Comprehensive user control system for therapeutic wellness devices

• US 9,098,114 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2010
• Issued: 08/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Human Touch, LLC
• Original Assignee: Human Touch, LLC
• Inventors: Potter, David, Corkill, Andrew Norman, Wood, David Riordan, Dehli, Hans Jorgen
• Primary Examiner(s): DRAGOESCU, CLAUDIA B
• Application Number:
  US12/876,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20110055720A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,796 Days
• Field of Search: 715744-747, 715/765, 600300-301, 600/508, 600/513, 600/529, 600/549, 601/16, 601/118, 601/137, 601/148, 128/904, 128/920, 705 2- 4, 345/594
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5043 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A comprehensive user control system for use with therapeutic wellness devices is described, comprising such a wellness device, data equipment capable of connection to a data communications network, and a removable data link capable of permitting data communication between the wellness device and data equipment. Other embodiments comprise a general purpose computer capable of connection to a data communications network and programmed to control a wellness device across a removable data link; a method of controlling a wellness device including obtaining over certain data communications connections a program for controlling the device and operating the device in accordance with the program; and a method of controlling a wellness device comprising presentation of a request for therapeutic relief not specifying a particular mechanical action to be performed by the device, and translation of that request into at least one command executable by at least one wellness device.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a therapeutic wellness device; and

a remote control capable of connection to a data communications network and configured to display one or more graphical representations of a human body, wherein at least one of the one or more graphical representations comprises an outline of a single human body having a plurality of separately selectable therapeutic regions positioned within the outline of the single human body, wherein the remote control comprises;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

provide a first command to the therapeutic wellness device to initiate a therapy activity in a first region of the therapeutic wellness device in response to one of the separately selectable therapeutic regions being touched by a user, wherein the first region of the therapeutic wellness device corresponds to the one of the separately selectable therapeutic regions touched by the user, wherein the remote control is capable of transmitting data between the therapeutic wellness device and the remote control over the data communication network;

receive user identification data for identifying the user; and

provide a second command to the therapeutic wellness device based on the user identification data,

wherein the remote control is portable and the data communications network is wireless,

wherein the remote control is configured to retain data pertaining to the user,

wherein the retained data comprises a preference of the user regarding an operation of the at least one therapeutic wellness device, and

wherein the remote control is configured to select an item of therapy to suggest to the user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote control comprises a general purpose computer.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote control comprises a software application capable of directing control of the therapeutic wellness device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote control comprises a means for graphically interacting with the user.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic wellness device is a massage chair.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the data communication network is wireless.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic wellness device is capable of transmitting data over the data communication network.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein data capable of being transmitted over the data communication network pertain to a condition of the therapeutic wellness device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein data capable of being transmitted over the data communication network pertain to a usage of the therapeutic wellness device.

10. The system of claim 1, comprising software residing in the therapeutic wellness device that is capable of being modified by data transmitted across the data communication network.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:

display an interface configured to enable the user to select a sequence of therapy activities.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:

sense a squeezing motion or a spreading motion by the user on the remote control; and

adjust a size of the graphical representation of the human body displayed on the remote control.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to display a graphical timer indicating a duration of the therapy activity.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:

sense a squeezing motion or a spreading motion by the user on the remote control; and

provide a second command to the therapeutic wellness device to adjust a vertical or horizontal span of the therapy activity.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:

receive, over a wide area network, a sequence for the therapy activity for the region of the therapeutic wellness device corresponding to the one of the separately selectable therapeutic regions touched by the user; and

provide the sequence for the therapy activity to the therapeutic wellness device.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to display a multimedia presentation related to the therapy activity.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote control comprises a display screen and the remote control is configured to display the graphical representation of the human body comprising the plurality of separately selectable therapeutic regions on the display screen.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein the data communication network is implemented using a short-range wireless connection.

37. The system of claim 1, wherein the data communication network is implemented using a Bluetooth standard wireless connection.

11. A system comprising:

a remote control capable of connection to a data communications network and programmed to direct the control at least one therapeutic wellness device across the data communications network and configured to display one or more graphical representations of a human body, wherein at least one of the one or more graphical representations comprises an outline of a single human body having a plurality of separately selectable therapeutic regions positioned within the outline of the single human body,

wherein the remote control comprises;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

provide a command to the therapeutic wellness device to initiate a therapy activity in a region of the at least one therapeutic wellness device in response to one of the separately selectable therapeutic regions being touched by a user, wherein the region of the at least one therapeutic wellness device corresponds to the one of the separately selectable therapeutic regions touched by the user

receive user identification data for identifying the user; and

provide a second command to the therapeutic wellness device based on the user identification data,

wherein the remote control is configured to retain data pertaining to the user,

wherein the retained data comprises a preference of the user regarding an operation of the at least one therapeutic wellness device,

wherein the remote control is portable and the data communications network is wireless, and

wherein the remote control is configured to select an item of therapy to suggest to the user.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the remote control is configured to maintain a data link with the at least one therapeutic wellness device when the remote control is brought into proximity with the at least one therapeutic wellness device.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the remote control is configured to maintain a data link with the at least one therapeutic wellness device.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the remote control is configured to convert therapeutic wellness device model-independent information into data compatible with the at least one therapeutic wellness device.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein time of day affects the selection of the item of therapy to suggest to the user.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to display an interactive graphical user interface on the remote control.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the interactive graphical user interface is configured to communicate intended benefits from at least one program that is available for selection by the user.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the therapeutic wellness device is a massage chair.

