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Observations on the Intelligent Brassiere
F. N. Stein
1. Introduction
History is a sequence of advancements freeing mankind from
the tedium of labor. Artificial Intelligence research investi-
gates the creation of tools offering increased power and flexi-
bility. In this article, we demonstrate how this research can be
applied to improve the seldom discussed, but most social of all
articles of clothing - the brassiere.
Prior to our discussion of the potentials of the intelligent
brassiere, we look, from several perspectives, at their relevant
aspects. These include their structural elements, their func-
tions, the intentions behind the functions and their cosmetic
roles. Though tedious, these subjects are covered because they
delineate the objects of static solutions. Based upon the
requirements discussed in our review, we then cover the develop-
ments found in the new microprocessor based units, whose power
stems from their ability to dynamically respond to new stimuli.
This, coupled with the device's ability to take an active role,
has led to current research in the use of intelligence in the
device, which is then discussed. We conclude with a summary of
problems solved or still under research.
2. Historical Aspects: Statics
A conventional brassiere consists of four components: a
shoulder support, an across-back stabilizor, the entry mechanism,
the paired enclosing cups, the primary source of focussed support
and shape management. These components are consistently designed
and integrated to meet the four functional requirements of the
brassiere:
* providing support for the sake of comfort and stress
reduction
* providing restraint during activity, for safety and dis-
cretion
* providing cosmetic corrections of size, shape and place-
ment, including the all important bilateral symmetry
* providing the desired social appearance, meeting the
changing constraints of fashion and the wearer's atti-
tudes and intentions
Of these, the cosmetic and social functions have the
greatest importance in current western concerns. Even the most
naive post-pubescent user is aware of the brassiere's primary
role in public presentation - as a semi-passive indicator of per-
sonality, attitude and mood. Hence, there are strong pressures
towards identifiable postures and peer group conformity. Because
of the social power of the brassiere, it is a tool for engineer-
ing situations furthering the bearer's intentions. Some general
goals typically expressed through this device are: (notably)
attraction and seduction, whether for their own sake or the
advancement of other ends or (more perversely) teasing, titilla-
tion, frustration, ego boosting, intimidation or competition.
For these reasons, the "look" of the brassiere is its salient
feature. Current looks include: "matronly", "fresh/maidenly",
"proper girl", "no-nonsense", "look how big they've gotten",
"soft/comfortable", "mother earth", "no-brassiere", "femme
fatale", "killer on the loose", "good times", "look, but don't
touch", "come and get it", "yummy", "optimist", "perky", "I'm
dying for it", and "I'm just wearing this because I have to".
3. Microprocessor Technology: Dynamics
Technological developments have now made possible a new gen-
eration of brassieres incorporating microprocessors. The key
concept differentiating these new garments from their predeces-
sors is that of dynamics. Whereas the old-style brassieres were
limited to a static configuration, the added power of the
microprocessor allows for real-time adjustments in the structural
components and their relative placement.
The dynamicism has both passive and active expressions. The
passive elements relate best to the traditional needs of the
wearer. These are considered when selecting a particular item to
purchase or wear, and must conform to individual physical and
social circumstance, and how those circumstances are likely to
change over time. The new technology, coupled with the "modern
woman" social revolution, now makes possible the active use of
this device. That is, the wearer need not be content with mere
conformity to circumstance - the brassiere can play a role in
influencing them - through active management of the wearer's
appearance.
The full range of capabilities evolved from a budding sense
of potential inherent in the micro. The first breakthrough con-
cept was that of individualization - per cup, wearer, overgar-
ment, activity, social situation and intention. In short, this
was the "versatile brassiere". This, coupled with the obvious
fact that all these factors change over time, led to the concept
of adaptation - dynamic reconfiguration in response to internal
and external forces. This was known in research laboratories as
the "moving brassiere". The final breakthrough came when it was
realized that many of the configurations not only recurred
repeatedly, but that many sequences of the configurations also
repeated. The obvious conclusion was that these configurations
and sequences should be pre-programmed into the brassiere, so as
to provide the greatest possible convenience to the user. (The
use of preprogrammed sequences requires less real-time interac-
tion from the brassiere's operator). At present, preprogramming
is accomplished via a detachable teach-mode control panel; how-
ever, current research is focusing on offline program generation
from descriptions of desired states and sequences.
