Computer-implemented method and system for giving a user an impression of tactile feedback

• US 6,793,619 B1
• Filed: 06/09/1999
• Issued: 09/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intermark Management, Inc.
• Original Assignee: E.B.T. Interactive Company
• Inventors: Blumental, Yaacov
• Primary Examiner(s): Lacyk, John P.
• Application Number:
  US09/328,392
• Time in Patent Office: 1,931 Days
• Field of Search: 600/38-41, 434/114, 434/118, 434/247, 434/257, 434/262, 434/225, 434/303.R, 434/315, 434/316, 434/423
• 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 19/44 Having substantially cylindrical shape, e.g. dildos
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5043 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/065 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/505 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/655 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

A computer-implemented method and system for giving a user an impression of tactile feedback, comprising a computer coupled to a memory storing therein a plurality of computer-accessible movie sequences of at least one image relating to a predetermined subject. An appliance is associated with the at least one image, and at least one data input source is associated with the appliance for inputting tactile-dependent signals to the computer. A display device is connected to the computer for displaying one of the movie-sequences in accordance with the tactile-dependent signals.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for giving a user an impression of tactile feedback, the method comprising:

(a) storing a plurality of computer-accessible movie sequences of at least one image relating to a predetermined subject,

(b) providing to the user an appliance shaped to resemble a human body part associated with said at least one image,

(c) using said appliance to input tactile-dependent signals to the computer, and

(d) displaying on a display device connected to the computer one of said movie-sequences in accordance with said tactile-dependent signals.

2. The method according to claim 1, further including associating a sound-sequence with at least one of the movie-sequences so as to reproduce a sound track with the at least one movie-sequence.

3. The method according to claim 1, further including:

(e) sensing auxiliary signals representative of respective physiological variables of the user,

(f) selecting one of the movie-sequences in accordance with a function of the sensed physiological variables.

4. The method according to claim 1, further including:

(g) receiving actuation signals representative of a specified function of the at least one movie-sequence, and

(h) controlling an auxiliary property of the appliance with the actuation signals.

5. The method according to claim 1, further including:

(i) associating with different areas of the appliance a respective object, and

(j) inputting to the computer a signal indicative of a selected one of the objects upon touching said one of the objects;

whereby the movie sequence which is displayed in step (d) is associated with the selected object.

6. A computer-implemented system for giving a user an impression of tactile feedback, the system comprising:

a computer coupled to a memory storing therein a plurality of computer-accessible movie sequences of at least one image relating to a predetermined subject,

an appliance shaped to resemble a human body part associated with said at least one image,

at least one data input source associated with the appliance for inputting tactile-dependent signals to the computer, and

a display device connected to the computer for displaying one of said movie-sequences in accordance with said tactile-dependent signals.

7. The system according to claim 6, including auxiliary sensors for measuring auxiliary signals representative of respective physiological variables of the user, whereby the movie-sequences are selected in accordance with a function of the measured auxiliary signals.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein:

a sound-sequence is associated with at least one of the movie-sequences so as to reproduce a sound track with the at least one movie-sequence, and

a loudspeaker is coupled to the computer for vocalizing the sound-sequence.

9. The system according to claim 6, wherein:

the appliance includes at least one actuator for controlling an operating characteristic associated therewith, and

the computer is responsive to the at least one movie-sequence for feeding corresponding actuating signals to the at least one actuator.

10. The system according to claim 6, wherein:

for each of said at least one image relating to a predetermined subject the memory stores therein at least two computer-accessible movie sequences each in respect of a different orientation of the appliance,

at least one motion sensor is coupled to the appliance for detecting an orientation thereof, and

the computer is responsive to the orientation of the appliance or to a shift in the orientation thereof for selecting a respective one of the at least two computer-accessible movie sequences.

11. The system according to claim 6, wherein the memory is a bulk storage medium such as a CD ROM or D.V.D.

12. The system according to claim 6, wherein the memory is coupled to the computer remotely.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the memory is associated with a remote server accessible to the computer via the Internet.

47. The system according to claim 13, wherein a portion of the appliance within said at least one flexible area is contoured.

48. The system according to claim 47, wherein said portion of the appliance within said at least one flexible area is contoured to resemble a human body part.

