Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for sensory stimulation

US7924144B2 · kind B2 · utility

49Cited by
4References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 18, 2008
Grant dateApr 12, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 14, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG09B21/003
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus for producing an electrosensory sensation to a body member (120). The apparatus comprises one or more conducting electrodes (106), each of which is provided with an insulator (108). When the body member (120) is proximate to the conducting electrode, the insulator prevents flow of direct current from the conducting electrode to the body member. A capacitive coupling over the insulator (108) is formed between the conducting electrode (106) and the body member (120). The conducting electrodes are driven by an electrical input which comprises a low-frequency component (114) in a frequency range between 10 Hz and 500 Hz. The capacitive coupling and electrical input are dimensioned to produce an electrosensory sensation. The apparatus is capable of producing the electrosensory sensation independently of any mechanical vibration of the one or more conducting electrodes (106) or insulators (108).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.