WO2000039765A1

WO2000039765A1 - Portable vibrating device

Info

Publication number: WO2000039765A1
Application number: PCT/SE1999/002480
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomas Dalström
Original assignee: Dalstroem Tomas
Priority date: 1998-12-23
Filing date: 1999-12-23
Publication date: 2000-07-06
Also published as: SE9900917D0; AU2137500A

Abstract

The invention refers to a device (1) intended to be carried by a user. The device (1) comprises a function unit (2) and a cover (8) which encloses the function unit (2). The cover (8) is at least partly produced from a relatively soft material which admits a comfortable carrying in a position close to a body part of said user and a transmission of vibrations to said user from said position.

Description

PORTABLE VIBRATING DEVICE

The present invention refers to a device intended to be carried by a user, which device comprises a function unit and a cover which encloses the function unit, wherein the function unit comprises a vibrating member which is arranged to be activated by an electronic control unit.

Devices of similar type usually are a part of pagers for soundless transmission to the user that a message has been received. Usually, a pager is used in order to inform a user that someone has tried to get in touch with him/her. A sender dials the number to the pager which receives a signal which activates a vibrating member or a sound unit, wherein the user is attended to that someone has tried to get in touch with him/her. The number of the sender or other information is shown on a display. Transmission of vibrations in order to inform that someone has tried to get in touch with the user may be an advantage to use when the user is at a concert, a theatre, a lecture, a cinema or the like where a sound would disturb the surrounding. The details being a part of a pager are enclosed in a cover, which usually is produced from metal or some rigid and hard plastic.

Since the covers are produced from a hard and rigid material, these pagers are uncomfortable to carry close to the body for a user. Furthermore, the vibrations are usually perceived as hard, unpleasant and unexpected, wherein the user jumps and feels frighten when someone tries to get in touch with the user.

US, 5 663 703, A describes a pager/receiver device which at a call is arranged to transmit a soundless message to the user and which is arranged to be carried against the skin of the user. The user perceives the message as a tactile impression. The receiver device comprises a cover inside which for example a camshaft with a plurality of cam lobes and a motor, which is arranged to rotate said camshaft, are provided. Furthermore, said cover comprises an opening which is arranged to be turned to a surface of the skin of the user in connection with the use of said receiver device, wherein the cam lobes are arranged to extend a distance from said cover in connection to said opening and get into contact with the skin of the user in connection with the rotation of the cam shaft, wherein the user perceives this contact with the tactile sense. Said opening is covered by a thin flexible membrane in such a way that the inside of the receiver is sealed against the outer surrounding.

The purpose of the receiver device according to US, 5 663 703, A is that the user will perceive the message with the tactile sense. This is enabled in the way, which has been described above. However, the cover seems to be produced from a hard material, wherein the user is not offered any comfortable carrying of said receiver device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device, which transmit a private message or private regards in the form of a vibration. Furthermore, a purpose is that this would be able to be done at one or several specific points of time. Further purposes of the present invention is to provide possibilities for a comfortable carrying of said device close to the body and transmission of vibrations, which are perceived pleasantly by the user.

