Apparatus and method for providing condition-based vibrotactile feedback

• US 8,351,299 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2009
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Cohen, Robert F., Ratzat, Walter E., Xu, Tianning
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W
• Application Number:
  US12/435,323
• Publication Number:
  US 20090320227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,345 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368107-109, 15/221, 151/05, 151/671, 128/205.13, 128/205.23, 340/686.1
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0006 with a controlling brush technique device, e.g. stroke movement measuring device
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0078 Breathing bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0084 self-reinflatable by elasticity, e.g. resuscitation squeeze bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/122 with dilution
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/005 using electronic timing, e.g. counting means pulse time delay arrangements H03K5/13; modifications of electronic switches for introducing a time delay before switching H03K17/28
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring motion parameters of an object are described in the present disclosure. In one embodiment among many, a sensor, coupled to a housing, senses motion associated with the housing and provides a sensor output based on the sensed motion. A processing device receives the sensor output, accumulates counts associated with the sensor output, and provides an output once a threshold associated with the accumulated counts is reached. A vibrotactile device, that receives the output from the processing device, provides a haptic output in response to the output from the processing device. In one embodiment among many, a toothbrush is described as a monitoring mechanism for monitoring a plurality of brush strokes that a user executes with the toothbrush. The monitoring mechanism is incorporated in the handle of the toothbrush. The monitoring mechanism may be used to provide an alert once a sufficient number of brush strokes is achieved.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a housing, wherein the housing comprises a bladder of a bag-valve-mask;

a sensor coupled to the housing that senses motion of the housing and provides a sensor output based on the sensed motion;

a timer coupled to the housing and the sensor, wherein the timer receives the sensor output, measures at least one time period based on the sensor output, and provides a timer output on expiration of the at least one time period; and

an alerting device that receives the timer output and provides an alert in response to the received timer output.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the timer receives the sensor output, resets the at least one time period, and provides the timer output on expiration of the reset at least one time period.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the timer measures a plurality of time periods and provides the timer output on expiration of each of the plurality of time periods.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the timer measures a plurality of substantially uniform time periods.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one time period is adjustable.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one time period is selectable by a user.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alerting device comprises a vibrotactile device, and wherein the alert comprises a haptic output.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a strap to which the vibrotactile device is attached such that when the strap is worn by a user, the user perceives the haptic output.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a stationary electrical coil and a magnetic rod that is moveable within the electrical coil.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a ball positioned in a cage that comprises contacts for detecting the location of the ball within the cage.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processing device that receives the sensor output and accumulates counts associated with the sensor output, the processing device providing an output to the alerting device once a threshold associated with the accumulated counts is reached.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processing device that receives the sensor output and accumulates counts associated with the sensor output, the processing device providing an output to the vibrotactile device once the predetermined threshold associated with the accumulated counts is reached.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a sensor that senses motion of at least a portion of the apparatus and provides a sensor output based on the sensed motion;

a timer that provides a periodic timer output;

a vibrotactile device responsive to the timer that provides a corresponding periodic haptic output; and

a processing device that receives the sensor output and accumulates counts associated with the sensor output, the processing device providing an output to the vibrotactile device once a threshold associated with the accumulated counts is reached.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the periodic timer output is adjustable.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the periodic timer output is user-selectable.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises a stationary electrical coil and a magnetic rod that is moveable within the electrical coil.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises a ball positioned in a cage that comprises contacts for detecting the location of the ball within the cage.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a sensor coupled to the housing that senses motion of the housing and provides a sensor output based on if the sensed motion exceeds a predetermined threshold;

a timer coupled to the housing that measures at least one time period and provides a timer output on expiration of the at least one time period; and

a vibrotactile device that provides a haptic output based on the sensor output if the vibrotactile device receives the sensor output before the timer output and provides the haptic output based on the timer output if the vibrotactile device receives the timer output before the sensor output.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the sensor comprises a stationary electrical coil and a magnetic rod that is moveable within the electrical coil.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the sensor comprises a ball positioned in a cage that comprises contacts for detecting the location of the ball within the cage.