The gadget is an add on to a sweater/jacket that makes the LEDs or some sort of light emitting thread embedded in the jacket emit light in synchrony with biological signals (ideally heartbeat or breath but more realistically acceleration produced by steps, sound produced by speaking).

1a. The gadget senses acceleration, temperature and sound via an accelerometer unit, the embedded thermometer and via a mic. It presents the information as LED color/pulse patterns.

1b. It helps the user to feel unique and nerdy.

2a. The target environment for the gadget is in the jacket pocket.
2b. The target users are anyone.

3a. The ambient information collected is acceleration of the unit, temperature, sound.
3b. The gadget relays to the user biometric frequencies (steps, sound of user's speech) and external environment (noise level, temperature -- cold/warm). The reasoning could be very basic -- to detect peaks or frequencies in the input signals.
3c The information is presented via color/pulse patterns of the LEDs.

4a. accelerometer, thermometer, microphone
4b. LED(s)
4c. the gadget is powered by an AA battery. hopefully can run for a few hours (say 10).

5. The enclosure is simple small box that does not need to be water or air tight. since LED is placed on the outside and connected via a wire, the box should have an external socket for the LED wire to get attached/detached when the jacket is washed or the battery needs replaced. The box should allow battery replacement (be easily openable/closeable).

Gadget housing

1. Gadget controls LEDs embedded in the jacket in response to the environmental sounds senses by the mic on the gadget and the acceleration sensed by the accelerometer placed on the jacket.

2 and 3. The diagram of the gadget with labels is shown in the image below.

4. The gadget itself should be as unobtrusive as possible, since all its actuators are remote LEDs. Ideally it could be clipped to the jacket or placed inside the pocket and secured there by clipping to the pocket mouth. However the weight of the battery pack may make jacket placement cumbersome. Hence, one of the options allowed is to clip it to the belt. The shape of the case can be anything aesthetically pleasing, however, the multitude of pins should be exposed for easy connection with conductive threads embedded in the jacket. Openings are made for the microphone and button access.

Components:

12 Lilypad LEDs: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10081
Lilypad 3-axis accelerometer: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9267
Conductive thread: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8544

Thanks: Mila Khvan (sewing), Greg Armstrong (housing parts), Raul (discussion).

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