Wireless remote control massager

• US 7,938,789 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2006
• Issued: 05/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JJ Aquisition, LLC
• Original Assignee: Jimmyjane
• Inventors: Wyatt, Roland Jeffrey, Rees, John Richard, Knapp, R Benjamin, Koller, Ken Paul, Imboden, Ethan Frederic
• Primary Examiner(s): DEMILLE, DANTON D
• Application Number:
  US11/345,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20070179414A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,924 Days
• Field of Search: 601/1, 601 46- 49, 601/56, 601/57, 601/70, 601/72, 601/73, 601/74, 601/79, 601/80
• US Class Current: 601/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/00 Massage for the genitals; Devices for improving sexual intercourse penis erection devices A61F5/41; vibration or percussion related aspects A61H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/40 Devices insertable in the genitals
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 21/00 Massage devices for cavities of the body , e.g. nose, ears and anus for the genitals A61H19/00; Vibration or percussion related aspects A61H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0111 watertight
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0134 Cushion or similar support
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0149 Seat or chair
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0153 hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0221 Mechanism for heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0228 heated by an electric resistance element
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0278 by chemical reaction
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0292 with microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1609 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1623 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/164 Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/169 Physical characteristics of the surface, e.g. material, relief, texture or indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5005 for controlling frequency distribution, modulation or interference of a driving signal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/501 connected to external computer devices or networks
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5015 using specific interfaces or standards, e.g. USB, serial, parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5064 Position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5084 : Acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 : wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/04 : neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/081 : Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/12 : Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/06 : Heartbeat rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/065 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/105 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/255 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/425 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/505 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/605 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/655 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/006 : Percussion or tapping massage hand percussion A61H23/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0263 : using rotating unbalanced masses
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/002 : Using electric currents electrotherapy A61N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/005 : hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/66 : Cooled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/05 : using capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 : using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 : of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 : characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 : specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

A massager (12) includes an inductively chargeable battery (48), avoiding the need to deal with batteries and cords while providing a pleasant exothermic warmth. Different embodiments of sealing and skinning (13) make the massager (12) hygienically safe and fluid- and water-resistant. Sophisticated controls (50) provide the massager with the ability to respond to direct-mounted user controls (20, 22), wireless communication controls such as remote controls (30) and a plethora of other protocol-compatible devices, systems and media. A mating base (14) supports the massager (12) for inductive charging in a stable, aesthetically pleasant and safe relationship.

Claims

1. A massager apparatus, comprising:

a massager comprising;

a massager housing;

a power source contained within the massager housing;

a first motive source for imparting vibrations or motion of the massager housing, contained within the massager housing and connected to the power source;

a controller contained within the massager housing and connected to the first motive source for controlling the operation of the first motive source; and

a first transceiver contained within the massager housing connected to the battery and to the controller for receiving ZigBee™

protocol signals to control the operation of the massager, wherein the first transceiver is configured to;

(a) transmit its availability to network with other compatible devices;

(b) self-organize with multiple other responding compatible devices; and

(c) receive a control signal from the multiple responding compatible devices.

2. The massager of claim 1 wherein:

the power source is a battery; and

the motive source is selected from the group comprising a motor, a solenoid, a piezo-electric device and a shape-memory alloy.

3. The massager apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first transceiver is a first transceiver for transmitting and receiving ZigBee™

protocol signals, and further including;

a remote control comprising;

a remote control housing;

a second transceiver contained within the remote control housing for transmitting and receiving ZigBee™

protocol signals; and

a user control connected to the transceiver for operating the remote control to generate a ZigBee™

protocol signal for transmission to control the operation of the massager;

whereby the remote control can be used to control the operation of the massager.

4. The massager apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of the first and second ZigBee™

protocol transceivers is operable on at least one frequency selected from the group comprising 2.4 GHz, 915 MHz and 868 MHz.

5. The massager apparatus of claim 3 and further comprising:

a first microcontroller contained in the massager housing and connected to the controller for controlling the operation of the first motive source; and

a second microcontroller contained in the remote control housing and connected to the user control and to the second transceiver for controlling the second transceiver responsive to the operation of the user control.

6. The massager apparatus of claim 3 and further comprising:

said massager further comprising;

a second motive source for imparting vibrations or motion of the massager housing, contained within the massager housing and connected to the power source and the controller;

at least two switches operable by a user contained in the massager housing and connected to the controller to affect the operation of the first and second motive sources; and

the remote control user control further comprising;

at least 5 switches operable by a user contained in the remote control housing connected to the second transceiver to control the operation of the massager.

7. The massager apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the power source comprises a rechargeable battery; and

further comprising;

a first inductive coil connected to the rechargeable battery;

a base containing a second inductive coil; and

the base shaped to support the massager housing with the first inductive coil operatively coupled with the second inductive coil whereby said base is usable to charge said rechargeable battery.

