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Ballistic resistant body covering

A ballistic resistant body covering for protecting the torso, groin and neck area from ballistic missiles.

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US Patent 7480492 - Method and apparatus for transmitting power and data using the human body

US Patent Issued on January 20, 2009
Estimated Patent Expiration Date: Icon_subject April 28, 2024Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
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Abstract

Methods and apparatus for distributing power and data to devices coupled to the human body are described. The human body is used as a conductive medium, e.g., a bus, over which power and/or data is distributed. Power is distributed by coupling a power source to the human body via a first set of electrodes. One or more devices to be powered, e.g., peripheral devices, are also coupled to the human body via additional sets of electrodes. The devices may be, e.g., a speaker, display, watch, keyboard, etc. A pulsed DC signal or AC signal may be used as the power source. By using multiple power supply signals of differing frequencies, different devices can be selectively 15 powered. For example, a 100 Hz signal may be used to power a first device while a 150 Hz signal may be used to power a second device. Digital data and/or other information signals, e.g., audio signals, can be modulated on the power signal using frequency and/or amplitude modulation techniques. The power source and peripheral devices can interact to form a complete computer network where the body serves as the bus coupling the devices together. Devices can include optional batteries, one or more CPUs, transmit/receive circuitry, and/or input/output circuitry. In one particular exemplary network implementation the first device to be placed on the body operates as a master device, e.g., bus master, with one or more subsequently added devices working as slaves.

Other References

  • “Personal Area Networks: Near-field intrabody communication” IBM Systems Journal, vol. 35, No. 3 & 4, 1996—MIT Media Lab, 11 pages.
  • “Popular Mechanics Technology Watch: Walking Powers Electronics” downloaded from http://popularmechanics.com/popmech/sci/tech/9903TUEEDM.html on Apr. 26, 2000, 1 page, Mar. 1999.
  • “Wireless connections made easy” Specification of the Bluetooth System, Specification vol. 1, Core, Dec. 1, 1999, pp. 1-32.
  • “The Official Bluetooth SIG Website—Text, Mobile Phone” Bluetooth Introduction downloaded from http://www.bluetooth.com/text/bluetoothguide/intro/intro.asp?action=bt4u&sort=mobphone on Apr. 26, 2000, 1 page.
  • “The Official Bluetooth SIG Website—Text”, Intro downloaded from http://www.bluetooth.com/text/bluetoothguide/intro/intro.asp on Apr. 26, 2000, 1 page.
  • “Bio Analogics Technology—Body Composition Techniques” downloaded from http://www.bioanalogics.com/tehcniques.htm on Apr. 26, 2000, 6 pages.
  • “Bio Analogics Technology Resources” downloaded from http://www.bioanalogics.com/technology.htm on Apr. 26, 2000, 2 pages.

Inventors

Assignee

Application

No. 10833919 filed on 04/28/2004

US Classes:

455/100Body attached or connected

Field of Search

455/41.1, Near field (i.e., inductive or capacitive coupling)455/41.2, Short range RF communication455/42, Frequency or phase modulation455/95, Mobile or portable455/100, Body attached or connected455/106, Modulation by absorption, shielding, or reflecting455/66.1, Having diverse art device455/575.6, Attached or connected to user455/348, With retractable or readily detachable chassis455/556.1, Integrated with other device455/556.2, Personal digitial assistant455/557, Interface attached device (e.g., interface with modem, facsimile, computer, etc.)379/430, Body supported (e.g., headgear)379/55.1, HAVING NEAR FIELD LINK (E.G., CAPACITIVE, INDUCTIVE)340/333, With specific power supply (e.g., power substitution)381/312, HEARING AIDS, ELECTRICAL381/315, Remote control, wireless, or alarm381/322, Specified casing or housing381/326, Non-air-conducted sound delivery381/151, Body contact wave transfer (e.g., bone conduction earphone, larynx microphone)607/59, Control signal storage (e.g., programming)607/60, Telemetry or communications circuits607/32Communicating with pacer (e.g., telemetry)

Examiners

Primary: Gelin, Jean A

Attorney, Agent or Firm

US Patent References

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Issued on: 07/05/1988
Inventor: DeLuca
5796827, System and method for near-field human-body coupling for encrypted communication with identification cards
Issued on: 08/18/1998
Inventor: Coppersmith, et al.
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6104913, Personal area network for personal telephone services
Issued on: 08/15/2000
Inventor: McAllister
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Issued on: 09/12/2000
Inventor: Haynes
6154422, Power-generating device, charging method and clocking device
Issued on: 11/28/2000
Inventor: Shinkawa, et al.
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Issued on: 04/03/2001
Inventor: Post, et al.
6223018, Intra-body information transfer device
Issued on: 04/24/2001
Inventor: Fukumoto, et al.
6282407, Active electrostatic transceiver and communicating system
Issued on: 08/28/2001
Inventor: Vega, et al.
6400359, Apparatus for detecting an approaching conductor, or an approach point of a conductor and an electrostatic capacity type touch panel apparatus
Issued on: 06/04/2002
Inventor: Katabami
6424820, Inductively coupled wireless system and method
Issued on: 07/23/2002
Inventor: Burdick, et al.
6859657, Personal communications apparatus
Issued on: 02/22/2005
Inventor: Barnard
6992565Electronic communications system
Issued on: 01/31/2006
Inventor: Giesler

International Class

H04Q 7/20

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