Sony seeks patent for smart wig

Why wear a smart watch when you can wear a smart wig?

 

Electronics giant Sony has sought a patent for such a wearable computing device, complete with sensors for input data coupled to a processing unit.

 

"(The) wearable computing device (includes) a wig that is adapted to cover at least a part of a head of a user, at least one sensor for providing input data, a processing unit that is coupled to the at least one sensor for processing said input data, and a communication interface that is coupled to the processing unit for communicating with a second computing device," read part of the abstract for the patent.

 

It said the sensor, processing unit and communication interface are arranged in the wig and are "visually hidden during use."

 

The patent was filed as early as May 10 but was made public only this week.

 

A separate article on Kotaku.com quoted Sony as saying the smart wig has "several advantages that, compared to known wearable computing devices, include significantly increased user comfort and an improved handling of the wearable computing device."

 

It added Sony noted many people wear wigs, including those with hair loss and those dealing with illnesses.

 

"Interestingly, Sony also notes in the patent that lots of cosplayers wear wigs, too," it said.

 

Applications

 

Kotaku.com said Sony also suggested a wig-based navigational system, wig feedback, and even camera-and-laser pointer-embedded wigs.

 

But there are also more serious applications, including health care, it added.

 

"This is fancy R&D, sure. And Sony is packed with smart people working on interesting projects that never make it out of the lab. But a wig like this? Think of the hairy possibilities!" Kotaku said. — TJD, GMA News