WO1999063498A2 - Electric communication systems - Google Patents

Electric communication systems Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999063498A2
WO1999063498A2 PCT/US1999/011616 US9911616W WO9963498A2 WO 1999063498 A2 WO1999063498 A2 WO 1999063498A2 US 9911616 W US9911616 W US 9911616W WO 9963498 A2 WO9963498 A2 WO 9963498A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
communication system
electric
electric communication
information
signal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/011616
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO1999063498A3 (en
Inventor
Masato Imafuku
Original Assignee
Masato Imafuku
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Masato Imafuku filed Critical Masato Imafuku
Priority to JP2000552640A priority Critical patent/JP2002517842A/en
Priority to AU42067/99A priority patent/AU4206799A/en
Publication of WO1999063498A2 publication Critical patent/WO1999063498A2/en
Publication of WO1999063498A3 publication Critical patent/WO1999063498A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M19/00—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems
    • H04M19/02—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone
    • H04M19/04—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone the ringing-current being generated at the substations
    • H04M19/041—Encoding the ringing signal, i.e. providing distinctive or selective ringing capability
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B6/00—Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to electric communication
  • present invention relates to new electric communication systems which use low
  • Some devices transmit information visually, such as televisions,
  • transmitted information may not reach the intended recipient.
  • the intended recipient For example, the
  • recipient's line of sight may be obstructed or completely blocked or the recipient
  • Visual information transmitting devices are
  • audio speakers for example, audio speakers, alarms, bells, buzzers and ringing
  • wireless communicators such as, cellular telephones and pagers have been utilized
  • Audio communication devices also have limitations.
  • Audio broadcast signals may be received by unintended recipients which can be
  • pagers may include a vibrator which informs the
  • Vibrators may wear out. Vibrators may also require a relatively large amount of space
  • electric shock devices include security devices and behavioral
  • Invisible electric fences for dogs are animal control devices.
  • High level electric shock devices apply a relatively high voltage and/or a relatively high amount of
  • the device does not communicate information to the patient.
  • the patient does not receive information or communication from the medical
  • the present invention provides new electric communication systems
  • the systems apply a low level electric current signal to the recipient.
  • the low level electric current signal is indicative of information that is desired to be
  • the recipient receives the low level electric
  • the signal may be any suitable, non-aversive signal.
  • the signal may be any suitable, non-aversive signal.
  • the signal may be any suitable, non-aversive signal.
  • the signal may be any suitable, non-aversive signal.
  • the signal may be any suitable, non-aversive signal.
  • the signal may be any suitable, non-aversive signal.
  • the signal may be any suitable, non-aversive signal.
  • the signal may be
  • the electric communication systems of the present invention utilize the
  • the electric communication systems can communicate
  • One electric communication system includes a source of low level electric current and a signal controller connect to
  • the signal controller has a non-aversive
  • a user contactable electrode is electrically connected to the
  • aversive electric current output signal is applied to the user or recipient in a
  • the present invention is a wrist watch having electrical contacts on the backside of
  • the wrist watch applies a
  • the present invention also provides new methods of communication.
  • the new methods of communication pertain to communicating information to
  • communicating according to the present invention includes the steps of converting
  • the communication methods may include a step of producing the
  • the communication methods may also include a step of receiving
  • wireless information signal producer for example a signal produced by a cellular network
  • the present invention provides new electric communication systems and
  • An advantage of the present invention is to
  • Another advantage of the present invention is to improve the privacy and
  • Figure 1 shows an existing low frequency electric medical device.
  • Figure 2 shows a wrist watch electric communication system
  • FIG. 3 shows another wrist watch electric communication system
  • Figure 4 shows an electrode pattern according to the principals of the
  • Figure 5 shows another electrode pattern according to the present
  • Figure 6 shows a clock electric communication system according to the
  • Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of a one-way wireless electric
  • Figure 8 shows another schematic diagram of wireless communication
  • a cellular phone including a cellular phone and a pager.
  • Figure 9 shows alternate electrodes on the cellular phone and pager of
  • Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of various devices communicating
  • Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of additional devices
  • Figure 12 shows a watch type phone and a watch type pager according to
  • Figure 13 shows another portable phone and another pager according to
  • Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram of television cameras and an actor
  • Figure 15 shows a two-way electric communication system according to
  • Figure 16 shows a hand held game having an electric communication
  • Figure 17 shows another hand held game having an electric
  • Figure 18 shows a top view of a hand held game controller having an
  • Figure 19 shows a bottom view of the game controller of Figure 18.
  • Figure 20 shows another hand held game controller having an electric
  • Figure 21 shows a game enhancer having an electric communication
  • Figure 22 shows a game machine having an electric communication
  • Figure 23 shows another game machine having an electric
  • Figure 24 shows another game machine having an electric
  • Figure 25 shows a home theater enhancer having an electric
  • Figures 26a, 26b, 26c show steering wheels having electric
  • Figure 27 shows an automobile shift lever having an electric
  • Figure 28 shows another automobile shift lever having an electric
  • Figure 29 shows a motorcycle handle having an electric communication
  • Figure 30 shows a bicycle handle having an electric communication
  • Figure 31 shows a fishing rod for an electronic game having an electric
  • Figure 32 shows a mouse for a computer having an electric
  • Figure 33 shows a keyboard for a computer having an electric
  • Figure 34 shows a touch screen having an electric communication
  • Figure 35 shows a computer touch pad having an electric communication
  • Figure 36 shows a ring having an electric communication system
  • Figure 37 shows a bracelet having an electric communication system
  • Figure 38 shows an earring having an electric communication system
  • Figure 39 shows a necklace having an electric communication system
  • Figure 40 shows a writing instrument having an electric communication
  • Figure 41 shows a chair having an electric communication system
  • Figure 42 shows a desk having an electric communication system
  • Figure 43 shows a wall having an electric communication system
  • Figure 44 shows electric communication systems positioned at various locations
  • Figure 45 shows another electric communication system according to the
  • present invention used with an animal.
  • Figure 46 shows a front view of an electrode pad according to the present
  • Figure 47 shows a back view of the electrode pad of Figure 46.
  • Figure 48 shows an expanded view of a portion of the back of the
  • Figure 49 shows a character pattern communicated by the electrode pad
  • Figure 50 shows a schematic diagram of a morse code type signal communicated using an electric communication system of the present invention.
  • Figure 51 shows a pair of glasses having an electric communication
  • Figure 52 shows a watch type electric communication system
  • Figure 53 shows the watch type system of Figure 52 with the electrode
  • Figure 54 shows an adapter side of the electrode pads of Figure 53.
  • Figure 55 shows a side view of the adapter pads of Figure 54.
  • Figure 56 shows another watch type electric communication system
  • Figure 57 shows another watch type electric communication system
  • Figure 58 shows an electrode pad usable with the watch system of Figure
  • Figure 59 shows an adapter side of the electrode pad of Figure 58.
  • Figure 60 shows a side view of the electrode pad of Figure 58.
  • Figures 61-63 show an adapter pad which can be painted with
  • electrically conductive paint or have electrically conductive clay type material
  • Figures 64-66 show a navigator having an electric communication
  • Figure 67 shows another watch type electric communication system
  • Figure 68 shows another watch type electric communication system
  • Figure 69 shows the backside of the watch type electric communication
  • Figure 70 shows a cross-sectional view of the watch type electric
  • the wrist watch 10 has a band 12 for wearing the wrist watch and a front display face 14.
  • the wrist watch 10 has a band 12 for wearing the wrist watch and a front display face 14.
  • An electrode 24 is provided on the backside 16 on
  • the electrode 24 has a pair of electrical contacts 26 spaced
  • An event may occur in the
  • wrist watch 10 which is to be communicated to the wearer.
  • the wearer For example, the wrist watch 10
  • wearer may set an alarm by using watch controls 27 to inform the wearer when a
  • the wrist watch 10 is controlled by the wrist watch 10
  • the electronic control circuit 22 and powered by the battery 20.
  • control circuit 22 also controls application of low level electric current from the
  • the electronic control circuit 22 provides a low level electric shock to the
  • the electrically resistive material 28 separates the electrical contacts 26
  • Rubber is one example of a suitable electrically resistive material 28.
  • the of the electrode 24 may be a hot lead and the other electrical contact a neutral lead
  • the power source provides direct current (e.g., a battery), then
  • a direct current to alternating current converter would be included in the system.
  • the low level electric shock of the electric communication system is the low level electric shock of the electric communication system.
  • the shock for example, the voltage, current and wave form of the
  • the recipient may feel a pleasant tingle
  • level electric shock provided by the electric communication system should also be sufficiently low such that the electric shock is medically acceptable.
  • level electric shock according to the present invention may have a current up to
  • the wrist watch 30 has a
  • pair of electrode pads 32 which extend from the backside of the wrist watch 30
  • the electrode pads 32 on the wrist watch 30 provide a greater amount of the electrode pads 32 on the wrist watch 30 to provide a greater amount of the electrode pads 32 on the wrist watch 30 to provide a greater amount of the electrode pads 32 on the wrist watch 30 to provide a greater amount of the electrode pads 32 on the wrist watch 30 to provide a greater amount of the electrode pads 32 on the wrist watch 30 to provide a greater amount of the electrode pads 32 on the wrist watch 30 to provide a greater amount of the wrist watch 30.
  • Figure 4 shows an alternate electrode pattern on the back of a wrist
  • the wrist watch type device has a plurality of electric
  • electrical contacts 26 may be activated (low level electrical current applied to that
  • a group of electrical contacts 26 designated at 36 may be activated
  • Figure 5 shows another wrist watch type device 38 having another
  • Figure 6 shows an alarm clock 42 having a pair of electrical pads 44.
  • the typical audio alarm of the alarm clock 42 can be turned off and the electric
  • Figure 7 shows a one-way wireless electric communication system 46 of
  • a transmitter 48 can be activated by depressing a button 50
  • the wireless signal 52 is received by a receiver
  • the transmitter 48 may be activated by a person who uses the transmitter 48 to activate the electrical contacts 26.
  • the transmitter 48 may be activated by a person who uses the transmitter 48 to activate the electrical contacts 26.
  • the communication system 46 of Figure 7 can be used to communicate a wide variety of information.
  • the transmitter 48 can be activated to communicate
  • the receiver 54 can be worn by a person
  • Such an event may include for example that the telephone is ringing because there
  • FIG. 8 shows two embodiments of the electric communication system
  • a cellular phone 56 may transmit a wireless signal 52 indicating
  • the wireless signal 52 is received
  • a pager 58 may transmit a wireless signal 52 to the receiver 54 indicating that a page has occurred. The receiver 54 then applies a
  • Figure 9 shows alternate electrodes on the cellular phone 56 and the
  • the cellular phone may have additional electrode pads 60
