Sony SmartWig Patent App Surfaces With, Among Other Things, A Laser Pointer
In what is quite possibly the oddest wearable device that has ever been proposed, Sony is attempting to patent a device it calls the SmartWig, which — as the name suggests — is a wig with technologies embedded. The idea is that the wig will communicate with a "secondary device" like a smartphone to give indicators for certain things like incoming messages. In addition, it is also proposed the SmartWig could house a camera and a laser pointer.
It would seem the SmartWig doesn't have to be an entire wig, with the patent application stating that it would be "adapted to cover at least a part of a head of a user," with the wig portion covering a sensor and a processor, among other possible hardware. The hardware could then provide an actuator that sends a single to the wearer when the secondary device receives a message, such as vibrating when you get an email.
The entire wearable is, at least on surface inspection, quite comical, but the this little snippet about a possible hardware add-on takes it to a new level:
"Additionally, the [SmartWig] may comprise a laser pointer that is arranged in or on the wig. The laser pointer may, for example, be arranged on a forehead part of the wig, so that the user may point out relevant information on the projected slide in the above-explained presentation mode. Moreover, a mouse pointer may be set on the back of the head of the user, so that the user can control the external computer remotely and move around freely."
Meaning, in some world where this device comes to fruition and is adopted by the non-balding world, you could have a professor or boss using his or her forehead to dictate relevant information on the whiteboard, and using the back of his or her head to control the cursor on the projector. There's also mention of integrating a camera, giving a whole new meaning to the term head mount. Facial gestures like raising an eyebrow could be programmed as a command, as well, and sensory information could be used in benefit to the blind.
SOURCE: Engadget