Intra-body information transfer device

• US 6,223,018 B1
• Filed: 12/12/1997
• Issued: 04/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
• Inventors: Tonomura, Yoshinobu, Fukumoto, Masaaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Corsaro, Nick
• Application Number:
  US08/989,656
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 455/100, 455/39, 455/435, 455/41, 379/38, 379/37, 379/55.1
• US Class Current: 455/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/005 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the human body
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/00 Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/22 Capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/73 for taking measurements, e.g. using sensing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

Abstract

An information transfer device which transfers a signal via a human body, comprising: a transmitter having a signal source for outputting a time varying signal, a modulator for modulating a signal from the signal source using a carrier frequency of from several tens of KHz to several MHz, a transmission B electrode connected to an output from the modulator and arranged in the vicinity of a human body surface, and a transmission G electrode connected to a portion giving a reference voltage of the transmitter and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body, and a receiver having a reception B electrode arranged in the vicinity of the human body surface in the vicinity of the transmitter, a reception G electrode connected to a portion giving a reference voltage of the receiver and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body so as to be coupled with the transmission G electrode via air, an amplifier for amplifying a voltage between the reception B electrode and the reception G electrode, and a demodulator connected to an output from the amplifier for demodulating a signal output from the signal source of the transmitter.

Claims

1. An intra-body information transfer device comprising:

transmission means having a signal source for outputting a time varying signal, modulation means for modulating a signal from said signal source using a carrier frequency of from several tens of KHz to several MHz, a transmission B electrode connected to an output from said modulation means and arranged in the vicinity of a human body surface, and a transmission G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the transmission means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body, and

reception means having a reception B electrode arranged in the vicinity of the human body surface in the vicinity of said transmission means, a reception G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the reception means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body so as to be coupled with said transmission G electrode via air, amplifying means for amplifying a voltage between said reception B electrode and said reception G electrode, and demodulation means connected to an output from said amplifying means for demodulating a signal output from said signal source,

wherein the reference voltage to which said transmission G electrode is connected is a signal ground of said transmission means, a positive power source, or a negative power source.

2. An intra-body information transfer device comprising:

transmission means having a signal source for outputting a time varying signal, modulation means for modulating a signal from said signal source using a carrier frequency of from several tens of KHz to several MHz, a transmission B electrode connected to an output from said modulation means and arranged in the vicinity of a human body surface, and a transmission G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the transmission means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body; and

reception means having a reception B electrode arranged in the vicinity of the human body surface in the vicinity of said transmission means, a reception G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the reception means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body so as to be coupled with said transmission G electrode via air, amplifying means for amplifying a voltage between said reception B electrode and said reception G electrode, and demodulation means connected to an output from said amplifying means for demodulating a signal output from said signal source;

wherein the reference voltage to which said reception G electrode is connected is a signal ground of said reception means, a positive power source, or a negative power source.

5. An intra-body information transfer device according to claim 2, wherein the connection end of said transmission B electrode is made the reference voltage of said transmission means, and the connection end of said transmission G electrode is made the output from said modulation means, and

the electrode connected to the reference voltage of said reception means is made said reception B electrode instead of said reception G electrode.

12. An intra-body information transfer device according to claim 2, wherein said reception means is of a shape which can be hooked to the ear or inserted into the ear hole, providing an additional function of an earphone.

22. An intra-body information transfer device according to claim 2, wherein the connection end of said transmission B electrode is made the reference voltage of said transmission means, and the connection end of said transmission G electrode is made the output from said modulation means, and

the electrode connected to the reference voltage of said reception means is made said reception B electrode instead of said reception G electrode.

23. An intra-body information transfer device according to claim 2, wherein said reception means is of a shape which can be hooked to the ear or inserted into the ear hole, providing an additional function of an earphone.

3. An intra-body information transfer device comprising:

transmission means having a signal source for outputting a time varying signal, modulation means for modulating a signal from said signal source using a carrier frequency of from several tens of KHz to several MHz, a transmission B electrode connected to an output from said modulation means and arranged in the vicinity of a human body surface, and a transmission G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the transmission means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body; and

reception means having a reception B electrode arranged in the vicinity of the human body surface in the vicinity of said transmission means, a reception G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the reception means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body so as to be coupled with said transmission G electrode via air, amplifying means for amplifying a voltage between said reception B electrode and said reception G electrode, and demodulation means connected to an output from said amplifying means for demodulating a signal output from said signal source;

wherein the connection end of said transmission B electrode is made the reference voltage of said transmission means, and the connection end of said transmission G electrode is made the output from said modulation means.

