Generating perceptible touch stimulus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hand-portable apparatus comprising:
- a body portion having a surface comprising a first surface electrode and a second surface electrode, spaced from the first surface electrode, anda controller configured to apply a time varying potential difference between the first surface electrode and the second surface electrode and configured to control at least the time variation in the potential difference,wherein the controller is configured to apply the time varying potential difference such that, in use, electric current not exceeding 100 μ
A flows via the first and second surface electrodes to a digit of a user, providing a touch stimulus to the user that is perceptible only when there is relative motion between the digit and the apparatus while there is touch contact between the digit and the surface of the apparatus.
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Abstract
Apparatus including: a body portion having a surface comprising a first surface electrode and a second surface electrode, spaced from the first surface electrode, and a controller configured to apply a time varying potential difference between the first surface electrode and the second surface electrode and configured to control at least the time variation in the potential difference.
45 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hand-portable apparatus comprising:
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a body portion having a surface comprising a first surface electrode and a second surface electrode, spaced from the first surface electrode, and a controller configured to apply a time varying potential difference between the first surface electrode and the second surface electrode and configured to control at least the time variation in the potential difference, wherein the controller is configured to apply the time varying potential difference such that, in use, electric current not exceeding 100 μ
A flows via the first and second surface electrodes to a digit of a user, providing a touch stimulus to the user that is perceptible only when there is relative motion between the digit and the apparatus while there is touch contact between the digit and the surface of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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applying a time varying potential difference between a first surface electrode of a body of a hand-portable apparatus and a second surface electrode of the body of the apparatus; and controlling at least the time variation in the potential difference, wherein the time varying potential difference is applied such that, in use, electric current not exceeding 100 μ
A flows via the first and second surface electrodes to a digit of a user, providing a touch stimulus to the user that is perceptible only when there is relative motion between the digit and the apparatus while there is touch contact between the digit and the surface of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A record carrier tangibly embodying a computer program comprising computer program instructions, which when loaded in a processor enable the processor to:
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enable application of a time varying potential difference between a first surface electrode of a body of a hand-portable apparatus and a second surface electrode of the body of the apparatus; and enabling controlling of at least the time variation in the potential difference, wherein the time varying potential difference is applied such that, in use, electric current not exceeding 100 μ
A flows via the first and second surface electrodes to a digit of a user, providing a touch stimulus to the user that is perceptible only when there is relative motion between the digit and the apparatus while there is touch contact between the digit and the surface of the apparatus.
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20. A hand-portable electrically modulated moving touch stimulus apparatus comprising:
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a body portion having a smooth surface comprising an optically transparent surface electrode; and a controller configured to apply a time varying potential difference such that, in use, electric current not exceeding 100 μ
A flows via first and second surface electrodes of the apparatus to a digit of a user, providing a touch stimulus to the user that is perceptible only when there is relative motion between the digit and the apparatus while there is touch contact between the digit and the surface of the apparatus, and configured to control at least the time variation in the potential difference.
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Specification