14. A computer program product for operating a computer, comprising a computer processor and a memory for storing a plurality of computer-accessible movie sequences of at least one image relating to a predetermined subject, to displaying to a user connected to the computer desired ones of the computer-accessible movie sequences, said computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium;

computer program instructions, recorded on the computer readable medium, instructing the computer to receive from an appliance operated by the user and shaped to resemble a human body part a signal representative of said predetermined subject and tactile-dependent signals, and

computer program instructions, recorded on the computer readable medium, instructing the computer to display to the user one of said movie-sequences in accordance with said subject and said tactile-dependent signals.

15. A machine readable medium having embodied therein machine readable program code executable by a machine connected to a user interface for receiving from the user a signal representative of a predetermined subject and tactile-dependent signals and for displaying to the user a plurality of computer-accessible movie sequences,

computer program instructions, recorded on the machine readable medium, instructing the machine to receive from an appliance operated by the user the user and shaped to resemble a human body part a signal representative of said predetermined subject and tactile-dependent signals, and

computer program instructions, recorded on the machine readable medium, instructing the machine to display to the user one of said movie-sequences in accordance with said subject and said tactile-dependent signals.

16. The machine readable medium according to claim 15, further embodying therein data representative of at least some of said computer-accessible movie sequences.

17. A computer-implemented method for providing sexual stimulation, the method comprising:

(a) storing a plurality of computer-accessible erotic movie sequences,

(b) providing to the user an appliance depicting or suggestive of a sexual theme,

(c) using said appliance to input a sequence of tactile-dependent signals to the computer, and

(d) displaying on a display device connected to the computer one of said erotic movie-sequences in accordance with said sequence of tactile-dependent signals.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the appliance is associated with a commercial product and the movie-sequences depict different models of said product for aiding in selection or purchase thereof.

19. The method according to claim 17, further including associating a sound-sequence with at least one of the movie-sequences so as to reproduce a sound track with the at least one movie-sequence.

20. The method according to claim 17, further including:

(e) sensing auxiliary signals representative of respective physiological variables of the user,

(f) selecting one of the movie-sequences in accordance with a function of the sensed physiological variables.

21. The method according to claims 17, further including:

(g) receiving actuation signals representative of a specified function of the at least one movie-sequence, and

(h) controlling an auxiliary property of the appliance with the actuation signals.

22. The method according to claim 17, further including:

(i) associating with different areas of the appliance a respective object, and

(j) inputting to the computer a signal indicative of a selected one of the objects upon touching said one of the objects;

whereby the erotic movie sequence which is displayed is associated with the selected object.

23. The method according to claim 17, wherein using said appliance to input tactile-dependent signals to the computer includes:

i) providing at least one flexible area within said appliance,

ii) disposing said appliance in predetermined relationship to a keyboard of the computer so that the at least one flexible area overlaps a predetermined sequence of keys of said keyboard, and

iii) extracting one of said movie-sequences responsive to depressing said predetermined sequence of keys;

whereby applying pressure to the appliance within said at least one flexible area successively depresses said predetermined sequence of keys.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the appliance is a substantially planar membrane and step (b) includes depicting on said membrane a pictorial representation of a corresponding one of said movie-sequences.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein step (d) includes displaying said movie-sequence at a rate dependent on a rate at which successive pressure is applied to said predetermined sequence of keys.

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein a portion of the appliance within said at least one flexible area is contoured.

27. The method according to claim 17, wherein the appliance is associated with a commercial product and the movie-sequences depict different models of said product for aiding in selection or purchase thereof.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein said portion of the appliance within said at least one flexible area is contoured to resemble a human body part.

29. The method according to claim 17, wherein the appliance is shaped to resemble a human body part.

30. The method according to claim 29, for displaying erotic images in response to tactile stimulation of the appliance.

31. A computer-implemented system for giving a user an impression of tactile feedback, the system comprising:

a computer coupled to a memory storing therein a plurality of computer-accessible erotic movie sequences,

an appliance depicting or suggestive of a sexual theme,

at least one data input source associated with the appliance for inputting tactile-dependent signals to the computer, and

a display device connected to the computer for displaying one of said erotic movie-sequences in accordance with said tactile-dependent signals.

32. The system according to claim 31, wherein the memory is a bulk storage medium such as a CD ROM or D.V.D.

33. The system according to claim 31, wherein the memory is coupled to the computer remotely.

34. The system according to claim 31, wherein:

for each of said at least one image relating to a predetermined subject the memory stores therein at least two computer-accessible movie sequences each in respect of a different orientation of the appliance,

at least one motion sensor is coupled to the appliance for detecting an orientation thereof, and

the computer is responsive to the orientation of the appliance or to a shift in the orientation thereof for selecting a respective one of the at least two computer-accessible movie sequences.

