Data transmission system using a human body as a signal transmission path

• US 6,864,780 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2001
• Issued: 03/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works Ltd (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Koyama, Masaki, Suzuki, Yoshiko, Doi, Kenji, Nishimura, Tokuhisa, Hashimoto, Masaru
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Au, Scott
• Application Number:
  US09/948,638
• Publication Number:
  US 20020030585A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,275 Days
• Field of Search: 340/565, 340/5, 341/176
• US Class Current: 340/5.64
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0028 Body tissue as transmission medium, i.e. transmission systems where the medium is the human body
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/005 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the human body

Abstract

A data transmission system using a human body as a signal transmission path includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter uses a pair of electrodes which are held in close proximity to the skin of the human body. The transmitter transmits data to the receiver through the signal transmission path partly extending through the human body when a user carrying the transmitter touches a touch electrode of the receiver. The electrodes are integrated into a garment worn by the user in such a manner that the electrodes are kept in a closely facing relation to the skin of the user, thereby establishing the electrical path extending through the human body. With the integration of the two electrodes into the garment, the user wearing the garment as an everyday clothes or uniform can be easy and convenient to carry the transmitter for successful transmission of the data.

Claims

1. A data transmission system using a human body as a signal transmission path, said system comprising a transmitter adapted to be worn on a human body, and a receiver adapted to be connected to an associated device which utilizes data transmitted from the transmitter, said transmitter comprising:

a ground electrode which is placed in close proximity to the human body;

a signal electrode which is placed in close proximity to the human body and in a spatially spaced relation from said ground electrode; and

a data memory for storing first data to be transmitted;

a first modulator for converting said first data into a first modulated voltage signal; and

a first signal transmitter which applies the first modulated voltage signal across said signal electrode and said ground electrode; and

said receiver comprising;

a circuit ground adapted to be connected to the ground;

a touch electrode adapted for direct contact with a portion of the human body carrying said transmitter;

a signal detector connected across said touch electrode and said circuit ground to detect said first modulated voltage signal; and

a demodulator for converting said first modulated voltage signal back into said first data,

wherein said system includes a garment which is adapted to be worn by a user and integrates said ground and signal electrodes in such a manner that at least one of said ground and signal electrodes is kept in a closely facing relation to the skin of the user, thereby establishing an electrical path extending through a portion of the human body for signal transmission from said transmitter to said receiver,

wherein each of said ground and signal electrodes is formed by a plurality of electrically conductive threads and is sewed to be integrated into the garment, and

wherein both of said ground and signal electrodes are carried on the garment so as to come into a closely facing relation with the skin of the user,

said transmitter including a case which accommodates an electrical circuitry realizing said first modulator and said first signal transmitter and which is formed separately from said ground and signal electrodes, said case being provided with terminals for electrically connecting said electric circuitry with said ground and signal electrodes, and

said garment carrying a ground lead and a signal lead which extend respectively from said ground and signal electrodes for connection with said terminals of said case, each said ground and signal leads being formed by a strand of electrically conductive threads and sewed on said garment.

2. The data transmission system as set forth in claim 1, wherein

said system includes a coupling means by which said case is detachably connected to said garment and at the same time said electrically circuitry is detachably connected to said ground and signal electrodes,

said coupling means comprising a spring-loaded clip which is pivotally supported to said case to be movable between a pinching position and a release position, said clip being provided with said terminals which are electrically isolated from each other for connection respectively with said ground and signal leads at said pinching position.

3. A data transmission system using a human body as a signal transmission path, said system comprising a transmitter adapted to be worn on a human body, and a receiver adapted to be connected to an associated device which utilizes data transmitted from the transmitter, said transmitter comprising:

a ground electrode which is placed in close proximity to the human body;

a signal electrode which is placed in close proximity to the human body and in a spatially spaced relation from said ground electrode; and

a data memory for storing first data to be transmitted;

a first modulator for converting said first data into a first modulated voltage signal; and

a first signal transmitter which applies the first modulated voltage signal across said signal electrode and said ground electrode; and

said receiver comprising;

a circuit ground adapted to be connected to the ground;

a touch electrode adapted for direct contact with a portion of the human body carrying said transmitter;

a signal detector connected across said touch electrode and said circuit ground to detect said first modulated voltage signal; and

a demodulator for converting said first modulated voltage signal back into said first data,

wherein said system includes a garment which is adapted to be worn by a user and integrates said ground and signal electrodes in such a manner that at least one of said ground and signal electrodes is kept in a closely facing relation to the skin of the user, thereby establishing an electrical path extending through a portion of the human body for signal transmission from said transmitter to said receiver,

wherein both of said ground and signal electrodes are carried on the garment so as to come into a closely facing relation with the skin of the user,

wherein said transmitter including a case which accommodates an electric circuitry realizing said first modulator and said first signal transmitter and which is formed separately from said ground and signal electrodes, said case being provided with terminals for electrical connecting said electric circuitry respectively with said ground and signal electrodes, and

said system including a coupling means by which said case is detachably connected to said garment and at the same time said electrical circuitry is connected to said ground and signal electrodes.

4. The data transmission system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said coupling means comprises a pair of first fasteners each composed of one of a socket and a ball forming a snap button for mounting said case to the garment, a pair of second fasteners each composed of the other of the socket and ball, said first fasteners being fixed on said case and connected across said first signal transmitter, and said second fasteners being fixed on said garment and permanently connected respectively to said ground and signal electrodes.

5. The data transmission system as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said ground and signal electrodes is formed by a plurality of electrically conductive threads sewed and integrated into the garment, and said second fasteners are held in direct contact with said ground and signal electrodes, respectively.

6. The data transmission system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said ground and signal electrodes are respectively in the form of annular bands provided around a sleeve of the garment in a spaced relation from each other along the length of the sleeve.

7. The data transmission system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said case is made water-tight for sealing said electrical circuitry.