These purposes are achieved by the device as initially defined which is characterised in that the cover is at least partly produced from a relatively soft material which admits a comfortable carrying in a position close to a body part of said user, and which admits a pleasant transmission of vibrations to said user from said position. The device comprises a cover with at least a portion or a separate part which is produced from the soft material, i.e. a material, such as for example some flexible plastic or rubber material or silicone which shows a flexibility when applying a pressure, wherein said portion or separate part is intended to be carried close to some body part of the user, for example against the skin. Hereby, the user is offered a comfortable carrying of the device. Furthermore, the soft material admits a pleasant transmission of vibrations or a vibrating signal to the user. Consequently, the device is intended to transmit a private message or private regards in the form of vibrations or a vibrating signal. The electronic control unit may either be programmed in advance or be programmed in such a way that the vibrating member is activated at one or several specific points of time. This function may be useful for a person, which regularly, several times a day, take medicine. The device discreetly reminds by vibrations or a vibrating signal, which is transmitted to the user when it is time to take medicine. The applications of this function are many. The user may program the device in order to be reminded of a specific point of time when something particular is to happen, for example a meeting, a bank visit, pick up the children etc. The user may also program the device in order to control a certain behaviour of the user himself. The user may have a tendency to eat to fast and wishes to change this behaviour, wherein the user may program the device in such a way that during a lunch-hour the device transmits vibrations or a vibrating signal every fifth minute so that the user is reminded of thinking of the feeding rate.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the function unit also comprises a receiving unit, which is arranged to receive a signal from a transmitter via wireless communication. When receiving said signal, the vibrating member may be activated via the electronic control unit. Hereby, the device may be used in order to transmit private regards in the form of vibrations or a vibrating signal. The device according to the invention is preferably not provided with any display, which shows who the sender is. The sender may be a person, which has a particular relation to the user of the device, and, which only reveal her/his identity by said vibrations. In this case, the device is intended for communication between two persons in at least one direction. It may be a couple in love, two best friends, husband and wife, a parent and a child, grandparents on mother's side or father's side and a grandchild, one of whom is carrying a device and the other is a sender of a private message in the form of a vibrating signal, wherein they may have agreed on what the vibrating signal will inform. The vibrating member may be of a type, which may transmit different vibrating signals, wherein they may have agreed on different private messages.

According to a further embodiment, the signal may be transmitted via a telecommunication net and the transmitter may comprise a telephone, such as a cellular phone or a computer.

According to a further embodiment, the control unit is programmable with said computer or telephone in such a way that the vibrating member is activated at one or several specific points of time by the electronic control unit.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the cover is detachably provided around the function unit in such a way that the cover is replaceable. Hereby, it is possible to suit the design of the device to different target groups and to change the cover when one gets tired of the present. The covers exist in different colours and with different designs in order to attract different target groups. If the user of the device gets tired of the present cover it is also possible to change to a cover with a different colour or a different design. Apart from design, the outside of the cover may have essentially round shapes since the device is to be comfortable to carry and for example be carried against the skin.

According to a further embodiment, substantially the whole cover is produced from a relatively soft material for example in the shape of a pocket, which is closable.

According to a further embodiment, the cover comprises a first part and a second part, of which at least one is at least partly produced from a relatively soft material. Furthermore, these parts comprise members for connecting the same. Each part has a respective side along which the parts are arranged to abut each other and said members may be provided onto said sides. For example said members may consist of a male part and a female part shaped in such a manner that a snap-acting connection function is achieved.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover comprises an attachment device arranged to admit attachment against a body part of the user. Hereby, the application of the device is facilitated in such a manner that it may abut the body or the skin of the user.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover is at least partly produced from a flexible material, which for example may consist of a compressible plastic and/or rubber material or a silicone material.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover is provided with such a thickness that the user perceives the vibrations or the vibrating signal as a pleasant sensation. The thickness of the cover may vary and depends on what type of vibrator is used in the vibrator member and depends on if the user wants to perceive a strong vibrating signal or a weak vibrating signal. Furthermore, it may be desirable to have a greater thickness of the cover if the device is positioned onto a body part, which is sensitive to touch, or if the device is carried against the skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be explained by means of embodiments, given as examples, and with reference to the appendant drawings, on which

Fig 1 shows a sectional view of a device intended to be carried by a user according to a first embodiment, Fig 2 shows a sectional view of a device intended to be carried by a user according to a second embodiment, and Fig 3 shows a sectional view of a device intended to be carried by a user according to a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the figures components with substantially identical function have been provided with the same reference signs.

In Fig 1 a first embodiment of the device 1 is shown which comprises a function unit 2, which comprises a receiver unit 3, which receives a signal from a transmitter, and a vibrating member 4, which is activated by the receiver unit 3 when receiving the signal. The function unit 2 also includes an electronic control unit 5, which is connected to the receiver unit 3 and the vibrating member 4. Furthermore, the function unit 2 includes a battery unit 6 and an on and off button 7, which also are connected to the electronic control unit 5.

