Wearable communication device

• US 6,912,287 B1
• Filed: 03/11/1999
• Issued: 06/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
• Inventors: Tonomura, Yoshinobu, Fukumoto, Masaaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Harvey, Dionne
• Application Number:
  US09/268,486
• Time in Patent Office: 2,301 Days
• Field of Search: 455/569.1, 455/569.2, 455/575.1, 455/575.2, 455/575.3, 455/575.4, 455/576.6, 455/90.2, 455/90.3, 455/100, 455/128, 455/575, 455/90, 455/347, 455/351, 455/569, 455/11.1, 455/41.1, 455/556.2, 455/557, 455/560, 455/563, 455/566, 379/433.1, 379/174, 379/325, 379/330, 379/430, 379/428, 379/431, 379/433, 379/457, 379/52, 379/434, 379/429, 379/90, 379/440, 434/114, 434/116, 381/151, 381/355, 381/385, 381/396, 381/326, 381333-336, 381/387, 381/386, 381/393, 381/395, 381/315, 340/407.1, 340/407, 181/173, 181/172, 181/163, 181/164, 128/201.19, 368/10, 368/47, 368/281, 368/282
• US Class Current: 381/151
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/00 Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute audible presentation of material to be studied G09B5/04; devices or methods for replacing direct visual or auditory perception by another kind of perception A61F9/08, A61F11/04; audible indication of meter readings or of colour G01D7/12; watches for blind persons G04B25/02; speech analysis, speech recognition G10L; sound-recording or reproducing, per se G11B
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/13 Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers

Abstract

A wearable communication device includes a bone conduction actuator which is applicable for being in contact with a user'"'"'s wrist, hand, back of the hand, finger or nail in order to transmit voice signals. The user inserts the user'"'"'s finger into the user'"'"'s ear canal, or touches the user'"'"'s finger to a part near the user'"'"'s ear, or puts the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail on the user'"'"'s ear canal so as to block the user'"'"'s ear canal when the user uses the wearable communication device. Also, the wearable command input device includes a first part for detecting shock or acceleration which arises when the user taps the user'"'"'s fingertip on the surface of an object or when the user taps the fingertips mutually and which is transmitted through the user'"'"'s finger, a second part for detecting specific frequency components which are included in signals from the first part and for detecting the presence or the absence of the tap of the finger of the user, and a part for determining and executing commands based on series of signals output from the second part.

Claims

1. A wearable communication device which includes at least receiving means for receiving voice signals wherein a user inserts the user'"'"'s fingertip into the user'"'"'s ear canal, or touches the user'"'"'s fingertip to a part near the user'"'"'s ear, or blocks the user'"'"'s ear canal by putting the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail on the user'"'"'s ear canal when the user uses said wearable communication device, said wearable communication device comprising:

a bone conduction actuator for contacting a contacting part of the user'"'"'s wrist, back of the hand, base of the finger, finger joint or finger in order to transmit the voice signals,

wherein vibrations converted from the voice signals by the bone conduction actuator are transmitted from the contacting part of the user'"'"'s wrist, back of the hand, base of the finger, finger joint or finger to the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail by bone conduction, and the vibrations are transmitted from the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail to the user'"'"'s ear canal or the part near the user'"'"'s ear by bone conduction, and the vibrations are transmitted from the user'"'"'s ear canal or the part near the user'"'"'s ear to the user'"'"'s ear so as to enable the user to hear the voice signals.

2. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bone conduction actuator comprises:

a converter for converting an electronic signal into vibrations; and

a vibrator for transmitting the vibrations to a human body,

wherein said vibrator is shaped like a ring which can be mounted on the user'"'"'s finger.

3. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 2, said wearable communication device further comprising a main unit which is connected to said bone conduction actuator and can be mounted on the user'"'"'s wrist,

wherein said main unit comprises at least means for transmitting voice signals to said bone conduction actuator.

4. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said bone conduction actuator is connected to said main unit by a cord which is connected to said converter which is detachable from said vibrator, and said main unit comprises:

means for taking up said cord and storing said converter to said main unit if said converter is detached from said vibrator; and

means for utilizing storing of said converter or taking up of said cord as a switch.

5. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 1, said wearable communication device further comprising a main unit which is connected to said bone conduction actuator and can be mounted on the user'"'"'s wrist,

wherein said main unit comprises at least means for transmitting voice signals to said bone conduction actuator.

6. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said bone conduction actuator is connected to said main unit by a cord which has a connector which is detachable from said bone conduction actuator, and said main unit comprises:

means for taking up said cord and for storing said connector to said main unit if said connector is detached from said bone conduction actuator; and

means for utilizing storing of said connector or taking up of said cord as a switch.

7. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 1, said wearable communication device further comprising a main unit which is connected to said bone conduction actuator and can be mounted on the user'"'"'s wrist, wherein said main unit comprises:

means for transmitting voice signals to said bone conduction actuator, said bone conduction actuator being provided in an end of a boom which slides from said main unit, said end being shaped so as to slide easily while touching the back of the user'"'"'s hand.

8. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said end is shaped like a dome which is downward convex.

9. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said end is shaped like a dome which is downward convex while having at least one groove in the sliding direction.

10. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 7, wherein sliding of said boom is used as a switch of said wearable communication device.

11. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wearable communication device further comprises a main unit which comprises at least means for transmitting voice signals to said bone conduction actuator and can be mounted on the user'"'"'s wrist, said bone conduction actuator comprising:

a converter, provided in said main unit, for converting an electronic signal into vibrations; and

a vibrator for transmitting the vibrations to a human body, said vibrator being provided in an end of a boom which slides from said main unit, said end being shaped so as to slide easily while touching the back of the user'"'"'s hand,

wherein vibrations by voice signal are transmitted from said converter to said vibrator through said boom.

12. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said end is shaped like a dome which is downward convex.

13. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said end is shaped like a dome which is downward convex while having at least one groove in the sliding direction.

14. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said main unit includes a motor for sliding said boom.

15. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bone conduction actuator can be mounted on the user'"'"'s wrist with a wristband and comprises:

a converter for converting an electronic signal into vibrations; and

a vibrator for transmitting the vibrations to a human body,

wherein said vibrator is rod-like and protrudes from the wrist-side surface of the bone conduction actuator.

16. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the bone conduction actuator comprises:

a main part comprising said converter and said vibrator; and

a mechanism which is linked to said main part,

wherein said main part moves in the mechanism in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the user'"'"'s wrist so that said vibrator is pushed on the surface and the movement is used as a switch of said wearable communication device.

17. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 15, wherein said wearable communication device is applicable to be mounted on the user'"'"'s wrist and further comprises:

fastening means for fastening said wristband and for pushing said vibrator on the surface of the user'"'"'s wrist by fastening said wristband; and

means for using said fastening means as a switch of said wearable communication device.

18. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 15, wherein said wearable communication device further comprises a main unit which is connected to said wristband so as to be mounted on the user'"'"'s wrist, said main unit comprising:

means for transmitting voice signals to said bone conduction actuator;

an air bag; and

means for expanding said air bag,

wherein said vibrator is pushed on the surface of the user'"'"'s wrist by expanding said air bag.

19. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bone conduction actuator can be mounted on the user'"'"'s wrist and comprises:

a converter for converting an electronic signal into vibrations; and

a vibrator for transmitting the vibrations to a human body,

wherein said vibrator is shaped like a dome which is downward convex while having at least one groove.

20. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bone conduction actuator comprises means for operating said bone conduction actuator if said bone conduction actuator is pushed on the user'"'"'s body at a pressure higher than a predetermined pressure and for stopping operating said bone conduction actuator if said bone conduction actuator is not pushed on the user'"'"'s body at the pressure higher than the predetermined pressure.

21. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 20, said wearable communication device comprising:

a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure at which said bone conduction actuator is pushed on the user'"'"'s body, and

a sound controller for changing sound loudness and/or tonal quality of a received voice on the basis of an output of said pressure sensor.

22. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 21, said wearable communication device further comprising a conversion table for defining a degree to which sound loudness and/or tonal quality of a received voice is changed on the basis of the output of said pressure sensor,

wherein said sound controller determines the sound loudness and/or the tonal quality of the received voice by using the output from said pressure sensor and said conversion table.

23. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 1, said wearable communication device further comprising transmitting means for transmitting voice signals.

24. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 23, said wearable communication device further comprising:

a bone conduction microphone for gathering the user'"'"'s utterance; and

means for contacting said bone conduction microphone with the user'"'"'s wrist, hand, finger or nail,

wherein said transmitting means transmits the user'"'"'s utterance gathered by said bone conduction microphone.

25. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 23, said wearable communication device further comprising:

a microphone for gathering the user'"'"'s utterance; and

means for mounting said microphone on the inside of the user'"'"'s wrist,

wherein said transmitting means transmits the user'"'"'s utterance gathered by said microphone.

26. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 25, said wearable communication device further comprising:

a bone conduction microphone for gathering the user'"'"'s utterance;

means for contacting said bone conduction microphone with the user'"'"'s wrist, hand, finger or nail; and

a mixer for mixing the user'"'"'s utterance signal from said microphone and the user'"'"'s utterance signal from said bone conduction microphone.

27. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 23, said bone conduction actuator comprising gathering means for gathering the user'"'"'s utterance, wherein said transmitting means transmits the user'"'"'s utterance gathered by said bone conduction actuator.

28. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 27, wherein said gathering means comprises:

a first electrode provided on a vibrator in said bone conduction actuator which vibrates by an electronic signal;

a second electrode provided in the inside of a case of said actuator such that the spacing between said first electrode and said second electrode is minute;

detecting means for detecting a capacity change between said first electrode and said second electrode; and

a microphone amp,

wherein said microphone amp amplifies an output from said detecting means.

29. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 23, said wearable communication device further comprising:

means for inputting the user'"'"'s voice into said wearable communication device;

executing means for recognizing the user'"'"'s voice and executing a corresponding command; and

feedback means for notifying the user of a status of said wearable communication device operated according to said command by a voice or a sound.

30. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 1, said wearable communication device further comprising:

transmitting means for transmitting voice signals; and

a microphone, provided in said bone conduction actuator with an insulator, for gathering the user'"'"'s utterance,

wherein said transmitting means transmits the user'"'"'s utterance gathered by said bone conduction microphone.

31. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 1, said wearable communication device further comprising a vibrator used for notification of an incoming call or for an alarm.

32. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 1, said wearable communication device further comprising means for notifying the user of an incoming call or for producing an alarm by inputting a large-amplitude low-frequency signal into said bone conduction actuator.

33. The wearable communication device as claimed in claim 1, said wearable communication device further comprising:

means for inputting the user'"'"'s voice into said wearable communication device;

executing means for recognizing the user'"'"'s voice and executing a corresponding command; and

feedback means for notifying the user of a status of said wearable communication device operated according to said command by a voice or a sound.

34. A wearable PDA device which includes at least outputting means for outputting voice signals wherein a user inserts the user'"'"'s fingertip into the user'"'"'s ear canal, or touches the user'"'"'s fingertip to a part near the user'"'"'s ear, or blocks the user'"'"'s ear canal by putting the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail on the user'"'"'s ear canal when the user uses said wearable PDA device, said wearable PDA device comprising:

a bone conduction actuator for contacting a contacting part of the user'"'"'s wrist, back of the hand, base of the finger, finger joint or finger in order to transmit the voice signals; and

a main unit which includes;

a display for displaying information;

means for executing PDA functions;

