State adaptation devices and methods for wireless communications

• US 6,998,984 B1
• Filed: 07/24/2001
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Goetsch, Jonathan Zittrain, Mary Wilson Lambert, Shermann Loyall Min, Zachary Mainen
• Original Assignee: David Goetsch, Jonathan Zittrain, Mary Wilson Lambert, Shermann Loyall Min, Zachary Mainen
• Inventors: Zittrain, Jonathan, Min, Shermann Loyall, Mainen, Zachary, Lambert, Mary Wilson, Goetsch, David
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US09/912,264
• Time in Patent Office: 1,666 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/539.11, 340/539.12, 340/539.13, 340/407.1, 340/815.4, 340/815.65, 340/7.2, 340/7.6, 340/7.61
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 2001/085 Partner search devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/1066 with other provisions not elsewhere provided for, e.g. turn-off protection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/1091 Group calling
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/228 combined with other devices having a different main function, e.g. watches
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/229 with other provisions not elsewhere provided for

Abstract

A communications system has first and second units whereby, when a user changes the physical state of the first unit, a message is sent to the second unit to cause the second unit to change to the same state. This change in state can be, for example, a physical squeezing movement or a change in color.

Claims

1. A communications system comprising:

a first device including;

a sensor for sensing a change in a physical state, and

a transmitter for transmitting a signal indicative of the change in state;

a second device including;

a receiver responsive to receiving a signal indicative of a change in physical state of the first device, and

a mechanism for changing the state of the second device in a manner that is substantially similar to the change in the state of the first device;

wherein the change in a physical state includes a change in the outward appearance of at least a part of the first device or a movement that causes a change in the position of one part of the first device relative to other parts of the first device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the change in state includes a squeezing contraction on the first device, and the mechanism in the second device causes a contraction in the second device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the change in state includes a color change, such that a portion of the first device changes color and the mechanism in the second device causes a change in color to a corresponding part of the second device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device stays in the changed state until either the first device or second device is changed to change that state.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the change in the second device is temporary and the state changes again after a predetermined time.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits to the second device via a wireless network.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits directly to the second device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the change in state caused in the second device is non-textual and inaudible.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second devices are bracelets and the change in physical state sensed by the first sensor and caused in the second device is a physical contraction of the bracelet.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second device includes a shape memory alloy that can contract.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second device each have a viewable face and a movable part causing one of a number of patterns to appear on the face of the first device, wherein the mechanism changes a face on the second device to be the same as the pattern on the face of the first device.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the devices are mated such that the signal is transmitted from the first device goes to the second device and not to other devices of a similar or different type.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the first device is in the form of a bracelet.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the bracelet has no user controllable buttons or other devices except the ability to be squeezed.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the second device is also in the form of a bracelet.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device has a sensor and transmitter substantially similar to those in the first device, and the first device has a receiver and mechanism substantially similar to those in the second device, such that the second device can transmit to the first device a signal indicative of a change in the physical state of the second device.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device does not have a sensor and transmitter, and thus the transmission of a signal indicative of a change in physical state can only go one way from the first device to the second device.

18. A communications system comprising a first device in the form of a wearable bracelet including a sensor for sensing a squeezed contraction to the bracelet that causes the bracelet to contract around and squeeze the wearer of the bracelet, and a transmitter for transmitting a signal indicative of the contraction.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a second device including a receiver responsive to receiving the signal indicative of the contraction and providing an indication of the contraction.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the second device contracts in response to received of the signal.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the second device includes a shape metal alloy.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the transmitter transmits to the receiver via a wireless network.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the transmitter transmits to the receiver directly.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein the bracelet has a plain appearance with no user-operable input devices other than the ability to be squeezed.

25. A method comprising:

a first device sensing a change in a physical state of the first device, the first device transmitting a signal indicative of the change in the physical state of the first device;

a second device receiving the signal indicative of the change in physical state of the first device; and

the second device changing its state in a manner substantially similar to the change in first device;

wherein the change in a physical state includes a change in the outward appearance of at least a part of the first device or a movement that causes a change in the position of one part of the first device relative to other parts of the first device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the first device includes a wearable bracelet and the change sensed by the first device is a physical contraction that causes the bracelet to contract around the wearer of the bracelet.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the second device includes a bracelet that contracts to squeeze the wearer in response to receiving the signal.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the first device senses an actuation that causes a change in a visible image that appears on the first device and sends a signal indicative of this change.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the second device changes so that the visible image appears on the second device.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the change in the second device is temporary and the state changes again after a predetermined time.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein the first device transmits to the second device via a wireless network.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein the first device transmits directly to the second device.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein the change in state caused in the second device is non-textual and inaudible.

34. The method of claim 25, wherein the first and second device each have a viewable face and a movable part causing one of a number of patterns to appear on the face of the first device, wherein the first device transmits a signal indicative of a change in the pattern that appears on the face to cause the same pattern to appear on the face of the second device.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the patterns are colors on the face of the devices.