Actuating A Tactile Sensation In Response To A Sensed Event

• US 20090189746A1
• Filed: 01/24/2008
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Ullrich, Christopher J., Graham, Michael D., Fleming, Jason D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,898,396 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/407.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0628 including a radiation sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0614 Tanning
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/429 applied to measurement of ultraviolet light using counting tubes G01T
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/50 using change in colour of an indicator, e.g. actinometer

Abstract

Systems and methods for actuating a tactile stimulation in response to detecting a specific event associated with exposure to a particular environmental or physiological condition are described herein. A tactile stimulation device, according to one of several implementations, comprises a sensing layer, an actuating layer, and an adhesive layer. The sensing layer, which is sensitive to exposure to a particular condition, is configured to sense when a specific event associated with exposure to the particular condition occurs. The actuating layer is configured to provide a tactile stimulation to a human subject when the specific event occurs. The adhesive layer is configured to affix the sensing layer and actuating layer with respect to a surface portion of the skin of the human subject such that the human subject can sense the tactile stimulation provided by the actuating layer. The sensing layer, actuating layer, and adhesive layer can be bonded together to form a relatively flat structure.

Claims

1. A tactile stimulation device comprising:

a first element that is sensitive to exposure to a particular condition;

a tactile sensation actuating element configured to provide a tactile stimulation to a subject when a specific event associated with exposure to the particular condition occurs; and

an attaching element configured to affix the first element and tactile sensation actuating element with respect to the subject such that the subject can sense the tactile stimulation provided by the tactile sensation actuating element.

2. The tactile stimulation device of claim 1, further comprising a processing element, wherein the processing element is configured to analyze the exposure of the first element to the particular condition and to determine when the specific event occurs.

3. The tactile stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the first element is configured to determine when the specific event occurs.

4. The tactile stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the tactile stimulation provided to the subject comprises one of an electrical stimulation, a chemical stimulation, a piezoelectric stimulation, or a compressing or expanding force provided by a deforming material.

5. The tactile stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the attaching element comprises at least one of an adhesive or a band having a fastening mechanism.

6. The tactile stimulation device of claim 5, wherein the attaching element comprises means for fastening to a garment worn by the subject.

7. The tactile stimulation device of claim 1, further comprising a power supply, wherein the power supply includes the mixing of inert chemical components or inert radioactive components to create a chemical or radioactive reaction.

8. The tactile stimulation device of claim 7, wherein the power supply further comprises a barrier separating the inert chemical components or inert radioactive components, the barrier being configured to disintegrate when a predetermined event occurs.

9. A tactile stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the sensing element comprises a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being configured to disintegrate when exposed to the particular condition.

10. The tactile stimulation device of claim 9, wherein the specific event is the complete disintegration of the first layer.

11. A tactile stimulation device comprising:

a sensing layer that is sensitive to exposure to a particular condition;

an actuating layer configured to provide a tactile stimulation to a human subject when a specific event occurs, the specific event being associated with a predetermined level of exposure of the sensing layer to the particular condition; and

an adhesive layer configured to affix the sensing layer and actuating layer with respect to a surface portion of the skin of the human subject such that the human subject can sense the tactile stimulation provided by the actuating layer;

wherein the sensing layer, actuating layer, and adhesive layer are bonded together to form a relatively flat structure.

12. The tactile stimulation device of claim 11, further comprising a processing layer configured to process signals from the sensing layer and communicate signals between the sensing layer and actuating layer.

13. The tactile stimulation device of claim 12, wherein the sensing layer is formed in the same layer as one of the processing layer or the actuating layer.

14. The tactile stimulation device of claim 11, further comprising a first removable protective layer overlying the adhesive layer and a second removable protective layer overlying the sensing layer.

15. The tactile stimulation device of claim 11, wherein the sensing layer is sensitive to exposure to an environmental condition including one of radiation, light, oxygen, moisture, humidity, environmental chemical composition, or temperature.

16. The tactile stimulation device of claim 11, wherein the sensing layer is sensitive to exposure to a physiological condition including one of temperature, heart rate, blood sugar, perspiration, or other physiological excretions.

17. The tactile stimulation device of claim 16, wherein the sensing layer is sensitive to the basal body temperature (BBT) of a woman, and wherein the specific event includes a change in the BBT indicative of a period of ovulation.

18. The tactile stimulation device of claim 11, wherein the sensing layer comprises a radio frequency (RF) receiver that is sensitive to exposure to an RF signal.

19. The tactile stimulation device of claim 18, wherein the RF receiver is sensitive to an RF signal having a specific identifying frequency, and wherein the specific event is receiving the RF signal having the specific identifying frequency.

20. The tactile stimulation device of claim 18, wherein the specific event includes sensing when the strength of the RF signal falls outside an acceptable range.

21. The tactile stimulation device of claim 18, further comprising a power supply that inductively stores up power via external RF signals or electromagnetic fields.

22. The tactile stimulation device of claim 11, wherein the sensing layer is sensitive to an initiating event, and wherein the specific event includes the passing of a predetermined time period.

23. A method for manufacturing tactile stimulation tape, the method comprising:

providing an actuating layer that is capable of creating a tactile stimulation to a human subject;

bonding a processing layer on the actuating layer; and

bonding a sensing layer on the processing layer;

wherein the sensing layer is capable of sensing the occurrence of a specific event associated with an exposure of the sensing layer to a particular condition.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

applying an adhesive layer on the actuating layer, the adhesive layer adapted to affix the tactile stimulation tape with respect to a surface portion of the skin of the human subject such that the human subject can sense a tactile stimulation created by the actuating layer.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

applying a removable protective layer on the adhesive layer;

applying a removable protective layer on the sensing layer; and

forming a laminate layer over the actuating layer, processing layer, and sensing layer.