4. An intra-body information transfer device comprising:

transmission means having a signal source for outputting a time varying signal, modulation means for modulating a signal from said signal source using a carrier frequency of from several tens of KHz to several MHz, a transmission B electrode connected to an output from said modulation means and arranged in the vicinity of a human body surface, and a transmission G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the transmission means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body; and

reception means having a reception B electrode arranged in the vicinity of the human body surface in the vicinity of said transmission means, a reception G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the reception means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body so as to be coupled with said transmission G electrode via air, amplifying means for amplifying a voltage between said reception B electrode and said reception G electrode, and demodulation means connected to an output from said amplifying means for demodulating a signal output from said signal source;

wherein the electrode connected to the reference voltage of said reception means is made said reception B electrode instead of said reception G electrode.

6. An intra-body information transfer device comprising:

transmission means having a signal source for outputting a time varying signal, modulation means for modulating a signal from said signal source using a carrier frequency of from several tens of KHz to several MHz, a transmission B electrode connected to an output from said modulation means and arranged in the vicinity of a human body surface, and a transmission G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the transmission means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body;

reception means having a reception B electrode arranged in the vicinity of the human body surface in the vicinity of said transmission means, a reception G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the reception means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body so as to be coupled with said transmission G electrode via air, amplifying means for amplifying a voltage between said reception B electrode and said reception G electrode, and demodulation means connected to an output from said amplifying means for demodulating a signal output from said signal source;

identification information generating means for generating identification information set in advance;

identification information superposing means for superposing identification information onto a signal output from said signal source, and transmitting the superposed signal to said modulating means;

identification information separation means for separating the output from said demodulation means of said reception means into the signal output from said signal source and said identification information; and

comparison means for comparing said identification information and identification information inherent in said reception means.

7. An intra-body information transfer device according to claim 6, wherein a number of combinations of said transmission means and said reception means are used, and specific identification information is set in advance for each combination or each number of combinations.

8. An intra-body information transfer device comprising:

transmission means having a signal source for outputting a time varying signal, modulation means for modulating a signal from said signal source using a carrier frequency of from several tens of KHz to several MHz, a transmission B electrode connected to an output from said modulation means and arranged in the vicinity of a human body surface, and a transmission G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the transmission means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body; and

reception means having a reception B electrode arranged in the vicinity of the human body surface in the vicinity of said transmission means, a reception G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the reception means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body so as to be coupled with said transmission G electrode via air, amplifying means for amplifying a voltage between said reception B electrode and said reception G electrode, and demodulation means connected to an output from said amplifying means for demodulating a signal output from said signal source;

wherein said transmission means is of a shape which is mountable on the finger of a person, and said reception means is of a shape which is mountable on the wrist of a person.

9. An intra-body information transfer device comprising:

transmission means having a signal source for outputting a time varying signal, modulation means for modulating a signal from said signal source using a carrier frequency of from several tens of KHz to several MHz, a transmission B electrode connected to an output from said modulation means and arranged in the vicinity of a human body surface, and a transmission G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the transmission means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body; and

reception means having a reception B electrode arranged in the vicinity of the human body surface in the vicinity of said transmission means, a reception G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the reception means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body so as to be coupled with said transmission G electrode via air, amplifying means for amplifying a voltage between said reception B electrode and said reception G electrode, and demodulation means connected to an output from said amplifying means for demodulating a signal output from said signal source;

wherein said reception means is of a shape which is mountable on the finger of a person, and said transmission means is of a shape which is mountable on the wrist of a person.

10. An intra-body information transfer device comprising:

transmission means having a signal source for outdutting a time varying signal, modulation means for modulating a signal from said signal source using a carrier frequency of from several tens of KHz to several MHz, a transmission B electrode connected to an out put from said modulation means and arranged in the vicinity of a human body surface, and a transmission G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the transmission means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body; and

reception means having a reception B electrode arranged in the vicinity of the human body surface in the vicinity of said transmission means, a reception G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the reception means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body so as to be coupled with said transmission G electrode via air, amplifying means for amplifying a voltage between said reception B electrode and said reception G electrode, and demodulation means conneced to an output from said amplifying means for demodulating a signal output from said signal source;

wherein said transmission means is of a shape which is mountable in the vicinity of an eyeball, providing an additional function of a head mount display.

