State adaption devices and methods for wireless communications

• US 20060125645A1
• Filed: 02/14/2006
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Prof. Jonathan Zittrain
• Original Assignee: Prof. Jonathan Zittrain
• Inventors: Goetsch, David, Zittrain, Jonathan, Lambert, Mary Wilson, Mainen, Zachary, Min, Shermann-Loyall
• Granted Patent: US 7,324,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.100
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 2001/085 Partner search devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/1066 with other provisions not elsewhere provided for, e.g. turn-off protection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/1091 Group calling
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/228 combined with other devices having a different main function, e.g. watches
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/229 with other provisions not elsewhere provided for

Abstract

A communications system has first and second units whereby, when a user changes the physical state of the first unit, a message is sent to the second unit to cause the second unit to change to the same state. This change in state can be, for example, a physical squeezing movement or a change in color.

Claims

1. A communications system comprising:

a first bracelet for a user to wear that can sense a contraction when squeezed around the user, and including a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting a signal indicating that the bracelet has been squeezed;

the first bracelet further including a receiver for receiving a signal and for contracting around the user in response to the received signal.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second bracelet including a receiver responsive to receiving the transmitted signal transmitted from the first bracelet, and for contracting around the user in response.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first bracelet is sized to be worn around the user'"'"'s writs.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the first and second bracelets are sized to be worn around respective users'"'"' wrists.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits at radio frequency.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first bracelet stays in a contracted position until manually changed.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first bracelet stays in a contracted position temporarily and changes again to a non-contracted position after a predetermined time.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein the transmitter in the first bracelet transmits directly to the second bracelet.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first bracelet is made of a shape memory alloy.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second bracelets are mated such that the signal transmitted from the first bracelet is received by the second bracelet and by other bracelets whether similar or different in type.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the bracelet has no user controllable buttons or other devices except the ability to be squeezed.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second bracelet that can squeeze a wearer in response to the signal from the first bracelet, wherein the second bracelet does not have a sensor and transmitter like the first bracelet, and thus the transmission of a signal indicative of a change in physical state can only go one way from the first bracelet to the second bracelet.

13. A method comprising:

a first bracelet sensing a contraction of the bracelet around the wearer; and

wirelessly transmitting a signal indicative of the contraction of the bracelet.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising a second bracelet receiving the signal indicative of the change in physical state of the first bracelet, the second bracelet contracting in a manner substantially similar to the change in first bracelet.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first bracelet transmits to the second bracelet via a wireless network.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first bracelet transmits directly to the second bracelet.