Heartbeat Simulation Method And Apparatus

• US 20080027694A1
• Filed: 07/12/2006
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Banana Design Lab, LLC
• Original Assignee: Banana Design Lab, LLC
• Inventors: Gitman, Yury Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/457,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20080027694A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/319 Circuits for simulating ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: G06G 7/60 for living beings, e.g. their nervous systems ; for problems in the medical field
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders

Abstract

Provided are methods and apparatuses for dynamically generating a simulated tactile heartbeat sensation. The apparatus can comprise a vibrator, a processor, and a power source. The methods can comprise providing a digital pulse signal to a vibrator, the digital pulse signal being dynamically controlled by a processor.

Claims

1. A dynamic heartbeat simulation method comprising:

a. sending a first digital pulse signal to a first vibrator;

b. sending a second digital pulse signal to a second vibrator;

c. pausing the first vibrator for a first time period;

d. pausing the second vibrator for a second time period;

e. repeating steps a, b, c, and d.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising altering the duty cycle of pulse signals directed to the vibrator.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising altering the pulse signals directed to the vibrator.

4. A heartbeat simulating apparatus comprising:

at least one electrical vibrator;

a processor, electrically connected to the vibrator, wherein the processor dynamically controls vibration of the vibrator to simulate a heartbeat; and

a power source electrically connected to the processor.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein dynamically controlling vibration of the vibrator comprises:

a. sending a first digital pulse signal to a first vibrator;

b. sending a second digital pulse signal to a second vibrator;

c. pausing the first vibrator for a first time period;

d. pausing the second vibrator for a second time period;

e. repeating steps a, b, c, and d.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising altering the duty cycle of pulse signals directed to the vibrators.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising altering the pulse signals directed to the vibrators.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the processor dynamically controls vibration of the vibrator to simulate a heartbeat by altering a duty cycle over intervals of time directed to the vibrator.

9. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the processor controls the vibrator by directing a selectively repeating digital pulse signal to the vibrator, the digital pulse signal comprising:

a first pulse signal output provided for a first time period;

a first pause after the first pulse signal output;

a second pulse signal output provided for a second time period; and

a second pause after the second pulse signal output.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the processor dynamically controls vibration of the vibrator to simulate a heartbeat by altering the length of the second pause duration within a defined minimum and maximum time period.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each pulse signal output comprises a plurality of power-on signals, wherein the proportion of power-on signals over a predetermined period determines a pulse signal'"'"'s duty cycle.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the duration of the second pause is greater than the sum of the first time period, the first pause duration, and the second time period.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sum of the first time period, the first pause duration, the second time period, and the second pause duration is from 0.3 to 3.0 seconds.

14. The apparatus of claim 4, comprising a first vibrator and a second vibrator.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processor controls the first vibrator through a first repeating digital pulse signal and the second vibrator through a second repeating digital pulse signal,

the first repeating digital pulse signal comprising:

a first pulse signal output provided for a first time;

a first pause after the first pulse signal output; and

the second repeating digital pulse signal comprising;

a second pulse signal output provided for a second time wherein the first time is equal to the second time; and

a second pause after the second pulse signal output.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each pulse signal output comprises a plurality of power-on signals, wherein the proportion of power-on signals over a predetermined period determines a pulse signal'"'"'s duty cycle.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the duration of the second pause is greater than the sum of the first time period, the first pause duration, and the second time period.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the sum of the first time period, the first pause duration, the second time period, and the second pause duration is from 0.3 to 3.0 seconds.

19. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the pulse signal output dynamically changes in response to a sensor.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of:

a pressure sensor;

a movement sensor;

a temperature sensor;

a light sensor;

a capacitance sensor;

a Heart rate sensor;

a Galvanic sensor; and

a biofeedback electrode.

21. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising an input interface wherein the pulse signal output dynamically changes in response to an input received through the input interface.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the input interface is selected from the group consisting of:

a wired interface; and

a wireless interface.

23. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pulse signal output dynamically changes in response to a user activated switch.

24. A dynamic heartbeat simulation method comprising:

a. sending a first digital pulse signal to a first vibrator;

b. pausing for a time period;

c. sending a second digital pulse signal to a second vibrator; and

d. repeating steps a, b, and c.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising altering a duty cycle of the pulse signals directed to the vibrators.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising altering the pulse signals directed to the vibrators.

27. A heartbeat simulating apparatus comprising:

at least one electrical vibrator;

a processor, electrically connected to the vibrator, wherein the processor controls vibration of the vibrator to simulate a heartbeat; and

a power source electrically connected to the processor.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein controlling vibration of the vibrator comprises:

a. sending a first digital pulse signal to a first vibrator;

b. sending a second digital pulse signal to a second vibrator;

c. pausing the first vibrator for a first time period;

d. pausing the second vibrator for a second time period;

e. repeating steps a, b, c, and d.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the processor controls vibration of the vibrator to simulate a heartbeat by altering a duty cycle over intervals of time directed to the vibrator.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the processor controls the vibrator by directing a repeating digital pulse signal to the vibrator, the digital pulse signal comprising:

a first pulse signal output provided for a first time period;

a first pause after the first pulse signal output;

a second pulse signal output provided for a second time period; and

a second pause after the second pulse signal output.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein each pulse signal output comprises a plurality of power-on signals, wherein the proportion of power-on signals over a predetermined period determines a pulse signal'"'"'s duty cycle.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the duration of the second pause is greater than the sum of the first time period, the first pause duration, and the second time period.

33. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the sum of the first time period, the first pause duration, the second time period, and the second pause duration is from 0.3 to 3.0 seconds.

34. The apparatus of claim 27, comprising a first vibrator and a second vibrator.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the processor controls the first vibrator through a first repeating digital pulse signal and the second vibrator through a second repeating digital pulse signal,

the first repeating digital pulse signal comprising:

a first pulse signal output provided for a first time;

a first pause after the first pulse signal output; and

the second repeating digital pulse signal comprising;

a second pulse signal output provided for a second time wherein the first time is equal to the second time; and

a second pause after the second pulse signal output.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein each pulse signal output comprises a plurality of power-on signals, wherein the proportion of power-on signals over a predetermined period determines a pulse signal'"'"'s duty cycle.

37. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the duration of the second pause is greater than the sum of the first time period, the first pause duration, and the second time period.

38. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the sum of the first time period, the first pause duration, the second time period, and the second pause duration is from 0.3 to 3.0 seconds.