11. An intra-body information transfer device comprising:

transmission means having a signal source for outputting a time varying signal, modulation means for modulating a signal from said signal source using a carrier freguency of from several tens of KHZ to several MHz, a transmission B electrode connected to an output from said modulation means and arranged in the vicinity of a human body surface, and a transmission G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the transmission means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body; and

reception means having a reception B electrode arranged in the vicinity of the human body surface in the vicinity of said transmission means, a reception G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the reception means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body so as to be coupled with said transmission G electrode via air, amplifying means for amplifying a voltage between said reception B electrode and said reception G electrode, and demodulation means connected to an output from said amplifying means for demodulating a signal output from said signal source;

wherein said reception means is of a shape which is mountable in the vicinity of an eyeball, providing an additional function of a head mount display.

13. An intra-body information transfer device comprising:

transmission means having a signal source for outputting a time varying signal, modulation means for modulating a signal from said signal source using a carrier freguency of from several tens of KHz to several MHz, a transmission B electrode connected to an output from said modulation means and arranged in the vicinity of a human body surface, and a transmission G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the transmission means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body; and

reception means having a reception B electrode arranged in the vicinity of the human body surface in the vicinity of said transmission means, a reception G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the reception means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body so as to be coupled with said transmission G electrode via air, amplifying means for amplifying a voltage between said reception B electrode and said reception G electrode, and demodulation means connected to an output from said amplifying means for demodulating a signal output from said signal source;

wherein said transmission means is of a shape which can be mounted on the mouth, providing an additional function of a microphone.

14. An intra-body information transfer device comprising:

transmission means having a signal source for outputting a time varying signal, first modulation means for modulating a signal from said signal source using a first carrier frequency set in advance, a first transmission B electrode connected to an output from said first modulation means and arranged in the vicinity of a human body surface, and a first transmission G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the transmission means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body;

relay means comprising;

a receiving section having a first reception B electrode arranged in the vicinity of the human body surface in the vicinity of said transmission means, a first reception G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the receiving section and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body so as to be coupled with said first transmission G electrode via air, and first demodulation means for demodulating a signal of a voltage between said first reception B electrode and first reception G electrode using said first carrier frequency,

and a transmitting section having a second modulation means for modulating a signal output from said receiving section using a second carrier frequency set in advance differently from said first carrier frequency, connected to said receiving section, a second transmission B electrode connected to the output from said second modulation means and arranged in the vicinity of the human body surface, and a second transmission G electrode connected to the reference voltage of the transmitting section and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body; and

reception means having a second reception B electrode arranged in the vicinity of the human body surface in the vicinity of said relay device, a second reception G electrode connected to the reference voltage of the receiving section and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body so as to be coupled with said second transmission G electrode via air, and second demodulation means for demodulating a signal of a voltage between said second reception B electrode and second reception G electrode using said second carrier frequency,

wherein the signal from said signal source is transmitted between said transmission means and said relay means using said first carrier frequency, and then transmitted between said relay means and said reception means using said second carrier frequency,

thereby performing communication over a long distance which cannot be attained with a single combination of a transmission means and a reception means.

15. An intra-body information transfer device according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of said relay means using a carrier frequency set in advance are provided,

and the signal from said transmission means is successively relayed between said plurality of relay means, to thereby transmit the signal to said reception means remotely located more than several centimeters to several meters away.

16. An intra-body information transfer device comprising:

transmission means of a shape which can be mounted on a wrist or a finger, and having identification information generating means for generating identification information set in advance, modulation means for modulating a signal from said identification information generating means using a carrier frequency set in advance, a transmission B electrode connected to an output from said modulation means and arranged in the vicinity of a human body surface, and a transmission G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the transmission means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body, and

reception means having a reception B electrode arranged in the vicinity of the human body surface in the vicinity of said transmission means, a reception G electrode connected to a reference voltage of the reception means and arranged toward an external side with respect to the human body so as to be coupled with said transmission G electrode via air, demodulation means for demodulating a signal of a voltage between said reception B electrode and reception G electrode using said carrier frequency, and comparison means for comparing the output signal from said demodulation means and identification information inherent in said reception means,

wherein said reception means is provided in a predetermined gate mechanism, said reception B electrode is arranged on a surface of said gate mechanism, said reception G electrode is arranged on the surface of said gate mechanism in the vicinity of said reception B electrode,

and further comprising switching means for switching said gate mechanism in response to the output from said comparison means,

wherein the portion of the human body where said transmission means is mounted is brought into contact with or close to said reception B electrode or said reception G electrode, to thereby switch said gate mechanism.

