Electronic variable stroke device and system for remote control and interactive play

• US 20040082831A1
• Filed: 10/16/2003
• Published: 04/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alvin Y. Kobashikawa, Rita E. Iwakawa
• Original Assignee: Alvin Y. Kobashikawa, Rita E. Iwakawa
• Inventors: Kobashikawa, Alvin Y., Iwakawa, Rita E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,438,681 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/38
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/32 for inserting the genitals therein, e.g. vibrating rings for males or breast stimulating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/34 For clitoral stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/44 Having substantially cylindrical shape, e.g. dildos
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/50 Devices for use during sexual intercourse
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1664 linear
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1669 moving along the body in a reciprocating manner
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5012 using the internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5064 Position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5079 Velocity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless

Abstract

An electronic variable stroke device comprise a base portion containing a motor-driven screw shaft, an upper portion extending from the base portion having the screw shaft extending longitudinally therein, a traveler engaged with the screw shaft to drive a part of the upper body in reciprocating longitudinal motion, and electronic controls include a transmitter/receiver for sending and receiving control signals for operating the device. A remote controller unit is provided for ergonomic operation of the device by the user. A network connection unit is provided to connect the user'"'"'s device to an external service offered on the Internet or other networks, and includes controls for transmitting audio/visual content in conjunction with operation of the device. The device may be adapted as a female toy, and can exchange control signals with one or more other users operating a male toy or other electronic stimulation device. The Internet service can join a user in an interactive session with another user, or with a group of users, and even non-participating spectators. The Internet service preferably has a 3-tier structure of administrator site, host site, and affiliated play host site for efficiently handling verification of user identity and payment method, widespread offerings of user interest communities and interactive services, and distribution of revenues from customer usage to service partners. Purchasers of a network connection unit can be required to register with a warranty/registration site, to which the administrator site has access to validate a user'"'"'s identity and payment method. Other applications for the Internet-based system for multi-user interactive sessions include remote game-playing and virtual videoconferencing.

Claims

1. An electronic variable stroke device comprising:

a base portion containing a motor and power source for rotating a screw shaft alternately in opposite rotational directions,

an upper portion extending longitudinally from the base portion, wherein the rotary-driven screw shaft has a length extending longitudinally into the upper portion and is provided with screw threading thereon, and

a screw-thread traveler or follower engaged with the screw shaft threading in order to drive a member constituting a part of the upper body in reciprocating longitudinal motion.

2. An electronic variable stroke device according to claim 1, further comprising electronic controls provided in said base portion for controlling rotation of the screw shaft to vary the length, extent, speed, and/or frequency of the upper body member'"'"'s reciprocating longitudinal motion.

3. An electronic variable stroke device according to claim 2, wherein said electronic controls include a memory for storing motion programs therein for operating the device in different programmed modes of reciprocating longitudinal motions.

4. An electronic variable stroke device according to claim 2, wherein said electronic controls include a transmitter/receiver for sending and receiving control signals for operating the device to and from an external source.

5. An electronic variable stroke device according to claim 4, wherein said electronic controls include a memory for storing motion programs for programmed operation of the device sent from an external source.

6. An electronic variable stroke device according to claim 4, wherein said electronic controls include a memory for storing motion programs derived from the user'"'"'s manual operation of the device, said transmitter/receiver being used to send a stored motion program to an external source.

7. An electronic variable stroke device according to claim 1, adapted as a female toy, wherein said upper body is formed with an outer covering and a bulging annulus member coupled to said traveler which is driven in longitudinal reciprocation under said outer covering to simulate the thrusting motion of a penis.

8. An electronic variable stroke device according to claim 1, adapted as a female toy, wherein said upper body has a rounded outer shape and is formed integrally with said traveler and driven in longitudinal reciprocation to simulate the thrusting motion of a penis.

9. An electronic variable stroke device according to claim 1, adapted as a device for driving a part of a toy, wherein said upper body is coupled to said traveler and has a first joint member on a distal end thereof, said base portion has a second joint member on a distal end thereof, and said first and second joint members are used to couple the device between a stationary part and a driven part of a toy.

10. An electronic variable stroke device according to claim 1, further comprising a hand-held remote controller unit which is used by the user for ergonomic control of the operation of the device.

11. An electronic variable stroke device according to claim 10, wherein said remote controller unit includes electronic controls provided therein for controlling rotation of the screw shaft to vary the length, extent, speed, and/or frequency of the upper body member'"'"'s reciprocating longitudinal motion.

12. An electronic variable stroke device according to claim 11, wherein said electronic controls include a memory for storing motion programs therein for programmed operation of the device.

13. An electronic variable stroke device according to claim 11, wherein said electronic controls include a transmitter/receiver for sending and receiving control signals for operating the device to and from an external source.

14. An electronic variable stroke device according to claim 1, further comprising a network connection unit for accessing a network and for sending and receiving control signals for operating the device to and from an external source on the network.

15. An electronic variable stroke device according to claim 14, wherein said network connection unit includes electronic controls for controlling audio/visual components connected to said unit, and for sending and receiving audio/visual signals in conjunction with operation of the device to and from an external source on the network.

16. A system for conducting an interactive session of a user with an external service accessible on a network comprising:

an electronic variable stroke device comprising a base portion containing a motor and power source for rotating a screw shaft alternately in opposite rotational directions, an upper portion extending longitudinally from the base portion, wherein the rotary-driven screw shaft has a length extending longitudinally into the upper portion and is provided with screw threading thereon, a screw-thread traveler or follower engaged with the screw shaft threading in order to drive a member constituting a part of the upper body in reciprocating longitudinal motion, and electronic controls include a transmitter/receiver for sending and receiving control signals for operating the device;

a network connection unit for accessing a network and sending and receiving control signals for operating the device to and from an external service on the network; and

an external service accessible on the network having means for sending and receiving control signals for operating the device.

17. A system for conducting an interactive session of a user according to claim 16, wherein said network connection unit includes electronic controls for controlling audio/visual components connected to said unit, and for sending and receiving audio/visual signals in conjunction with operation of the device to and from said external service on the network.

18. A system for conducting an interactive session of a user according to claim 16, wherein said external service conducts an interactive session with a user by transmitting control signals generated by said external service to the user'"'"'s network connection unit for operation of the user'"'"'s device.

19. A system for conducting an interactive session of a user according to claim 16, wherein said external service conducts an interactive session with a user by receiving control signals generated by another user and transmitting them to the user'"'"'s network connection unit for operation of the device.

20. A system for conducting an interactive session of a user according to claim 19, wherein said other user is provided with an electronic stimulation device having electronic controls include a transmitter/receiver for sending and receiving control signals for operating the device, and a network connection unit for accessing the external service on the network similar to the first-mentioned user.

21. A system for conducting an interactive session of a user according to claim 20, wherein said first-mentioned user and said other user exchange control signals through said external service on the network to each other'"'"'s network connection unit to control the operation of each other'"'"'s electronic stimulation device for mutual interactive stimulation.

22. A system for conducting an interactive session of a user according to claim 20, wherein said electronic variable stroke device of the first-mentioned user is a female toy and said electronic stimulation device of the other user is a male toy.

23. A system for conducting an interactive session of a user according to claim 20, wherein said network connection units of said first-mentioned user and said other user each includes electronic controls for controlling audio/visual components connected to said unit, and for sending and receiving audio/visual signals to each other'"'"'s network connection unit in conjunction with the operation of each other'"'"'s electronic stimulation device.

24. A system for conducting an interactive session of a plurality of users with an external service on a network comprising:

each user having an electronic stimulation device provided with electronic controls include a transmitter/receiver for sending and receiving control signals for operating the device, and a network connection unit for accessing the external service on the network and for sending and receiving control signals for operating the device to and from the external service, said network connection unit having electronic controls for controlling audio/visual components connected to said unit, and for sending and receiving audio/visual signals to and from the external service on the network in conjunction with operation of the device;

an external service accessible by said network connection unit on the network,

said external service having means for establishing an interactive session with the plurality of users and for sending and receiving control signals and audio/visual signals via each user'"'"'s network connection unit for operating each user'"'"'s device and audio/visual components.

30. A system for conducting an interactive session of a plurality of users according to claim 24, wherein an interactive session service is conducted for a plurality of users as a videoconferencing session in a “

virtual conference room”

, and video images of the users are pasted in respective positions or on respective avatars positioned within the virtual conference room.

25. A system for conducting an interactive session of a plurality of users with an external service on the Internet comprising:

each user having an electronic input/feedback device and an Internet connection unit for accessing the Internet and for sending and receiving control signals for operating the electronic input/feedback device to and from an external service on the Internet, said Internet connection unit having electronic controls for controlling audio/visual components including an video camera and a display screen connected to said unit and for sending and receiving audio/visual signals to and from the external service on the Internet in conjunction with operation of the device;

an Internet website accessible as an external service on the Internet through said Internet connection unit of each user;

said Internet website having means for establishing an interactive session with the plurality of users and for sending and receiving control signals for operating the electronic input/feedback device and the audio/visual components of each user;

wherein said Internet website is part of a 3-tiered website structure having;

an administrator site for registering the identities of authorized users of the external service and for managing billing and payment methods of the users;

a host site for promoting a community of users and marketing selected interactive session services to said community of users; and

an affiliated playhost site for providing a specific interactive session service to users referred or linked from said host site.

26. A system for conducting an interactive session of a plurality of users according to claim 25, wherein said 3-tiered website structure further includes a warranty/registration site accessible by at least said administrator site to which a user who has purchased an Internet connection unit is required to transmit the user'"'"'s identity and payment method information, said warranty/registration site being enabled to respond to inquiries from said administrator site to verify the identities and payment methods of users requesting access to an interactive session service.

27. A system for conducting an interactive session of a plurality of users according to claim 25, wherein an interactive session for a plurality of users is conducted by an affiliated playhost site offering a specific interaction session service requested by the users.

28. A system for conducting an interactive session of a plurality of users according to claim 27, wherein the interactive session service conducted by said affiliated playhost site includes providing audio/visual content from a physical location hosted by the affiliated playhost in conjunction with the specific interaction session service.

29. A system for conducting an interactive session of a plurality of users according to claim 27, wherein the interactive session service conducted by said affiliated playhost site is made accessible online for viewing by other non-participating spectators.