The function unit 2 of the device 1 is enclosed in a cover 8 produced from a soft and flexible material. In order to suit the design of the device 1 to different target groups, the covers 8 exist in different colours and with different designs. In addition, the user of the device 1 may change cover 8 if he/she gets tired of the present since the cover 8 is reclosable. Such as is shown in Fig 1 , the cover 8 is designed as a pocket, which is closable at its open end 9. For example, the open end 9 of the cover 8 may comprise a male part and a female part (not shown) shaped in such a way that a snap-acting connecting function is achieved. Hereby, one may change to a cover 8 in a different colour or with different design, for example a hart-shaped cover 8 if the user of the receiving device 1 and the sender to the receiving device 1 are a couple in love. Other ways of providing the seal of the cover 8 are also possible within the scope of the following claims.

Such as is shown in Fig 1 , the cover 8 comprises an attachment device 10 in the form of an elongated element, such as a strap or the like arranged to admit attachment against a body part of the user, either against the skin or against a garment. For example the device may be carried around the wrist, for example against the inside of the wrist, against the skin. Owing to the cover 8 being produced from a relatively soft and flexible material and substantially shows rounded shapes a comfortable carrying of the device 1 against the skin is offered a user. Also other attachment devices are possible within the scope of the invention.

The thickness of the cover 8 may vary depending on what type of vibrator is used in the vibrating member 4 and depending on if the user wants to perceive a strong vibrating signal or a weak vibrating signal. Furthermore, some portions of the cover 8 may have a greater thickness than other portions of the cover 8. Preferably, the cover 8 has a greater thickness in the vicinity of the vibrating member 4 and a less thickness in the vicinity of the on and off button 7. By adapt the thickness of the cover 8 in the vicinity of the on and off button 7 and since the cover 8 is produced from a soft and flexible material, the button may be manoeuvred by the user who presses the outside of the cover 8 in the vicinity of the on and off button 7.

In Fig 2 a second embodiment of the receiving device 1 is shown. The function unit 2 is according to this embodiment enclosed in a cover 8, which comprises a first part 11 and a second part 12. The first part 11 has a first side 13 and the second part 12 has a second side 14. The parts 1 1 , 12 are arranged to abut each other along these sides 13, 14.

In order to connect the first part 11 with the second part 12, members 15, 16 are provided onto the sides 13, 14. The members 15, 16 are formed of a part 15 protruding from the side 13, a so called male part and a recess 16 in the side 14, a so called female part. The members 15, 16 are formed in such a way that a snap- acting connecting function is achieved in a manner known per se. According to this second embodiment, only the first part 1 1 of the cover 8 is produced from a at least partly soft and flexible material. The second part 12 of the cover 8 is produced from a rigid material, for example some metal or some rigid thermosetting resin or thermoplastic.

Such as is shown in Fig 2, the first part 1 1 of the cover 8 comprises an attachment device 10 in the form of an elongated member, such as a strap arranged to admit attachment against a body part of the user. When the receiving device 1 is attached to a body part of the user, the first part 1 1 is turned against the body part, wherein a comfortable carrying of the receiving device 1 , for example against the skin is offered a user. The second part 12 which is made of a rigid material may be provided with a decorative ornament or the like, wherein the receiving device 1 may be carried as a piece of jewellery.

In accordance with the invention, the device 1 comprises a cover 8 with at least a portion or a separate part, which is produced from a soft material, which shows a flexibility when applying a pressure, a flexible material and which, in addition is pleasant for the sense of touch of a user. The material may be made of a compressible plastic or rubber material or a silicone material. It is also possible that the material consists of several layers.

In Fig 3 a third embodiment of the device 1 is shown. According to this embodiment the function unit also comprises a transmitter unit 17 and control buttons 18, the function of which will be described more closely below. The transmitter unit 17 and the control buttons 18 are connected to the electronic control unit 5. Furthermore, the thickness of the cover 8 is less thick in the vicinity of the control buttons 18, wherein the user may operate each of the control buttons by pressing on the outside of the cover in the vicinity of the buttons 18.

According to this third embodiment the electronic control unit 5, which may be programmed in advance, may activate the vibrating member 4. The control unit 5 may be programmed in advance in such a way that by operating the control buttons 18 the vibrating member 4 may be activated at one or several specific points of time.

It is also possible to program the control device 5, shown in Fig 3. This is enabled by the control buttons 18 or with a telephone or a computer. Hereby, it is possible to program the electronic control device 5 so that the same activates the vibrating member 4 at one or several specific points of time. By means of the transmitter unit 17 it is possible to send messages programmed in advance and stored in the electronic control unit 5, in replay.

