Actuating a tactile sensation in response to a sensed event

• US 8,217,769 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2011
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fan, Hongmin
• Application Number:
  US13/022,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20110128133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 340/407.1, 34053927-53929, 340/7.6, 340/600, 340/573.1, 340/825.19
• US Class Current: 340/407.1
• 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 sensing 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;

an attaching element configured to affix the sensing element and the 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; and

a flexible element that conforms to a surface, wherein the sensing element, the tactile sensation actuation element, and the attaching element are formed on the flexible element.

2. The tactile stimulation device of claim 1, further comprising a power supply that supplies power to the sensing element and the tactile sensation actuating element, wherein the power is sufficient so that the tactile stimulation device is used repeatedly.

3. The tactile stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the sensing element comprises a paint that is sensitive to a particular condition.

4. The tactile stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the tactile sensation actuating element is further configured to provide the tactile stimulation of a steady beat to the subject.

5. The 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.

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. The tactile stimulation device of claim 8, wherein the attaching element comprises means for fastening to a garment worn by the subject.

10. The tactile stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the specific event is the complete disintegration of the first layer.

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

providing a flexible layer that conforms to a surface;

bonding an actuating layer to the flexible layer, wherein the actuating layer is configured to create a tactile stimulation for 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 configured to sense the occurrence of a specific event associated with an exposure of the sensing layer to a particular condition.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a power supply that supplies power to the sensing element and the actuating layer, wherein the power is sufficient so that the tactile stimulation tape is used repeatedly.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the sensing layer comprises a paint that is sensitive to a particular condition.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the actuating layer is further configured to create the tactile stimulation of a steady beat for the subject.

15. The method claim 11, 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.

16. A tactile stimulation device comprising:

a sensing 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;

an attaching element configured to affix the sensing element and the 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; and

a power supply that supplies power to the sensing element and the tactile sensation actuating element, wherein the power is sufficient so that the tactile stimulation device is used repeatedly.

17. The tactile stimulation device of claim 16, wherein the sensing element comprises a paint that is sensitive to a particular condition.

18. The tactile stimulation device of claim 17, further comprising a flexible element that conforms to a surface.

19. The tactile stimulation device of claim 16, wherein the tactile sensation actuating element is further configured to provide the tactile stimulation of a steady beat to the subject.

20. The tactile stimulation device of claim 16, 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.