System for transmitting object-related data from a base unit to a mobile unit through a human body

Abstract

The system includes a base unit associated with an object and a mobile unit that can be carried by a person. The base unit includes a base unit capacitive coupling element that provides a base unit - human capacitive coupling between the base unit and the person, and the mobile unit includes a mobile unit capacitive coupling element that provides a mobile unit - human capacitive coupling between the mobile unit and the person. The base unit - human capacitive coupling and the mobile unit - human capacitive coupling enable a data transmission connection between the base unit and the mobile unit that passes through the person's body. The base unit transmitter circuit of the base unit transmits object - related data via a data transmission connection that passes through the person's body, the mobile unit receiver circuit of the mobile unit receives the object - related data, and the output device of the mobile unit outputs a signal perceptible to humans based on the received object - related data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Related Patent Application) This application claims priority to co-owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 397,246, filed on August 11, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0002] (Field of the Invention) The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for transmitting object-related data from a base unit to a mobile unit through a human body.

Background Art

[0003] Conventional solutions for obtaining information about an object, e.g., information about a function provided by a button, switch, or other selectable control device (actuator), are often limited. For example, the information may be printed on or near the object, and the user may need to read the information. Such solutions are particularly inadequate for visually impaired persons who often struggle with actuators (e.g., buttons and switches) for elevators, intercoms, and transportation systems, as well as keyboards, appliances, and various other types of actuators.

[0004] Some actuators include associated information encoded in Braille (e.g., indicating the function provided by each control). However, Braille has various drawbacks. For example, reading Braille requires a significant amount of learning time, Braille-encoded information is often limited in scope, and Braille is often difficult to read due to factors including worn textures (dots), small size, dirt or debris accumulated within the texture (dots), and environmental conditions (e.g., low temperatures that limit hand function). As a result, visually impaired individuals often have to activate each actuator (e.g., a button or switch) to determine the function provided by the actuator, which may not be desirable.

[0005] There is a need for improved systems and methods for providing information about an object (e.g., an actuator or other type of object) to a person in a convenient and effective manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Examples of the present disclosure provide a system for communicating information about an object (e.g., a button, other actuator, or other type of object) from a base unit located on or otherwise associated with the object to a mobile unit carried by a person seeking information about the object (e.g., a description of the object or how the object functions). The mobile unit receives such information about the object (referred to herein as "object related data") from the base unit and can output that information (or information derived therefrom) to the user via an output device, such as a speaker, display device, or tactile feedback generator.

[0007] The base unit may include a capacitive coupling element that provides a base unit - human capacitive coupling between the base unit and a person, and the mobile unit may include a capacitive coupling element that provides a mobile unit - human capacitive coupling between the mobile unit and a person. The base unit - human capacitive coupling and the mobile unit - human capacitive coupling enable a data transmission connection (DTC) passing through a person's body between the base unit and the mobile unit. The DTC can communicate information from the base unit to the mobile unit, for example, using a low - frequency amplitude shift key (ASK) communication protocol and transmit signals through a person's body.

[0008] The base unit may include a contact / proximity detection device that detects a "contact / proximity event" involving a person physically contacting or being in proximity to an object (or a defined detection element associated with the object), and in response to detecting the contact / proximity event, starts a communication sequence and transmits object - related data to the person for output via a mobile unit carried by the person. This communication sequence may include an authentication process (e.g., a challenge - and - response sequence) for authenticating the mobile unit before the base unit transmits the object - related data.

[0009] The systems disclosed herein may enable a person to obtain information about an object in a fast and efficient manner. For example, a system as disclosed herein may enable a person to obtain information about an actuator (e.g., a button, a switch, or other actuator) before the person actuates the actuator. For example, for an object having a pushable button, a person may lightly touch the button or be in proximity to the button to initiate a touch / proximity event detection, which in turn causes the base unit to initiate a communication sequence and transmit object-related data (e.g., describing the function associated with the button) to the person for output via a mobile unit carried by the person. Thus, a person may learn the function of the button, for example, to determine whether to press the button. In some examples, the systems disclosed herein may be useful for visually impaired persons, for example, enabling such persons to quickly and efficiently obtain audio data describing various objects.

[0010] One aspect provides a system including a base unit associated with an object and a mobile unit. The base unit includes a base unit capacitive coupling element for providing a base unit-human capacitive coupling between the base unit and a person, a base unit processor, and a base unit transmitter circuit. The mobile unit includes a mobile unit capacitive coupling element for providing a mobile unit-human capacitive coupling between the mobile unit and a person, a mobile unit processor, and a mobile unit receiver circuit. The base unit-human capacitive coupling and the mobile unit-human capacitive coupling enable a data transmission connection passing through a person's body between the base unit and the mobile unit. The base unit processor may cause the base unit transmitter circuit to transmit object-related data through the data transmission connection passing through the person's body, the object-related data including information associated with the object. The mobile unit receiver circuit may receive the object-related data through the data transmission connection, and the mobile unit processor may cause an output device to output a human-perceivable signal based on the received object-related data.

[0011] In some examples, the base unit includes a contact / proximity detection device for detecting a human contact / proximity event, and the base unit processor may initiate a communication sequence in response to the contact / proximity detection device detecting a contact / proximity event, and the communication sequence includes transmission of object-related data by the base unit transmitter circuit.

