Apparatus for providing condition-based vibrotactile feedback

• US 8,717,852 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2013
• Issued: 05/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• 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:
  US13/734,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20130120153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 485 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368107-109, 15/221, 151/05, 151/671, 324/207.15, 324/207.16, 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 an embodiment, 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.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a motion sensing device supported by an object and configured to sense a plurality of motion parameters related to the movement of the object caused by forces exerted on the object by a user, wherein the motion sensing device comprises a stationary electrical coil and a magnetic rod that is moveable within the electrical coil;

a processing device including a capacitor that is charged by the motion sensing device, the processing device configured to determine when the charge on the capacitor reaches a predetermined threshold; and

an alerting device configured to alert the user when the charge reaches the predetermined threshold.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alerting device configured to alert the user when the charge reaches the predetermined threshold comprises a vibrotactile device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a strap to which the object is attached such that when the strap is worn on a limb of the user,

the motion sensing device senses motion of the limb,

and

the user perceives a haptic output of the vibrotactile device when the charge reaches the predetermined threshold.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object is wearable by the user.