GB2514625A - Reconfigurable personal accessory and method of operation - Google Patents

Abstract

A reconfigurable personal accessory 10 includes a plurality of elements 100 which are reconfigurable can be magnetically coupled together in series; wherein the elements 100 include active modules (400, fig 7) which provide at least one technical functionality; the at least one technical functionality includes at least one of: a bonding signaling functionality, a gaming functionality, an alarm functionality, a health-monitoring functionality, the technical functionality preferably includes an processor and a wireless communication system such as Bluetooth . The reconfigurable personal accessory 10 is preferably a wearable item of jewellery such as a bracelet and/or a reconfigurable ornament.

Description

RECONFIGURABLE PERSONAL ACCESSORY AND METHOD OF OPERATION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to reconfigurable personal accessories which exhibit aesthetic appeal and also technical functionality; more particularly, the present invention relates to wearable personal accessories including a plurality of mutually couplable elements which are susceptible to being spatially rearranged in sequence, and which are operable to provide user-appreciated technical functionalities.

Moreover, the present invention also relates to methods of operating aforesaid reconfigurable personal accessories. Furthermore, the present invention relates to software products recorded on non-transitory machine-readable data storage media, wherein the software products are executable upon computing hardware for implementing aforesaid methods.

is Background of the invention

Since ancient times, humans have appreciated small personal accessories, for example trinkets, jewellery and similar. Such personal accessories have, for example, been employed as a projection of personal character, social status and similar. More recently, humans have become accustomed to personal accessories such as packets of cigarettes, and later mobile telephones. Such personal accessories are capable of providing at least one of pleasure, interest and entertainment, namely rewarding users of the personal items in response to their fidgeting activities in respect of the small personal accessories. Moreover, such fidgeting can become habit-forming.

In order to provide flexibility, it is known for personal accessories to be reconfigurable. For example, in a French utility patent no. FR2930409 (Applicant -Caruncho Diaz Grande Frederico; "Piece of jewellery and playing item"), there is described a piece of jewellery which is also capable of functioning as a play item, wherein the item includes a configuration of adjacent elements, wherein the elements include magnetic sectors which are polarized in an opposite manner, namely negative sectors and positive sectors. The elements are disposed in a manner such that certain of the contiguous negative sectors are operable to provide an attractive force which is capable of maintaining junctions of the elements, whilst also allowing for manual separation thereof.

Moreover, in a German Gebrauchsmuster DE 20 2006 006 160 Ui (Applicant -Thomas Breitbach & Sylvia Stellweg, "Jewellery Chain Segment for individually variable format multifunction Jewellery Chain"), there is described a jewellery chain segment for a individually variable format jewellery chain, wherein both ends of a jewellery chain segment are provided with a magnetic arrangement, of galvanized precious metal, having a radius in a range of 5 mm to 20 mm and being of semicircular form, wherein the ends are operable mutually to attract.

However, such jewellery has not become widely popular because it provides negligible benefit to its users in comparison to conventional items of jewellery having a constant fixed configuration of elements. Moreover, on account of there being considerable low-cost dress jewellery contemporarily available for purchase, many users have large dress jewellery collections which provide considerable user variety without needing users to own any items of reconfigurable jewellery.

Summary of the invention

The present invention seeks to provide an improved type of reconfigurable personal accessory, for example an improved type of reconfigurable personal accessory that is operable to provide its user with enhanced technical functionality.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reconfigurable personal accessory as defined in appended claim 1: there is provided a reconfigurable personal accessory, characterized in that the reconfigurable personal accessory includes a plurality of elements which are reconfigurably magnetically couplable together in series, wherein the elements include therein active modules which are operable to provide at least one technical functionality when in operation.

The invention is of advantage in that the reconfigurable personal accessory is capable of having both visual appeal and also providing at least one technical functionality, thereby rendering the reconfigurable personal accessory more interesting, entertaining and useful to its user.

Optionally, for the reconfigurable personal accessory, the series of reconfigurably magnetically couplable elements is magnetically attachable to at least one elongate band arrangement for enabling the reconfigurable personal accessory to be worn around a portion of a body. More optionally, for the reconfigurable personal accessory, the at least one elongate band arrangement is fabricated from a flexible polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material includes at least one of: natural rubber, Polyurethane, woven textiles, a plurality of hinged rigid segments coupled in series.

Optionally, for the reconfigurable personal accessory, operating power is distributed along the series of elements via at least one of: (a) via magnetic coupling components which interface mechanically between the elements to coupled them detachably together; and is (b) resonant inductive power transfer.

Optionally, for the reconfigurable personal accessory, the elements include a data processing arrangement, and the elements are operable to exchange data therebetween when in operation.

Optionally, for the reconfigurable personal accessory, the elements have a substantially trapezoidal cross-section for enabling the elements to be mutually couplable in series in a reconfigurable manner spatially in an arcuate form for conforming to a curved surface of a body on which the reconfigurable personal accessory is to be worn.

Optionally, for the reconfigurable personal accessory, the elements are reconfigurable to form the series of elements into an ornamental "S-shaped configuration.

Optionally, for the reconfigurable personal accessory, the elements include one or more sensors therein for sensing input to the elements to support the at least one technical functionality, wherein the one or more sensors include at least one of: a touch sensor, a temperature sensor, an acoustic sensor, an accelerometer, an angular gyroscopic sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a wireless interface.

Optionally, for the reconfigurable personal accessory, the elements include one or more transducers therein for generating output from the elements to support the at least one technical functionality, wherein the one or more transducers include at least one of: angular and/or translation motion vibration transducers, an acoustic sounder, an optical transducer, a wireless interface.

Optionally, for the reconfigurable personal accessory, the elements include at least one energy storage component therein for providing power to the elements when in operation. More optionally, for the reconfigurable personal accessory, the at least one energy storage component is rechargeable.

Optionally, for the reconfigurable personal accessory, the elements include a data processing arrangement which is operable to communicate via a communication network to external devices when providing the at least one technical functionality.

Optionally, for the reconfigurable personal accessory, the at least one technical functionality is determined by one or more software products downloaded and/or initially installed in a data processing arrangement of the elements. More optionally, for the reconfigurable personal accessory, the at least one technical functionality includes at least one of: a bonding signalling functionality, a gaming functionality, an alarm functionality, a health-monitoring functionality.

Optionally, for the reconfigurable personal accessory, the elements are implemented as injection-moulded plastics material parts, wherein active components of the elements providing the at least one technical functionality are protected within the injection-moulded plastics material parts.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a software product recorded on non-transitory machine-readable data storage media, characterized in that the software product is executable on a data processing arrangement of a plurality of elements of a reconfigurable personal accessory pursuant to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the software product when executed implements at least one technical functionality of the reconfigurable personal accessory.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a reconfigurable personal accessory pursuant to the first aspect of the invention, characterized in that the method includes: (a) exchanging data between elements of the reconfigurable accessory to determine a manner in which the elements are arranged in the reconfigurable personal accessory and one or more technical functionalities which the elements are capable of supporting; and (b) executing one or more software products on a data processing arrangement of the elements for providing the reconfigurable personal accessory with at least one technical functionality when in operation.

Optionally, for the method, the at least one technical functionality includes at least one of: a bonding signalling functionality, a gaming functionality, an alarm functionality, a health-monitoring functionality.

It will be appreciated that features of the invention are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Description of the diagrams

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein: FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of reconfigurable personal accessory pursuant to the present invention, and an illustration of the personal accessory pursuant worn on a wrist of a user; FIG. 2 is an illustration of a flexible band of the reconfigurable personal accessory of FIG. 1, together with an illustration of elements associated with the reconfigurable personal accessory reconfigured to form an "S"-shaped ornament, and an illustration of an individual isolated element of the reconfigurable personal accessory; FIG. 3 is an illustration of the reconfigurable personal accessory of FIG. 1 viewed from another viewing angle; FIG. 4 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a reconfigurable personal accessory pursuant to the present invention; FIG. 5 is an alternative view of an "S-shaped ornament utilizing elements of a reconfigurable personal accessory pursuant to the present invention; FIG. 6 is an end view of the "S"-shaped ornament of FIG. 5 coupled to an end-element of the flexible band of FIG. 2; FIG. 7 is a detailed illustration of an individual element of the reconfigurable personal accessory of FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of power provision and communication links pertaining to the reconfigurable personal accessory of FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is an illustration of functional component parts within elements of the reconfigurable personal accessory of FIG. 1; and is FIG. 10 is an illustration of steps of a method of operating the reconfigurable personal accessory of FIG. 1.

In the accompanying diagrams, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.

Description of embodiments of the invention

The present invention is concerned with reconfigurable personal accessories, for example reconfigurable personal accessories which are also capable of providing an appearance of items of jewellery, decorative ornaments of similar; however, the reconfigurable personal accessories are also operable to provide one or more technical functionalities which are reconfigurable. The one or more technical functionalities include at least one of: communication, environmental monitoring, entertainment, user comfort. Moreover, each reconfigurable personal accessory includes a plurality of elements which are individually capable of providing various technical functions, as well as operating in combination to provide synergistically beneficially technical functionalities. The elements are beneficially mutually coupled together in series when in operation by way of a form of magnetic attachment.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an illustration of an embodiment of a reconfigurable personal accessory according to the present invention; the reconfigurable personal accessory is indicated generally by 10, and will be referred to

as accessory" in the following disclosure.