[0012] In some examples, the object includes a human-selectable actuator, the contact / proximity detection device is provided on the human-selectable actuator, and the object-related data identifies an actuator function associated with the human-selectable actuator.

[0013] In some examples, the contact / proximity event does not activate a human-selectable actuator.

[0014] In some examples, the contact / proximity detection device and the base unit capacitive coupling element are provided on a human-selectable actuator.

[0015] In some examples, the output device includes a speaker, and the human-perceivable signal includes an audible signal output by the speaker based on the received object-related data.

[0016] In some examples, the mobile unit includes earphones or headphones that include a speaker.

[0017] In some examples, the mobile unit includes a mobile unit transmitter circuit for transmitting mobile unit data via a data transmission connection that passes through a person's body, the mobile unit data includes information associated with the mobile unit or the person, and the base unit includes a base unit receiver circuit for receiving the mobile unit data via the data transmission connection.

[0018] In some examples, the object-related data includes an audio file (e.g., an audio sample).

[0019] In some examples, the mobile unit includes a memory that stores a plurality of physical object-related data, the object-related data transmitted by the base unit and received by the mobile unit includes an object-related identifier, the mobile unit processor identifies each physical object-related data corresponding to the object-related identifier from the plurality of physical object-related data, and causes the output device to output the identified physical object-related data as a human-perceivable signal.

[0020] In some examples, the mobile unit includes a memory that stores a plurality of audio files, the object-related data includes an audio file identifier, the mobile unit processor receives the audio file identifier via a data transmission connection, identifies the corresponding audio file among the plurality of audio files, and may cause the output device to output the identified audio file as a human-perceivable signal.

[0021] One aspect provides a system including a base unit. The base unit includes a capacitive coupling element located on or proximate to an object, and (a) a contact / proximity detection device including a detection element located on or proximate to the object and a contact / proximity detection circuit for detecting a contact / proximity event at the detection element, where the contact / proximity event includes a person physically contacting or being proximate to the detection element, and a processor for initiating a communication sequence with the mobile unit in response to detection of the contact / proximity event by the contact / proximity detection device, where the communication sequence includes transmission of object-related data to the mobile unit via a data transmission connection including a capacitive coupling between the capacitive coupling element and the person.

[0022] In some examples, the object comprises an actuator selectable by a human, the object-related data identifies an actuator function associated with the actuator selectable by the human, and the contact / proximity event does not activate the actuator selectable by the human.

[0023] In some examples, the mobile unit comprises an output device for outputting a human-perceivable signal based on object-related data received from the base unit via a data transmission connection. In some examples, the output device comprises a speaker for outputting an audio signal.

[0024] One aspect provides a method including detecting a human-involved contact / proximity event by a contact / proximity detection device of a base unit associated with an object. The method further includes the base unit starting a communication sequence in response to detecting the contact / proximity event, the communication sequence including transmitting object-related data from the base unit to the mobile unit via a data transmission connection between the base unit and the mobile unit, the data transmission connection including (a) a base unit-human capacitive coupling between the base unit and a human and (b) a mobile unit-human capacitive coupling between the mobile unit and the human, and the data transmission connection passing through the human body. The method further includes the mobile unit receiving the object-related data transmitted via the data transmission connection and the mobile unit causing the output device to output a human-perceivable signal based on the received object-related data.

[0025] In some examples, the object comprises an actuator selectable by a human, the contact / proximity detection device is provided on the actuator selectable by the human, and the object-related data identifies an actuator function associated with the actuator selectable by the human.

[0026] In some examples, the contact / proximity event does not activate the actuator selectable by the human.

[0027] In some examples, the step in which the mobile unit causes the output device to output a human-perceivable signal based on the received object-related data includes the step in which the mobile unit causes the speaker to output an audible signal based on the received object-related data.

[0028] In some examples, the method includes the step in which the mobile unit transmits mobile unit data via a data transmission connection passing through a human body, where the mobile unit data includes information associated with the mobile unit or the person, and the step in which the base unit receives the mobile unit data via the data transmission connection.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] Exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are described below in conjunction with the following accompanying drawings.

Figure 1

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[0030] Reference numerals for any illustrated element that appears in multiple different drawings have the same meaning across the multiple drawings, and it should be understood that any reference or description in this specification of any illustrated element in the context of any particular drawing applies also to every other drawing in which the same illustrated element is shown.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system 100 for providing information about an object 106 to a person P. The exemplary system 100 includes a base unit 102 located at or otherwise associated with the object 106 and a mobile unit 104 carried by the person P. The object 106 can include an actuator selectable by a human (e.g., a switch, button, knob, slider, lever, or other device that can be actuated by a human) or any other physical object. By way of merely illustrative example, the object 106 can be, without limitation, an actuator or other element of an elevator, an intercom, a pedestrian signal, an ATM, a ticket vending machine, a public transportation system, or a household appliance (e.g., a washing machine, a dishwasher, a stove, or a microwave oven).

