Communication devices, methods, and systems

A communication device for communicating with a brain of a user via skin of the user, the device comprising:

• a plurality of energy generators arrangeable on the skin, each energy generator of the plurality of energy generators comprising
• a plurality of generator elements that are independently operable relative to one another and collectively operable to output a plurality of different energy types in a signal direction toward the skin, each different energy type of the plurality of different energy types being operable to communicate with the brain via the skin, and
• a housing comprising a wall that at least partially surrounds the plurality of generator elements, positions the plurality of generator elements relative to one another and the skin, and is operable to direct at least one energy type of the plurality of different energy types in the signal direction toward the skin;
• a processing unit that is separate from the plurality of energy generators, operable to receive input data from a data source, and operable to cause one or more generator elements of the plurality of generator elements to output one or more energy types of the plurality of different energy types responsive to the input data;
• and
• a plurality of conductors extending between the processing unit and the plurality of energy generators, each conductor of the plurality of conductors being operable to transmit electricity from the processing unit to a respective energy generator of the plurality of energy generators,
• wherein the plurality of generator elements of each energy generator of the plurality of energy generators comprise at least
• a first generator element operable with the processing unit to convert a first portion of the electricity into a heat flux recognizable by temperature receptors of the skin, and
• a second generator element operable with the processing unit to convert a second portion of the electricity into a mechanical movement recognizable by touch receptors of the skin.

A communication device for communicating with a brain of a user via skin of the user, the device comprising:

• a plurality of energy generators arrangeable on the skin, each energy generator of the plurality of energy generators being operable independently of each other energy generator of the plurality of energy generators and comprising
• a plurality of generator elements that are independently operable relative to one another and collectively operable to output a plurality of different energy types toward an approximately same area of the skin, the plurality of generator elements being spaced apart from one another, each different energy type of the plurality of different energy types being operable to communicate with the brain via nerves associated with the approximately same area of the skin,
• a local controller operable to cause each generator element of the plurality of generator elements to output a respective energy type of the plurality of different energy types responsive to electricity,
• a housing comprising a wall that at least partially surrounds the local controller and the plurality of generator elements, positions the plurality of generator elements relative to one another and the approximately same area of the skin, and is operable to direct at least one energy type of the plurality of different energy types toward the approximately same area of the skin;
• a processing unit that is separate from the plurality of energy generators, comprises a rechargeable battery, is operable to receive input data from a data source, and is operable to cause one or more generator elements of the plurality of generator elements to output one or more energy types of the plurality of different energy types responsive to the input data;
• and
• a plurality of conductors extending between the processing unit and the plurality of energy generators, each conductor of the plurality of conductors being operable to transmit the electricity from the rechargeable battery to the local controller of a respective energy generator of the plurality of energy generators,
• wherein the housing of each energy generator of the plurality of energy generators is spaced apart from the housing of each other energy generator of the plurality of energy generators;
• wherein the plurality of generator elements of each energy generator of the plurality of energy generators comprise
• a first generator element operable with the processing unit to convert a first portion of the electricity into a heat flux recognizable by temperature receptors of the nerves associated with the approximately same area of the skin, and
• a second generator element operable with the processing unit to convert a second portion of the electricity into a mechanical movement recognizable by touch receptors of the nerves associated with the approximately same area of the skin.