U.S. patent number 7,260,420 [Application Number 10/965,052] was granted by the patent office on 2007-08-21 for apparatus and method for stimulating one or more areas on a wearer.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Motorola, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jose E. Korneluk, Joseph Patino, James L. Tracy.
United States Patent |
7,260,420 |
Patino , et al. |
August 21, 2007 |
Apparatus and method for stimulating one or more areas on a
wearer
Abstract
A system includes a wireless device (101) and at least one
stimulator pad (400, 500). The stimulator pad (400, 500) has a set
of electrodes (404) that are in communication with the wireless
device (101). The stimulator pad (400, 500) is worn on the skin of
a user. The wireless device (101) is operable to receive an
incoming signal and to place an electric potential on the
conductors (404) so that various areas of the user's body are
stimulated and the user will receive notification of the incoming
signal in a completely silent manner. The pad (400) can be either
wired or wireless and can be used to deliver therapeutic body
stimulation as well. In another embodiment, the wireless device
(101) controls at least one stimulator pad (400, 500) independent
of any incoming signal received.
Inventors: |
Patino; Joseph (Pembroke Pines,
FL), Korneluk; Jose E. (Boynton Beach, FL), Tracy; James
L. (Coral Springs, FL) |
Assignee: |
Motorola, Inc. (Schaumburg,
IL)
|
Family
ID: |
36181455 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/965,052 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2004 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20060084480 A1 |
Apr 20, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/567;
340/573.4; 340/574; 340/7.53; 455/412.2; 455/414.1; 455/426.1;
455/461; 455/569.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M
1/04 (20130101); H04M 1/21 (20130101); H04M
19/04 (20130101); H04M 1/57 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04B
1/38 (20060101); H04M 1/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;455/567,461,412.2,414.1,426.1,445 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Canadian Space Agency, CSA Sectors, "Operational Space
Medicine--Projects Electrical Muscle
Stimulation"http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/csa.sub.--sectors/human.sub.---
pre/cao/osm.sub.--ems.asp, Sep. 29, 2002. cited by other .
Pro-Med Products--BioFeedback Pathway TR-10C EMG, Pathway MR-20
EMG, EMG Retrainer, EMG Retrainer IR,
http://www.promedproducts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?screen=CTGY&Store.sub-
.--Code=PP&Category.sub.--Code=B1, Jul. 21, 2004. cited by
other.
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Primary Examiner: Milord; Marceau
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for stimulating areas of a body comprising: a
wireless communication device that alerts a user of an incoming
message through a user interface; at least one set of conductors
coupled to the wireless device, the conductors including a first
conductor and a second conductor that are arranged so as to contact
an epidermal area of a body of a wearer of the apparatus; and a
power source for creating an electric potential between the first
conductor and the second conductor under control of the wireless
communication device, wherein the electric potential induces a
current flow between the first conductor and the second conductor
and the current travels through the epidermal area of the body of
the wearer of the apparatus.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one set
of conductors comprises: a receiver for wirelessly receiving a
control signal from the wireless communication device.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a
wireless device holder that removably holds the wireless
communication device, the wireless device holder including: a
wireless device holder body; and a docking interface on the
wireless device holder body connecting an output of the wireless
communication device to the at least one set of conductors.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one set
of conductors are disposed on an outside of the wireless device
holder and make contact with the epidermal area of the body when
the wireless device holder is disposed against the body.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical
potential is applied in pulses.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pulses vary in
current, width, amplitude, or frequency.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a memory
for holding at least one identifier corresponding to pulse
patterns.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each set of
conductors is independently addressable by the wireless device for
control thereof.
9. The apparatus accordingly to claim 1, wherein at least one set
of conductors is coupled to a power source independent of the
wireless device.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical
potential created across at least one set of conductors is
sufficient to be detectable by the body as a notification.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a
memory that stores a plurality of stimulus patterns.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: a user
interface that selectively chooses one of the stimulus
patterns.
13. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: a
processor; and a software application that is run by the processor
and causes at least one of the plurality of stimulus patterns to be
followed.
14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical
potential created across at least one set of conductors is
sufficient to stimulate at least part of the epidermal area of the
body.