[0032] The base unit 102 may include a base unit capacitive coupling element 110, a base unit processor 112, and a base unit transmitter circuit 114. The base unit capacitive coupling element 110 may comprise a conductive pad or other element for providing capacitive coupling between the base unit 102 and the person P when, for example, the person P physically contacts or is in proximity to the base unit capacitive coupling element 110. Such capacitive coupling is referred to herein as "base unit-human capacitive coupling" and is denoted as BUHCC. The base unit capacitive coupling element 110 may be referred to as an antenna. As shown in FIG. 1, the base unit-human capacitive coupling BUHCC defines one component of the data transmission connection DTC between the base unit 102 and the mobile unit 104 and passes through the human body PB. (The data transmission connection DTC also includes, as described below, a capacitive coupling between the mobile unit 104 and the person P, referred to as a mobile unit-human capacitive coupling (MUHCC).)

[0033] The base unit transmitter circuit 114 may include circuitry for transmitting object-related data 108 from the base unit 102 to the mobile unit 104 via the data transmission connection DTC. For example, the base unit transmitter circuit 114 may include a transmitter and driver for transmitting data (e.g., object-related data 108) using a low frequency amplitude shift keying (ASK) format (e.g., at 125 kHz) that passes through the human body PB via the data transmission connection DTC.

[0034] Object-related data 108 can include or identify any information related to object 108, and can include (a) physical object-related data, or (b) an object-related identifier linked to the physical object-related data. Physical object-related data (one exemplary form of object-related data 108) can include, for example, object 108, or information describing a function related to object 108 (for example, in the case of object 108 having an actuator, information describing the function provided by the actuator), and can be embodied in any form, such as text data, audio data (for example, an audio file), an image file, or video data, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the object-related identifier (another exemplary form of object-related data 108) can include an identifier linked to physical object-related data 108' (not shown) stored by mobile unit 104 or otherwise accessible, as described below.

[0035] In some examples, the object-related data 108 stored by base unit 102 (or otherwise accessible) can include data of multiple different types and / or formats. For example, base unit 102 can store object-related data 108 for each object 106 in multiple different formats (such as audio files, video files, and text files) that can be used by different mobile units 104 having different types of output devices 128 (such as, but not limited to, speakers or display devices). As another example, base unit 102 can store object-related data 108 for each object 106 in multiple different languages, for example, to accommodate person P having different language preferences.

[0036] In some examples, the base unit 102 may optionally include a contact / proximity detection device 115 that includes a contact / proximity detection circuit 116 for detecting a "contact / proximity event" by person P, where the contact / proximity event includes person P contacting or approaching a detection element 117 of the contact / proximity detection device 115 (e.g., proximity that enables capacitance-based detection of person P). In response to the contact / proximity detection device 115 detecting a contact / proximity event, the base unit processor 112 may initiate a communication sequence to transmit object-related data 108 (using the base unit transmitter circuit 114) via the data transmission connection DTC. The contact / proximity detection circuit 116 may include a capacitive contact detection circuit.

[0037] In some examples, the detection element 117 may be integrated with or adjacent to or near the base unit capacitive coupling element 110 and / or the object 106, as indicated by the dashed line 119, such that the contact / proximity detection device 115 may detect person P contacting or approaching the base unit capacitive coupling element 110.

[0038] The base unit processor 112 may comprise any suitable processor(s) for executing instructions stored in a computer-readable medium associated with the operation of the base unit 102 (e.g., instructions embodied in software and / or firmware provided within the base unit 102 or otherwise accessible memory). For example, the base unit processor 112 may execute instructions for performing various functions associated with (a) a base unit transmitter circuit 114 (e.g., for transmitting object-related data 108 via the base unit capacitive coupling element 110), (b) an optional contact / proximity detection device 115 (e.g., for detecting contact / proximity events and initiating a communication sequence or other action in response), and (c) an optional base unit receiver circuit 118 (e.g., for receiving and decoding optional mobile unit data 132 received from the mobile unit 104 and initiating respective actions in response), but is not limited thereto. The base unit processor 112 may comprise at least one microprocessor, microcontroller, embedded processor, digital signal processor (DSP), or other type of computer processor.

[0039] The mobile unit 104 may include a mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120, a mobile unit processor 122, a mobile unit receiver circuit 124, and an output device 128. In some examples, the mobile unit 104 may comprise a single device that includes a mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120, a mobile unit processor 122, a mobile unit receiver circuit 124, and an output device 128. For example, the mobile unit 104 may comprise an earphone, a headset, a smartphone, or other handheld device that includes a mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120, a mobile unit processor 122, a mobile unit receiver circuit 124, and an output device 128.

[0040] In other examples, the mobile unit 104 may include two or more separate devices communicatively connected to each other, and each component of the mobile unit 104, including the mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120, the mobile unit processor 122, the mobile unit receiver circuit 124, and the output device 128, may be provided within a different device of the mobile unit 104. For example, the mobile unit 104 may include a smartphone and earphones wirelessly connected to the smartphone, and the mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120, the mobile unit processor 122, and the mobile unit receiver circuit 124 may be provided within the smartphone, and the output device 128 (in this example, including a speaker) may be provided within the earphones.

[0041] The mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120 may comprise, for example, a conductive pad or other element for providing a capacitive coupling between the mobile unit 104 and the person P when the mobile unit 104 is carried by the person P. The capacitive coupling between the mobile unit 104 and the person P is referred to as the mobile unit-human capacitive coupling MUHCC, which forms a component of the data transmission connection DTC between the base unit 102 and the mobile unit 104. Similar to the base unit capacitive coupling element 102, the mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120 may also be referred to as an antenna.

[0042] As used herein, the mobile unit 104 being carried by the person P means that the mobile unit 104 is worn, carried, or otherwise located with the person P. For example, the person P may hold the mobile unit 104 in their hand, and for example, the mobile unit 104 may include a smartphone. As another example, the mobile unit 104 may be fixed in contact with or in proximity to the person's body PB, and for example, the mobile unit 104 may include earphones, headphones, or a wristwatch. As another example, the mobile unit 104 may be carried within an article of clothing or accessory worn by the person P.

[0043] The mobile unit receiver circuit 124 can include a circuit connected to the mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120 for receiving the object-related data 108 received from the base unit 102 via the data transmission connection DTC. For example, the mobile unit receiver circuit 124 can include a receiver and demodulator for receiving and demodulating data received via a low-frequency amplitude shift keying (ASK) format (e.g., at 125 kHz), such as that transmitted by the base unit 102.

[0044] The output device 128 can comprise any device for outputting a human-perceivable signal, such as an audible signal, visually displayed information, or tactile feedback, based on the object-related data 108 received via the data transmission connection DTC. For example, the output device 128 can comprise at least one speaker provided in, for example, earphones, headphones, or a smartphone for outputting audio data to the person P, such as audio data describing the object 106. As another example, the output device 128 can comprise a display device provided in, for example, a smartphone or other mobile device for visually displaying data describing the object 106. As another example, the output device 128 can comprise a tactile feedback generator for generating vibrations detectable by a human.

[0045] The mobile unit processor 122 may comprise any suitable processor(s) for executing instructions stored in a computer-readable medium related to the operation of the mobile unit 104 (e.g., instructions incorporated in software and / or firmware provided to or otherwise accessible by the mobile unit 104 and stored in memory). For example, the mobile unit processor 122 may execute instructions for performing various functions associated with (a) the mobile unit receiver circuit 124 (e.g., for receiving and decoding object-related data 108 received from the base unit 102 via the mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120 and outputting a human-perceivable signal via an output device 128 related to the object-related data 108), and (b) an optional mobile unit transmitter circuit 130 (e.g., for transmitting optional mobile unit data 132 via the mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120), but is not limited thereto. The mobile unit processor 122 may comprise at least one microprocessor, microcontroller, embedded processor, digital signal processor (DSP), or other type of computer processor.

[0046] In some examples, the mobile unit processor 122 processes the object-related data 108 received from the base unit 102 by the mobile unit receiver circuit 124 and causes the output device 128 to output a human-perceivable signal based on the received object-related data 108. In an example where the object-related data 108 includes physical object-related data (described above) in the form of, for example, a text file, an audio file, an image file, or a video file, the mobile unit processor 122 processes the physical object-related data and may cause the output device 128 to output the physical object-related data in any suitable form. For example, if the output device 128 includes a speaker, the mobile unit processor 122 may cause the output device 128 to output an audio sound by, for example, playing the content of an audio file (audio sample) or converting a text file to audio (e.g., using a text-to-speech conversion tool) and outputting the converted audio. As another example, if the output device 128 includes a screen or other display device, the mobile unit processor 122 may cause the output device 128 to visually display the content of a text file, an image file, or a video file. As another example, if the output device 128 includes a tactile feedback generator, the mobile unit processor 122 may cause the output device 128 to generate vibrations or other tactile feedback according to a tactile feedback protocol (e.g., defined in the received object-related data 108 or stored by or otherwise accessible to the mobile unit 104) that specifies respective tactile feedback associated with respective physical object-related data.

[0047] In an example where the object-related data 108 includes an object-related identifier (as described above), the mobile unit processor 122 processes the object-related identifier to identify corresponding physical object-related data 108' (not shown) linked to the object-related identifier, accesses the physical object-related data 108' (stored by or otherwise accessible to the mobile unit 104), and causes the output device 128 to output the physical object-related data 108' in any of the methods described above (e.g., by outputting an audio sound, visually displaying information, or generating vibrations or other tactile feedback corresponding to the physical object-related data 108').

[0048] In some examples, the exemplary system 100 optionally includes respective components for communicating mobile unit data 132 from the mobile unit 104 to the base unit 102 via a data transmission connection DTC that passes through a person's body PB, in a direction opposite to the communication of object-related data 108 from the base unit 102 to the mobile unit 104 via the data transmission connection DTC. In such examples, the mobile unit 104 may include an optional mobile unit transmission circuit 130 connected to a mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120 for transmitting the mobile unit data 132 via the data transmission connection DTC, and the base unit 102 may include an optional base unit receiver circuit 118 connected to a base unit capacitive coupling element 110 for receiving the mobile unit data 132 transmitted via the data transmission connection DTC.

[0049] The mobile unit data 132 may include any information associated with the mobile unit 104 or the person P. For example, the mobile unit data 132 may include authentication data for authenticating the mobile unit 104 or the person P at the base unit 102, for example, as a prerequisite for the base unit 102 to transmit the object-related data 108 to the mobile unit 104.

[0050] As another example, the mobile unit data 132 may indicate the required format of the object-related data 108 according to the type of output device 128 provided in the mobile unit 104 (e.g., a speaker, a display device, or a tactile feedback generator), and this information may be used by the base unit 102 to select the respective format (e.g., file type) of the object-related data 108 for distribution to the mobile unit 104, for example, in an example where the base unit 102 has access to multiple formats (e.g., file types) of the object-related data 108. For example, the mobile unit data 132 may include a request for the object-related data 108 in the form of an audio file, and thus, the base unit 102 may access the audio file and transmit it to the mobile unit 104 (as the object-related data 108).

[0051] As another example, the mobile unit data 132 may indicate the required language of the object-related data 108 (e.g., English, Spanish, Chinese, or any other language understandable by person P), and thus, the base unit 102 may select the object-related data 108 in the required language (e.g., from a set of object-related data 108 stored in different languages) and transmit the selected object-related data 108 to the mobile unit 104.

[0052] It should be understood that the mobile unit data 132 may include any other type of information associated with the mobile unit 104 or person P, and these information may be usable by the base unit 102 to select the respective object-related data 108, the format of the object-related data 108, or any other aspect of the object-related data 108 for distribution to the mobile unit 104.

[0053] In some examples, each component of system 100 may utilize BodyCom (registered trademark) technology by Microchip Technology in Chandler, Arizona, as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0044969, published on February 12, 2015 (the “’969 publication”), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, the base unit 102 disclosed herein may include any disclosed components (e.g., any hardware, software, circuitry, or other components) of the exemplary base units 102, 402, 504, and / or 604 disclosed in the ’969 publication, and the mobile unit 104 disclosed herein may include any disclosed components (e.g., any hardware, software, circuitry, or other components) of the exemplary mobile units 108, 408, 508, and / or 662 / 664 disclosed in the ’969 publication.

[0054] In an example where system 100 includes an optional contact / proximity detection device 115, system 100 may generally operate as follows. A person P carrying the mobile unit 104 desires information regarding an object 106, e.g., an operable (e.g., depressible) button that activates a defined function. Person P places his or her finger on or near the detection element 117 of the contact / proximity detection device 115 (i.e., a contact / proximity event), and the detection element 117 may be integrated with, adjacent to, or near the base unit capacitive coupling element 110 and / or the object 106 as described above. The contact / proximity detection circuit 116 of the contact / proximity detection device 115 detects the contact / proximity event. In response, the base unit processor 112 initiates a communication sequence to transmit object-related data 108 (using the base unit transmitter circuit 114) via the data transmission connection DTC, i.e., via the base unit-human capacitive coupling BUHCC, the human body PB, and the mobile unit-human capacitive coupling MUHCC.

[0055] In some examples, the communication sequence may include an authentication process (e.g., a challenge and response sequence) between the base unit 102 and the mobile unit 104, including the transmission, reception, and processing of respective messages by both the base unit 102 and the mobile unit 104, and after successful authentication of the mobile unit 104, the transmission of object-related data 108 by the base unit 102, i.e., using the base unit transmitter circuit 114 to transmit the object-related data 108 via the base unit capacitive coupling element 110. The authentication process (e.g., a challenge and response sequence) may include the transmission of mobile unit data 132 (including authentication information) by an optional mobile unit transmitter circuit 130 (transmitted via the mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120 and the data transmission connection DTC), and the reception of such mobile unit data 132 (including authentication information) by an optional base unit receiver circuit 118 (received via the base unit capacitive coupling element 110).

[0056] In other examples, the communication sequence initiated by a detected contact / proximity event may omit the authentication of the mobile unit 104, i.e., the base unit 102 may transmit the object-related data 108 to the mobile unit 104 in response to the detected contact / proximity event without authenticating the mobile unit 104.

[0057] The object-related data 108 transmitted via the data transmission connection DTC (terminating at the mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120) is received by the mobile unit receiver circuit 124 (connected to the mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120) and may be processed by the mobile unit processor 122, whereby the output device 128 outputs a human-perceivable signal based on the received object-related data 108, e.g., by outputting an audio sound, displaying an image or video, or generating a tactile feedback as described above.

[0058] In some examples, system 100 may enable visually impaired person P to obtain information about object 106. For example, if object 106 includes pushable buttons for performing respective functions, system 100 may enable person P to learn the functions associated with the buttons by contacting or approaching the buttons without actuating them, thereby enabling person P to determine whether to actuate (push) the buttons.

[0059] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary base unit 102 for use with the exemplary system 100 shown in FIG. 1 according to one example. As shown, the exemplary base unit 102 may include a plurality of objects 106 (shown as 106a - 106n) and respective components for transmitting respective object - related data 108 (shown as 108a - 108n) to mobile unit 104 carried by person P (shown in FIG. 1). In this example, the plurality of objects 106a - 106n include operable (e.g., push - downable) buttons for activating respective functions. Thus, the following description refers to buttons 106a - 106n.

[0060] The exemplary base unit 102 includes a contact / proximity detection device 115, which includes a contact / proximity detection circuit 116 connected to respective detection elements 117a - 117n provided on respective buttons 106a - 106n for detecting contact / proximity events at respective buttons 106a - 106n.

[0061] The exemplary base unit 102 also includes respective base - unit capacitive - coupling elements 110a - 110n provided on respective buttons 106a - 106n, enabling respective data - transmission connections DTC (not shown) between respective buttons 106a - 106n (via respective base - unit capacitive - coupling elements 110a - 110n) and mobile unit 104 carried by person P.

