to scatter the LED light and make it more attractive. The bracelet can also detect compatible devices in its surround and allow users to pair them up for shared access and operations. It can create a mesh network and self-assemble to distribute functions among available nodes. Overall, the bracelet enhances the experience of wearing it and facilitates group interactions.

Problems solved by technology

Technology has become so embedded in our lives and culture that removing it entirely is simply not feasible for most people.

The challenge, then, is how to engineer devices to facilitate genuine and engaging interactions between people—both at a distance and in person.

Many of the issues involved are themselves technological.

Most devices are simply not equipped or programmed for full peer-to-peer communication with computing and substantive functions performed by both devices.

Of all personal devices, jewelry and other small, wearable items present some of the sharpest challenges, because these items are traditionally among the smallest and are thus most subject to technical and size limitations, as well as aesthetic considerations.

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