  • the cellular phone 56 may apply a low
  • the low level electric shock may be a signal to the holder of the phone 56
  • the pager 58 may have electrical contacts 26 on a
  • the pager 58 may administer a low level electric shock
  • Figure 10 shows several appliances which may
  • 62 may communicate to a recipient 64 wearing a receiver 54 that an incoming fax
  • An air conditioner 66 may transmit information to the recipient 64 indicating that the air conditioner 66 is
  • a refrigerator configured to turn on or off or indicating a particular temperature, for example.
  • a door 70 may transmit information to the recipient 64 indicating opening
  • a light 72, an alarm 74, and a television 76 may be used to control the opening of the devices.
  • Figure 11 shows computer type equipment incorporating an electric
  • a portable computer 78 may
  • personal data assistant 82 a notebook computer 84 or a personal computer 85
  • the personal computer 85 may even be connected to a computer
  • wearer of the receiver 54 may include notification of incoming and outgoing
  • Figure 12 shows a watch type phone 86 and a watch type pager 88
  • the electrode 24 may
  • the wearer through the electrical contacts 26 may be indicative of an incoming
  • Figure 13 shows another watch type phone 92 and another watch type
  • watch type phone 92 and watch type pager 94 have electrically conductive pads
  • the electrically conductive pads 96 provide a larger surface area by extending
  • Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram of television cameras 100a , 100b,
  • the electric communication system can be used to communicate to the
  • actor 102 to inform the actor which television camera is currently being used.
  • the television camera which is on, for example camera 100b, can transmit a
  • the signal receiver 154 applies a low level electric shock to the actor 102 indicating to the actor that a
  • the active camera will transmit the appropriate signal to the actor using the
  • the electric communication system of the present invention also can be any type of communication system of the present invention.
  • Figure 15 shows an example of a
  • transmitter and receiver device 104 is worn by a first person and a second
  • a button 108 can
  • transmitter and receiver device 106 receives the wireless signal 52 from the first
  • transmitter and receiver device 106 can be pressed to transmit a wireless signal 52
  • the electric communication system of Figure 15 is a two-way communication
  • first and second transmitter and receiver devices 104, 106 are identical to the first and second transmitter and receiver devices 104, 106.
  • buttons 108 can utilize activation mechanisms other than the buttons 108, for example a key
  • the electrodes 24 could be replaced with electrodes
  • Figure 16 shows a Nintendo Game Boy electronic game device 110
  • the electronic game device 110 is
  • Electrode 1 a hand held, battery operated game and is operated by controls 112.
  • pads 114 are provided to communicate information from the electronic game
  • the electronic device 116 is shown in Figure 17.
  • the electronic device 116 is
  • Electrode pads 118 are provided
  • Figures 18 and 19 show a game controller 120 for a Nintendo 64
  • Electrode 120 is connected to the game control unit (not shown) by a cable 122.
  • pads 124 are provided at various locations on the game controller 120 to
  • Low level electric power may be provided to the electrode pads 124 from the game unit
  • electrode pads 124 For example, when a character in the game is injured by an
  • a low level electric shock may be applied to the player holding the
  • the game controller 120 has a connection 126 which can be connected to
  • the new electric communication system has advantages over
  • Game enhancing software can be provided
  • the game controller 120 may be
  • Electrode pad 124 may wish to program which electrode pad 124 is activated for a particular event
  • the electric communication system of the present invention can be used
  • glove type controller 128 is shown having a new electric communication system.
  • Various electrode pads 130 can be provided at various locations on the glove type controller 128.
  • the communication system is a glove controller for the Sony Play Station game unit.
  • the glove type controller 128 can
  • Figure 21 shows a game enhancer electric communication system 132
  • a game unit 135 provides low level electric current and
  • a game controller 136 is
  • pads 134 are shown as connected to the hand held game controller 136 by wires
  • the game enhancer electric communication system 132 could be a
  • Arcade type game machines may also include the electric
  • Electrode pads 140 may be provided on hand operated game controllers 142 so that the
  • game machines can apply low level electric current to the player of the game.
  • electrode pads 144 may be applied to a game player and
  • wires 146 could be
  • Electric communication systems of the present invention can be used to
  • FIG. 25 a home theater enhancer having an electric communication system 148
  • the home theater system may include a large
  • the television 150 may transmit a wireless signal 52 to
  • a plurality of signal receivers 158 may be worn by the
  • the signal receivers listeners and viewers 156 at various locations on their body.
  • the signal receivers
  • Electrodes 158 have electrode pads 160 which contact the listeners and viewers 156 and
  • Figures 26-30 show examples of transportation devices including the new electric communication systems to communicate with operators of vehicles.
  • An automobile steering wheel 162 is shown in Figure 26a having electrode pads
  • the electrode pads 164 are connected to electronic control circuits and the
  • the automobile battery of the automobile (not shown).
  • the automobile can be any type of the automobile (not shown).
  • Figure 26b shows a steering wheel 162 having longer electrodes 163
  • Figure 26c shows a steering wheel 162 having a plurality of spaced apart
  • FIG. 27 shows an electrode pad 166 on a gear shift lever 168
  • present invention can be used to communicate to the vehicle operator which gear
  • the vehicle is in by applying a low level electric shock through the electrode pad
  • Figure 28 shows an electrode pad 170 on a gear shift lever 172 for a
  • a motorcycle 174 is shown in Figure 29 having a handle bar 176. Electrode pads 178 are provided on the handle bar 176 at a
  • motorcycle 174 can communicate info ⁇ nation to the operator by administering
  • Figure 30 shows a bicycle 180 having a handle bar 182 which includes electrode
  • the bicycle 180 may have a generator or a battery connected to a
  • control circuit or to a switch which provides low level electric current to the
  • Figure 31 shows a fishing rod 186 used for playing an electronic fishing
  • the electric communication system on the fishing rod 186 may be used
  • the electric communication system of the present invention may also be any type of communication system of the present invention.
  • the electric communication system of the present invention may also be any type of communication system of the present invention.
  • a computer mouse 190 and a
  • keyboard 192 are shown in Figures 32 and 33, respectively. Electrode pads 194
  • mouse 190 or keyboard 192 can be provided at various locations on the mouse 190 or keyboard 192, including
  • a touch screen computer input device 196 having
  • Electrode pads 198 is shown in Figure 34.
  • the electrode pads 198 may be
  • Electrode pads 202 may be provided
  • the electric communication systems of the present invention utilizes the
  • FIG. 40 Furniture may also include
  • the electric communication system such as a chair 224 having electrode pads 226
  • Electrode pads 232 may even be placed on a wall 234 as shown in Figure 43.
  • the control circuit may even simply provide a direct connection between the low level electric current source and the electrodes such
  • Figure 44 shows additional locations on a person where electrode pads
  • the electrode pads 236 to apply a low level shock to the wearer of the electric
  • the electrode pads 236 may have an adhesive suitable
  • a belt 240 can be used to wear the
  • Figure 45 shows the electric communication adapted for use with
  • a dog collar 244 may have electrode pads 246 to administer low level
  • the electric communication system could be useful for a visually
  • Figures 46-49 show one electrode pad 248 in greater detail.
  • Figure 46 shows a front side 250 of the electrode pad 248 which faces away from the
  • the electrode pad 248 is connected to a controller and power source 252
  • the controller 252 sends a signal 256 through the cable 254 to the
  • Electrode pad 248 may be connected to the electrode pad
  • a backside 258 of the electrode pad 248 is shown in Figure 47.
  • backside 258 has a matrix of individual electrodes 260 which can be selectively
  • Electrode pad 248 as shown.
  • the individual electrodes 260 may be separated by
  • individual electrodes 260 may be activated as either an electrically positive (+) or
  • Figure 49 shows the character letter "B" formed
  • the backside 258 of the electrode pad 248 having electrodes 260
  • Figure 50 shows another type of signal which can be communicated
  • the low level electric shock can be any low level electric shock.
  • morse code type signal could be used to communicate with a signal such as morse code.
  • a morse code type signal could be used to communicate with a signal such as morse code.
  • FIGS 52-55 show an embodiment of the present invention in which the
  • electrode pads are removable and replaceable.
  • the communication system 264 has two removable electrode pads 266.
  • pads 266 can be removably attached to the backside of the watch type system 264
  • Figure 56 shows another watch type electric communication system 292
  • Portions of the electrode pads 294 may be separated by a non-conductive material 298.
  • the backside 300 of the watch would also be made of a non-conductive
  • Figure 57-60 show another watch type electric communication system
  • An electrode pad 306 has an adapter
  • the adapter 308 may have
  • first and second electrical connections 310, 312 spaced apart by a non-conductive
  • Figures 61 and 62 show an adapter pad 314 having adapters 316 and
  • the adapter pad 314 can be mounted to a watch type electric
  • the adapters 316 are electrically connected to the
  • An electrically conductive paint can be applied to the adapter pad
  • electrically conductive paint would be to use electrically conductive clay type
  • the clay type material can be formed as desired and applied to the
  • the electrode pad 314 in contact with the electrodes 318.
  • the electrode pad 314 is formed of a non-conductive material and whether electrically paint or clay is used,
  • Figure 63 shows one example of either painted on or clay type electrodes
  • Figures 64-66 show a navigator 322 having an electric communication
  • the navigator 322 is a global positioning system
  • a band 324 may be provided for the
  • Figure 66 shows selected electrodes 326 activated to
  • central outer electrode band 326b may be alternately activated to enhance the
  • the present invention could be used to determine the proximity of a particular
  • a proximity sensor could be
  • the low level electric shock signal can be varied to indicate the distance that the user is from the particular object.
  • FIG 67 to illustrate another electrode pad design.
  • Another electrode 332 can be provided on the backside of the band 334. In this case
  • the watch type system 336 has front air opening 338 and
  • a finger activated pump is connected to rear air opening 340 by air passageways.
  • 342 is provided to selectively pump air from either the front or backside of the
  • a seal 342 is provided on
  • the seal 342 contacts the skin of the wearer and
  • a negative pressure may be created on the backside of the watch
  • backside of the watch type system 336 may enhance the seal between the wearer's
  • pump 342 can also pump air from the front air openings 338 out of the rear air
  • system 336 may be particularly useful in situations where the watch may come in
  • the present invention can be modified as desired.
  • the size of the present invention can be modified as desired.
  • the size of the present invention can be modified as desired.
  • the size of the present invention can be modified as desired.
  • the size of the present invention can be modified as desired.
  • the size of the present invention can be modified as desired.
  • the size of the present invention can be modified as desired.
  • the size of the present invention can be modified as desired.
  • electrodes the number of electrodes, location of electrodes, the color of the
  • Electrodes, electrode material and weight can be varied.
  • shock signal applied to the info ⁇ nation recipient can also be varied.
  • shock signal applied to the info ⁇ nation recipient can also be varied.
  • shock signal applied to the info ⁇ nation recipient can also be varied.
  • the frequency, wave form, amplitude, time period, voltage and amps can be
  • the electric communication system can be used as a substitute for or in
  • the electric communication system can be used to convert
  • the low level electric shock tactical information can be any low level electric shock tactical information.
  • the low level electric shock tactical information can be any low level electric shock tactical information.

