Method and apparatus for sensory stimulation
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a structure comprising a conductor and an insulator;
a sensor configured to sense position information when a body member touches the insulator in a touch sensitive area,the sensor being configured to detect the position information before the body member touches the insulator in the touch-sensitive area; and
a controller configured to;
process the position information and determine parameters of an electrical signal provided to the conductor;
control a force between the structure and the body member by varying the electrical signal to the conductor based on the parameters; and
apply the electrical signal to the conductor at a first intensity before the body member touches the insulator and apply the electrical signal to the conductor at a second intensity after the body member touches the insulator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for producing an electrosensory sensation to a body member (120). The apparatus comprises one or more conducting electrodes (106), each of which is provided with an insulator (108). When the body member (120) is proximate to the conducting electrode, the insulator prevents flow of direct current from the conducting electrode to the body member. A capacitive coupling over the insulator (108) is formed between the conducting electrode (106) and the body member (120). The conducting electrodes are driven by an electrical input which comprises a low-frequency component (114) in a frequency range between 10 Hz and 500 Hz. The capacitive coupling and electrical input are dimensioned to produce an electrosensory sensation. The apparatus is capable of producing the electrosensory sensation independently of any mechanical vibration of the one or more conducting electrodes (106) or insulators (108).
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a structure comprising a conductor and an insulator; a sensor configured to sense position information when a body member touches the insulator in a touch sensitive area, the sensor being configured to detect the position information before the body member touches the insulator in the touch-sensitive area; and a controller configured to; process the position information and determine parameters of an electrical signal provided to the conductor; control a force between the structure and the body member by varying the electrical signal to the conductor based on the parameters; and apply the electrical signal to the conductor at a first intensity before the body member touches the insulator and apply the electrical signal to the conductor at a second intensity after the body member touches the insulator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method comprising:
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providing a structure that includes a conductor and an insulator; providing a sensor configured to sense position information when a body member touches the insulator in a touch sensitive area, the sensor being configured to sense the position information before the body member touches the insulator in the touch-sensitive area; and providing a controller configured to; process the position information and determine parameters of an electrical signal provided to the conductor; control a force between the structure and the body member by varying the electrical signal to the conductor based on the parameters; and apply the electrical signal to the conductor at a first intensity before the body member touches the insulator and apply the electrical signal to the conductor at a second intensity after the body member touches the insulator. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification