Patent ReferencesElectronic switch activated by current flow through the human body Keyless entry system System and method for near-field human-body coupling for encrypted communication with identification cards Non-contact IC card with phase variation detector Non-contact system for sensing and signalling by externally induced intra-body currents Personal area network security lock and recharger combination apparatus for equipment access and utilization Patent #: 5953425 InventorsApplicationNo. 965465 filed on 11/06/1997US Classes:341/33, Capacitive actuation340/10.51, Programming (e.g., read/write)340/870.37, Capacitive transmitter345/156, DISPLAY PERIPHERAL INTERFACE INPUT DEVICE455/100Body attached or connectedExaminersPrimary: Horabik, MichaelAssistant: Edwards, Timothy Jr. Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassH03K 017/94AbstractCapacitive coupling is used to transmit data and power through a user's body. In one implementation, a transmitter carried by the user transmits power and data to a receiver, which is also carried on the user's body. The signal that the transmitter applies to the user's body not only contains a data component, but also powers the receiver and enables it to detect and decode the data. In other implementations, the transmitter or the receiver is physically displaced from the user's body (although both receiver and transmitter are coupled to environmental ground), and data and power are transmitted when the transmitter and receiver become sufficiently proximate--via the user's body--to permit capacitive coupling. The disclosed approach is amenable to a wide variety of applications, ranging from "interbody" exchange of digital information between individuals through physical contact (e.g., a handshake) to "intrabody" data transfer (e.g., between a paging device worn in the shoe and a wristwatch display device) to devices that permit communication between the user and his or her immediate environment.Other References
Field of SearchCapacitive actuationMagnetic or inductive actuation Pressure sensitive actuation DISPLAY PERIPHERAL INTERFACE INPUT DEVICE Body attached or connected Having supplemental environment related input Including specific nonkeyboard-type information entry Nonmechanical key actuation Program control With information storage Programming (e.g., read/write) With particular transmitter (e.g., piezoelectric, dynamo) Capacitive transmitter | |