SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATING TRANSDUCERS INTO BODY SUPPORT STRUCTURES
First Claim
1. A method of inducing tactile stimulation to a user through a cushioned transducer interface using musical tonal frequencies comprising:
- placing higher frequency transducers in a region of said cushioned transducer interface that induces said tactile stimulation to upper portions of a body of said user with said musical tonal frequencies;
placing lower frequency transducers in a region of said cushioned transducer interface that induces said tactile stimulation to lower portions of said body of said user with said musical tonal frequencies;
applying said musical tonal frequencies to said higher frequency transducers and said lower frequency transducers;
providing controls to said user that allow said user to separately alter the intensity of said musical tonal frequencies to said higher frequency transducers and said lower frequency transducers.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Transducers and resonators are embedded in body support structures in contact with a user to for the purpose of conveying musical sound energy to a user'"'"'s body at selected frequencies and in selected patterns. Body support structures comprise beds, pillows, chairs, and other structures typically used to support people. The sound may be audio tones and/or music. The transducers and resonators may be incorporated into a foam component or in a coil spring component of the body support structure. Latex-type foams and beds made with springs are candidate body support structures for receiving transducer'"'"'s and resonators. Electro-active polymers are also used as transducers.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of inducing tactile stimulation to a user through a cushioned transducer interface using musical tonal frequencies comprising:
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placing higher frequency transducers in a region of said cushioned transducer interface that induces said tactile stimulation to upper portions of a body of said user with said musical tonal frequencies;
placing lower frequency transducers in a region of said cushioned transducer interface that induces said tactile stimulation to lower portions of said body of said user with said musical tonal frequencies;
applying said musical tonal frequencies to said higher frequency transducers and said lower frequency transducers;
providing controls to said user that allow said user to separately alter the intensity of said musical tonal frequencies to said higher frequency transducers and said lower frequency transducers.
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2. A method of inducing tactile stimulation of musical tonal frequencies in a foam layer of a cushioned transducer interface comprising:
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providing a transducer that generates vibrations in response to a signal that is encoded with said musical tonal frequencies;
providing a diaphragm that is mechanically coupled to said transducer so that said vibrations are transferred from said transducer to said diaphragm;
placing said diaphragm in contact with said foam layer to transfer said vibrations from said diaphragm to said foam layer to induce said tactile stimulation to a user. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of inducing tactile stimulation of musical tonal frequencies in a coil spring of a cushioned transducer interface comprising:
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providing at least one transducer that generates vibrations in a first predetermined frequency range in response to a signal that is encoded with said musical tonal frequencies;
providing a diaphragm that is mechanically coupled to said transducer so that said vibrations are transferred from said transducer to said diaphragm;
placing said transducer in an interior portion of said coil spring;
coupling said diaphragm to said coil spring to transfer said vibrations from said diaphragm to said coil spring and to said cushioned transducer interface. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of inducing tactile stimulation of musical tonal frequencies using a rigid diaphragm structure comprising:
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providing said rigid diaphragm structure;
forming at least one first curved structure in a portion of said rigid diaphragm structure, said first curved structure having a curvature and thickness that causes said first curved structure to respond to a first set of predetermined musical tonal frequencies;
forming at least one second curved structure in a portion of said rigid diaphragm structure, said second curved structure having a curvature and thickness that causes said second curved structure to respond to a second set of predetermined musical tonal frequencies;
attaching a first transducer to said rigid diaphragm structure that vibrates in a frequency range that corresponds to said first set of predetermined frequencies;
attaching a second transducer to said rigid diaphragm structure that vibrates in a frequency range that corresponds to said second set of frequencies. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of inducing tactile stimulation of musical tonal frequencies in a transducer interface comprising:
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providing an electro-active polymer matrix array, said electro-active polymer array having a plurality of matrix array elements having predetermined shapes that are connected;
providing electrical connections to said plurality of matrix array elements;
disposing said electro-active matrix array in said transducer interface so that tactile stimulation of musical tonal frequencies can be induced in said transducer interface. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of inducing tactile stimulation in a transducer interface that is disposed in a cast comprising:
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providing a flexible material that includes an electro-active polymer matrix array;
wrapping an area of a broken bone with said flexible material;
applying a cast over said area of said broken bone and said flexible material;
providing electrical connections to said electro-active polymer matrix array so that electrical signals can be applied to said electro-active polymer matrix array to induce tactile stimulation in said area of said broken bone. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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Specification