Neural stimulation method and system with audio output
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- circuitry for receiving a physiological activity signal at a personal computing device, the physiological activity signal indicative of a physiological status of a subject;
circuitry for determining a neural stimulus control signal based at least in part on the physiological activity signal;
circuitry for outputting the neural stimulus control signal from the personal computing device to a neural stimulation device including an external neural stimulator configured to be carried on a pinna of the subject, wherein the neural stimulus control signal is configured to control delivery of a neural stimulus by the external neural stimulator, the neural stimulus configured to activate at least one sensory nerve fiber innervating at least a portion of the pinna; and
circuitry for at least one ofautomatically discontinuing outputting of the neural stimulus control signal in response to receiving an audio input signal from a telecommunication network and starting outputting an audio output signal via an audio output of the personal computing device, wherein the audio output signal is configured for driving delivery of sound to the ear of the subject via a sound source;
orautomatically declining an audio input signal from the telecommunication network if the neural stimulus is currently being delivered.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and related methods for controlling delivery of a stimulus to a pinna of a subject with a stimulator worn on the pinna are described. A wearable stimulation device includes a mechanical, electrical, or other type of stimulator secured to a pinna of a subject. A personal computing device in communication with the wearable stimulation device controls delivery of stimuli and other aspects of operation of the device. The personal computing device also controls delivery of a sound signal (for example, music) to the user of the stimulation device in association with the neural stimulus. In some aspects recommendations regarding neural stimuli and other stimuli or experiences to be delivered in association with the neural stimuli are provided via a computing system in communication with the personal computing device or the wearable stimulation device.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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circuitry for receiving a physiological activity signal at a personal computing device, the physiological activity signal indicative of a physiological status of a subject; circuitry for determining a neural stimulus control signal based at least in part on the physiological activity signal; circuitry for outputting the neural stimulus control signal from the personal computing device to a neural stimulation device including an external neural stimulator configured to be carried on a pinna of the subject, wherein the neural stimulus control signal is configured to control delivery of a neural stimulus by the external neural stimulator, the neural stimulus configured to activate at least one sensory nerve fiber innervating at least a portion of the pinna; and circuitry for at least one of automatically discontinuing outputting of the neural stimulus control signal in response to receiving an audio input signal from a telecommunication network and starting outputting an audio output signal via an audio output of the personal computing device, wherein the audio output signal is configured for driving delivery of sound to the ear of the subject via a sound source;
orautomatically declining an audio input signal from the telecommunication network if the neural stimulus is currently being delivered. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
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receiving a physiological activity signal at a personal computing device, the physiological activity signal indicative of a physiological status of a subject; determining a neural stimulus control signal based at least in part on the physiological activity signal; outputting the neural stimulus control signal from the personal computing device to a neural stimulation device including an external neural stimulator configured to be carried on a pinna of the subject, wherein the neural stimulus control signal is configured to control delivery of a neural stimulus by the external neural stimulator, the neural stimulus configured to activate at least one sensory nerve fiber innervating at least a portion of the pinna; and at least one of automatically discontinuing outputting of the neural stimulus control signal in response to receiving an audio input signal from a telecommunication network and starting outputting an audio output signal based on the audio input signal via an audio output of the personal computing device;
orautomatically declining an audio input signal from the telecommunication network if the neural stimulus is currently being delivered. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A computer program product comprising:
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a non-transitory signal-bearing medium bearing one or more instructions for receiving a physiological activity signal at a personal computing device, the physiological activity signal indicative of a physiological status of a subject; one or more instructions for determining a neural stimulus control signal based at least in part on the physiological activity signal; one or more instructions for outputting the neural stimulus control signal from the personal computing device to a neural stimulation device including an external neural stimulator configured to be carried on a pinna of the subject, wherein the neural stimulus control signal is configured to control delivery of a neural stimulus by the external neural stimulator, the neural stimulus configured to activate at least one sensory nerve fiber innervating at least a portion of the pinna; and one or more instructions for at least one of automatically discontinuing outputting of the neural stimulus control signal in response to receiving an audio input signal from a telecommunication network and starting outputting an audio output signal based on the audio input signal via an audio output of the personal computing device;
orautomatically declining an audio input signal from the telecommunication network if the neural stimulus is currently being delivered.
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Specification