8. The massager apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transceiver is part of a transceiver configured to self-organize with one or more other devices.

9. The massager apparatus of claim 1 wherein the massager is configured to collect data and interpret and respond to the data.

10. The massager apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transceiver is configured to receive internally generated and externally received sensor data which comprises at least one of location, biofeedback, or environmental sensor data collected by the massager.

11. The massager apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transceiver is configured to receive internally generated and externally received sensor data that it uses in combination with programmed instructions to operate the massager.

12. A massager apparatus, comprising:

a first massager comprising;

a massager housing;

a battery contained within the massager housing;

a first motive source for imparting vibrations or motion of the massager housing, contained within the massager housing and connected to receive power from the battery;

a controller contained within the massager housing and connected to the first motive source for operating the first motive source;

a first user control connected to the controller and operable by a user to control the operation of the first motive source;

a sensor; and

a first transceiver contained within the massager housing connected to the battery and to the controller, wherein the first transceiver is configured to;

(a) transmit its availability to network with other compatible devices;

(b) self-organize with multiple other responding compatible devices; and

(c) receive a control signal from the multiple responding compatible devices.

13. The massager apparatus of claim 12 and further comprising:

a remote control comprising;

a remote control housing;

a second transceiver contained within the remote control housing for receiving and transmitting RF communications protocol signals; and

a second user control connected to the second transceiver for operating the remote control to generate a RF communications protocol signal receivable by the first transceiver to control the operation of the first motive source;

whereby either the first or second user control can be used to control the operation of the first massager, and the wherein the massager apparatus further comprises;

a second sensor;

a third transceiver connected to the sensor for receiving and transmitting RF communications protocol signals; and

the third transceiver connected in a network including at least one of the first massager and the remote control whereby to affect the operation of the first massager.

14. The massager apparatus of claim 13 and further comprising:

a media player;

a third transceiver connected to the media player for receiving and transmitting RF communications protocol signals; and

the third transceiver connected in a network to at least one of the first massager and the remote control whereby to affect the operation of the first massager.

15. The massager apparatus of claim 14 wherein:

the media player is operable to play a media source; and

the media source includes a control signal transmittable by the third transceiver to affect the operation of the first massager.

16. The massager of claim 14 further including a controller connected to the media player for interpreting a media source to generate a control signal to affect the operation of the first massager.

17. The massager apparatus of claim 16 wherein the media player includes an MP3 player for playing a source including an MP3-encoded audio signal and the control signal is associated with the source.

18. The massager apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:

at least a second massager;

the second massager including a third transceiver for receiving and transmitting RF communications protocol signals; and

the third transceiver connected in a network to at least one of the first massager and the remote control whereby to affect the operation of the first massager.

19. The massager apparatus of claim 18 wherein the third transceiver is operative to both receive RF communications protocol signals from the first and second transceivers and to transmit RF communications protocol signals to both the first and second transceivers.

20. The massager apparatus of claim 13 wherein the motive source is selected from the group comprising a motor, a solenoid, a piezo-electric device and a shape-memory alloy.

21. The massager apparatus of claim 13 wherein each of the first and second transceivers is operable to transmit and receive RF communications protocol signals at 2.4 GHz.

22. The massager apparatus of claim 13 and further comprising:

a first microcontroller contained in the massager housing and connected to the first user control, the controller and the first transceiver for controlling the operation of the first motive source; and

a second microcontroller contained in the remote control housing and connected to the second user control and to the second transceiver for controlling the transceiver responsive to the operation of the user control.

23. The massager apparatus of claim 13 and further including:

a second motive source contained in the massager housing and connected to the battery and the controller; and

wherein the first user control includes at least two switches contained within the massager housing and operable by at least two buttons positioned on the massager housing.

24. The massager apparatus of claim 23 wherein the second user control includes at least five switches contained within the remote control housing and operable by at least 3 buttons positioned on the remote control housing.

25. The massager apparatus of claim 13 wherein:

the battery is a rechargeable battery;

the first massager further includes a first inductive coil contained within the massager housing and connected to the rechargeable battery; and

the massager apparatus further comprising;

a base containing a second inductive coil; and

the base shaped to support the massager housing with the first inductive coil operatively coupled with the second inductive coil whereby said base is usable to charge said rechargeable battery.

26. The massager apparatus of claim 13 wherein the receiver is part of a transceiver configured to self-organize with one or more other devices.

27. The massager apparatus of claim 13 wherein the massager is configured to collect data and interpret and respond to the data.

28. The massager apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first transceiver is further configured to:

based on the received control signals and a plurality of controller arrangements, provide a plurality of dynamic operational modes, wherein the dynamic operational modes comprise a plurality of dynamically programmed configurations of groupings of different number of devices, different vibration patterns, and different user inputs.

29. The massager apparatus of claim 12 wherein the transceiver is configured to receive internally generated and externally received sensor data which comprises at least one of location, biofeedback, or environmental sensor data collected by the massager.