Tactile communication device and method

• US 6,326,901 B1
• Filed: 12/31/1997
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gilbert Rene Gonzales
• Original Assignee: Gilbert Rene Gonzales
• Inventors: Gonzales, Gilbert Rene
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/001,385
• Time in Patent Office: 1,434 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.46, 340/825.19, 340/407.1
• US Class Current: 340/7.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/003 using tactile presentation of the information, e.g. Braille displays

Abstract

A device and method for use in tactile communications adaptable for use by anyone able to recognize messages written in a language known to them. The devise uses a series of sequentially firing vibromechanical stimulators vibrating against the skin or other suitably tactile sensitive area of the wearer. The vibromechanical stimulators are arrange in a substantially two dimensional array over the skin and are then triggered individually and in sequence, following a set of patterns representative of the symbols in the language recognizable to the wearer to tactually convey the message. The wearer cognitively perceives the tactual stimulation as a line or lines drawn on the skin or suitably tactile sensitive area that resemble the symbols used to communicate between the message sender and the wearer.

Claims

1. A tactile communications device, suitable for wearing by a tactually sensitive user, for receiving and converting a communications data stream into a tactual message that can be perceived by the user, the device comprising:

(a) a housing including a face surface abuttably positionable over a surface of the user suitably sensitive to tactual stimulation;

(b) a tactile stimulator array mountable within the housing having a plurality of vibromechanical stimulators positionable adjacent the face surface, the vibromechanical stimulators having a tactile effector suitable for impinging the surface of the user when the vibromechanical stimulator is energized;

(c) a power source operably connected to the tactile stimulator array suitable for powering at least the tactile stimulator array;

(d) a receiver, operably connected to the power source, for receiving a communications data stream including at least navigational and orientation data; and

(e) a controller, operably connected to the power source, receiver and the tactile stimulator array, for independently and sequentially controlling each vibromechanical stimulator, using one vibromechanical stimulator at a time, to tactually stimulate the surface of the user in at least one line pattern equivalent to the received navigational and orientation data stream.

2. The device of claim 1 in which the housing is attachable to an appendage of the user.

3. The device of claim 1 in which the housing is attachable to a surface suitable for gripping by the user.

4. The device of claim 1 in which the housing is abuttably positionable over a suitably tactile sensitive mucus membrane of the user.

5. The device of claim 1 in which the plurality of vibromechanical stimulators comprises a plurality of electromechanical solenoids.

6. The device of claim 1 in which the plurality of vibromechanical stimulators comprises a plurality of rods of piezoelectric material.

7. The device of claim 1 in which the plurality of vibromechanical stimulators comprises a plurality of rods of bimorphic ceramic material.

8. The device of claim 1 in which the plurality of vibromechanical stimulators comprises at least 100 vibromechanical stimulators, the receiving means includes means for recieving alphanumeric and symbol communications data streams and the control means includes means for simultaneously controlling at least two portions of the tactile stimulator array independently so as to convey at least two separate communications data streams.

9. The tactile communication device of claim 1 wherein the face surface includes a plurality of apertures disposed in a pattern over the face surface of the housing, and wherein tactile effector is capable of protruding through an associated aperture and impinging the surface of the user.

10. The tactile communication device of claim 1 wherein the housing further has an internal face surface opposite the face surface and wherein the tactile effectors interact with the internal face surface, causing the face surface to impinge the surface of the user.

11. The tactile communications device of claim 1 wherein the line pattern is a substantially straight line.

12. The tactile communications device of claim 1 wherein the line pattern is a curved line.

13. The tactile communications device of claim 1 wherein the controller causes tactile stimulation in a plurality of line patterns equivalent to the received navigational and orientation data stream.

14. The tactile communications device of claim 13 wherein the plurality of line patterns includes a first substantially straight line and a second substantially straight line, the first and second substantially straight lines being substantially perpendicular with one another.

15. The tactile communication device of claim 14 wherein the first substantially straight line is indicative of navigational attitude information and the second substantially straight line is indicative of navigational heading information.

16. A tactile communications method for receiving and converting communication elements of a data stream into a tactual message perceptible to a user, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a housing having a substantially flat surface including a plurality of apertures in a substantially two dimensional array;

(b) providing an electrical power source;

(c) mounting a tactile stimulator array, operably connected to the power source, within the attachment housing having a plurality of vibromechanical stimulators, positioning each vibromechanical stimulator adjacent a corresponding aperture;

(d) positioning the tactile stimulator array and housing abuttably over a suitably tactile surface area of the user; and

(e) providing control means, electrically connected to the electrical power source and the tactile stimulator array, for independently and sequentially controlling each vibromechanical stimulator, the control means including the steps of;

(e1) receiving a communication data stream including navigational and orientation data;

(e2) converting the received communication data stream into a tactual pattern stream of at least one substantially straight line corresponding to the communication data stream navigational and orientation data; and

(e3) turning on and off a sequence of vibromechanical stimulators, one vibromechanical stimulator at a time, according to the tactual pattern stream of at least one line;

such that the sequence of vibrating stimulators stimulating the surface tactually is perceived cognitively by the user as the communications message.