15. A method for stimulating areas of a body, the method
comprising: applying to an epidermal area of a body at least one
set of conductors, each set including a first conductor and a
second conductor; and transmitting a signal from a wireless
communication device that alerts a user of an incoming message
through a user interface to at least one of the set of conductors,
whereby the signal controls an electric potential between the first
conductor and the second conductor of the at least one set of
conductors and the electric potential induces a current flow
between the first conductor and the second conductor and the
current travels through the epidermal area of the body.
16. The method of according to claim 15, wherein the method further
comprises: transmitting a silent alert signal to the at least one
set of conductors from the wireless communication device.
17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: applying
the electric potential in pulses that vary in current, width,
amplitude, or frequency.
18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: searching
a memory for at least one identifiers and corresponding preselected
electric potential pulse patterns; and applying the preselected
electric potential pulse pattern to the at least one set of
conductors.
19. The method according to claim 15, wherein each of the at least
one set of conductors is individually addressable and the method
further comprises: searching a memory for at least one identifiers
and corresponding preselected electric potential pulse patterns;
and applying the preselected electric potential pulse pattern to
the individually addressable at least one set of conductors.
20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the electric
potential further comprises: an alternating polarity on each of the
conductors.
21. A simulator pad for applying stimulus to an epidermal area of a
body, the pad comprising: at least one set of conductors, each set
including a first conductor and a second conductor adapted to apply
an electric potential to an epidermal area of a body of a wearer of
the simulator pad; and an interface for receiving a signal from a
wireless device with a user interface for alerting a user of an
incoming message, whereby the signal controls the electric
potential between the first conductor and the second conductor and
the electric potential induces a current flow between the first
conductor and the second conductor and the current travels through
the epidermal area of the body of the wearer of the simulator
pad.
22. The stimulator pad according to claim 21, wherein the alerting
a user of the incoming message is associated with the signal for
controlling the electrical potential.
23. The stimulator pad according to claim 22, wherein the alerting
a user of the incoming message includes alerting the user with a
silent alert.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to electrically stimulating areas
of the body, and more particularly, to temporarily stimulating
areas of the body including muscles for silent notification of an
event and/or for therapeutic treatment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wireless communication devices, such as cellular telephones, are
well known in the art. Other devices, such as pagers, PDA's,
palmtops, laptops, and others, are also well known in the art, and,
similar to cellular telephones, can be provided with receivers for
wirelessly receiving information.
When an originator of a message, whether voice, data or a
combination thereof, wishes to communicate the message to a
destination device, the originator utilizes an origination device
to wirelessly transmit the information through the free space e.g.
air, to the destination device. Upon receiving the information, the
destination device has a variety of options on how to deal with the
incoming information. If the device is configured to handle the
reception, the device may automatically perform an operation with
the information, for instance save it to a memory within the
destination device. The device can be also configured to alert a
user that an incoming message has arrived, for example in a simple
example, a telephone ring.
The alert functionality of a wireless device is currently offered
in several modes, such as an audible alert, an audible alert with
varying volume, an illuminating alert, a visual display alert, a
vibrating alert, and more. Each of the previously listed alert
modes can be selected to best fit the environment that the user is
in. For instance, when a user is outdoors, the user may wish to
have the device set to the loudest audible alert so it can be head
it over other competing noises. When indoors, where the environment
may be quieter than outdoors, the user may wish to set an audible
alert to a lower level. In a movie theater, for instance, where a
user cannot answer the incoming call or deal with the incoming
data, the user may set the alert mode to a silent alert, such as a
flashing light. However, unless the user is in visual communication
with the device, the user will not see the flashing light.
Prior art designs have tried to silently notify a wearer of an
incoming communication by providing a vibrating alert, which
produces a vibration, or shaking motion within the device. However,
the vibrating alert many times produces an audible sound,
especially when the wireless device is left on a surface such as a
table top. The vibration on such a surface can be easily detected
in quiet environments such as business meetings. This vibration is
often times unintentionally distracting to others.
Accordingly, a need exists for a notifier that alerts a user to an
incoming message or data without producing an audible sound and
without requiring the user to visually check for the message.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, in accordance with the present invention disclosed is a
wireless communication device that silently alerts a user of an
incoming message or data. The wireless device includes a receiver
that wirelessly receives signals, a processor that handles the
received signals according to instructions, a memory that stores
the instructions, a power supply, and an output. The present
invention also includes at least one set of electrodes that contact
the epidermis or skin of a user. The use of electrodes to stimulate
the body, especially areas of the epidermis and muscles under the
epidermis is well known in the art. The electrodes are electrically
conducting elements and in one embodiment of the present invention
are attached to the output of the wireless device. Alternatively,
the electrodes can be connected to the output of the wireless
device without wires. As an additional alternative, the electrodes
can be on a physical form that the wireless device attaches to via
its output.
When the wearer/user receives an incoming call, message, or data
delivery, an electric potential is placed across the electrodes and
an electric field created by the electrodes physically stimulates
the body, such as areas of the epidermis and muscles under the
epidermis of the wearer, thereby alerting the wearer of the
incoming call in a completely silent manner. The potential can be
in the form of an alternating potential that produces an
alternating current between the opposing electrodes. In another
embodiment, the electrodes apply two alternating currents of
slightly differing frequencies to the body of a user so that they
cross and interact to produce a low frequency current at a selected
point.
The stimuli can be delivered in a various power levels,
frequencies, and duty cycles. Additionally, a plurality of
electrode sets can be utilized and each electrode set can be
individually addressed to stimulate the wearer at a particular time
to communicate to the wearer information such as who is calling, or
what data is being received by the wireless device.
Because muscle stimulation is known to have therapeutic effects,
the wireless device can also be utilized to deliver muscle
stimulation at a time and manner selected by the wearer and
delivered to specific areas of the body. A stimulation pattern can
be input to the wireless device and the pattern produced at a
designated time by the wireless device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to
identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate
views and which together with the detailed description below are
incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to
further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various
principles and advantages all in accordance with the present
invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the components of a
wireless device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a stimulator pad in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a wireless stimulator pad in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a side-view of a wireless device
holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a back view of the wireless device
holder of FIG. 6 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating stimulator pulse variations in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating the process of in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features
of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that
the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the
following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in
which like reference numerals are carried forward.
System
Described now is an exemplary hardware platform according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a block
diagram of a radio communication system 100, in accordance with the
present invention. The radio communication system 100 includes
provider equipment 102, which is coupled to a public switched
telephone network 104 and wireless device 101. The provider
equipment 102 includes a communication channel 106, and base
stations 108. The provider equipment 102 interfaces with the public
switched telephone network 104 to provide a gateway for managing
and routing messages to and from particular wired devices. These
messages may be obtained from a source outside the radio
communication system via the public switched telephone network 104,
or may be sourced from an internally serviced wireless device or
other equipment.
The provider equipment 102 is able to provide direct communication
between an originating wireless device and a target wireless device
without accessing the public switched telephone network 104. The
base stations 108 are coupled to the provider equipment 102 and are
ordinarily geographically dispersed to service wireless devices in
specific geographic regions. It is important to note, that wireless
device 101 in another embodiment communicates with another wireless
device 101 without assistance of a communication network
Wireless Device
Referring now to FIG. 2, the wireless device 101 is shown. The
specific wireless device 101 depicted in FIG. 1 is a cellular
telephone. As will be clear however, the present invention is not
so limited and can also be other wireless devices including but not
limited to PDA's, SmartPhones, Laptops, Pagers, Two-way Radios, and
satellite phones. For clarity and ease of discussion a wireless
telephone, its structures, and functions will be referred to
throughout the remainder of the specification. A cellular telephone
101 includes a display 202 for viewing information and commands,
command buttons 204 for controlling modes and commands of the
device, buttons 206 for entering information and dialing numbers, a
speaker 208 for broadcasting voice and messaging information and
audible alerts, a microphone 210 for converting audible sounds to
proportionate voltages, and an antenna 212 for wirelessly
communicating with a remote sender or receiver (not shown).
The wireless device 101 interfaces with the provider equipment 102
via wireless communication link 106 established with the base
stations 108. The wireless device 101 works in conjunction with the
provider equipment 102 to provide a user with services such as
telephone interconnect, short message service, dispatch or instant
conferencing, circuit data, packet data, and combinations thereof,
as well as other data services.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of internal components of
the wireless device 101 is shown. The device 101 includes a
transmitter 303 and a receiver 302. The transmitter 303 and
receiver 302 are coupled via an antenna switch 305 to an antenna
304. For transmit operations, the antenna switch 305 couples the
transmitter 303 to the antenna 304. Similarly, for receive
operations, the antenna switch 305 couples the antenna 304 to the
receiver 302. The transmitter 303 and receiver 302 are coupled to a
processor 306.
Processors are well known in the art. The processor 306 is able to
execute program instructions stored in a memory 308 and to store
data received from receiver 302 and antenna 304 in memory 308.
Processor 306 is also coupled to a controller 310, which selects
between notification modes in response to instructions provided
from the processor 306. The notification modes shown in FIG. 3 are
though a user interface which includes an audible alert by sending
an audible signal to speaker 208; a visual alert by either sending
a information to display 202 or a signal to light source 314; a
physical stimulation created by turning off-balanced motor 316 at a
relatively high rate of speed; or outputting a signal on output 318
or transmitter 303. Other notification modes not shown in FIG. 3
will work equally as well as those that are shown in FIG. 3 and can
be used in further embodiments of the present invention to achieve
the same or similar results. The wireless device 101 also includes
a power source 320, such as a battery and set-up up transformer for
applying a power to the stimulators pads as further described in
the next section below.
The particular notification mode selected can be a function of the
identification of the source of incoming message, including voice
and/or data, can be a function of a selection made by a user of the
wireless device 101, or any of several other possibilities.
Additionally, the behavior/response of each mode to an incoming
message by the particular alert can be personalized to each
incoming message source by storing response data in memory 308,
which is retrieved and executed by the processor 306 when an
incoming message arrives. For example, a particular song can be
played when the user's spouse calls him and a different song can be
played when other callers, or unknown callers call the user's
wireless phone 101. In other modes, such as vibration mode, the
number of vibration pulses or duration between pulses can be varied
to indicate the source of the incoming call.
It is to be noted that the above described notification modes
requires the user to chose between a mode that is silent and will,
therefore, require the user to remember to periodically visually
check the device for an incoming call, or select a notification
mode where incoming calls can be detected by others in close
proximity to the user.
Stimulator Pads
FIG. 4 shows a stimulator pad 400 in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention. Stimulator pad 400 is attachable to the
wireless device 101 via leads 402, which include two electrically
isolated conductive paths to a set of conductors 404 near the
center of the pad material 406. The pad material 406 can be cloth,
plastic, a synthetic material, a combination thereof, or several
other material compositions. In a preferred embodiment, the
conductors 404 are on an opposite side of pad material 406 than are
the leads 402. The side of the material 406 with the conductors 404
is attachable to the skin of a wearer and in one embodiment secured
in place with a layer of adhesive 408. Adhesive 408 can span the
entire surface of the material 406, or be placed on only certain
regions, such as the edge region as shown in FIG. 4. In accordance
with another embodiment, a Velcro strap is used to hold the
stimulator pad 400 in place (not shown).
The ends of leads 402 opposite the conductors 404 can be attached
to output 318 on device 101, shown in FIG. 3. When the device 101
outputs a voltage on output 318, the voltage is applied to leads
402, which acts to create an electric potential across conductors
404 attached to the skin of a user. Although the conductivity of
skin is low, a sufficient voltage will induce a current flow
between the conductors 404 travelling through the skin of a wearer.
Because muscles are located just beneath the skin, the current
travels through the muscles as well and induces stimulation.
Although the device 101 has a power source, such as a portable
battery and step-up transformer, to provide power to stimulator pad
400, in another embodiment, the simulator pad may have a separate
power source coupled to it to provide the necessary power across
the electrodes. In this embodiment, the wireless device 101 does
not supply power but rather only control signals to the stimulator
pads 400 (or stimulator pads 500 described below). In an analogous
method to setting ring-volume during notification, the strength
and/or the pattern of the stimulations on the pads 400 (and 500
below) are manually set by the user of the wireless device.
The stimulator pad 400 may be operated in any of several modes, but
in one embodiment is operated with alternating signals of differing
frequencies of different voltages and currents being applied to the
conductors 404. In one embodiment, muscle stimulation may be
imposed by applying a fixed frequency difference between electrodes
404. In other embodiments, the frequency difference is periodically
decreased, and then returned to the original frequency difference.
In still other embodiments, the frequencies delivered to each
electrode do not differ from each other at all. In practice, any
method of applying an electrical voltage to the conductors 404 in a
manner that will sufficiently stimulate the muscle of a user so
that he or she is notified of an event, will satisfy a goal of the
present invention. It is important to note that in another
embodiment, more than one stimulator pad 400 (and stimulator pad
500) can be controlled by a single wireless device 101. In this
embodiment, several stimulator pads are electrically coupled, wired
or wirelessly, back to the wireless device 101. The wireless device
101 controls the stimulations of multiple pads at once. One
wireless protocol which has been shown to be used advantageously
with the present invention is the BlueTooth wireless protocol, but
other wireless protocols may be used within the true scope and
spirit of the present invention.
In still another wireless embodiment, in lieu of using a local
wireless protocol such as Infra-red or short range radio, the
wireless device 101 communicates wirelessly with the pads over the
identical communication channel used to communicate voice and/or
data over the wireless system of FIG. 1.
In some situations, it may be desirable for the pad 400 to not be
attached to the device 101 with wires as shown in FIG. 4. For
instance, a user may wish to leave the device in a remote location,
loan the device to another person, simply not want to be encumbered
with the wires traveling from the device to beneath his clothes, or
one of many other reasons.
Shown in FIG. 5 is another embodiment of the pad 400. In the
embodiment of FIG. 5, a stimulator pad 500 is wirelessly
communicable with the device 101. Stimulator pad 500 includes an
antenna 502 feeding a receiver 504, which is in turn fed to a
comparator 506.
In another embodiment, the receive 504 is replaced with a
transceiver (not shown). The transceiver permits acknowledgements
and status to be sent from the wireless stimulators pads 500 back
to the wireless device 101. The status sent are error checks in
communications, stimulator pad 500 operation, battery status of the
stimulators pads, and other status of the stimulator pads 500. The
acknowledgments are important, especially in the embodiment where
more than one stimulator pad 500 is used with a wireless device to
ensure proper communications are received.
The comparator 506 compares a signal received from the receiver 504
to a memory 510 of identifiers and pulse patterns stored in memory
510, along with other information. If the received signal matches
an identifier in the memory 510, the comparator then applies power
from power source, such as battery 508 to conductors 404 in
accordance with the stored pulse pattern assigned to the identifier
to provide signal origination identification to the user. If the
received signal does not match an identifier in the memory 510, a
default pulse pattern can be applied to the conductors 404. In
another embodiment, the calling device will send pulse
pattern/identifier information to pad 500 at the time stimulation
is requested.
In yet another embodiment, the comparator 506 is a general purpose
embedded microcontroller which allows for a dynamically
downloadable stimulus waveforms.
In the embodiment just described, one or more pads 500 (or in the
alternative wired pads 400) can be placed at various locations on
the body of a user without the encumbrance of wires connecting the
phone. Additionally, because the pads are wireless receivers, the
device 101 can be separated from the pad 500 by a distance that
increases in proportion to the power of the transmitted signal and
the sensitivity of the receiving circuit 502 and 504 within the pad
500, but could be a substantial amount. Another aspect of wireless
pad 500 is that the pads can more easily be separated on the body
than with wired pads 400.
As described above, the identification of a caller or the type of
information being received can be communicated to the wearer of the
pad 400, 500 by causing a pulse pattern to be followed when
stimulating the muscle. The particular pulses placed on the pads
400, 500 become a signal origination identifier to the wearer of
the pads 400, 500. The wireless pad 500, thereby provides a more
easily identified caller identification stimulus pattern because
the separation of multiple pads is facilitated by the absence of
wires 402. Therefore, not only is the pulse pattern the signal
origination identifier, but so to is the body part stimulated.
In yet another embodiment, shown in FIG. 6 is a diagram
illustrating a side-view of a wireless device holder in accordance
with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the conductive
contacts 404 are arranged on an outside surface 602 of a wireless
device holder 600. The holder 600 has an attaching region 604 that
is arranged so as to be able to slide onto and attach to an article
of clothing (not shown), such as the waistline of a pair of pants.
When the holder 600 is attached to the clothing, the conductors 404
make contact with the skin of the wearer.
The holder 600 has a cradle area 606 that can accept a wireless
device 101. At the bottom of the cradle area 606 is a docking
interface 608 that removably attaches to the output 318 on a bottom
side of wireless device 101. The docking interface 608 places the
electrical conductors 404 in electrical communication with the
wireless device 101. Therefore, when a call is received, or
information is sent to the device 101, the device 101 can notify
the wearer of the holder 600 of the incoming call or message by
placing a signal across the conductors 404 and thereby stimulating
an epidermal area of the wearer's body, resulting in a completely
silent notification of the incoming call or message. FIG. 7 is a
diagram 700 illustrating a back view of the wireless device holder
of FIG. 6 in accordance with the present invention illustrating
conductors 404.
FIG. 8 shows a graphic illustration of a few ways in which the
notification signal can be varied in accordance with the present
invention. The vertical axis is in terms of increasing voltage (V)
and the horizontal axis is in terms of increasing time (t).
Starting on the left side of the graph is a first pulse P.sub.1
with a maximum voltage of V.sub.1 and period of T.sub.1. After the
period T.sub.1, the voltage drops to zero for a period T.sub.2. The
next pulse P.sub.2 has the same maximum voltage of V.sub.1 and the
same period T.sub.1. A longer series of pulses of the same period
and voltage as P.sub.1 or P.sub.2 would produce a steady pulsing
wave of stimulus for the wearer.
Pulses P.sub.3 and P.sub.4 are shown in FIG. 8 and have a larger
maximum voltage V.sub.2 and shorter period T.sub.4. Pulses P.sub.3
and P.sub.4 may produce a stronger stimulus to the user but for a
shorter amount of time. Because the period T.sub.4 is shorter,
pulses P.sub.3 and P.sub.4 do not use any more power than do pulses
P.sub.1 and P.sub.2, but will cause the user to notice a difference
between the two pulses because they have a higher frequency T.sub.5
and a larger amplitude V.sub.2.
A third pulse P.sub.5 is also shown in FIG. 8. Pulse P.sub.5 has a
lower amplitude, V.sub.3, and a longer period, T.sub.7. Pulse
P.sub.5 may feel to the user as one long pulse as opposed to
individual pulses as in P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 or P.sub.3 and P.sub.4.
Because the amplitude V.sub.3 of pulse P.sub.5 is lower than the
other shown pulses, but the period T.sub.7 is longer, pulse P.sub.5
uses no more power than do the other pulses.
The above described exemplary pulses are for clarification only and
as will to known to those of ordinary skill in the art, many other
pulses of varying amplitude and period can be used equally as well
in the present invention to identify the source of a call or type
of incoming message.
In addition to event notification, electric muscle stimulators have
been shown be useful in reducing pain and inflammation, increasing
blood flow, and reducing muscle spasms within the body. The
stimulator pads 400, 500 of the present invention can, in addition
to the uses stated above for notification, be used for therapeutic
stimulation of the various epidermal and subcutaneous areas of the
wearer's body. As described above a large variety of stimulus
patterns are possible. The stimulus patterns can be manually
programmed into the device 101 by the user, selected from a
programmed list of patterns in the device 101 or, alternatively,
can be downloaded to the device 101 from, for example, a doctor's
website or in-office computer by a therapist. In this way, the
patterns that provide the most therapeutic benefits can be provided
to the user.
FIG. 9 shows the process of the present invention. In step 902, a
set of conductors is applied to the epidermis of a user of the
device 101. Next, in step 904, the device 101 receives a signal,
which could be an incoming call, data, information, or other
transmissions. As a response to the incoming signal, the device
101, in step 906 applies a power source to the conductors that
creates an electric potential between the conductors so as to
stimulate an epidermal area on the user's body. The user is then
notified of the received signal by the device 101.
Although the present invention has been shown and described as
being used by a wearer, it is important to note, that other
applications, such as for training or therapeutic purposes on
animals is within the true scope and spirit of the present
invention.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is
not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations,
substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the
art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *
References