Systems and methods for eliciting cutaneous sensations by electromagnetic radiation

Abstract

The present disclosure provides various systems and methods for inducing cutaneous sensations by delivering electromagnetic radiation to directly or indirectly excite neural tissue. An electromagnetic radiation source, such as one or more infrared lasers, may be used to transcutaneously excite neural tissue. The excited neural tissue may be interpreted by the user's nervous system as cutaneous sensations. Accordingly, a system as described herein may be used to induce sensations to allow actual cutaneous sensations to be simulated. A system for inducing a cutaneous sensation via transcutaneously focused electromagnetic radiation may be incorporated in a display to provide cutaneous sensation feedback or used as a separate accessory component associated with a display. Numerous additional applications and variations are provided herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system configured to induce a cutaneous sensation in a user of an electronic device based upon a tactile application executable on the electronic device, the system comprising:
 a stimulation system configured to generate an output operable to excite neural tissue;   an interface component configured to direct the output of the stimulation system onto a target area of skin of the user; and   a controller configured to generate a control signal to cause the stimulation system to modify one or more characteristics of the output of the stimulation system in order to induce a cutaneous sensation based upon a tactile application executable on the electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interface component is further configured to direct the output of the stimulation system onto the target area while the target area is in physical contact with the interface component. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interface component is further configured to direct the output of the stimulation system onto the target area while the target area is physically separated from the interface component. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device comprises a computer and the interface component comprises a mouse. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the mouse comprises a control surface, and the target area comprises a finger pad of a user that interacts with the control surface. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the control surface comprises one of a button, a touch pad, and a track pad. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device comprises a computer and the interface component comprises a keyboard. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a display component, the interface component being distinct from the display component, and wherein the controller is configured to modify one or more characteristics of the output of the stimulation system based on an object on the display component. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the sensation corresponds to an object appearing on the display component. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device comprises one of a telepresence medicine device, a gaming device, a tablet computer device, a telephone device, an electronic Braille display device, an industrial control station, entertainment system, and an electronic surgical control device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises:
 a thermal feedback system configured to measure a temperature associated with the target area; and   wherein the controller is configured to dynamically control the stimulation system to maintain the temperature below a threshold temperature.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the output of the stimulation system comprises one of infrared electromagnetic radiation and visible electromagnetic radiation 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulation system comprises a laser emission system. 
     
     
         14 . A method for inducing a cutaneous sensation in a user of an electronic device, the method comprising:
 executing a tactile application on an electronic device;   generating, using an stimulation system associated with the electronic device, an output operable to excite neural tissue;   directing the output of the stimulation system onto a target area of skin of a user using an interface component; and   generating a control signal to cause the stimulation system to modify one or more characteristics of the output of the stimulation system in order to induce a cutaneous sensation based upon the tactile application executing on the electronic device.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein directing the output of the stimulation system onto the target area occurs while the target area is in physical contact with the interface component. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein directing the output of the stimulation system onto the target area occurs while the target area is physically separated from the interface component. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 displaying an object on a display component; and   wherein the sensation corresponds to the object displayed on the display component.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electronic device comprises one of a telepresence medicine device, a gaming device, a tablet computer device, a telephone device, an electronic Braille display device, an industrial control station, and an electronic surgical control device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 measuring a temperature associated with the target area; and   wherein the controller is configured to dynamically control the stimulation system to maintain the temperature below a threshold temperature.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the output of the stimulation system comprises one of infrared electromagnetic radiation and visible electromagnetic radiation.