The accessory 10 is susceptible to being employed in several different manners, for example as a wrist bracelet as illustrated in FIG. 1, as a necklace, as a choker, as a decorative ornament, as a gaming apparatus, but not limited thereto. In FIG. 1, the accessory 10 is illustrated attached to a wrist portion 30 associated with a hand 20 of a user (not shown). The accessory 10 includes a flexible band 50, for example fabricated from leather, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, Silicone rubber, is Polyurethane, woven textile material and similar. Ends of the flexible band 50 are attached to coupling elements 60. Optionally, the flexible band 50 is attached to the coupling elements 60 by way of one or more transverse pins 70; alternatively, the coupling elements 60 are integrally rnoulded with the flexible band 50; yet alternatively, the coupling elements 60 are bonded by adhesive to the flexible band 50, yet alternatively, the coupling elements 60 include unidirectional barbed components that engage onto the flexible band 50 when pushed into a recess provided in each coupling element 60; other ways of attaching the flexible band 50 to the coupling elements 60 are feasible pursuant to the present invention, for example a plurality of transverse fastening pins 70 beneficially traverse the flexible band to maintain it attached to the coupling elements 60. Optionally, the flexible band is of substantially uniform cross-section along its length. Optionally, the flexible band 50 is of progressively increasing cross-section in a vicinity of the coupling elements 60.

Optionally, the flexible band 50 is a multiplayer component part. Optionally, the flexible band 50 is a single layer component. Optionally, the flexible band 50 has various colour finishes, for example a mutually different colour on an inside radius surface of the flexible band 50 relative to an outside radius surface of the flexible band 50. At distal ends of the coupling elements 60, remote from the flexible band 50, permanent magnets are included which are secured into the coupling elements 60. These permanent magnets face towards one or more functional elements 100 attached in series between the end elements 60 as illustrated. The functional elements 100 are also mutually coupled by way of permanent magnets included into the functional elements 100. However, other types of fasters are optionally employed to couple one or more of the functional elements mutually together, for example a snap-fit mechanical attachment. Optionally, the flexible band 50 has a height in a range of 5 mm to 25 mm, more optionally substantially 12 mm. Moreover, optionally, the flexible band 50 has a thickness in a range of 1 mm to 5 mm thick, more preferably substantially in a range of 2 mm to 3 mm thick. In operation, the user attached the accessory 10 to his/her wrist by allowing a gap between two neighbouring function elements 100, or a gap between a function element 100 and a neighbouring coupling element 60, to close after the accessory 10 has been placed around the wrist 30 of the user. Moreover, in operation, the accessory 10 is removable from the wrist 30 by the user applying finger force to prize apart two neighbouring functional elements 100, or by applying finger force to prize apart a functional element 100 from its neighbouring coupling element 60.

Referring next to FIG. 2, there is shown the flexible band 50 with its functional elements 100 removed, wherein each distal end of the coupling elements 60 includes one or more permanent magnets, for example a pair of permanent magnets 200 as illustrated, wherein the magnets 200 are embedded in the coupling elements 60 as illustrated. Moreover, an example functional element 100 is illustrated adjacent to the flexible band 50, wherein coupling edges of the functional element 100 includes one or more permanent magnets, for example two magnets 200 as illustrated.

Beneficially, the permanent magnets 200 of the functional elements 100 are of similar spacing pitch to the magnets 200 of the coupling elements 60. As will be described in greater detail later, the permanent magnets 200 provide both mechanical attachment as well as a coupling path for coupling electrical power between the functional elements 100.

When the functional elements 100 are detached from the flexible band 50 and its associated coupling elements 60, the functional elements 100 can be reconfigured to provide a technically-functionally decorative ornament as indicated generally by 150, for example, the decorative ornament 150 can be configured into an S"-shape form as denoted by 160, a curved arcuate form, a substantially straight elongate ornament, or any variation of such forms. The magnets 200 beneficially have an exposed pole polarity which enables the functional elements 100 to be mutually coupled together in various different angular orientations.

Referring next to FIG. 3, another view of the accessory 10 is illustrated, wherein the functional elements 100 are shown mutually coupled in series in a form of a curved arc to match to an external curvature of the wrist 30. The functional elements 100 are coupled to the coupling elements 60 and the flexible band 50 to form a complete loop. As illustrated, each functional element 100 has a trapezoidal form when viewed from its ends which are devoid of magnets 200. Optionally, the flexible band is of sufficient length to enable the accessory 10 to function as a necklace, choker or similar item of jewellery. Optionally, the functional elements 100 can be transferred from different types of flexible band 50, depending upon a purpose which the functional elements 100 are to be employed.

It will be appreciated that the accessory 10 is susceptible to being implemented in other ways, for example as illustrated in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, a single functional element is included between corresponding coupling elements 60. Moreover, the coupling elements 60 are mutually coupled via a flexible band 50 which is outwardly tapered in a vicinity of the coupling elements 60 as shown. Optionally, the coupling elements 60 and the functional element 100 are of substantially rectilinear form, in contradistinction to a use of a trapezoidal form for the elements 100 in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3.