17. An intra-body information transfer device according to claim 16, wherein said transmission means further comprises;

a signal source for outputting a time varying signal, and identification information superposing means for superposing a signal from said identification information generating means onto a signal from said signal source, and transmitting the superposed signal to said modulating means, and

said reception means further comprises identification information separation means for separating the output from said demodulation means into the signal from said signal source and said identification information, and supplying the separated identification information to said comparison means.

18. An intra-body information transfer device according to claim 16, wherein said transmission means further comprises;

shock detection means positioned at base of a finger for detecting a shock generated and transmitted through the finger when the finger-tip of the finger on which said transmission means is mounted, strikes the physical surface,

typing detection means for detecting the presence or absence of finger-tip typing by said finger by judging the presence or absence of a specific frequency component of from around 80 to 100 Hz contained in the output signal from said shock detection means,

command determination means for determining a command to be output according to the combination of the typing timing output from said typing detection means, and

identification information superposing means for superposing identification information from said identification information generating means onto a command determined by said command determination means, and supplying this to said modulating means,

said reception means further comprises identification information separation means for separating the output from said demodulation means into said command and said identification information, and supplying this to said comparison means,

and said comparison means comprises;

first comparison means for comparing said command with a command table inherent in said reception means, and second comparison means for comparing identification information with an identification information table inherent in said reception means, and

said switching means switches said gate mechanism in response to a combination of the outputs from both of said first and second comparison means.

19. An intra-body information transfer device according to claim 18, wherein the mounting location for said transmission means is the wrist, and said command comes into effect by typing any physical object with the finger-tip of any finger of the hand on which the transmission means is mounted.

20. An intra-body information transfer device forming a part of a full-time wearable input unit which performs input of information by typing any physical object with finger-tip of one or more fingers, said information transfer device comprising:

transmission means comprising a group of transmitters mounted on the base of each finger,

said transmitters having, respectively, a shock detection means for detecting shocks generated and transmitted through the finger when the fingertip of the finger on which said transmitter is mounted, strikes the physical surface, modulation means for modulating a frequency at the output from said shock detection means by using a carrier frequency of from several tens of KHz to several MHz which is different for each finger, a transmission B electrode connected to an output from said modulation means and arranged in the vicinity of the skin surface of said finger base, and a transmission G electrode connected to a reference voltage of said transmitters and arranged on a back side of said finger base, which transmits the output from said shock detection means for each finger via a human body; and

reception means mounted in the vicinity of the wrist of a hand on which said transmitting device is mounted, having a reception B electrode arranged in the vicinity of the skin surface near said wrist, a reception G electrode arranged on an upper face of said wrist so as to be coupled with said transmission G electrode for each finger via air and connected to a reference voltage of the reception means, amplifying means for amplifying a voltage between said reception B electrode and said reception G electrode, a group of demodulation means connected to an output from said amplifying means for discriminating a frequency modulation wave transmitted from respective transmitters for each finger depending upon the difference of the carrier frequency for said each finger and demodulating the output from said respective shock detection means, a group of typing detection means for detecting the presence or absence of finger-tip typing by said each finger by judging the presence or absence of a specific frequency component of from around 80 to 100 Hz contained in the output signal from said shock detection means of said each finger, and a symbol determination means for determining a symbol to be output according to the combination of the typing timing for each finger.

21. An intra-body information transfer device according to claim 20, wherein said transmitters further comprise respective identification information generating means for generating identification information set in advance, and said modulating means carries out frequency modulation after said identification information has been superposed onto an output signal from said shock detection means, and

said reception means further comprises a group of comparison means for comparing the identification information included in the respective outputs from said group of demodulation means and the identification information inherent in said reception means, and supplying the respective outputs from said group of demodulation means to said typing detection means based on the comparison result.