Tactile communication device and method
OwnerGilbert Rene Gonzalesinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device and method for use in tactile communications adaptable for use by anyone able to recognize messages written in a language known to them. The devise uses a series of sequentially firing vibromechanical stimulators vibrating against the skin or other suitably tactile sensitive area of the wearer. The vibromechanical stimulators are arrange in a substantially two dimensional array over the skin and are then triggered individually and in sequence, following a set of patterns representative of the symbols in the language recognizable to the wearer to tactually convey the message. The wearer cognitively perceives the tactual stimulation as a line or lines drawn on the skin or suitably tactile sensitive area that resemble the symbols used to communicate between the message sender and the wearer.
Claims16
A tactile communications device, suitable for wearing by a tactually sensitive user, for receiving and converting a communications data stream into a tactual message that can be perceived by the user, the device comprising:
- (a) a housing including a face surface abuttably positionable over a surface of the user suitably sensitive to tactual stimulation;
- (b) a tactile stimulator array mountable within the housing having a plurality of vibromechanical stimulators positionable adjacent the face surface, the vibromechanical stimulators having a tactile effector suitable for impinging the surface of the user when the vibromechanical stimulator is energized;
- (c) a power source operably connected to the tactile stimulator array suitable for powering at least the tactile stimulator array;
- (d) a receiver, operably connected to the power source, for receiving a communications data stream including at least navigational and orientation data;
- and
- (e) a controller, operably connected to the power source, receiver and the tactile stimulator array, for independently and sequentially controlling each vibromechanical stimulator, using one vibromechanical stimulator at a time, to tactually stimulate the surface of the user in at least one line pattern equivalent to the received navigational and orientation data stream.
A tactile communications method for receiving and converting communication elements of a data stream into a tactual message perceptible to a user, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a housing having a substantially flat surface including a plurality of apertures in a substantially two dimensional array;
- (b) providing an electrical power source;
- (c) mounting a tactile stimulator array, operably connected to the power source, within the attachment housing having a plurality of vibromechanical stimulators, positioning each vibromechanical stimulator adjacent a corresponding aperture;
- (d) positioning the tactile stimulator array and housing abuttably over a suitably tactile surface area of the user;
- and
- (e) providing control means, electrically connected to the electrical power source and the tactile stimulator array, for independently and sequentially controlling each vibromechanical stimulator, the control means including the steps of:
- (e1) receiving a communication data stream including navigational and orientation data;
- (e2) converting the received communication data stream into a tactual pattern stream of at least one substantially straight line corresponding to the communication data stream navigational and orientation data;
- and
- (e3) turning on and off a sequence of vibromechanical stimulators, one vibromechanical stimulator at a time, according to the tactual pattern stream of at least one line;
- such that the sequence of vibrating stimulators stimulating the surface tactually is perceived cognitively by the user as the communications message.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.