[0062] Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the buttons 106a-106n can have both respective detection elements 117a-117n and respective base unit capacitive coupling elements 110a-110n that are integrated with or otherwise provided thereon or therein with each of the buttons 106a-106n. In some examples, for each of the buttons 106a-106n, the respective detection elements 117a-117n and the respective base unit capacitive coupling elements 110a-110n can comprise separate conductive elements physically separated from each other, which can reduce or avoid signal interference or other undesirable effects during the transmission of respective object-related data 108a-108n (via the respective base unit capacitive coupling elements 110a-110n) while person P is physically contacting the respective detection elements 117a-117n.

[0063] The exemplary base unit 102 also includes a base unit processor 112, a base unit transmitter circuit 114, a base unit receiver circuit 118, and a memory 202 that stores object-related data 108a-108n.

[0064] The base unit transmitter circuit 114 includes, for example, circuitry for transmitting respective object-related data 108a-108n via respective base unit capacitive coupling elements 110a-110n provided at each of the buttons 106a-106n in response to contact / proximity events detected (by the contact / proximity detection device 115) at each of the buttons 106a-106n. For example, in response to a contact / proximity event detected at button 106a (e.g., the contact / proximity detection device 115 detects a contact / proximity event via the detection element 117a at button 106a), the base unit processor 112 can access object-related data 108a (e.g., describing a function associated with button 106a) and control the base unit transmitter circuit 114 to transmit the object-related data 108a retrieved from the memory 202 via the base unit capacitive coupling element 110a at button 106a.

[0065] The base unit receiver circuit 118 is connected to respective base unit capacitive coupling elements 110a-110n and receives mobile unit data 132 that is transmitted via the data transmission connection DTC and received by the base unit capacitive coupling elements 110a-110n at respective buttons 110a-110n where contact / proximity events are detected by respective detection elements 117a-117n. In some examples, the base unit receiver circuit 118 may include a receiver and demodulator for receiving and demodulating data received via a low frequency amplitude shift keying (ASK) format (e.g., at 125 kHz) such as may be transmitted by the mobile unit 104.

[0066] The base unit processor 112 may execute instructions (e.g., incorporated in software and / or firmware) for performing various functions associated with (a) the base unit transmitter circuit 114 (e.g., for transmitting respective object-related data 108a-108n via respective base unit capacitive coupling elements 110a-110n at respective buttons 106a-106n), (b) the contact / proximity detection device 115 (e.g., for detecting contact / proximity events at respective detection elements 117a-117n at respective buttons 106a-106n and initiating a communication sequence or other respective actions in response thereto), and (c) the base unit receiver circuit 118 (e.g., for receiving and decrypting optional mobile unit data 132 received (from the mobile unit 104) via respective base unit capacitive coupling elements 110a-110n at respective buttons 106a-106n and initiating respective actions in response thereto), but is not limited thereto.

[0067] The memory 202 may include a ROM (read only memory), an EPROM (erasable programmable ROM), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM), a ferroelectric RAM, a flash memory, a disk storage device, or any other type of memory for storing object-related data 108a - 108n corresponding to respective buttons 106a - 106n.

[0068] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary mobile unit 104 carried by a person P for use in the exemplary system 100 shown in FIG. 1 by way of example. As shown, the exemplary mobile unit 104 may include a mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120, a mobile unit processor 122, a mobile unit receiver circuit 124, an output device 128, a mobile unit transmitter circuit 130, and a memory 302. In some examples, the mobile unit 104 may be capable of communicating with a plurality of different base units 102, and for example, each of the plurality of different base units 102 may be associated with one or more different objects 106.

[0069] As described above, the mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120 may comprise a conductive pad or other conductive element for providing a mobile unit - human capacitive coupling MUHCC between the mobile unit 104 and the human P.

[0070] The mobile unit receiver circuit 124 may include a circuit connected to the mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120 for receiving object-related data 108 received from the base unit 102 via a data transmission connection DTC. For example, the mobile unit receiver circuit 124 may receive respective object-related data 108a - 108n from the exemplary base unit 102 shown in FIG. 2 in response to contact / proximity events by the person P at respective buttons 106a - 106n.

[0071] As described above, the output device 128 can include any device for outputting a signal perceptible by a human based on the output object-related data 108 received from each base unit 102. For example, the output device 128 can output the object-related data 108 in the form of physical object-related data received from each base unit 102. As another example, the output device 128 can output physical object-related data 108' corresponding to the object-related data 108 in the form of an object-related identifier received from each base unit 102, as will be described below with respect to the memory 302, for example. In some examples, the output device 128 can include at least one speaker, display device, or tactile feedback generator, as described herein.

[0072] The mobile unit transmitter circuit 130 can include a circuit for transmitting mobile-related data 132 from the mobile unit 104 to each base unit 102 via a data transmission connection DTC (i.e., via the mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120). For example, the mobile unit transmitter circuit 130 can include a transmitter and driver for transmitting data (e.g., mobile-related data 132 and / or authentication-related messages) using a low-frequency amplitude shift keying (ASK) format (e.g., at 125 kHz).

[0073] The memory 302 can store the mobile unit data 132 and optionally can store the physical object-related data 108' and the object-related data identifier 310. The memory 302 can include a ROM (read-only memory), EPROM (erasable programmable ROM), and EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM), ferroelectric RAM, flash memory, a disk storage device, or any other type of memory for storing the mobile unit data 132, the physical object-related data 108', and / or the object-related data identifier 310.