In FIG. 5, the functional elements IOOA to IOOE of the accessory 10 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 are shown detached from their corresponding flexible band 50 and coupling elements 60, and formed into a decorative ornament indicated generally by 300. The functional elements IOOA to IOOE have a trapezoidal end form as illustrated.

In FIG. 6, there is shown an illustration of a coupled series of the functional elements viewed from an end of the series, with a coupling element 60, devoid of its flexible band 50, included. The coupling element 60 includes a recess 320 for receiving the flexible band 50 by way of a range of fixing techniques as described in -10-the foregoing. The functional elements 100 are coupled together in an "S"-shape to form a functional decorative ornament.

In FIG. 7, an example function element 100 is shown in greater detail. The element 100 is shown in side and end views. Moreover, the element 100 optionally has a height in a range of 10mm to 25mm, a thickness in a range of 3mm to 8mm, and a width in a range of 8 mm to 15 mm, although other sizes are feasible within the scope of the present invention. Beneficially, the element 100 is fabricated from an injection-moulded plastics material, for example glass-filled plastics material, Polycarbonate, Polyester, Nylon, Polyethylene, PEEK or similar. Optionally, the plastics material of the element 100 includes colouring material, so that the elements of the accessory 10 are of mutually different colours. Alternatively, the elements of the accessory 10 are of mutually similar colour. Optionally, certain portions of the element 100 illustrated in FIG. 7 are fabricated from optically transmissive is plastics material which enables light to be emitted from the element 100 and/or received from an external environment into the element 100.

The element 100 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a technically functional module 400, as will be described in greater detail later. Side faces 410 of the element 100 are optionally disposed at a non-orthogonal angle 0 relative to first and second major faces 420, 430 respectively of the element 100. Optionally, at least one of the first and second major faces 420, 430 are substantially flat as denoted by 420A, 430A respectively. Alternatively, optionally, at least one of the first and second major faces 420, 430 are slightly curved as illustrated by 420B, 43DB, so that the accessory 10 adapts more comfortably onto the wrist 30, a neck of the user, or similar, and/or exhibits a more gradually curved profile outwardly when worn by the user.

Optionally, the angle Gis in a range of Q0 to 15°, and more optionally in a range of 3° to 1O, for example substantially 7.5°. The magnets 200 are included at the side faces 410 as illustrated, for example moulded and/or glued into position into recesses provided in the element 100. At a centre of the element 100 is included a functional module 400 included active electronic components, and optionally energy storage devices, sensors, transducers, actuator devices and similar. Optionally, as will be described later, power connection to the functional module 400 occurs via the magnets 200, such that the magnets 200 enable power to be coupled from one face 410 of the element 100 to the other face thereof, enabling power to be coupled along a coupled series of the elements 100, for example as employed in the accessory 10.

Alternatively, or additionally, power is transferred from one element 100 to one or more elements 100 adjacent thereto by way of resonant inductive power transfer, which enables the accessory 10 to be employed in challenging environments, for example when swimming in corrosive sea water and similar. Optionally, the magnets are plated with a thin layer of a non-reactive metal, for example Gold, to protect the magnets 200 from corrosion. Optionally, when resonant inductive power transfer is utilized for coupling energy to and/or from the element 100, the magnets 200 are not required to provide an electrical connection, but merely ensure mechanical coupling of the element 100 to other elements 100 of the accessory, and/or to one or more coupling elements 60 of the accessory 10; in such an implementation, the magnets 200 are beneficially encapsulated in plastics material of the element 100 to protect them corrosion or damage, thereby enabling the element 100 to be fully is waterproof, for example for use when diving and swimming.

Referring next to FIG. 8, there is shown a schematic illustration of a series of the functional elements 100(1) to 100(6), for example as employed in the accessory 10 shown in FIG. 1, wherein a first element 100(1) is operable to function as a power supply for other elements 100(2) to 100(6); for example, the first element 100(1) includes a Lithium rechargeable battery which is operable to be recharged, for example by at least one of: resonant inductive charging, by connecting a charger unit (not shown) to contact magnets 200 of the first element 100(1); such charging is denoted by 440. Resonant inductive power transfer is known per se for automotive use, and United Kingdom patent no. GB 1418128 published in December 1975 ("Improvements in or relating to electrified transportation", Otto) is hereby incorporated by reference, wherein there is described an electrical supply arrangement for an electrically driven vehicle, wherein the supply arrangement comprises one or more current carrying conductors which are external to and separate from the vehicle. The one or more conductors are operable to provide an induced inductive electrical supply in at least one electrical circuit located in or on the vehicle so as to drive the vehicle. The electrical circuit comprises one or more inductive and one or more capacitive elements in series, and are integrally formed as a sandwich arrangement of two or more electrically conducting members and one or -12-more electrically insulating members. Optionally, the frequency of the electrical supply to the one or more current carrying conductors is at, or close to, the resonant frequency of the electrical circuit. Optionally, the accessory 10 operates with a relatively high frequency of inductive resonant power transfer, for example in excess of 20 kHz resonant frequency. Each functional element 100 typically consumes, on average a few milliWatts (mW) of power when in operation, and a few microwatts (RW) when in an inactive or "sleeping "state.

