MediaJacket : an integrated clothing based personal communications system

Recent developments in fabric based conductive embroidered input devices has created the opportunity for the next generation of wearable computing. This thesis presents a preliminary attempt to develop a wearable, multi-purpose, extensible, IP device that uses flexible fabric based circuitry for its user interface. It integrates a suite of advanced communications devices into a standard PolarTecTMjacket using an embedded personal computer for its controller. Users wear the MediaJacket similarly to normal clothing, and can use a diverse set of applications that include IP telephony, two-way pager-like email, an MP3 audio player, and a contactless "interface pocket" for handling input data streams from external devices. By embedding advanced electronics into clothing using an RF connection for tetherless internet connectivity, this research aims to reduce the stigma of using technology by creating a more personalized user experience. It is our hope, that as the size and cost of the MediaJacket's components come down, this research will help people better to better integrate technology into their lives.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture. Program In Media Arts and Sciences.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

1999

Author dc:creator

• Metcalfe, Christian Todd, 1974-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Andrew Lippman.

• Architecture. Program In Media Arts and Sciences.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/62093

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/62093