[0074] As described above, the mobile unit data 132 may include any information associated with the mobile unit 104 or the person P, for example, authentication data (for authenticating the mobile unit 104 at each base unit 102), information indicating a required format of the object-related data 108 corresponding to the type of the output device 128 provided in the mobile unit 104 (e.g., a speaker, a display device, or a tactile feedback generator), or information indicating a required language of the object-related data 108 obtained from each base unit 102.

[0075] As described above, in some examples, the object-related data 108 transmitted by the base unit 102 and received by the mobile unit 104 may include an object-related identifier linked to corresponding physical object-related data 108' stored by the mobile unit 104 (as opposed to the physical object-related data) to, for example, reduce the data storage requirements in the base unit 102. In such examples, as shown in FIG. 3, the memory 302 of the mobile unit 104 may store (a) various physical object-related data 108' and (b) a set of object-related data identifiers 310 that link object-related identifiers (which may be received from respective base units 102) to the corresponding physical object-related data 108'. For example, referring to the exemplary base unit 102 shown in FIG. 2, the memory 302 may store a plurality of physical object-related data 108a' - 108n' corresponding to respective buttons 106a - 106n. During operation, when the base unit 102 detects a contact / proximity event at button 106a, the base unit 102 may transmit object-related data 108a in the form of an object-related identifier corresponding to button 106a (in some examples, after successful authentication of the mobile unit 104), and the mobile unit 104 may use the object-related data identifier 310 to identify, from the plurality of physical object-related data 108a' - 108n', the physical object-related data 108a' corresponding to the received object-related identifier (e.g., data identifying the function associated with button 106a), and output the identified physical object-related data 108a' via the output device 128. The physical object-related data 108a' may be in a language understood by person P, thereby enabling the object-related data 108a to be language-independent.

[0076] As described above, the mobile unit processor 122 may perform various functions associated with, for example, (a) a mobile unit receiver circuit 124 (e.g., to receive and decode object-related data 108 received from the base unit 102 via the mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120 and output a corresponding perceptible signal for a human via the output device 128), (b) a mobile unit transmitter circuit 130 (e.g., to transmit mobile unit data 132 to the base unit 102), and (c) identifying the physical object-related data 108 corresponding to the object-related data 108 received from the base unit 102 in the form of an object-related identifier, as described above. The mobile unit processor 122 may execute instructions (e.g., embodied in software and / or firmware) for performing various functions associated with the mobile unit 104, including but not limited to these. The mobile unit processor 122 may execute instructions (e.g., embodied in software and / or firmware) for performing various functions associated with the memory 302.

[0077] In some examples, the mobile unit 104 may comprise a single device, such as a smartphone, earphone, headphone, or other mobile device including the exemplary components shown in FIG. 3.

[0078] In other examples, mobile unit 104 may include more than one device, and the exemplary components shown in FIG. 3 may be distributed among more than one device to collectively provide the functionality of mobile unit 104. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 described below, mobile unit 104 may include (a) a smartphone, or other handheld or wearable device, which includes capacitive coupling element 120, mobile unit processor 122, mobile unit receiver circuitry 124, mobile unit transmitter circuitry 130, and memory 302, and (b) is communicatively coupled (e.g., by a wired or wireless connection) to a separate output device 128, such as an earphone, headset, or display device. As another example, mobile unit 104 may include (a) a handheld or wearable device that includes capacitive coupling element 120 and (b) a first processor communicatively coupled (e.g., by a wired or wireless connection) to a smartphone, earphone, or headset that includes mobile unit receiver circuitry 124, mobile unit transmitter circuitry 130, output device 128, and memory 302, and a second processor, where the first processor and the second processor collectively perform the functionality of mobile unit processor 122 described herein.

[0079] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary multi-component mobile unit 400 carried by person P for use in the exemplary system 100 shown in FIG. 1 according to one example. The exemplary multi-component mobile unit 400 represents an example of mobile unit 104 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The multi-component mobile unit 400 includes an exemplary base unit interface component 402 and an exemplary output component 404 communicatively connected to each other.

[0080] The exemplary base unit interface component 402 may include the mobile unit capacitive coupling element 120, the mobile unit processor 122, the mobile unit receiver circuit 124, the mobile unit transmitter circuit 130, the local transmitter circuit 410, and the memory 302 (which stores, for example, the mobile unit data 132, optionally the physical object-related data 108', and the object-related data identifier 310, as described above with respect to FIG. 3). In some examples, the exemplary base unit interface component 402 may comprise a smartphone or other handheld or wearable device.

[0081] The exemplary output component 404 includes the output device 128 and the local receiver circuit 412. In some examples, the exemplary output component 404 may comprise earphones, headphones, or other handheld or wearable device, and the output device 128 may comprise a speaker, a display device, or a tactile feedback generator.

[0082] The local transmitter circuit 410 and the local receiver circuit 412 may comprise circuitry for transmitting an object-related output signal 420 from the base unit interface component 402 to the output component 404 (via a wired or wireless connection) for output by the output device 128. The object-related output signal 420 may include the object-related data 108 received from each base unit 102 (via the base unit interface component 402), the physical object-related data 108' accessed from the memory 302, or other signals otherwise generated from the object-related data 108 by the mobile unit processor 122 for output by the output device 128. For example, the local transmitter circuit 410 and the local receiver circuit 412 may include respective transmitter and receiver circuits for wireless communication using Bluetooth, Bluetooth BLE, ZigBee, WiFi, or other short-range wireless communication protocols.