35. The system according to claims 31, including auxiliary sensors for measuring auxiliary signals representative of respective physiological variables of the user, whereby the movie-sequences are selected in accordance with a function of the measured auxiliary signals.

36. The system according to claim 31, wherein:

a sound-sequence is associated with at least one of the movie-sequences so as to reproduce a sound track with the at least one movie-sequence, and

a loudspeaker is coupled to the computer for vocalizing the sound-sequence.

37. The system according to claim 31, wherein:

the appliance includes at least one actuator for controlling an operating characteristic associated therewith, and

the computer is responsive to the at least one movie-sequence for feeding corresponding actuating signals to the at least one actuator.

38. The system according to claim 31, wherein:

the appliance includes at least one flexible area within said appliance for overlapping a predetermined sequence of keys of a keyboard of the computer so that applying pressure to the appliance within said at least one flexible area successively depresses said predetermined sequence of keys, and

the computer is adapted to extract one of said movie-sequences responsive to depressing said predetermined sequence of keys.

39. The system according to claim 38, wherein the appliance is a substantially planar membrane bearing a pictorial representation of a corresponding one of said movie-sequences.

40. The system according to claim 39, wherein the pictorial representation is associated with a commercial product and the erotic movie-sequences depict different models of said product for aiding in selection or purchase thereof.

41. The system according to claim 38, wherein the computer is adapted to display said movie-sequence at a rate dependent on a rate at which successive pressure is applied to said predetermined sequence of keys.

42. The system according to claim 38, wherein the computer is responsive to at least one point of contact by the user with the appliance for displaying a respective image of said movie-sequence.

43. The system according to claim 39, wherein:

the computer is responsive to successive points of contact by the user with the pictorial representation for displaying a respective successive images of said movie-sequence, and

each of the respective successive images depicts contact with the pictorial representation at a respective point of contact so that the movie-sequence mirrors the user'"'"'s contact with the pictorial representation.

44. The system according to claim 38, wherein the pictorial representation and the movie-sequence depict erotic images.

45. The system according to claim 38, wherein the appliance is a “

feeling book”

.

46. The system according to claim 45, wherein a page number is encoded on each page in barcode format for reading by a barcode reader which produces a corresponding signal for extracting data from a respective location in the memory.

49. The method according to claim 31, wherein the appliance is shaped to resemble a human body part.

50. The system according to claim 49, wherein the movie-sequence depicts erotic images and the computer is adapted to displaying respective ones of the erotic images in response to tactile stimulation of the appliance.

51. The system according to claim 50, wherein the appliance includes a flexible bore having sensors disposed along an inside surface thereof.

52. The system according to claim 51, wherein said bore is formed of an elastic material allowing for radial expansion and contraction depending on an overall width of a member inserted therein.

53. The system according to claim 51, wherein the sensors are disposed along a length of said bore so as to provide an indication of depth of penetration of a member inserted therein.

54. A method for using the system according to claim 52 by a male inserting his penis into said bore, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) producing pressure-sensitive signals produced by movement of said penis against the inside surface of the bore, said pressure-sensitive signals having a magnitude that is a function of a width of the penis, and

(b) displaying erotic images whose content is a function of the magnitude of said pressure-sensitive signals.

55. A method for using the system according to claim 53 by a male inserting his penis into said bore, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) producing successive pressure sensitive signals produced by movement of said penis against the inside surface of the bore indicative of increasing penetration of the penis therethrough, and

(b) displaying erotic images whose content is a function of the magnitude of said pressure-sensitive signals.

56. The system according to claim 49, wherein the appliance includes a generally cylindrical member having sensors disposed along an outer surface thereof.

57. A computer-implemented method for giving a user an impression of tactile feedback, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing a plurality of computer-accessible movie sequences of at least one image relating to a predetermined subject,

(b) providing to the user an appliance associated with said at least one image,

(c) using said appliance to input tactile-dependent signals to the computer,

(d) displaying on a display device connected to the computer one of said movie-sequences in accordance with said tactile-dependent signals,

(e) sensing auxiliary signals representative of a respective physiological variables of the user, and

(f) selecting one of the movie-sequences in accordance with a function of the sensed physiological variables.