In order to enable communication between two persons, of which both are carrying a respective device 1 according to the third embodiment, the control unit 5 of the device 1 of a first carrier may be programmed in advance or be programmed with the number to the device 1 of a second carrier and vice versa. Hereby, it is possible to send a signal from the transmitter unit 17 of the device 1 of the first carrier to the device 1 of the second carrier, wherein the device 1 of the second carrier starts to vibrate by the vibrating member 4 of the device 1 of the second carrier is activated by the receiving unit 3 via the control unit 5 when receiving the signal. It is also possible for the second carrier to replay on the vibration by sending a signal from the transmitter unit 17 from the device 1 of the second carrier to the device 1 of the first carrier, whose device 1 in a corresponding manner starts to vibrate. The number to the device 1 of the first carrier is stored in the control unit 5 of the device 1 of the second carrier in connection with that the device 1 of the second carrier receives a signal from the device 1 of the first carrier. Hereby, the control unit 5 of the second carrier does not have to be programmed in advance or be programmed with the number to the device 1 of the first carrier to enable for the second carrier to replay the vibration. When one of the carriers wishes to send a signal from his/her device 1 , he/she may do this by the buttons 18. The present invention is not limited by the embodiments shown but may be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A device (1 ) intended to be carried by a user, which device comprises a function unit (2) and a cover (8) which encloses the function unit (2), wherein the function unit (2) comprises a vibrating member (4) which is arranged to be activated by a electronic control unit (5), characterised in that the cover (8) is at least partly produced from a relatively soft material, which admits a comfortable carrying in a position close to a body part of said user, and which admits a pleasant transmission of vibrations to said user from said position.

2. A device (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterised in that the electronic control unit (5) is programmable in such a way that the vibrating member (4) is activated at one or several specific points of time by the electronic control unit (5).

3. A device (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterised in that the function unit (2) also comprises a receiver unit (3) which is arranged to receive a signal from a transmitter via wireless communication.

4. A device (1 ) according to claim 3, characterised in that said signal is transmitted via a telecommunication network.

5. A device (1 ) according to any one of the claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the transmitter comprises a telephone.

6. A device (1 ) according to any one of the claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the transmitter comprises a computer.

7. A device (1 ) according to any one of the claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the receiver unit (3) is arranged to activate the vibrating member (4) when receiving said signal via the electronic control unit (5).

8. A device (1 ) according to any one of the claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the electronic control unit (5) is programmable by said computer or telephone in such a way that the vibrating member (4) is activated at one or several specific points of time by the electronic control unit (5).

9. A device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover (8) is detachably provided around the function unit (2) in such a way that the cover (8) is replaceable.

10. A device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outside of the cover (8) has essentially rounded shapes.

1 1 . A device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that substantially the whole cover (8) is produced from a relative soft material.

12. A device (1 ) according to claim 1 1 , characterised in that the cover (8) is in the shape of a pocket which is closable.

13. A device (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the cover (8) comprises a first part (1 1 ) and a second part (12) and that at least one of these parts is at least partly produced from a relative soft material.

14. A device (1 ) according to claim 13, characterised in that the first part (1 1 ) and the second part (12) comprises members (15, 16) for connecting said parts (1 1 , 12).

15. A device (1 ) according to claim 14, characterised in that the first part (11 ) has a first side (13) and that the second part (12) has a second side (14), and that the first side (13) of the first part (1 1 ) is arranged to abut the second side (14) of the second part (12) and that said members (15, 16) are provided onto said sides (13, 14)

16. A device (1 ) according to claim 15, characterised in that said members (15, 16) comprise a female part (15) and a male part (16), respectively, which are shaped in such a way that a snap-acting connection function is achieved.

17. A device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover (8) comprises an attachment device

(10) which is arranged to admit attachment against a body part of the user.

18. A device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover (8) is at least partly produced from a flexible material.

19. A device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said material is made of a compressible plastic and/or rubber material.

20. A device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said material is made of silicone.

21. A device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said cover (8) is provided with such a thickness that the user perceives the vibrations as a pleasant sensation.