Abstract

The present invention provides new electric communication systems for communicating information via low level electric shock. The electric communication system (10) includes a source of low level electric current and a signal controller (22) electrically connected to the source of low level electric current. A user contactable electrode (24) is electrically connected to the signal controller (22) and in contact with the user. The signal controller (22) outputs a non-aversive electric current output signal indicative of information desired to be communicated to the user. The non-aversive electric current output signal is applied to the user through the electrode (24) as a low level electric shock to communicate the information to the user.

Description

S P E C I F I C A T I O N
TITLE:
"ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS"
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to electric communication
systems for communicating through the sense of touch. More specifically, the
present invention relates to new electric communication systems which use low
level electric current to communicate information.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Communication of information is absolutely essential in today's and
tomorrow's modern society. Communication of information occurs in many
different ways, and generally uses one of the five senses of sight, hearing, touch,
smell and taste. The senses of sight, hearing and touch appear to be the most
commonly utilized senses for communication of information. Accordingly, many existing devices utilize the sense of sight, hearing or touch to communicate.
Some devices transmit information visually, such as televisions,
computer screens, lights and signs, and other visual display devices. Devices
which communicate through the sense of sight have limitations. The visually
transmitted information may not reach the intended recipient. For example, the
recipient's line of sight may be obstructed or completely blocked or the recipient
may be looking in another direction. Visual information transmitting devices are
highly directional and affected by the amount of light they emit and the prevailing
light around the devices and the recipient. Visual transmission devices tend not to
be selective as to who may receive the information. Unintended recipients may
receive the visually transmitted information and thus, visual transmission systems
may be undesirable for private or confidential communications.
Communication devices have also relied on sound to communicate
information. For example, audio speakers, alarms, bells, buzzers and ringing
wireless communicators such as, cellular telephones and pagers have been utilized
to communicate via sound. Audio communication devices also have limitations.
Audio broadcast signals may be received by unintended recipients which can be
disruptive to the unintended recipient. The ringing of noisy cellular telephones in
an otherwise quiet environment can be quite undesirable. Private or confidential
communication by audio signals may also be compromised. Existing devices have also utilized the sense of touch to communicate
information. For example, pagers may include a vibrator which informs the
wearer of the pager that the wearer is being paged. A hand held game controller
for the Nintendo 64 video game also has a vibrator which can be felt by the player
of the game. Mechanical vibrators have disadvantages in that the components
may wear out. Vibrators may also require a relatively large amount of space
which makes the vibrating device unnecessarily large due to the motor inside and
the motor still makes noise. Electric circuits may also be quite sensitive to
vibration and may be damaged by the vibrating device. Also, vibrating pagers
must have a sufficiently strong vibration to pass through the wearer's clothing in
order to communicate to the wearer.
Existing electric shock devices have also utilized the sense of touch by
applying aversive electric shock. Existing electric shock devices apply relative
high levels of electric shock to the recipient which is undesirable to the recipient.
For example, electric shock devices include security devices and behavioral
control devices. From the recipient's point of view the high level electric shock is
undesirable, aversive and may even be harmful. These devices are typically used
to control or prevent undesirable behavior. Similar high level electric shock
devices have been used to train animals or contain animals within a defined area.
Invisible electric fences for dogs are animal control devices. High level electric shock devices apply a relatively high voltage and/or a relatively high amount of
electric current to the recipient to cause pain and alter the behavior of the
recipient.
Existing medical devices have applied low level electric shock to
patients. One such medical device is shown in Figure 1. The medical device
provides electrical stimulus and treatment to the patient. However, the medical
device does not communicate information to the patient. The low level electric
current used in the medical device is generally not painful to the patient; however,
the patient does not receive information or communication from the medical
treatment device.
Therefore, there would be advantages to having new electric
communication systems for communicating information to recipients. There
would be advantages to having new electric communication systems which
communicate information to recipients using low level electric current applied to
the recipient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides new electric communication systems
which communicate information to recipients. The new electric communication
systems apply a low level electric current signal to the recipient. The low level electric current signal is indicative of information that is desired to be
communicated to the recipient. The recipient receives the low level electric
current signal as a friendly, non-aversive signal. For example, the signal may be
felt by the recipient as a tingle on the recipient's skin.
The electric communication systems of the present invention utilize the
sense of touch to communicate information. Because the sense of touch is rather
personal and private, the electric communication systems can communicate
information in many situations where other modes of communication may be less
desirable. Information communicated according to the present invention using
low level electric current is communicated directly to the recipient without being
randomly broadcast to other unintended recipients. The electric communication
systems are quiet and thus, not disruptive to the recipient or unintended recipients.
The electric communication systems of the present invention
communicate information to recipients in a highly confidential manner. The
information is communicated to the recipient by using the recipient's sense of
touch and thus, unintended recipients cannot receive the communicated
information. Also, only the recipient of the low level electrical current signal is
aware of the communication. Others are unaware that the communication to the
recipient is taking place.
One electric communication system according to the present invention includes a source of low level electric current and a signal controller connect to
the source of low level electric current. The signal controller has a non-aversive
electric current output signal indicative of information desired to be
communicated. A user contactable electrode is electrically connected to the
signal controller by the non-aversive electric current output signal. The non-
aversive electric current output signal is applied to the user or recipient in a
friendly manner such that the user receives the information comfortably and
without receiving an aversive electrical shock.
One specific example of an electric communication system according to
the present invention is a wrist watch having electrical contacts on the backside of
the watch which are in contact with the wearer's skin. The wrist watch applies a
low level electric shock to the wearer when a particular event occurs, such as an
alarm indicating a particular time of day.
The present invention also provides new methods of communication.
The new methods of communication pertain to communicating information to
recipients by utilizing low level electric current shock. One method of
communicating according to the present invention includes the steps of converting
a signal indicative of information to be communicated to a recipient into a low
level electric current signal, supplying the low level electric current signal to an
electrically conductive electrode in contact with the recipient, and applying a low level electric shock of the electric current signal to the recipient from the
electrode. The communication methods may include a step of producing the
signal indicative of information to be communicated, for example an alarm on a
wrist watch. The communication methods may also include a step of receiving
the signal indicative of information to be communicated by transmission from a
wireless information signal producer, for example a signal produced by a cellular
telephone indicating that the telephone has an incoming call which is received by
a device worn by the recipient and communicated to the recipient using low level
electric shock.
The present invention provides new electric communication systems and
methods to communicate information to recipients using low level electric shock.
The new electric communication systems provide convenient and cost effective
ways of communicating information. An advantage of the present invention is to
provide new electric communication systems and methods of communication
which overcome deficiencies of existing communication systems and methods.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide electric
communication systems which communicate information to a recipient using low
level electric shock.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide electric
communication systems which utilize the sense of touch to communicate. Another advantage of the present invention is to improve the privacy and
security of communicating information.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide new devices and
methods for transmission of information.
Another advantage of the present invention is to reduce or eliminate
disturbance to a non-intended recipient of communicated information.
Another advantage of the present invention is to reduce the amount of
space, components, complexity and improve reliably of existing mechanical and
electrical communication devices.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide information
transmitting devices which are relatively light weight.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide electric
communication systems which communicate information such that the recipient
receives a friendly, non-aversive electric shock signal.
Another advantage of the present invention is to improve the
effectiveness of communicating information to a recipient and enhance
communication of information.
Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon
reading this disclosure including the appended claims and with reference to the
accompanying drawings. The above and other advantages may be desired, but are not required by the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows an existing low frequency electric medical device.
Figure 2 shows a wrist watch electric communication system according
to the principals of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows another wrist watch electric communication system
according to the present invention.
Figure 4 shows an electrode pattern according to the principals of the
present invention on the backside of a wrist watch.
Figure 5 shows another electrode pattern according to the present
invention.
Figure 6 shows a clock electric communication system according to the
present invention.
Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of a one-way wireless electric
communication system according to the present invention.
Figure 8 shows another schematic diagram of wireless communication
according to the present invention, including a cellular phone and a pager.
Figure 9 shows alternate electrodes on the cellular phone and pager of
Figure 8. Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of various devices communicating
with a recipient using wireless communication according to the present invention.
Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of additional devices
communicating with a recipient using wireless communication according to the
present invention.
Figure 12 shows a watch type phone and a watch type pager according to
the principals of the present invention.
Figure 13 shows another portable phone and another pager according to
the present invention.
Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram of television cameras and an actor
utilizing an electric communication system according to the present invention.
Figure 15 shows a two-way electric communication system according to
the present invention.
Figure 16 shows a hand held game having an electric communication
system according to the present invention.
Figure 17 shows another hand held game having an electric
communication system according to the present invention.
Figure 18 shows a top view of a hand held game controller having an
electric communication system according to the present invention.
Figure 19 shows a bottom view of the game controller of Figure 18. Figure 20 shows another hand held game controller having an electric
communication system according to the present invention.
Figure 21 shows a game enhancer having an electric communication
system according to the present invention.
Figure 22 shows a game machine having an electric communication
system according to the present invention.
Figure 23 shows another game machine having an electric
communication system according to the present invention.
Figure 24 shows another game machine having an electric
communication system according to the present invention.
Figure 25 shows a home theater enhancer having an electric
communication system according to the present invention.
Figures 26a, 26b, 26c show steering wheels having electric
communication systems according to the present invention.
Figure 27 shows an automobile shift lever having an electric
communication system according to the present invention.
Figure 28 shows another automobile shift lever having an electric
communication system according to the present invention.
Figure 29 shows a motorcycle handle having an electric communication
system according to the present invention. Figure 30 shows a bicycle handle having an electric communication
system according to the present invention.
Figure 31 shows a fishing rod for an electronic game having an electric
communication system according to the present invention.
Figure 32 shows a mouse for a computer having an electric
communication system according to the present invention.
Figure 33 shows a keyboard for a computer having an electric
communication system according to the present invention.
Figure 34 shows a touch screen having an electric communication
system according to the present invention.
Figure 35 shows a computer touch pad having an electric communication
system according to the present invention.
Figure 36 shows a ring having an electric communication system
according to the present invention.
Figure 37 shows a bracelet having an electric communication system
according to the present invention.
Figure 38 shows an earring having an electric communication system
according to the present invention.
Figure 39 shows a necklace having an electric communication system
according to the present invention. Figure 40 shows a writing instrument having an electric communication
system according to the present invention.
Figure 41 shows a chair having an electric communication system
according to the present invention.
Figure 42 shows a desk having an electric communication system
according to the present invention.
Figure 43 shows a wall having an electric communication system
according to the present invention.
Figure 44 shows electric communication systems positioned at various
locations on a person.
Figure 45 shows another electric communication system according to the
present invention used with an animal.
Figure 46 shows a front view of an electrode pad according to the present
invention.
Figure 47 shows a back view of the electrode pad of Figure 46.
Figure 48 shows an expanded view of a portion of the back of the
electrode pad of Figure 47.
Figure 49 shows a character pattern communicated by the electrode pad
of Figures 46-48.
Figure 50 shows a schematic diagram of a morse code type signal communicated using an electric communication system of the present invention.
Figure 51 shows a pair of glasses having an electric communication
system according to the present invention.
Figure 52 shows a watch type electric communication system having
removable electrode pads.
Figure 53 shows the watch type system of Figure 52 with the electrode
pads removed.
Figure 54 shows an adapter side of the electrode pads of Figure 53.
Figure 55 shows a side view of the adapter pads of Figure 54.
Figure 56 shows another watch type electric communication system
according to the present invention.
Figure 57 shows another watch type electric communication system
having a single adapter receptacle.
Figure 58 shows an electrode pad usable with the watch system of Figure
57.
Figure 59 shows an adapter side of the electrode pad of Figure 58.
Figure 60 shows a side view of the electrode pad of Figure 58.
Figures 61-63 show an adapter pad which can be painted with
electrically conductive paint or have electrically conductive clay type material
mounted on the pad. Figures 64-66 show a navigator having an electric communication
system according to the present system.
Figure 67 shows another watch type electric communication system
according to the present invention.
Figure 68 shows another watch type electric communication system
according to the present invention having an air flow feature.
Figure 69 shows the backside of the watch type electric communication
system of Figure 68.
Figure 70 shows a cross-sectional view of the watch type electric
communication system of Figure 69.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
Although the present invention can be made in many different forms, the
presently preferred embodiments are described in this disclosure and described in
the attached drawings. This disclosure exemplifies the principals of the present
invention and does not limit the broad aspects of the invention only to the
illustrated embodiments.
A new electric communication system according to the present invention
as shown in Figure 2 as embodied in a wrist watch 10. The wrist watch 10 has a band 12 for wearing the wrist watch and a front display face 14. The wrist watch
10 has a backside 16 which is shown partially cut away to reveal a battery 20 and
a electronic control circuit 22. An electrode 24 is provided on the backside 16 on
the wrist watch 10. The electrode 24 has a pair of electrical contacts 26 spaced
apart and surrounded by an electrically resistive material 28.
Information is communicated from the wrist watch 10 to the wearer
using the electronic communication system as follows. An event may occur in the
wrist watch 10 which is to be communicated to the wearer. For example, the
wearer may set an alarm by using watch controls 27 to inform the wearer when a
particular time of day has occurred. The wrist watch 10 is controlled by the
electronic control circuit 22 and powered by the battery 20. The electronic
control circuit 22 also controls application of low level electric current from the
battery 20 to the electrical contacts 26 of the electrode 24. When the alarm is set
off, the electronic control circuit 22 provides a low level electric shock to the
wearer through the electrical contacts 26 which are in contact with the wearer's
skin. In this manner, the alarm indicating a particular time of day has been
communicated to the wearer via the electric communication system of the present
invention.
The electrically resistive material 28 separates the electrical contacts 26
of the electrode 24. This ensure that the low level electric shock passes through the wearer of the wrist watch 10 rather than through the material of the watch.
Rubber is one example of a suitable electrically resistive material 28.
It is anticipated that the electric communication systems of the present
invention will use alternating current to communicate. However, the present
invention also contemplates using direct current. It is believed that a low level
alternating current shock will provide a more pronounced feeling to the recipient
as compared to a low level direct current shock. One of the electrical contacts 26
of the electrode 24 may be a hot lead and the other electrical contact a neutral lead
if the system is applying an alternating current electric shock. If alternating
current is used and the power source provides direct current (e.g., a battery), then
a direct current to alternating current converter would be included in the system.
Of course, if direct current is being used one of the electrical contacts 26 will be a
positive (+) contact and the other a negative (-) contact.
The low level electric shock of the electric communication system is
defined by electrical perimeters such that the recipient of the shock is not
offended by the shock. For example, the voltage, current and wave form of the
electric shock are controlled by the electronic control circuit 22 and the battery 20
to be non-aversive to the recipient. The recipient may feel a pleasant tingle
caused by the low level electric shock which indicates the alarm has tripped. Low
level electric shock provided by the electric communication system should also be sufficiently low such that the electric shock is medically acceptable. One low
level electric shock according to the present invention may have a current up to
about 20 mA.
A wrist watch 30 having a modified electric communication system
according to the present invention is shown in Figure 3. The wrist watch 30 has a
pair of electrode pads 32 which extend from the backside of the wrist watch 30
along the band 12. The electrode pads 32 on the wrist watch 30 provide a greater
surface area for communicating to the wearer than the electrical contacts 26 of the
electrode 24 in the wrist watch 10 of Figure 2.
Figure 4 shows an alternate electrode pattern on the back of a wrist
watch type device 34. The wrist watch type device has a plurality of electric
contacts 26 spaced apart by electrically resistive material 28. A selected group of
electrical contacts 26 may be activated (low level electrical current applied to that
particular group) to indicate particular information communicated to the recipient.
For example, a group of electrical contacts 26 designated at 36 may be activated
by the electronic control circuit within the wrist watch 34 to indicate a north
direction. Other groups of electrical contacts 26 can be activated to indicate other
directions or other types of information.
Figure 5 shows another wrist watch type device 38 having another
pattern of electrical contacts 26 spaced apart by the electrically resistive material 28. The electrical contacts 26 and the wrist watch device 38 of Figure 5 form a
matrix and can be activated to form a particular pattern. For example, Figure 5
shows an activated pattern 40 of electrical contacts 26 forming the number 5. The
number appears to be backwards in Figure 5, because Figure 5 shows a backside
view of the wrist watch 38. In addition to numbers, other patterns such as letters
and various shapes can be activated by the electronic control circuit to
communicate information to the wearer of the wrist watch 38.
Figure 6 shows an alarm clock 42 having a pair of electrical pads 44.
The typical audio alarm of the alarm clock 42 can be turned off and the electric
communication system can be utilized instead to indicate the alarm. The
electrical pads 44 are placed on the wearer and when the alarm is set off, a low
level electric current signal is communicated to the wearer through the electrical
pads 44.
Figure 7 shows a one-way wireless electric communication system 46 of
the present invention. A transmitter 48 can be activated by depressing a button 50
to transmit a wireless signal 52. The wireless signal 52 is received by a receiver
54 which applies a low level electric shock to a wearer of the receiver 54 through
the electrical contacts 26. The transmitter 48 may be activated by a person who
wishes to communicate with the wearer of the receiver 54. The electric
communication system 46 of Figure 7 can be used to communicate a wide variety of information. For example, the transmitter 48 can be activated to communicate
to a wearer of the receiver 54 that a particular event has occurred or for the wearer
of the receiver 54 to take a particular action. Although the electric
communication system 46 of Figure 7 shows only a pair of electrical contacts 26,
numerous types of electrical contacts could be used to communicate various types
of information or more detailed information, such as the patterns or matrix of
electrical contacts shown in Figures 4 and 5. Also, a single transmitter 48 could
communicate with multiple receivers 54 worn by various people.
There can be numerous useful applications of a wireless electric
communication system 46. For example, the receiver 54 can be worn by a person
who is outside of the house and a low level electric shock signal can be applied to
the wearer to let the wearer know that an event has occurred inside the house.
Such an event may include for example that the telephone is ringing because there
is an incoming call and the person outside of the house cannot hear the ringing
telephone.
Figure 8 shows two embodiments of the electric communication system
46 of Figure 7. A cellular phone 56 may transmit a wireless signal 52 indicating
that the cellular phone 56 has an incoming call. The wireless signal 52 is received
by the receiver 54 and a low level electric shock is applied to the wearer of the
receiver 54. Similarly, a pager 58 may transmit a wireless signal 52 to the receiver 54 indicating that a page has occurred. The receiver 54 then applies a
low level electric shock to the wearer informing the wearer that the pager has
received a page.
Figure 9 shows alternate electrodes on the cellular phone 56 and the
pager 58 of Figure 8. The cellular phone may have additional electrode pads 60
on the backside of the cellular phone 56. The cellular phone 56 may apply a low
level electric shock to the person holding the phone through the electrode pads 60.
The low level electric shock may be a signal to the holder of the phone 56
indicating that an incoming call has occurred, there is a call waiting, voice mail
has received a message or some other information to be communicated to the user
of the cellular phone. Likewise, the pager 58 may have electrical contacts 26 on a
backside of the pager 58. The pager 58 may administer a low level electric shock
to the wearer of the pager from the electrical contacts to indicate that a page has
occurred.
Various other devices could be equipped with electric communication
systems according to the present invention to communicate various information to
a recipient. For example, Figure 10 shows several appliances which may
communicate information to a recipient using a wireless signal 52. A fax machine
62 may communicate to a recipient 64 wearing a receiver 54 that an incoming fax
has occurred or an outgoing fax has been sent. An air conditioner 66 may transmit information to the recipient 64 indicating that the air conditioner 66 is
turned on or off or indicating a particular temperature, for example. A refrigerator
68 or a door 70 may transmit information to the recipient 64 indicating opening
and closing of the devices. A light 72, an alarm 74, and a television 76 may
communicate with the recipient 64 indicating the status of those devices. Visually
impaired people may particularly find the electric communication systems useful
to indicate the status of various devices.
Figure 11 shows computer type equipment incorporating an electric
communication system of the present invention. A portable computer 78 may
send a wireless signal 52 to a receiver 54 having electrodes 80. Similarly, a
personal data assistant 82, a notebook computer 84 or a personal computer 85
may transmit information to a wearer of the receiver 54 through the wireless
signal 52. The personal computer 85 may even be connected to a computer
network 87 so that other computer users on the network can communicate with
the wearer of the receiver 54. Examples of information communicated to the
wearer of the receiver 54 may include notification of incoming and outgoing
electronic mail and calendar or scheduling information.
Figure 12 shows a watch type phone 86 and a watch type pager 88
having electric communication systems according to the present invention. A
backside 90 of the watch type phone 86 and the watch type pager 88 has an electrode 24 to communicate information to the recipient.. The electrode 24 may
have a pair of electrical contacts 26 which apply a low level electric shock to the
wearer of the phone or pager 86, 88. The low level electric shock administered to
the wearer through the electrical contacts 26 may be indicative of an incoming
phone call or page, for example.
Figure 13 shows another watch type phone 92 and another watch type
pager 94 having electric communication systems of the present invention. The
watch type phone 92 and watch type pager 94 have electrically conductive pads
96 which apply the low level electric shock signal to the wearer of the devices.
The electrically conductive pads 96 provide a larger surface area by extending
along a wrist band 98 to contact the wearer of the devices.
Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram of television cameras 100a , 100b,
100c and an actor 102 utilizing an electric communication system of the present
invention. It is common to utilize multiple television cameras when broadcasting
a television program. The people appearing in the television program need to
know which camera is currently being used at any given moment to televise the
program. The electric communication system can be used to communicate to the
actor 102 to inform the actor which television camera is currently being used.
The television camera which is on, for example camera 100b, can transmit a
wireless signal 52 to a receiver 54 worn by the actor 102. The signal receiver 154 applies a low level electric shock to the actor 102 indicating to the actor that a
television camera 100b is currently shooting the scene. The actor 102 will
become aware of which television camera is currently active quite easily because
the active camera will transmit the appropriate signal to the actor using the
electric communication system.
The electric communication system of the present invention also can be
used in a two-way communication application. Figure 15 shows an example of a
two-way electric communication system of the present invention. A first
transmitter and receiver device 104 is worn by a first person and a second
transmitter and receiver device 106 is worn by a second person. A button 108 can
be pressed on the first transmitter and receiver device 104 to send a wireless
signal 52 to the second transmitter and receiver device 106. The second
transmitter and receiver device 106 receives the wireless signal 52 from the first
transmitter and receiver device 104 and applies a low level electric shock to the
wearer through the electrode 24. Similarly, a button 108 on the second
transmitter and receiver device 106 can be pressed to transmit a wireless signal 52
to the first transmitter and receiver device 104 and apply a low level electric
shock through the electrode 24 of the first transmitter and receiver device 104.
Wearers of the first and second transmitter and receiver devices 104, 106 can
communicate to each other by using the electric communication system, and thus, the electric communication system of Figure 15 is a two-way communication
system. Of course, the first and second transmitter and receiver devices 104, 106
can utilize activation mechanisms other than the buttons 108, for example a key
pad entry mechanism. The electrodes 24 could be replaced with electrodes
capable of applying more complex patterns and electrical signals to the wearers of
the devices.
Figure 16 shows a Nintendo Game Boy electronic game device 110
having a new electric communication system. The electronic game device 110 is
a hand held, battery operated game and is operated by controls 112. Electrode
pads 114 are provided to communicate information from the electronic game
device 110 to the person holding the game device. Another hand held, battery
operated electronic device 16 is shown in Figure 17. The electronic device 116 is
commercially available as a Tamagochi device. Electrode pads 118 are provided
on the electronic device 116 to communicate information to the player of the
device.
Figures 18 and 19 show a game controller 120 for a Nintendo 64
electronic game having an electric communication system. The game controller
120 is connected to the game control unit (not shown) by a cable 122. Electrode
pads 124 are provided at various locations on the game controller 120 to
communicate with the player of the game by using low level electric shock. Low level electric power may be provided to the electrode pads 124 from the game unit
(not shown) through the cable 122. A variety of information can be
communicated from the electronic game to the player of the game through the
electrode pads 124. For example, when a character in the game is injured by an
opponent, a low level electric shock may be applied to the player holding the
game controller 120 and contacting the electrode pads 124. The electric
communication system can enhance the game playing experience beyond that
provided by existing electronic games.
The game controller 120 has a connection 126 which can be connected to
a vibrating device. The new electric communication system has advantages over
vibrating devices as discussed above. Game enhancing software can be provided
to allow player control of which electrode pad 124 is activated and under what
conditions the electrode pads 124 are activated. The game controller 120 may be
held in a variety of different positions on a players hand. Accordingly, a player
may wish to program which electrode pad 124 is activated for a particular event
and under which events the electrode pads 124 are activated.
The electric communication system of the present invention can be used
as a game enhancer for a variety of electronic games. Referring to Figure 20, a
glove type controller 128 is shown having a new electric communication system.
Various electrode pads 130 can be provided at various locations on the glove type controller 128. An existing glove type controller without the new electric
communication system is a glove controller for the Sony Play Station game unit.
U.S. Patent Number 5,488,362 also shows a glove type game controller without
an electric communication system of the present invention. Similar to the game
controller 120 of Figures 18 and 19, the glove type controller 128 can
communicate a variety of information from the electronic game to the player of
the game.
Figure 21 shows a game enhancer electric communication system 132
having a plurality of electrode pads 134 which can be placed at various locations
on a player's body. A game unit 135 provides low level electric current and
control of the low level electric current to the electrode pads 134 for
communicating information to the player of the game. A game controller 136 is
provided for the player to communicate back to the game unit 135. The electrode
pads 134 are shown as connected to the hand held game controller 136 by wires
138. However, the game enhancer electric communication system 132 could be a
wireless system by removing the wires 138 and communicating from the game
unit 135 to the electrode pads 134 using a wireless signal.
Arcade type game machines may also include the electric
communication system of the present invention. Examples of arcade games
having the electric communication system are shown in Figures 22-24. Electrode pads 140 may be provided on hand operated game controllers 142 so that the
game machines can apply low level electric current to the player of the game.
Referring to Figure 24, electrode pads 144 may be applied to a game player and
connected to the game unit by wires 146. Alternately, the wires 146 could be
removed for a wireless type game enhancement system.
Electric communication systems of the present invention can be used to
enhance audio- visual systems, for examples home theater systems. Referring to
Figure 25, a home theater enhancer having an electric communication system 148
of the present invention is shown. The home theater system may include a large
screen television and a plurality of speakers 152 surrounding a listening and
viewing location 154. The television 150 may transmit a wireless signal 52 to
listeners and viewers 156 to communicate information from the program to the
listeners and viewers 156. A plurality of signal receivers 158 may be worn by the
listeners and viewers 156 at various locations on their body. The signal receivers
158 have electrode pads 160 which contact the listeners and viewers 156 and
apply a low level electric shock to the listeners and viewers 156. In this manner,
information from the program played on the home theater system can be
communicated to the listeners and viewers 156 through the electric
communication system 148 by applying low level electric shock.
Figures 26-30 show examples of transportation devices including the new electric communication systems to communicate with operators of vehicles.
An automobile steering wheel 162 is shown in Figure 26a having electrode pads
164. The electrode pads 164 are connected to electronic control circuits and the
automobile battery of the automobile (not shown). The automobile can
communicate various information to the operator. Such information could
include for example activation of left or right turn signals, traveling speed,
proximity of the automobile to other objects, amount of fuel or oil available, tire
air pressure, tachometer readings, incoming calls to a car telephone or other
information. Various types of electrodes can be used on the steering wheel, for
example, Figure 26b shows a steering wheel 162 having longer electrodes 163
and Figure 26c shows a steering wheel 162 having a plurality of spaced apart
electrodes 165. Figure 27 shows an electrode pad 166 on a gear shift lever 168
for an automatic type transmission. The electric communication system of the
present invention can be used to communicate to the vehicle operator which gear
the vehicle is in by applying a low level electric shock through the electrode pad
166 to the operator when the operator's hand is on the gear shift lever 168.
Similarly, Figure 28 shows an electrode pad 170 on a gear shift lever 172 for a
manual type transmission.
Motorcycles and bicycles may also include the new electric
communication systems. A motorcycle 174 is shown in Figure 29 having a handle bar 176. Electrode pads 178 are provided on the handle bar 176 at a
location where the motorcycle operator normally grips the handle bar 176. The
motorcycle 174 can communicate infoπnation to the operator by administering
low level electric shock to the operator through the electrode pads 178. Similarly,
Figure 30 shows a bicycle 180 having a handle bar 182 which includes electrode
pads 184. The bicycle 180 may have a generator or a battery connected to a
control circuit or to a switch which provides low level electric current to the
electrode pads 184 to communicate with the bicycle rider.
Figure 31 shows a fishing rod 186 used for playing an electronic fishing
game having a video screen 187. Electrode pads 188 for applying a low level
electric shock to the player (fisherman) of the game are provided on the fishing
rod 186. The electric communication system on the fishing rod 186 may be used
to communicate game information to the player (fisherman).
The electric communication system of the present invention may also be
incorporated into computer hardware. For example, a computer mouse 190 and a
keyboard 192 are shown in Figures 32 and 33, respectively. Electrode pads 194
can be provided at various locations on the mouse 190 or keyboard 192, including
the keys on the keyboard. A touch screen computer input device 196 having
electrode pads 198 is shown in Figure 34. The electrode pads 198 may be
transparent so that they can be combined with the touch sensitive input screen of the input device 196. A touch pad pointing device 200 commonly used on
portable computers is shown in Figure 35. Electrode pads 202 may be provided
on the touch pad 200 for communication to the operator of the touch pad 200.
The electric communication systems shown in Figure 32-35 allow the computers
to communicate with their operators using low level electric current.
The electric communication systems of the present invention utilizes the
contact of electrodes with the person receiving the information. Accordingly,
many types of devices which are in contact with the person can be adapted to use
the electric communication system. For example, a ring 204 having electrode
pads 206 is shown in Figure 36, a bracelet 208 having electrode pads 210 is
shown in Figure 37, an earring 212 having electrode pads 214 is shown in Figure
38, a necklace 216 having electrode pads 218 is shown in Figure 39, and a pair of
glass 219 having electrode pads 221 is shown in Figure 51. A writing instrument
220 having electrode pads 222 is shown in Figure 40. Furniture may also include
the electric communication system, such as a chair 224 having electrode pads 226
shown in Figure 41 and a desk 228 having electrode pads 230 shown in Figure 42.
Electrode pads 232 may even be placed on a wall 234 as shown in Figure 43. The
electric communication systems shown in these figures would also include a
power source and a controller (not shown) to supply low level electric current
signals to the electrodes. The control circuit may even simply provide a direct connection between the low level electric current source and the electrodes such
that the low level electric current is continuously supplied to the electrodes. This
arrangement may be useful, for example, for a user to identify a particular
location on a device by feeling the low level electric shock when touching the
location having the electrodes.
Figure 44 shows additional locations on a person where electrode pads
236 may be located. A receiver 238, including a power source, is connected to
the electrode pads 236 to apply a low level shock to the wearer of the electric
communication system. The electrode pads 236 may have an adhesive suitable
for contact with skin to maintain the electrode pads 236 in their proper location,
such as on the wearer's shoulder or back. A belt 240 can be used to wear the
electric communication system around the waist, and a band 242 can be used to
wear the electric communication system around a leg.
Figure 45 shows the electric communication adapted for use with
animals. A dog collar 244 may have electrode pads 246 to administer low level
electric shock to the dog. The electric communication system shown in Figure 45
applies a low level electric shock rather than an aversive shock used in animal
training devices. The electric communication system could be useful for a visually
impaired person to communicate with a seeing eye dog, for example.
Figures 46-49 show one electrode pad 248 in greater detail. Figure 46 shows a front side 250 of the electrode pad 248 which faces away from the
wearer. The electrode pad 248 is connected to a controller and power source 252
by a cable 254. The controller 252 sends a signal 256 through the cable 254 to the
electrode pad 248. Alternately, a receiver may be connected to the electrode pad
248 which receives a wireless signal from the controller 252.
A backside 258 of the electrode pad 248 is shown in Figure 47. The
backside 258 has a matrix of individual electrodes 260 which can be selectively
activated to produce output signals applied to the wearer as low level electric
shock. Referring to Figure 48, an enlarged view of the backside 258 of the
electrode pad 248 as shown. The individual electrodes 260 may be separated by
material 262 which resists or prevents electric current flow, such as rubber. The
individual electrodes 260 may be activated as either an electrically positive (+) or
electrically negative (-) contact as desired to generate a particular pattern on the
electrode pad 248. For example, Figure 49 shows the character letter "B" formed
by selectively activating particular electrodes 260 on the electrode pad 248. The
letter "B" appears to be reversed in Figure 49 because Figure 49 shows the
backside 258 of the electrode pad 248. The backside 258 having electrodes 260
would be normally in contact with the wearer or recipient of the information. An
electric communication system of the present invention utilizing the electrode pad
248 of Figures 46-49 allows for communication of more complex information to the recipient. Symbols, characters, words and even sentences could be
communicated to the recipient using a low level electric shock. An entirely new
language could even be developed around the electric communication system of
the present invention.
Figure 50 shows another type of signal which can be communicated
using the electric communication system. The low level electric shock can be
varied by length of time the shock is applied and length of time between shocks to
communicate with a signal such as morse code. A morse code type signal could
be used with the matrix type electrode pads 248 of Figures 46-49 or the electrode
24 having a pair of electrical contacts 26 as shown in Figure 2.
Figures 52-55 show an embodiment of the present invention in which the
electrode pads are removable and replaceable. A watch type electric
communication system 264 has two removable electrode pads 266. The electrode
pads 266 can be removably attached to the backside of the watch type system 264
by inserting adaptors 288 into adaptor receptacles 290. The electrode pads 266
may be made to have any desired shape which could provide for a more
esthetically pleasing or fashionable watch type system 264.
Figure 56 shows another watch type electric communication system 292
having a removable electrode pad 294 connected to the watch by adapters 296.
Portions of the electrode pads 294 may be separated by a non-conductive material 298. The backside 300 of the watch would also be made of a non-conductive
material.
Figure 57-60 show another watch type electric communication system
302 having a single adapter receptacle 304. An electrode pad 306 has an adapter
308 which is inserted into the adapter receptacle 304 for mounting the electrode
pad 306 to the watch 302. As can be seen in Figure 60, the adapter 308 may have
first and second electrical connections 310, 312 spaced apart by a non-conductive
material 314. Portions of the electrode pad 306 are connected to the first
electrical connector 310 and other portions of the electrode pad 306 are connected
to the second electrical connection 312.
Figures 61 and 62 show an adapter pad 314 having adapters 316 and
electrodes 318. The adapter pad 314 can be mounted to a watch type electric
communication system 292 as shown in Figure 56 by inserting the adapters 316
into the adapter receptacles. The adapters 316 are electrically connected to the
electrode 318. An electrically conductive paint can be applied to the adapter pad
314 in contact with the electrodes 318. In this manner, the user of the system can
design the shape and color of the painted on electrodes. One alternative to using
electrically conductive paint would be to use electrically conductive clay type
material. The clay type material can be formed as desired and applied to the
adapter pad 314 in contact with the electrodes 318. The electrode pad 314 is formed of a non-conductive material and whether electrically paint or clay is used,
the paint and clay for each one of the electrodes 318 are separated from each other
by the non-conductive adapter pad 314.
Figure 63 shows one example of either painted on or clay type electrodes
320 applied to the adapter pad 314.
Figures 64-66 show a navigator 322 having an electric communication
system of the present invention. The navigator 322 is a global positioning system
used for determining particular directions. A band 324 may be provided for the
user of the navigator 322 to wear the navigator 322. Various electrodes 326 are
provided to be activated with low level electric shock indicating a particular
direction. For example, Figure 66 shows selected electrodes 326 activated to
indicate a forward direction. The central inner electrode band 326a and the
central outer electrode band 326b may be alternately activated to enhance the
feeling of the signal indicating the forward direction.
Another application of an electric communication system according to
the present invention could be used to determine the proximity of a particular
object to the user of the system. For example, a proximity sensor could be
connected to the electric communication system and the low level electric shock
will be applied to the user based on the proximity of the user to the desired object.
The low level electric shock signal can be varied to indicate the distance that the user is from the particular object.
Another watch type electric communication system 328 is shown in
Figure 67 to illustrate another electrode pad design. The watch type system 328
has one electrode pad 330 of a desired design on the backside of the watch.
Another electrode 332 can be provided on the backside of the band 334. In this
manner, various designs of the electrode pads 330 can be utilized.
Another watch type electric communication system 336 is shown in
Figures 68-69. The watch type system 336 has front air opening 338 and
connected to rear air opening 340 by air passageways. A finger activated pump
342 is provided to selectively pump air from either the front or backside of the
watch type system 336 to the other side of the watch. A seal 342 is provided on
the backside of the watch type system 336 and surrounds electrode pads 344 and
the rear air openings 340. The seal 342 contacts the skin of the wearer and
protects the electrode pads 344 from liquid or moisture outside of the watch type
system 336. A negative pressure may be created on the backside of the watch
within the area surrounded by the seal 342 by pumping air from the rear air
openings 340 out of the front air openings 338. The negative pressure on the
backside of the watch type system 336 may enhance the seal between the wearer's
skin and the seal 342 by providing a suction effect. Pumping air from the
backside of the watch out of the front air openings 338 also tends to remove moisture, such as perspiration, from the area by the electrode pads 344. The
pump 342 can also pump air from the front air openings 338 out of the rear air
openings 340 to the backside of the watch type system 336. The watch type
system 336 may be particularly useful in situations where the watch may come in
contact with liquid, such as water during swimming or to remove perspiration
generated by the wearer. Although a finger activated pump 342 is shown in
Figure 68, other types of air pumps could be used with the watch type system 336.
Numerous parameters of the electric communication system according to
the present invention can be modified as desired. For example, the size of
electrodes, the number of electrodes, location of electrodes, the color of the
electrodes, electrode material and weight can be varied. The low level electric
shock signal applied to the infoπnation recipient can also be varied. For example,
the frequency, wave form, amplitude, time period, voltage and amps can be
varied. The electric communication system can be used as a substitute for or in
addition to existing ways of communication, such as audio and visual
communication. Also, the electric communication system can be used to convert
visual information (language, pictures, etc.), sonic information (language, music,
sounds, etc.) and tactical information (pressure, heat, etc.) into low level electric
shock tactical information. The low level electric shock tactical information can
then be applied to a recipient to communicate the information. While the presently preferred embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous changes and modifications can be made without significantly
departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Therefore, the inventor
intends that such changes and modification are covered by the appended claims.

Claims

THE INVENTION IS CLAIMED AS:
1. An electric communication system comprising:
a source of low level electric current;
a signal controller connected to the source of low level electric current
and having a non-aversive electric current output signal indicative of information
desired to be communicated; and
a user contactable electrode electrically connected to the signal controller
by the non-aversive electric current output signal.
2. The electric communication system of claim 1, wherein the
non-aversive electric current output signal has a low current value which avoids
uncomfortable electric shock to a recipient of the non-aversive electric current
output signal.
3. The electric communication system of claim 1, wherein the
non-aversive electric current output signal is alternating current.
4. The electric communication system of claim 2, wherein the
non-aversive electric current output signal provides an electrical shock which is
sufficiently low to be medically acceptable.
5. The electric communication system of claim 1, wherein the
controller comprises an information producer having information desired to be
communicated to a recipient.
6. The electric communication system of claim 1 , wherein the
non-aversive electric current signal has variable characteristics controlled by the
controller, the characteristics selected from the group consisting of voltage,
current, waveform, time period, amplitude, frequency and combinations thereof.
7. The electric communication system of claim 1, wherein the
electrode comprises a plurality of spaced apart electrodes.
8. The electric communication system of claim 7, wherein the
spaced apart electrodes are separated by electrically insulated material.
9. The electric communication system of claim 1, wherein the
electrode comprises at least one electrically conductive pad having a plurality of
user contactable conductive locations.
10. The electric communication system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of user contactable conductive locations forms a desired pattern when a
selected number of the user contactable conductive locations contain the non-
aversive electric current output signal.
11. The electric communication system of claim 1, wherein the
electrode is substantially transparent.
12. The electric communication system of claim 1, further
comprising an information signal receiver connected to the electrode, and wherein
the information signal receiver is capable of receiving an information signal from
an information signal producer.
13. The electric communication system of claim 12, wherein the
information signal receiver is capable of receiving a wireless information signal.
14. The electric communication system of claim 1, wherein the
system is included in a device selected from the group consisting of telephones,
pagers, games, watches, personal communicators, vehicles, clocks, computers,
appliances, furniture, wearable accessories, wearable computers, cameras, home
theaters, writing utensils, personal data assistants, video touch screens and combinations thereof.
15. The electric communication system of claim 1, wherein the
user contactable electrode is worn by a user.
16. An electric communication system comprising:
an electrical contact normally in contact with a user when in use;
an electric power supply; and
an information signal producer electrically connected to the electric
power supply and the electrical contact, the information signal producer having an
electric output signal to the electrical contact and applied to the user as electric
shock, the electric shock defined by electrical characteristics which generally are
unoffensive to the user and representative of information to be communicated to
the user.
17. The electric communication system of claim 16, wherein the
electrical characteristics of the electric shock comprise a current which is
medically acceptable.
18. The electric communication system of claim 17, wherein the electrical contact is selected from the group consisting of a single contact, a
plurality of spaced apart contacts, at least one conductive pad, at least one
conductive pad having a plurality of conductive areas, selectable conductive
areas, and combinations thereof.
19. A method of communication comprising the steps of:
converting a signal indicative of information to be communicated to a
recipient into a low level electric current signal;
supplying the low level electric current signal to an electrically
conductive electrode in contact with the recipient;
applying a low level electric shock of the electric current signal to the
recipient from the electrode.
20. The method of communication of claim 19 further
comprising one of the steps of:
a) producing the signal indicative of information to be communicated,
and
b) receiving the signal indicative of information to be communicated by
transmission from a wireless information signal producer.
PCT/US1999/011616 1998-06-01 1999-05-26 Electric communication systems WO1999063498A2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2000552640A JP2002517842A (en) 1998-06-01 1999-05-26 Electric information transmission device
AU42067/99A AU4206799A (en) 1998-06-01 1999-05-26 Electric communication systems

