SmartWigs: Sony files patent for connected headgear

            Electronics company Sony says it could make SmartWigs, a fashion statement which would include helpful technology. They have applied for a patent, which would protect their invention in law so that no-one else can copy it.

            The wig would have sensors and cameras in it and could help navigate roads and even collect health information.

            Google and Samsung are among the tech giants who've recently launched wearable technology products, which some see as potentially big business.

            Although the product doesn't exist yet the company has big plans for its potential uses.The wig would go over the person's own hair and would hide all the technology, looking just like a normal wig. It could help monitor the wearer's health by taking their temperature, pulse and blood pressure.

            The company says the wigs would be fashionable as well as intelligent and help in all sorts of high tech ways. A Sony spokesperson said the device could also be used during presentations where a wearer can "move to the next presentation slide or back to the preceding presentation slide by simply raising his/her eyebrows".

 Match the words below to their definitions

monitor / navigate / patent / potentially / preceding / presentation

describes something that came before something else

describes something that could be, but isn't yet

find the right direction to travel by using maps or other equipment

legal right that a person or company receives to make or sell a particular product so that others cannot copy it

watch something carefully and record the results

when someone gives a formal talk to provide information about something

True or false?

1. The wigs would have an abnormal appearance.

2. Sony is not the first one to file a patient for wearable technology.

3. No one believes that there is any profit potential in wearable technology.

4. Sony sees the wig as more than a fashion accessory.

5. Sony has not launched the product yet.

6. The wig could have uses in healthcare.

7. You cannot get a patent for a product that does not exist.

8. The use of the wigs would be limited to presentations.

What is the missing word?

1. The wig would have   ___________    and cameras in it.

2. The company says the wigs would be fashionable as well as  __________________    .

3. They have applied for a patent, which would protect their  _________________    in law.

4. A Sony spokesperson said the   ____________   could also be used during presentations.

KEY

Vocabulary

monitor           watch something carefully and record the results

navigate          find the right direction to travel by using maps or other equipment

patent              legal right that a person or company receives to make or sell a particular product so that                                     others cannot copy it

potentially       describes something that could be, but isn't yet

preceding        describes something that came before something else

presentation    when someone gives a formal talk to provide information about something

TRUE or FALSE

1. False

2. True

3. False

4. True

5. True

6. True

7. False

8. False

What is the missing word?

1. sensors

2. intelligent.

3. invention

4. device