A portable and rapid communication or signaling device and related methods for operating or using tactile identification structures as well as coupling/mounting/release structures which enable rapid identification of similarly shaped objects and rapid deployment or use with safety or other equipment. Various embodiments enable using a common mounting location of these similarly shaped objects that each have different spectrum or color emissive capabilities that improve operator selection within conditions further impairing identification and employment and increase operator cognitive load.

A system for communicating information indicative of driving conditions, to a driver, using a smart ring are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a smart ring with a ring band having a plurality of surfaces including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface. The system further includes a processor, configured to obtain data from a communication module within the ring band, or from one or more sensors disposed within the ring band. The obtained data is representative of information indicative of one or more driving conditions to be communicated to the driver. The smart ring also includes a haptic module disposed at least partially within the ring band, and the module being configured to communicate information indicative of the one or more driving conditions.

A system for communicating information indicative of driving conditions, to a driver, using a smart ring are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a smart ring with a ring band having a plurality of surfaces including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface. The system further includes a processor, configured to obtain data from a communication module within the ring band, or from one or more sensors disposed within the ring band. The obtained data is representative of information indicative of one or more driving conditions to be communicated to the driver. The smart ring also includes a haptic module disposed at least partially within the ring band, and the module being configured to communicate information indicative of the one or more driving conditions.

Provided is a decoding device including a decoding unit configured to decode encoded data in which a differential signal that includes a differential between a tactile signal and a reference signal has been encoded, and a signal addition unit configured to add the reference signal and the differential signal. In addition, provided is a decoding method by a processor, the decoding method including decoding encoded data in which a differential signal that includes a differential between a tactile signal and a reference signal has been encoded, and adding the reference signal and the differential signal that has been decoded.

Provided is a decoding device including a decoding unit configured to decode encoded data in which a differential signal that includes a differential between a tactile signal and a reference signal has been encoded, and a signal addition unit configured to add the reference signal and the differential signal. In addition, provided is a decoding method by a processor, the decoding method including decoding encoded data in which a differential signal that includes a differential between a tactile signal and a reference signal has been encoded, and adding the reference signal and the differential signal that has been decoded.

Systems and methods for transmitting haptic messages are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of: receiving at least one sensor signal from at least one sensor of a mobile device, the at least one sensor signal associated with a movement of the mobile device, determining a message to be displayed in a user interface based at least in part on the at least one sensor signal, and causing the message to be displayed.

Systems and methods for transmitting haptic messages are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of: receiving at least one sensor signal from at least one sensor of a mobile device, the at least one sensor signal associated with a movement of the mobile device, determining a message to be displayed in a user interface based at least in part on the at least one sensor signal, and causing the message to be displayed.

An article of clothing includes user-protection circuitry, integrated into the article of clothing. The user-protection circuitry includes condition-detection circuitry, which, in operation, generates one or more indications related to an environment of the article of clothing. The user-protection circuitry also includes broadcast circuitry including at least one pulsing device, and control circuitry. The control circuitry, in operation, activates the broadcast circuitry based on the one or more indications related to the environment of the article of clothing generated by the condition-detection circuitry.

A security screening apparatus for use in detecting ferromagnetic objects comprises a detector apparatus which comprises a housing that supports at least one magnetic sensor arranged to produce a signal indicative of an ambient magnetic field or gradient over a zone of sensitivity which extends away from the housing, the size of the zone being large enough to contain the whole body of the person, and a signal processing circuit which receives as an input the signal from the magnetic sensor and which, in response to a change in the signal produces an alert signal. A beacon that comprises a light source is able to emit at least two visually distinct colours of light, and a control means controls the light source such that in a first condition in the absence of the alert signal the beacon emits a first colour light and in a second condition corresponding to the presence of the alert signal the beacon emits a second, different, colour of light. The light source is arranged such that the position and/or size and/or shape of the illuminated area of the light source in the first condition is different from the position and/or size and or shape of the illuminated area of the light source in the second condition.

Provided is a haptic device including a medium for receiving a digital sound signal from a portable terminal, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for receiving the digital sound signal from the medium and converting the digital sound signal into an analog signal, a sound outputter for receiving the analog signal and outputting sound, and a haptic actuator driven by receiving the analog signal.