The first element 100(1) is operable to supply power, denoted by 450, to the other elements 100(2) to 100(6) via at least on of: (a) electrical contact being made via the magnets 200 of the functional elements 100, wherein the first module 100(1) is operable to synthesize a switched alternating current (a.c.) signal which is then subsequently rectified and regulated in modules 400 of the functional units 100(2) to 100(6); and is (b) resonant inductive power transfer, wherein each of the elements 100(1) to 100(6) includes a resonant inductive circuit which are tuned to a substantially similar resonant frequency to ensure efficient power coupling therebetween.

The functional elements 100(2) to 100(6) are operable to exchange data therebetween, denoted by 500. Such data exchange 500 is achieved either by applying a signal to modulate the supply power 450, or by near-field wireless communication, for example with a range of a few centimetres (cm). A sixth functional element 100(6) includes its module 400 adapted to provide a BlueTooth of similar proprietary communication link 550 to an external communication network 560, for example via a mobile telephone, smart phone or similar functioning as a wireless relay; "BlueTooth" is a registered trademark. Alternatively, or additionally, the sixth element 100(6) is employed merely to couple the accessory 10 into wireless communication with a mobile telephone, smart phone or similar.

The elements 100(2) to 100(5) are operable to provide various technical functionalities. Optionally, the elements 100(2) to 100(5) are mutually identical; optionally, in such case, the elements 100(2) to 100(5) are operable to provide a wide range of technical functionalities as will be described later. Alternatively, optionally, the elements 100(2) and 100(5) are mutually different and are each specialized to perform a specific category of functionalities; when the elements -13- 100(2) to 100(5) are mutually different, their specific functionalities are beneficially denoted by an external colour used for the plastics material or similar employed for housings of the elements 100(2) to 100(5). For example, the element 100(2) includes one or more sensors for receiving user input denoted by 600, the element 100(3) is operable to provide data processing but is devoid of transducers and sensors, the element 100(4) includes one or more transducers for providing output 610 to the user, and the element 100(5) includes one or more sensors to receive user input and also one or more transducers to provide user output, as denoted by 620. In operation, the elements 100 are capable of functioning mutually independently, alternatively in a coordinated manner as provided by way of communication 500 between the elements 100. For example, in an event that one or more rechargeable batteries of the element 100(1) are becoming depleted in operation, the element 100(1) sends signals via the communication 500 to the elements 100(2) to 100(6) to try to conserve power utilization as much as possible and/or to provide a "low battery" warning to the user via one or more output transducers of the elements 100.

Referring next to FIG. 9, there is illustrated an example of the module 400 employed within the elements 100(2) to 100(6). Certain component parts of the module 400 are optionally omitted as described in the foregoing, when a lesser degree of functionality is required. The module 400 includes a power receiving unit 700 for receiving the supply power 450; the power receiving unit 700 includes components such a rectifiers, filters and active solid state regulators for providing regulated power to other units of the module 400. The power receiving unit 700 is operable to supply power to a local energy storage device 710 of the module 400, for example a supercapacitor and/or a small rechargeable battery. The local energy storage device 710 is operable to supply power to one or more interfacing units 810, 820, 830 and to a data processing unit 720. The data processing unit 720 includes data memory local thereto, and is preferably implemented using a micropower processor with power shutdown to conserve power when not required to provide data processing in operation. The one or more interfacing units 810, 820, 830 are coupled to the data processing unit 720 as illustrated to exchange data therebetween when in operation. -14-

The interfacing unit 810 is operable to provide an output 610 to the user, and optionally includes one or more of: (a) a magnetically actuated resonant cantilever which is operable to provide a physical buzzing sensation to the module 400, as felt by the user; the cantilever, when forced into resonant vibration is either arrangement to provide a rapid cyclical linear displacement of the module 400 or to provide a rapid cyclical angular displacement of the module 400, or a combination of these cyclical displacements; (b) an acoustic sounder or loudspeaker, for example implemented by using one or more piezo-electric transducers and/or electromagnetic transducers; (c) a visible optical device, for example a light emitter such as one or more light emitting diodes (LED), one or more miniature microfabricated solid state lasers or a simple pixel display device based on TFT and LCD technologies; (d) a visible optical device electrostatically-moved powder-based electronic inks, and/or electrically colour-changeable organic inks; although not limited thereto.

The interfacing unit 800 is operable to receive an input 600 from the user and/or an environment in which the user and his/her accessory 10 are exposed, wherein the interfacing unit 800 optionally includes one or more of: (a) one or more tactile sensors and/or proximity sensors, for example implemented by way of capacitively-coupled proximity sensors, accelerometers, pressure sensors, microphones, piezoelectric sensors; (b) one or more optical sensors, for example an ambient light sensor, a pixel camera, a photocell, a light-sensitive resistor; (c) one or more motion sensors, for example an accelerometer, a gyroscopic angular sensor, a Silicon micromachined sensor; (d) one or more temperature sensors; (e) one or more gas sensors, for example solid-state gas sensors; although not limited thereto.

The interfacing unit 820 is operable to receive and send data 620, for example via one or more of: -15- (a) wireless communication via BlueTooth, Zigbee, and similar short-range wireless communication; "BlueTooth" and "Zigbee" are registered trademarks; (b) ultrasonic bi-directional data exchange; and (c) pulsed optical bi-direction data exchange, for example via a modulated solid-state laser emitting pulsed radiation from the module 400, and a high-speed photodiode receiving pulsed data at the module 400.

It well be appreciated that the elements 100(2) to 100(6) can have downloaded thereto, or initially stored therein, one or more software products which enable the elements 100(2) to 100(6) to perform a wide range of functionalities. The elements 100(2) to 100(6) can be configured to function individually, or in groups, to achieve certain technical functionalities. Certain of the elements 100 can be exchanged by the user when configuring the accessory 10 to achieve specific types of technical functionality; for example, the user can later purchase an upgrade element 100 and couple it to the accessory 10 to enhance functionality of the accessory 10 from its initial state at original purchase. Moreover, via the wireless data link of the element 100(6), new software products can be downloaded into the accessory 10 and appropriately distributed and stored in the modules 400 of the elements 100 for later execution. It is thus possible to adapt and upgrade functionality and operation of the accessory 10 to maintain user satisfaction and interest regarding ownership of the accessory 10.

When the accessory 10 is activated into operation, a method as illustrated in FIG. 10 is beneficially employed. In a first step 900, power is applied from the first element 100(1) to additional elements 100 which may be present in the accessory 10. The additional elements 100 are, for example, periodically reconfigured by the user as he/she detaches certain elements 100 and replaces them with other elements 100, for example to change an external colour appearance of the accessory, for example for a social gathering or party. In a second step of the method 910, the elements 100 that are present in the accessory 10 mutually communicate via communication 500 to determine a present configuration that pertains to the accessory 10, for example by circulating a token data word around the elements 100 wherein each given element receiving the token word marks a portion thereof to notify that the given element is present in the accessory 10. Thereafter, in a step 920, the elements 100 -16-check in their data memory of the modules 400 for one or more software products which are to be executed by the accessory 10 and determine against the token word whether or not appropriate elements 100 are present in the accessory 10 to implement the one or more software products. In an event that a suitable element 100 is not present in the accessory, a control token word is circulated around the elements 100 to disable certain software products which cannot be executed. In a step 930 of the method, the elements 100 then proceed to implement the one or more software products. In a step 940, a check is made for one or more new software products which may have been downloaded into the accessory 10 after steps 900, 910, 920 have been executed.

The one or more software products executed by the accessory 10 optionally include games, monitoring routines, communication routines and similar. For example, one of the software products is beneficially referred to as a "Bond" software product is ("Bond" is a trademark of Applicant), wherein users A and B are each provided with accessories IOA and lOB respectively, and wherein the accessories IOA, lOB are both provided with the "bond" software product downloaded or installed therein. The accessories IDA, lOB are operable to communicate mutually via the network 650.

When the user A strokes his/her fingers over outer surfaces of the elements 100 of his/her accessory bA, such stroking activity is sensed by one or more sensors of the modules 400 of the elements 100 of the accessory IOA and communicated as stroking data to the accessory lOB. When the stroking data is received at the accessory lOB, it is interpreted by the elements 100 and result in vibratory transducers of the elements 100 of the accessory lOB being activated in a similar manner to the stroking activity; the vibratory transducers are operable to generate a pleasant tactile buzzing experience for the user B. Such functionality is especially desirous for amorous couples, for example the users A and B are passionately in love, who desire to share their mutual amorous feelings at various times of day when spatially separated, for example at their respective work locations. Optionally, the accessory IOA, lOB can be placed into contact with other tactile-sensitive parts of a human body, and not merely limited to providing a buzzing sensation at the wrist region 30 of the user B, mutatis mutandis the user A. The "bond" software product is operable to allow bi-directional communication of stroking actions between the users A, B. The "bond" software product, for example, can be used by the user A to -17-provide a gentle reminder to the user B to take medication, inject insulin and so forth, at various times of day in a highly discreet manner.

The accessory 10 is also capable of executing software products for monitoring motion activities of the user, for example during exercising, for avoiding the user A of the accessory 10 from suffering overexertion, for example during sports activities, for example in a case where the user A has a weak heart and risks a heart attack as a result of overexertion.

