State adaptation devices and methods for wireless communications

• US 7,324,000 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2006
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Prof. Jonathan Zittrain
• Original Assignee: Jonathan Zittrain
• Inventors: Zittrain, Jonathan, Min, Shermann Loyall, Mainen, Zachary, Lambert, Mary Wilson, Goetsch, David
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US11/353,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20060125645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 34053911-53913, 340/407.1, 340/7.2, 340/7.6, 340/7.61, 340/815.4, 340/815.65, 472/133, 455/128, 455/347, 455/351, 455/90.1, 455/90.2, 455/90.3, 455/575.6
• 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 bracelet for a user to wear that can sense a contraction when squeezed around the user, and including a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting a signal indicating that the bracelet has been squeezed;

the first bracelet further including a receiver for receiving a signal and for contracting around the user in response to the received signal.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second bracelet including a receiver responsive to receiving the transmitted signal transmitted from the first bracelet, and for contracting around the user in response.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first and second bracelets are sized to be worn around respective users'"'"' wrists.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the first and second bracelets are mated such that the signal transmitted from the first bracelet is received by the second bracelet.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein signals transmitted by the first bracelet are not processed to cause a contraction by other bracelets whether similar or different in type.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first bracelet is sized to be worn around the user'"'"'s wrist.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the transmitter in the first bracelet transmits directly to the second bracelet.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits at radio frequency.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first bracelet stays in a contracted position until manually changed.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first bracelet stays in a contracted position temporarily and changes again to a non-contracted position after a predetermined time.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first bracelet is made of a shape memory alloy.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the bracelet has no user actuated buttons or other user actuated devices except the ability to be squeezed.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second bracelet that can squeeze a wearer in response to the signal from the first bracelet, wherein the second bracelet does not have a sensor and transmitter like the first bracelet, and thus the transmission of a signal indicative of a change in physical state can only go one way from the first bracelet to the second bracelet.

14. A method comprising:

a first bracelet sensing a contraction of the bracelet around the wearer;

the first bracelet wirelessly transmitting a signal indicative of the contraction of the first bracelet to a second bracelet; and

the second bracelet receiving and decoding the signal.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the second bracelet receiving the signal indicative of the contraction of the first bracelet, the second bracelet contracting in a manner substantially similar to the contraction of the first bracelet in response to the signal.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first bracelet transmits to the second bracelet via a wireless network through a base station.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first bracelet transmits directly to the second bracelet without an intermediate base station.

18. 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; and

a second device including;

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

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the change in a physical state includes the physical movement of one part of the first device relative to at least one other part.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the physical movement includes angular movement by the one part relative to at least one other part.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the second device stays in the changed state until either the first device or second device is changed to change that state.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the change in state caused in the second device is non-textual and inaudible.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the second device has a sensor and transmitter substantially similar to those in the first device, such that the second device can transmit to the first device a signal indicative of a change in a physical state of the second device.

24. A method comprising:

a first device sensing a change in a physical state of the first device, the first device wirelessly 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 movement by one part of the device with an angular motion relative to another part.