So, what are the features we can expect to see on brassieres
in the near future? We list below some of the innovations,
categorized according to the requirements listed in section 2.
comfort
+ individual shape adaptation
+ stress equalization, suited to regional sensitivities
+ temperature regulation
+ self closing entry mechanism, for easier installation
of brassiere
+ pleasurable sensations
+ active dual independent hydraulic suspension
restraint and safety
+ center of mass corrections to maintain body balance
+ anti-jiggle stabilizors, for when operator is in
motion
+ fingerprint identification lock entry mechanism, to
deter intruders
+ shriek alarm and tear gas dispenser
+ anti-drowning inflation
+ flashing red warning lights
+ impact protection air bag inflation
cosmetics
+ symmetry corrections
+ maintenance of "look", irrespective of body orienta-
tion
+ direct covert enhancement or minimalization, includ-
ing textural simulation
social
+ overgarment adaptation, minimizing of seams and dev-
ice exposure
+ "look" configurations pre-programmed
+ dynamic color, configuration and restraint material
management - for use in bikinis, "naughty"
lingerie, and entertainer's costumes
+ arousal indicator simulation
+ preprogrammed intentional sequences, such as "seduc-
tion"
+ feminist auto-destruct feature
4. The Intelligent Brassiere
Now that the brassiere is capable of individual and con-
nected sequences of actions, research has turned to how best to
use this power to achieve the wearer's goals. Because of the
requirements of a rapidly changing environment, the enhanced
powers of the new microprocessor brassieres, the complexity of
their operation and the stereotypical structure of the basic ele-
ments of social behavior, the ideal discipline for such research
is Artificial Intelligence.
The general goal of this research is to free the user from
the necessity of applying his or her resources to the management
of the more routine functions of the brassiere. Moreover,
because of its intelligence and capacity for spontaneous
response, we can expect many new features not normally associated
with current concepts of the brassiere. The primary mechanism
for achieving these goals is embedding an active intelligent rea-
soning machine into the framework of the brassiere, and then pro-
gramming it with scripts based on typical intentional sequences
(developed by knowledge engineers in conjunction with top profes-
sionals) and the ability to compute variants based on immediate
stimulus. Of course, in order for the system to be capable of
such sophisticated behavior, it will require sophisticated sensor
arrays. These will certainly include both tactile (touch and
force), galvanic skin response, perspiration, and hormone level
sensors, and speech recognition devices. A visual system for
object detection would also be convenient, but since the device
is generally deployed in a covert setting, perhaps a radar-based
system would be more effective.
Though no products of this research have yet reached the
market, we speculate here on some of the prototype features found
in advanced designs. As before, they are categorized according
to the four requirement areas; however, it is noted that it is
the social features that benefit most from the use of intelli-
gence.
comfort
+ near and long term anticipation of environmental
changes
+ scratching upon request
restraint and safety
+ collision avoidance or enabling
+ intruder detection and active countermeasures
+ bulletproof option for law enforcement applications
+ guardian angel for users incapacitated due to
naivity, delirium, arousal or intoxication
cosmetics
+ active simulation of natural responses under a
variety of stimuli, including manual
social
+ mood sensing and invoking response sequences when
appropriate
+ deducing optimal appearances and behavior sequences
to maximally achieve goals
+ active interaction with stimulus
+ temporary substitution of responses of preoccupied or
exhausted user
+ prescreening applicants
+ knowing when to discretely disappear
+ burglerproof money pouch
+ street theatre
5. Research Problems
Research has encountered three problem areas in developing
the intelligent brassiere: faults, packaging and control of the
unit.
The design and development errors are the most immediately
serious, but also the easiest to remedy. Though several experi-
mental subjects were maimed by early research models, this period
seems to have passed. Some of the more notable errors include:
- a division by zero error which led to the infinite expan-
sion of one of the cups
- a stack error leading to a random branch, causing the left
cup to rotate to the rear of the user
- cumulative truncation errors leading to gradual strangula-
tion
- excessive closed loop delay leading to unbounded oscilla-
tions
- negative lock failures, causing unpredictable loss of sup-
port
- communication link failures leading to a loss of inter-cup
synchronization
Packaging has also been a bit of a problem - customer reac-
tion to the microprocessor brassieres has shown some dissatisfac-
tion with the bulky control panel. Further, the complexities of
programming and real-time control have been a bit much for the
average user. The AI type brassieres should eliminate both of
these drawbacks. A more serious problem has been the power sup-
ply module. Laying of cables about the user seems unsatisfac-
tory, as does on-site placement. Current research is investigat-
ing electrical regeneration from the application of wave energy
technology. (Though, in the future, I think we can expect
developments in biotechnology to allow direct installation of the
complete system into the user.)
The hardest problems have been as a direct result of the
intelligence of the brassiere itself. Limitations in intelli-
gence have led to:
- false alarms or situations incorrectly analyzed, leading
to erratic behavior
- vulnerability to electronic scrambling devices
On the other hand, its sophistication has also led to unique
problems, including:
- unwillingness to leave the wearer or to be turned off at
night
- excessive chattering with other intelligent devices
- occasional active rebellion and tempermental behavior
- development of distinct personalities for the separate
cups (artistic and analytic)
- erotic behavior attributable to a rudimentary sense of
humor
- a case of mental illness, causing serious physical abuse
and mental trauma to the wearer
There are undoubtedly other problems that will be encoun-
tered and handled. However, one thing seems clear. The pros-
pects of a truly intelligent brassiere loom brightly on the hor-
izon - an important product of advanced technology in the service
of mankind.
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