The accessory 10 is operable to execute the one or more software products as one or more games, for example interactive games between multiple users. For example, a group of children are each equipped with their own accessory 10, wherein the element 100(6) of each of the accessories enables the accessories 10 mutually to communicate when configured together at a given spatial locality, for example on an upper service of a table where an interactive game is to be played.

The children are able to input various commands via stroking their elements 100 which results in elements 100 of other of the accessories buzzing, bleeping, becoming illuminated and so forth, to provide an exciting interactive gaming environment.

The accessory 10 is also capable, via suitable software products, of providing additional functionalities, for example: (a) alarm clock functionality, for example when the elements 100 are left as a decorative ornament on a bedside table; (b) intruder detection, for example where the elements 100 are left on a surface likely to be disturbed by intruders, (c) flammable gas detection, for example the user goes caving in environments where pockets of methane gas are likely to be encountered; (d) excessive temperature detection, for example in an event of fire or in a room where the ambient temperature is excessive for comfort; (e) for monitoring exposure to radiation, for example when the user is receiving UV exposure in a UV sun bed and similar; although not limited thereto. -18-

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the accessory 10 is not merely a personal decorative item, for example an item of worn jewellery, but also a decorative ornament and functional apparatus which is highly reconfigurable and which can be adapted, via use of suitable software products, to a vast range of technical applications. Moreover, the accessory 10 potentially appeals to users of all ages, from young children to elderly people. Moreover, the accessory 10 is sufficiently versatile, in that it avoids users needing to have large collections of dress jewellery to suit different occasions, because the accessory 10 is potentially very adaptable to suit such different occasions. Optionally, the elements 100 are decorated in glittering glass or diamond features, as well as being Gold or Silver plated to provide aesthetic appeal and high fashion. Optionally, the flexible band 50 is implemented, at least in part, by way of multiple rigid segments which are pivotally attached together in series, for enabling them to conform to a bearing surface, for example to the wrist region 30 or a neck of a given user.

Modifications to embodiments of the invention described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as "including", "comprising", "incorporating", "consisting of', "have", "is" used to describe and claim the present invention are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural. Numerals included within parentheses in the accompanying claims are intended to assist understanding of the claims and should not be construed in any way to limit subject matter claimed by these claims. -19-

Claims (15)