19. A method of controlling a therapeutic wellness device comprising:

obtaining, across a data communications network capable of permitting data communication between the therapeutic wellness device and a remote control capable of connection to the data communications network, a program comprising instructions capable of being used in conjunction with directing the control of the therapeutic wellness device, wherein the instructions comprise;

displaying, by a processor, one or more graphical representations of a human body, wherein at least one of the one or more graphical representations comprises an outline of a single human body having a plurality of separately selectable therapeutic regions positioned within the outline of the single human body on the remote control;

sensing, by the processor, one of the separately selectable therapeutic regions being touched by a user of the remote control; and

providing, by the processor, a command to the therapeutic wellness device to initiate a therapy activity in a region of the therapeutic wellness device corresponding to the one of the separately selectable therapeutic regions touched by the user;

receiving, by the processor, over a wide area network, a sequence for the therapy activity for the region of the therapeutic wellness device corresponding to the one of the separately selectable therapeutic regions touched by the user;

providing, by the processor, the sequence for the therapy activity to the therapeutic wellness device;

receiving, by the processor, user identification data for identifying the user; and

providing, by the processor, a second command to the therapeutic wellness device based on the user identification data,

wherein the remote control is portable and the data communications network is wireless,

wherein the remote control is configured to retain data pertaining to the user,

wherein the retained data comprises a preference of the user regarding an operation of the at least one therapeutic wellness device, and

wherein the remote control is configured to select an item of therapy to suggest to the user.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the remote control is a general purpose computer and the program is selected from a plurality of programs made available by the general purpose computer over the data communications network.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the program is obtained from a website.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the program is obtained from a medical provider.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the program is obtained from a source identified with providing programs that comprise instructions capable of being used in conjunction with controlling at least one model of therapeutic wellness device.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the program is obtained from a source of supply of at least one model of therapeutic wellness device.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the therapeutic wellness device is a massage chair.

33. A method of controlling a therapeutic wellness device comprising:

displaying one or more graphical representations of a human body on a remote control in electronic communication with the therapeutic wellness device over a data communication network, wherein at least one of the one or more graphical representations comprises an outline of a single human body having a plurality of separately selectable regions positioned within the outline of the single human body;

sensing one of the separately selectable regions being touched by a user of the remote control; and

initiating a therapy activity in a region of the therapeutic wellness device corresponding to the one of the separately selectable regions touched by the user,

receiving user identification data for identifying the user; and

providing a second command to the therapeutic wellness device based on the user identification data,

wherein the remote control is portable and the data communication network is wireless,

wherein the remote control is configured to retain data pertaining to the user,

wherein the retained data comprises a preference of the user regarding an operation of the at least one therapeutic wellness device, and

wherein the remote control is configured to select an item of therapy to suggest to the user.

34. A computer program product usable with a programmable computer processor including a computer readable program code embodied in a non-transitory computer usable medium, the computer readable program code adapted to implement a method of controlling a therapeutic wellness device, the computer program product comprising:

obtaining, across a data communication network capable of permitting data communication between the therapeutic wellness device and a remote control capable of connection to the data communication network, a program comprising instructions capable of being used in conjunction with directing the control of the therapeutic wellness device, wherein the instructions comprise;

displaying one or more graphical representations of a human body, wherein at least one of the one or more graphical representations comprises an outline of a single human body having a plurality of separately selectable therapeutic regions positioned within the outline of the single human body on the remote control;

sensing one of the separately selectable therapeutic regions being touched by a user of the remote control;

providing a command to the therapeutic wellness device to initiate a therapy activity in a region of the therapeutic wellness device corresponding to the one of the separately selectable therapeutic regions touched by the user, wherein the remote control is portable and the data communication network is wireless;

receiving over a wide area network, a sequence for the therapy activity for the region of the therapeutic wellness device corresponding to the one of the separately selectable therapeutic regions touched by the user;

providing the sequence for the therapy activity to the therapeutic wellness device;

receiving user identification data for identifying the user; and

providing a second command to the therapeutic wellness device based on the user identification data,

wherein the remote control is portable and the data communications network is wireless,

wherein the remote control is configured to retain data pertaining to the user,

wherein the retained data comprises a preference of the user regarding an operation of the at least one therapeutic wellness device, and

wherein the remote control is configured to select an item of therapy to suggest to the user.

35. A computer program product usable with a programmable computer processor including a computer readable program code embodied in a non-transitory computer usable medium, the computer readable program code adapted to implement a method of controlling a therapeutic wellness device, the computer program product comprising:

displaying one or more graphical representations of a human body on a remote control in electronic communication with the therapeutic wellness device over a data communication network, wherein at least one of the one or more graphical representations comprises an outline of a single human body having a plurality of separately selectable regions positioned within the outline of the single human body;

sensing one of the separately selectable regions being touched by a user of the remote control;

initiating a therapy activity in a region of the therapeutic wellness device corresponding to the one of the separately selectable regions touched by the user, wherein the remote control is portable and the data communication network is wireless;

receiving user identification data for identifying the user; and

providing a second command to the therapeutic wellness device based on the user identification data,

wherein the remote control is portable and the data communication network is wireless,

wherein the remote control is configured to retain data pertaining to the user,

wherein the retained data comprises a preference of the user regarding an operation of the at least one therapeutic wellness device, and

wherein the remote control is configured to select an item of therapy to suggest to the user.