means for inputting the user'"'"'s voice;

executing means for recognizing the user'"'"'s voice and executing a corresponding command; and

means for notifying the user of outputs from said wearable PDA device operated according to said commands by displaying the outputs or by voice through said bone conduction actuator;

wherein vibrations converted from the voice signals by the bone conduction actuator are transmitted from the contacting part of the user'"'"'s wrist, back of the hand, base of the finger, finger joint or finger to the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail by bone conduction, and the vibrations are transmitted from the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail to the user'"'"'s ear canal or the part near the user'"'"'s ear by bone conduction, and the vibrations are transmitted from the user'"'"'s ear canal or the part near the user'"'"'s ear to the user'"'"'s ear so as to enable the user to hear the voice signals.

35. A wearable PDA device which includes at least outputting means for outputting voice signals wherein a user inserts the user'"'"'s fingertip into the user'"'"'s ear canal, or touches the user'"'"'s fingertip to a part near the user'"'"'s ear, or blocks the user'"'"'s ear canal by putting the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail on the user'"'"'s ear canal when the user uses said wearable PDA device, said wearable PDA device comprising:

a bone conduction actuator for contacting a contacting part of the user'"'"'s wrist, back of the hand, base of the finger, finger joint or finger in order to transmit the voice signals; and

a main unit which includes;

a display for displaying information;

means for executing PDA functions;

detecting means for detecting shock or acceleration which arises when the user taps the fingertip on the surface of the object or when the user taps the fingertips mutually and is transmitted through the user'"'"'s finger;

tap detecting means for detecting specific frequency components which are included in signals from said detecting means and for detecting the presence or the absence of the tap of the finger of the user;

means for determining and executing commands based on series of signals output from said tap detecting means; and

means for notifying the user of outputs from said wearable PDA device operated according to said commands by displaying the outputs or by voice through said bone conduction actuator;

wherein vibrations converted from the voice signals by the bone conduction actuator are transmitted from the contacting part of the user'"'"'s wrist, back of the hand, base of the finger, finger joint or finger to the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail by bone conduction, and the vibrations are transmitted from the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail to the user'"'"'s ear canal or the part near the user'"'"'s ear by bone conduction, and the vibrations are transmitted from the user'"'"'s ear canal or the part near the user'"'"'s ear to the user'"'"'s ear so as to enable the user to hear the voice signals.

36. A bone conduction actuator in a wearable communication device which includes at least receiving means for receiving voice signals wherein a user inserts the user'"'"'s fingertip into the user'"'"'s ear canal, or touches the user'"'"'s fingertip to a part near the user'"'"'s ear, or blocks the user'"'"'s ear canal by putting the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail on the user'"'"'s ear canal when the user uses said wearable communication device, said bone conduction actuator comprising:

a converter for converting an electronic signal into vibrations corresponding to the voice signals; and

a vibrator for transmitting the vibrations to a part of the user'"'"'s body to transmit the voice signals from the part to the user'"'"'s ear via the user'"'"'s body,

wherein said vibrator is shaped like a ring which can be mounted on the user'"'"'s finger,

wherein the bone conduction actuator is for contacting a contacting part of the user'"'"'s wrist, back of the hand, base of the finger, finger joint or finger in order to transmit the voice signals, and

wherein vibrations converted from the voice signals by the bone conduction actuator are transmitted from the contacting part of the user'"'"'s wrist, back of the hand, base of the finger, finger joint or finger to the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail by bone conduction, and the vibrations are transmitted from the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail to the user'"'"'s ear canal or the part near the user'"'"'s ear by bone conduction, and the vibrations are transmitted from the user'"'"'s ear canal or the part near the user'"'"'s ear to the user'"'"'s ear so as to enable the user to hear the voice signals.

37. The bone conduction actuator as claimed in claim 36, said bone conduction actuator further comprising an insulator, provided on an actuator'"'"'s side facing the user'"'"'s body, shaped so as to be in intimate contact with the user'"'"'s wrist without touching said vibrator.