1. CLAIMS1. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10), characterized in that the reconfigurable personal accessory (10) includes a plurality of elements (100) which are reconfigurably magnetically couplable together in series, wherein the elements (100) include therein active modules (400) which are operable to provide at least one technical functionality when in operation.
2. 2. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the series of reconfigurably magnetically couplable elements is magnetically attachable to at least one elongate band arrangement (50) for enabling the reconfigurable personal accessory (10) to be worn around a portion of a body.is 3. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that operating power is distributed along the series of elements (100) via at least one of: (a) via magnetic coupling components (200) which interface mechanically between the elements (100) to coupled them detachably together; and (b) resonant inductive power transfer.4. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elements (100) include a data processing arrangement (720), and the elements (100) are operable to exchange data therebetween (500) when in operation.5. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elements (100) have a substantially trapezoidal cross-section for enabling the elements (100) to be mutually couplable in series in a reconfigurable manner spatially in an arcuate form for conforming to a curved surface of a body on which the reconfigurable personal accessory (10) is to be worn.-20 - 6. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elements (100) are reconfigurableto form the series of elements (100) into an ornamental "S"-shaped configuration.7. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elements (100) include one or more sensors therein for sensing input to the elements (100) to support the at least one technical functionality, wherein the one or more sensors include at least one of: touch sensor, temperature sensor, acoustic sensor, accelerometer, angular gyroscopic sensor, pressure sensor, optical sensor, wireless interface (820).8. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elements (100) include one or more transducers therein for generating output from the elements (100) to support the at least one technical functionality, is wherein the one or more transducers include at least one of: angular and/or translation motion vibration transducers, an acoustic sounder, an optical transducer, a wireless interface (820).9. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elements (100) include at least one energy storage component (100(1)), 710) therein for providing power to the elements (100) when in operation.10. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the at least one energy storage component (100(1)) is rechargeable.11. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elements (100) include a data processing arrangement (720) which is operable to communicate via a communication network (560) to external devices (10) when providing the at least one technical functionality.12. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one technical functionality is determined by one or more software products downloaded and/or initially installed in a data processing arrangement (720) of the elements (100). -21 -13. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the at least one technical functionality includes at least one of: a bonding signalling functionality, a gaming functionality, an alarm functionality, a health-monitoring functionality.14. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elements (100) are implemented as injection-moulded plastics material parts, wherein active components (700, 710, 720, 800, 810, 820) of the elements (100) providing the at least one technical functionality are protected within the injection-moulded plastics material parts.15. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the at least one elongate band arrangement is fabricated from a flexible polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material includes at least one of: natural rubber, Polyurethane, woven textiles, a plurality of hinged rigid segments coupled in series.16. A software product recorded on non-transitory machine-readable data storage media, characterized in that the software product is executable on a data processing arrangement (720) of a plurality of elements (100) of a reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the software product when executed implements at least one technical functionality of the reconfigurable personal accessory (10).17. A method of operating a reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the method includes: (a) exchanging data between elements (100) of the reconfigurable accessory (10) to determine a manner in which the elements (100) are arranged in the reconfigurable personal accessory (10) and one or more technical functionalities which the elements (100) are capable of supporting; and (b) executing one or more software products on a data processing arrangement (720) of the elements (100) for providing the reconfigurable personal accessory (10) with at least one technical functionality when in operation.-22 - 18. A method as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the at least one technical functionality includes at least one of: a bonding signalling functionality, a gaming functionality, an alarm functionality, a health-monitoring functionality.Amendments to the claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10), the reconfigurable personal accessory (10) including a plurality of elements (100) which are reconfigurably magnetically couplable together in series, wherein the elements (100) include therein active modules (400) which are operable to provide at least one technical functionality when in operation, characterized in that operating power is distributed along the series of elements (100) via at least one of: (a) magnetic coupling components (200) which interface mechanically between the elements (100) to couple them detachably together; (b) resonant inductive power transfer.2. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the series of reconfigurably magnetically couplable elements is magnetically attachable to at least one elongate band arrangement (50) for enabling the reconfigurable personal accessory (10) to be worn around a portion of a body.
3. 3. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized (t,J20 in that the elements (100) include a data processing arrangement (720), and the elements (100) are operable to exchange data therebetween (500) when in operation.
4. 4. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elements (100) have a substantially trapezoidal cross-section for enabling the elements (100) to be mutually couplable in series in a reconfigurable manner spatially in an arcuate form for conforming to a curved surface of a body on which the reconfigurable personal accessory (10) is to be worn.
5. 5. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elements (100) are reconfigurable to form the series of elements (100) into an ornamental "S-shaped configuration.
6. 6. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elements (100) include one or more sensors therein for sensing input to the elements (100) to support the at least one technical functionality, wherein the one or more sensors include at least one of: touch sensor, temperature sensor, acoustic sensor, accelerometer, angular gyroscopic sensor, pressure sensor, optical sensor, wireless interface (820).
7. 7. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elements (100) include one or more transducers therein for generating output from the elements (100) to support the at least one technical functionality, wherein the one or more transducers include at least one of: angular and/or translation motion vibration transducers, an acoustic sounder, an optical transducer, a wireless interface (820).
8. 8. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elements (100) include at least one energy storage component (100(1)), 710) therein for providing power to the elements (100) when in operation.
9. 9. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 8, characterized (t,J20 in that the at least one energy storage component (100(1)) is rechargeable.
10. 10. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elements (100) include a data processing arrangement (720) which is operable to communicate via a communication network (560) to external devices (10) when providing the at least one technical functionality.
11. 11. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one technical functionality is determined by one or more software products downloaded and/or initially installed in a data processing arrangement (720) of the elements (100).
12. 12. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the at least one technical functionality includes at least one of: a bond functionality, a gaming functionality, an alarm functionality, a health-monitoring functionality.
13. 13. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the bond functionality allows bi-directional communication of stroking actions between two or more users wearing their respective reconfigurable personal accessories (10).
14. 14. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elements (100) are implemented as injection-moulded plastics material parts, wherein active components (700, 710, 720, 800, 810, 820) of the elements (100) providing the at least one technical functionality are protected within the injection-moulded plastics material parts.
15. 15. A reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the at least one elongate band arrangement is fabricated from a flexible polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material includes at least one of: natural o rubber, Polyurethane, woven textiles, a plurality of hinged rigid segments coupled in series. (\J2016. A software product recorded on non-transitory machine-readable data storage media, characterized in that the software product is executable on a data processing arrangement (720) of a plurality of elements (100) of a reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the software product when executed implements at least one technical functionality of the reconfigurable personal accessory (10).17. A method of operating a reconfigurable personal accessory (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the method includes: (a) exchanging data between elements (100) of the reconfigurable accessory (10) to determine a manner in which the elements (100) are arranged in the reconfigurable personal accessory (10) and one or more technical functionalities which the elements (100) are capable of supporting; and (b) executing one or more software products on a data processing arrangement (720) of the elements (100) for providing the reconfigurable personal accessory (10) with at least one technical functionality when in operation.18. A method as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the at least one technical functionality includes at least one of: a bond functionality, a gaming functionality, an alarm functionality, a health-monitoring functionality.19. A method as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the bond functionality allows bi-directional communication of stroking actions between two or more users wearing their respective reconfigurable personal accessories (10). (4 aD