Electro tactile communication apparatus, method, and computer program product

Abstract

A tactile communication apparatus that includes a signal receiver configured to decode data received via a wireless signal a plurality of electro tactile pads on one side, each pad configured to respectively activate and deactivate to form a plurality of pad combinations based on a plurality of activation signals, and a communication processor configured to generate the plurality of electro tactile pad activation signals based on the received data so as to convey the data to a user through the plurality of pad combinations of the tactile communication apparatus.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A communication apparatus comprising:
 circuitry configured to:   receive a signal including data;   determine a pattern for activating a plurality of electro tactile pads based on the signal including data; and   activate the plurality of electro tactile pads based on the pattern.   
     
     
         3 . The communication apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the circuitry is configured to adjust a length of time for activating each of the plurality of electro tactile pads based on the signal including data. 
     
     
         4 . The communication apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the circuitry is configured to adjust a speed of the determined pattern for activating the plurality of electro tactile pads based on the signal including data. 
     
     
         5 . The communication apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the data includes at least one of a GPS navigation data, automobile interaction data, social networking data, music data, video game data, alert data, object/location recognition and identification data, or obstacle detection data. 
     
     
         6 . The communication apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the circuitry is configured to
 determine another pattern for activating the plurality of electro tactile pads based on another signal including other data, and   activate the plurality of electro tactile pads based on the another pattern.   
     
     
         7 . The communication apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the circuitry is configured to
 determine a mixed pattern by mixing the another pattern and the pattern, and   activate the plurality of electro tactile pads based on the mixed pattern.   
     
     
         8 . The communication apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the circuitry is configured to
 reverse the pattern to generate a reverse pattern, and   activate the plurality of electro tactile pads based on the reversed pattern.   
     
     
         9 . The communication apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the circuitry is configured to activate LEDs to visually illustrate the pattern for activating the plurality of electro tactile pads. 
     
     
         10 . The communication apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the circuitry is configured to
 receive an input from a user of the communication apparatus,   generate a message based on the input, and   transmit the message to another communication apparatus.   
     
     
         11 . The communication apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the input is at least one of a pulse of the user, skin temperature of the user, motion of the user, or a physical input by the user. 
     
     
         12 . The communication apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the physical input by the user is at least one of a touch, wipe, or slap of a screen or touch panel of a communication device. 
     
     
         13 . The communication apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the message includes information indicating another pattern for activating another plurality of electro tactile pads of the another communication apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The communication apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the pattern is at least one of a wave pattern, a pulse pattern, a circle pattern, a direction pattern, or a twist pattern. 
     
     
         15 . A communication method comprising:
 receiving a signal including data;   determining a pattern for activating a plurality of electro tactile pads based on the signal including data; and   activating the plurality of electro tactile pads based on the pattern.   
     
     
         16 . The communication method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 adjusting a length of time for activating each of the plurality of electro tactile pads based on the signal including data; and   adjusting a speed of the determined pattern for activating the plurality of electro tactile pads based on the signal including data.   
     
     
         17 . The communication method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 determining another pattern for activating the plurality of electro tactile pads based on another signal including other data;   activating the plurality of electro tactile pads based on the another pattern;   determining a mixed pattern by mixing the another pattern and the pattern; and   activating the plurality of electro tactile pads based on the mixed pattern.   
     
     
         18 . The communication method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 receiving an input from a user of a communication apparatus,   generating a message based on the input; and   transmitting the message to another communication apparatus.   
     
     
         19 . The communication method according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein the input is at least one of a pulse of the user, skin temperature of the user, motion of the user, or a physical input by the user, and   wherein the physical input by the user is at least one of a touch, wipe, or slap of a screen or touch panel of a communication device.   
     
     
         20 . The communication method according to  claim 18 , wherein the message includes information indicating another pattern for activating another plurality of electro tactile pads of the another communication apparatus. 
     
     
         21 . A communication apparatus comprising:
 a receiver configured to receive a signal including data;   a plurality of electro tactile pads, each electro tactile pad configured to be driven by a corresponding activation control signal so as to convey a plurality of electro tactile sensation combinations to a user; and   circuitry configured to generate the corresponding activation control signal based on the received signal so as to convey the received data to the user through the plurality of electro tactile sensation combinations,   wherein the circuitry is configured to detect a level of current sensed at the plurality of electro tactile pads, and to dynamically adjust a battery voltage of the communication apparatus based on the detected level of current so as to maintain the detected level of current at a predetermined level.