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US8829698A 1998-06-01 1998-06-01
US09/088,296 1998-06-01

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999063498A2 true WO1999063498A2 (en) 1999-12-09
WO1999063498A3 WO1999063498A3 (en) 2000-04-06

Family

ID=22210551

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1999/011616 WO1999063498A2 (en) 1998-06-01 1999-05-26 Electric communication systems

Country Status (3)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2002517842A (en)
AU (1) AU4206799A (en)
WO (1) WO1999063498A2 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2386207A (en) * 2002-12-11 2003-09-10 Sulaimaan Lloyd Samuel Silent anatomic alarm system
WO2004086742A1 (en) * 2003-03-24 2004-10-07 Siemens Information And Communication Mobile Llc Communication using electroshocks
GB2401060A (en) * 2003-09-15 2004-11-03 Blue Sky Designs Ltd Electric shock game apparatus e.g. for playing a reaction time game
WO2008118002A1 (en) 2007-03-23 2008-10-02 Pulido Lopez Felipe Eugenio Multiple-alarm electronic device that delivers silent warnings to the user on receiving radiofrequency signals coming from one or several remote transmitters and method for use thereof
EP2354905A2 (en) 2010-01-07 2011-08-10 KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH Control device for a machine for processing plastics
WO2015063449A1 (en) * 2013-09-04 2015-05-07 Zero360, Inc. Device for providing alerts via electric stimulation
EP3037786A1 (en) * 2014-08-20 2016-06-29 Thieab Aldossary Electro tactile communication apparatus, method, and computer program product
CN106267815A (en) * 2015-05-25 2017-01-04 致伸科技股份有限公司 Game console
JP2017182539A (en) * 2016-03-31 2017-10-05 日本電信電話株式会社 Skin sense presentation system

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101907922B (en) * 2009-06-04 2015-02-04 新励科技(深圳)有限公司 Touch and touch control system
JP5723131B2 (en) * 2010-10-01 2015-05-27 株式会社自立コム Alarm method and device
JP6611217B2 (en) * 2018-10-15 2019-11-27 日本電信電話株式会社 Electronic device and skin sense presentation system
JP2020067693A (en) * 2018-10-22 2020-04-30 セイコーインスツル株式会社 Information transmission device and program

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3612061A (en) * 1969-02-20 1971-10-12 Inst Of Medical Sciences The Flexible cutaneous electrode matrix
US4093944A (en) * 1977-02-16 1978-06-06 Muncheryan Hrand M Silent awakening system with means adapted to induce sleep
US4331163A (en) * 1980-08-11 1982-05-25 Haruo Nomura Medical treatment glasses
US4368459A (en) * 1980-12-16 1983-01-11 Robert Sapora Educational apparatus and method for control of deaf individuals in a mixed teaching environment
US5207179A (en) * 1992-05-13 1993-05-04 Arthur David L Pet confinement system
US5650770A (en) * 1994-10-27 1997-07-22 Schlager; Dan Self-locating remote monitoring systems

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3612061A (en) * 1969-02-20 1971-10-12 Inst Of Medical Sciences The Flexible cutaneous electrode matrix
US4093944A (en) * 1977-02-16 1978-06-06 Muncheryan Hrand M Silent awakening system with means adapted to induce sleep
US4331163A (en) * 1980-08-11 1982-05-25 Haruo Nomura Medical treatment glasses
US4368459A (en) * 1980-12-16 1983-01-11 Robert Sapora Educational apparatus and method for control of deaf individuals in a mixed teaching environment
US5207179A (en) * 1992-05-13 1993-05-04 Arthur David L Pet confinement system
US5650770A (en) * 1994-10-27 1997-07-22 Schlager; Dan Self-locating remote monitoring systems

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2386207A (en) * 2002-12-11 2003-09-10 Sulaimaan Lloyd Samuel Silent anatomic alarm system
GB2386207B (en) * 2002-12-11 2004-01-28 Sulaimaan Lloyd Samuel Silent anatomical alert/alarm/communication device
WO2004086742A1 (en) * 2003-03-24 2004-10-07 Siemens Information And Communication Mobile Llc Communication using electroshocks
GB2401060A (en) * 2003-09-15 2004-11-03 Blue Sky Designs Ltd Electric shock game apparatus e.g. for playing a reaction time game
GB2401060B (en) * 2003-09-15 2005-03-23 Blue Sky Designs Ltd Game playing apparatus and in particular game playing apparatus incorporating electric shock means
EP2136541A1 (en) * 2007-03-23 2009-12-23 Felipe Eugenio Pulido López Multiple-alarm electronic device that delivers silent warnings to the user on receiving radiofrequency signals coming from one or several remote transmitters and method for use thereof
WO2008118002A1 (en) 2007-03-23 2008-10-02 Pulido Lopez Felipe Eugenio Multiple-alarm electronic device that delivers silent warnings to the user on receiving radiofrequency signals coming from one or several remote transmitters and method for use thereof
EP2136541A4 (en) * 2007-03-23 2010-03-17 Lopez Felipe Eugenio Pulido Multiple-alarm electronic device that delivers silent warnings to the user on receiving radiofrequency signals coming from one or several remote transmitters and method for use thereof
EP2354905A2 (en) 2010-01-07 2011-08-10 KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH Control device for a machine for processing plastics
DE102010054015A1 (en) 2010-01-07 2011-08-25 KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH, 80997 Control device for a plastic processing machine
WO2015063449A1 (en) * 2013-09-04 2015-05-07 Zero360, Inc. Device for providing alerts via electric stimulation
US11564571B2 (en) 2013-09-04 2023-01-31 Zero360, Inc. System and method for making a recommendation for a user of a life management system
EP3037786A1 (en) * 2014-08-20 2016-06-29 Thieab Aldossary Electro tactile communication apparatus, method, and computer program product
CN106267815A (en) * 2015-05-25 2017-01-04 致伸科技股份有限公司 Game console
JP2017182539A (en) * 2016-03-31 2017-10-05 日本電信電話株式会社 Skin sense presentation system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2002517842A (en) 2002-06-18
AU4206799A (en) 1999-12-20
WO1999063498A3 (en) 2000-04-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20220386933A1 (en) Brainwave actuated apparatus
WO1999063498A2 (en) Electric communication systems
JP5740720B2 (en) Portable modular multifunction communication device
US5563951A (en) Audio interface garment and communication system for use therewith
US8144911B2 (en) Garment with speaker function
US20030195441A1 (en) Remotely controllable stimulator system and device
WO2017175689A1 (en) System, terminal device, method and recording medium
JPH1146230A (en) Personal communication equipment and method for signaling call-processing state
US8093997B2 (en) System and apparatus for silent pulsating communications
KR20230019911A (en) Tactile-information supply system
US6794989B2 (en) Sports signalling device for hearing impaired persons
CN110140358A (en) Ear pendant equipped with earphone integrated
JPH1051527A (en) Portable telephone equipment
US20030165243A1 (en) Earphone with control device of timing call setting
CN110493681A (en) Headphone device and its control method with full natural user interface
US20210264750A1 (en) System and Device for Covert Tactile Communication in Team Activities to Gain a Strategic Advantage Over an Opponent
US20030157984A1 (en) Method for game using low frequency and thereof device
JPH04168814A (en) Paging receiver
KR200286413Y1 (en) Sound sensitive vibrator
US20040100367A1 (en) Inconspicuous tactile notification for speaking engagements
KR200257676Y1 (en) Conversion-type Sleepiness Preventive Device
WO2003034100A2 (en) Relaxation device utilizing visual and audio stimulation
WO2000039765A1 (en) Portable vibrating device
JP2023501437A (en) Hearing aids for people with asymmetric hearing loss
JP2003249867A (en) Transmission method of feeling and the like using communication apparatus

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SL SZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AE AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SL SZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
ENP Entry into the national phase in:

Ref country code: JP

Ref document number: 2000 552640

Kind code of ref document: A

Format of ref document f/p: F

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase