Sensing phone apparatus and method

• US 7,003,335 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2002
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Briancon, Alain Charles Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US10/331,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20040198432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,149 Days
• Field of Search: 455/66.1, 455/556.1, 455/575.6, 455/90.1, 455/100, 455/128, 455/351, 455/67.11, 455/420, 455/423, 455/69, 600/502, 600/503, 600/509, 600/519, 600/481, 600/508
• US Class Current: 455/575.6
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/015 Input arrangements based on nervous system activity detection, e.g. brain waves [EEG] detection, electromyograms [EMG] detection, electrodermal response detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/05 Digital input using the sampling of an analogue quantity at regular intervals of time , input from a/d converter or output to d/a converter

Abstract

Sensors measuring body conditions forward their data to a concentration point which transmits to a cellular phone through a wireless communication. The cellular phone incorporates a program which formats the data as a multimedia call. Information regarding status is transmitted using session initiated protocol or packet-based multimedia communications. The a second user'"'"'s cellular phone is connected to a series of acupuncture needles connected to a cellular phone distributor through a network of thin electrical wires, which may be integrated into a wearable body item such as a glove, body shirt, full body garment, mask or the like. A program interprets the communication from the sending user and translates it into positive or negative stimuli.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting physical conditions of a first user to a second user, employing wireless communication, comprising:

(a) providing at least one first wearable item having a plurality of sensors integrated therein worn by said first user;

(b) sensing conditions of said first user through the plurality of sensors;

(c) processing the sensed conditions into data suitable for wireless transmission;

(d) transmitting the data wirelessly to at least one remote device;

(e) processing the transmitted data at a remote device for use as actuator inputs;

(f) providing at least one second wearable item worn by said second user having a plurality of stimuli inducing members integrated therein; and

(g) stimulating the second user by way of coupling the actuator inputs to the stimuli inducing members enabling the second user to perceive the transmitted conditions.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes sensing conditions employing mechanical sensors.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes sensing conditions employing electronic sensors.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes sensing conditions employing electromechanical sensors.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes sensing conditions employing chemical sensors.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes sensing conditions employing electrochemical sensors.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes sensing conditions employing physiological sensors.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) includes transmission of said data to a base station for subsequent retransmission.

9. A system for transmitting mental and physical conditions employing wireless communication, comprising:

a first wearable item worn by a first user for sensing conditions of said first user through a plurality of sensors integrated into said first wearable item and arranged at a plurality of locations along said first wearable item;

means for processing the sensed conditions into data; and

means for transmitting the processed data to a remote device;

a remote device for processing the transmitted data for use as actuator inputs; and

a second wearable item worn by a second user for stimulating the second user by coupling the actuator inputs to stimuli inducing members integrated into said second wearable item enabling said second user to experience the transmitted conditions.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said sensors are mechanical sensors.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said sensors are electronic sensors.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said sensors are electromechanical sensors.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said sensors are chemical sensors.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said sensors are electrochemical sensors.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said sensors are physiological sensors.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 further includes a base station receiving said transmission for subsequent retransmission to the remote device.

17. The system of claim 9 wherein said first and second wearable items are gloves.

18. The system of claim 9 wherein said first and second wearable items are shirts.

19. The system of claim 9 wherein said first and second wearable items are stockings.

20. The system of claim 9 wherein said first and second wearable items are pairs of pants.

21. The system of claim 9 wherein said first and second wearable items are sleeves.

22. The system of claim 9 wherein the remote device comprises a mobile phone for receiving the transmitted data from the transmitter, and for processing the transmitted data for use as actuator inputs.

23. An apparatus for providing stimuli capable of being physically sensed by a person comprising:

a first wearable item worn by a first user and having a plurality of sensors integrated therein;

means for transmitting data representing physical conditions sensed by said plurality of sensors to a receiving device;

said receiving device configured to receive the transmitted data;

means for processing the transmitted data for use as actuator inputs;

a second wearable item having a plurality of stimuli inducing members worn by a second user; and

means for coupling the actuator inputs to the stimuli inducing members enabling said second user to experience the physical conditions; and

wherein said second wearable item being of substantially a same type as said first wearable item, and wherein the plurality of stimuli inducing members are located in locations along said second wearable item corresponding to the locations of the plurality of sensors along said first wearable item.

24. Apparatus for communicating mental and physical sensations from a sender user to a remote user, comprising:

means for sensing conditions of the sender user through a plurality of sensors;

wireless sending means for transmitting the sensed conditions in a form compatible with the wireless sending means;

remote receiving means for receiving said sensed conditions; and

a plurality of means for applying stimuli to said remote user each associated with one of said sensed conditions.