38. The bone conduction actuator as claimed in claim 36, wherein the inside of said bone conduction actuator is near-vacuum.

39. A bone conduction actuator in a wearable communication device which includes at least receiving means for receiving voice signals wherein a user inserts the user'"'"'s fingertip into the user'"'"'s ear canal, or touches the user'"'"'s fingertip to a part near the user'"'"'s ear, or blocks the user'"'"'s ear canal by putting the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail on the user'"'"'s ear canal when the user uses said wearable communication device,

said bone conduction actuator comprising:

means for being mounted on the user'"'"'s wrist;

a converter for converting an electronic signal into vibrations corresponding to the voice signals; and

a vibrator for transmitting the vibrations to a part of the user'"'"'s wrist to transmit the voice signals from the part to the user'"'"'s ear via the user'"'"'s body,

wherein said vibrator is shaped like a rod which protrudes from an actuator'"'"'s side facing the user'"'"'s wrist,

wherein the bone conduction actuator is for contacting a contacting part of the user'"'"'s wrist, back of the hand, base of the finger, finger joint or finger in order to transmit the voice signals, and

wherein vibrations converted from the voice signals by the bone conduction actuator are transmitted from the contacting part of the user'"'"'s wrist, back of the hand, base of the finger, finger joint or finger to the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail by bone conduction, and the vibrations are transmitted from the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail to the user'"'"'s ear canal or the part near the user'"'"'s ear by bone conduction, and the vibrations are transmitted from the user'"'"'s ear canal or the part near the user'"'"'s ear to the user'"'"'s ear so as to enable the user to hear the voice signals.

40. The bone conduction actuator as claimed in claim 39, said bone conduction actuator further comprising an insulator, provided on the actuator'"'"'s side facing the user'"'"'s body, shaped so as to be in intimate contact with the user'"'"'s wrist without touching said vibrator.

41. The bone conduction actuator as claimed in claim 39, wherein the inside of said bone conduction actuator is near-vacuum.

42. A bone conduction actuator in a wearable communication device which includes at least receiving means for receiving voice signals wherein a user inserts the user'"'"'s fingertip into the user'"'"'s ear canal, or touches the user'"'"'s fingertip to a part near the user'"'"'s ear, or blocks the user'"'"'s ear canal by putting the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail on the user'"'"'s ear canal when the user uses said wearable communication device,

said bone conduction actuator comprising:

means for being mounted on the user'"'"'s wrist;

a converter for converting an electronic signal into vibrations corresponding to the voice signals; and

a vibrator for transmitting the vibrations to a part of the user'"'"'s wrist to transmit the voice signals from the part to the user'"'"'s ear via the user'"'"'s body,

wherein said vibrator is shaped like a dome which is downward convex while having at least one groove,

wherein the bone conduction actuator is for contacting a contacting part of the user'"'"'s wrist, back of the hand, base of the finger, finger joint or finger in order to transmit the voice signals, and

wherein vibrations converted from the voice signals by the bone conduction actuator are transmitted from the contacting part of the user'"'"'s wrist, back of the hand, base of the finger, finger joint or finger to the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail by bone conduction, and the vibrations are transmitted from the user'"'"'s fingertip or nail to the user'"'"'s ear canal or the part near the user'"'"'s ear by bone conduction, and the vibrations are transmitted from the user'"'"'s ear canal or the part near the user'"'"'s ear to the user'"'"'s ear so as to enable the user to hear the voice signals.

43. The bone conduction actuator as claimed in claim 42, said bone conduction actuator further comprising an insulator, provided on an actuator'"'"'s side facing the user'"'"'s body, shaped so as to be in intimate contact with the user'"'"'s wrist without touching said vibrator.

44. The bone conduction actuator as claimed in claim 42, wherein the inside of said bone conduction actuator is near-vacuum.