Communication Device Intended for young, fashion conscious women, Digital Jewellery is a mobile communication device meant to be worn out as an accessory, for use without the need of a handset.  It consists of a necklace with an integral throat microphone and two earrings which double as earpieces for listening to calls. Incoming calls are answered or ignored by tugging on one of the earrings; the woman's voice is isolated from the noisy environment (club or bar) by the throat microphone which senses her speech through movement in her vocal chords. Calls are placed through the voice recognition phonebook. The design solution consists of a textile and platinum necklace with an integrated throat microphone and the ability to place calls over 3G cell networks, two platinum earrings with ear buds and Bluetooth connectivity, and a web component that allows for the updating of the user’s preferences and phonebook. Innovation exists throughout each part of the product’s use.  The initial setup involves programming and syncing of the user’s current phonebook by the service provider, changes and additions in the future are done through the web or through voice recognition on the go.  Since the traditional button and screen based interface is eliminated, the physical component traditionally associated with it is removed, freeing up space to make the overall size of the device much smaller and much less consumptive of energy. The exterior of the necklace appears to be nothing out of the ordinary, save for being an elegant piece of jewellery, a small, laser etched platinum pendant is suspended from a textile collar with a magnetic clasp in the back.  Underneath however, is a throat microphone and call transmitter that allow for much of the functionality the concept possesses.  The throat microphone has two sensors, one on each side of the windpipe that picks up the user’s speech directly through the throat and filters out ambient noise.  This is especially important in our application due to the fact that most clubs and bars aren’t especially quiet places; wearing the necklace allows her to place calls without shouting into a handset over all the background noise.  Additionally, text messages can be sent using voice commands that translate speech into text and vice versa, interpreting incoming messages into audio. The earrings, also made of laser etched platinum, contain an earpiece that discreetly hooks around the user’s ear and allows her to hear an incoming call, listen to music in stereo or hear the audio instructions for performing more complex input tasks.  They become part of the physical interface as well when answering a call, a tug on the left earring ignores an incoming call and tug on the right answers it.  The earrings communicate to the necklace via a Bluetooth connection and both are recharged inductively in a dresser- top silver dish that doubles as a place to hold keys, coins, etc.

Design intent rendering showing phone on model- Alias + Photoshop ^

Design intent rendering- Alias + Photoshop ^

Design intent rendering showing necklace with throat microphone- Alias + Photoshop ^