Ultra short range communication with sensing device and method

• US 6,823,195 B1
• Filed: 06/30/2000
• Issued: 11/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Martha Trout
• Original Assignee: Peter V Boesen
• Inventors: Boesen, Peter V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gary, Erika
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, DAVID Q
• Application Number:
  US09/607,305
• Time in Patent Office: 1,607 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422.1, 455/517, 455/66.1, 455/42, 455/522.1, 455/554.2, 455/74.1, 455/87, 455/88, 455/550, 455/421, 381/151, 375/132, 340/692
• US Class Current: 455/522
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/13 Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A method of communicating of the present invention includes broadcasting a signal from a transmission point. The power of the signal is limited such that the signal will attenuate within a predetermined distance from the transmission point. The signal is received by a receiver. A communication system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is adapted to broadcast a first signal which attenuates within a predetermined distance from the transmitter. The receiver is adapted to receive the first signal. The method and system can be used to imperceptibly transmit voice data.

Claims

1. A new method of communicating which has the advantages of consuming low power and limiting electromagnetic interference, comprising:

capturing voice sound information using a bone conduction sensor of an earpiece;

associating a digital identifier with the voice sound information;

broadcasting a first signal from the earpiece, the first signal including both the voice sound information and the digital identifier;

limiting the power of the first signal so that the first signal attenuates within a predetermined distance from the earpiece; and

receiving the first signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance is 20 feet or less.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance is 10 feet or less.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising capturing voice sound information using an air conduction sensor of the earpiece.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing a function when the first signal is received.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the function is turning on lights in a room.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising recovering and reproducing for a desired listener the voice data from the second signal.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the transmission, recovery, and reproduction of voice data is imperceptible to undesired people.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the voice data from the first signal is sent through a wireless LAN to an intended recipient.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first signal is received by a cell phone.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein the first signal is received by a cell phone.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the digital identifier identifies a person associated with a transmitter of the earpiece.