[0083] In some examples, in addition to the output device 128 provided within the output component 404, the base unit interface component 402 may optionally include an auxiliary output device 128' for outputting the same or additional object-related output signals 420. For example, some object-related data 108 may include information about a plurality of different output formats, such as audio, displayable text, or displayable video, but is not limited thereto. The plurality of different output formats may be included in the object-related data 108 received from the base unit 102, or the base unit interface component 402 may be able to derive additional formats of the object-related data 108 received from the base unit 102 (for example, the base unit interface component 402 may derive visual text data from the object-related data 108 received as audio data (for example, using a speech-to-text conversion tool), or may read out additional formats as part of the physical object-related data 108' response to the object-related data 108 from the memory 302). Thus, the multi-component mobile unit 400 may be capable of outputting both (a) a first format of each object-related data 108 (for example, audio output by a speaker) via the output device 128 of the output component 404 and (b) a second format of each object-related data 108 (for example, text display corresponding to the audio output) via the auxiliary output device 128' of the base unit interface component 402, either simultaneously or otherwise.

[0084] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 500 for providing object-related data 108 from a base unit associated with an object to a mobile unit via a data transmission connection passing through the body of a person carrying the mobile unit. At 502, a contact / proximity detection device of the base unit associated with an object (e.g., a button, switch, other actuator, or other type of object) detects a contact / proximity event involving a person. For example, the contact / proximity detection device includes a contact / proximity detection circuit (e.g., a capacitive contact detection circuit) and can detect that a person is physically in contact with or in proximity to a detection element of the contact / proximity detection device, which can be provided on the object.

[0085] At 504, in response to the detection of the contact / proximity event, the base unit initiates a communication sequence to transmit object-related data from the base unit to the mobile unit carried by the person via a data transmission connection between the base unit and the mobile unit. The data transmission connection includes (a) a base unit-human capacitive coupling between the base unit and the person (e.g., between a base unit capacitive coupling element and the person) and (b) a mobile unit-human capacitive coupling between the mobile unit and the person (e.g., between a mobile unit capacitive coupling element and the person) and passes through the person's body. In some examples, the object comprises a human-selectable actuator (e.g., a button or switch), and the object-related data identifies a function associated with the human-selectable actuator.

[0086] In some examples, the communication sequence includes a two-way authentication sequence (e.g., including the mobile unit transmitting requested authentication information to the base unit and the base unit verifying (or rejecting) the received authentication information) between the base unit and the mobile unit before the base unit transmits the object-related data (if authentication of the mobile device is successful). In other examples, the authentication sequence can be omitted.

[0087] In some examples, the base unit and the mobile unit may transmit their respective information (e.g., object-related data, authentication-related messages, and / or other information) using a low frequency amplitude shift keying (ASK) format that passes through a person's body PB via a data transmission connection DTC.

[0088] At 506, the mobile unit receives the object-related data transmitted via the data transmission connection DTC and processes the received object-related data. At 508, the base unit outputs a human-perceivable signal (e.g., audio, image, video, or tactile feedback) representing the object-related data via an output device (e.g., a speaker, a display device, or a tactile feedback generator). In some examples, the object-related data includes audio data, and the mobile unit outputs the received audio data (or audio data derived therefrom) via a speaker.

[0089] In some examples, the object-related data transmitted by the base unit includes physical object-related data, and the mobile unit may output such physical object-related data (received from the base unit) via an output device. In other examples, the object-related data transmitted by the base unit includes an object-related identifier, and the mobile unit identifies the physical object-related data linked to the object-related identifier, accesses it (e.g., from the memory of the mobile unit), and may output the accessed physical object-related data via an output.

[0090] Although the exemplary embodiments have been described above, other variations and embodiments can be made from the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of these embodiments.

Claims

1. A system comprising: A base unit associated with an object, the base unit including a base unit capacitive coupling element for providing a base unit - human capacitive coupling between the base unit and a person, a base unit processor, and a base unit transmitter circuit; A mobile unit including a mobile unit capacitive coupling element for providing a mobile unit - human capacitive coupling between the mobile unit and the person, a mobile unit processor, and a mobile unit receiver circuit; The base unit - human capacitive coupling and the mobile unit - human capacitive coupling enable a data transmission connection between the base unit and the mobile unit and passing through the person's body; The base unit processor causes the base unit transmitter circuit to transmit object - related data through the data transmission connection passing through the person's body, the object - related data including information associated with the object; The mobile unit receiver circuit receives the object - related data through the data transmission connection; The mobile unit processor causes an output device to output a human - perceivable signal based on the received object - related data.

2. The base unit includes a contact / proximity detection device for detecting a contact / proximity event by the person; The base unit processor starts a communication sequence in response to the contact / proximity detection device detecting the contact / proximity event, the communication sequence including the transmission of the object - related data by the base unit transmitter circuit. The system according to claim 1.

3. The object includes an actuator selectable by a person; The contact / proximity detection device is provided on the actuator selectable by the person; The object - related data identifies an actuator function associated with the actuator selectable by the person. The system according to claim 2.

4. The contact / proximity event does not activate the actuator selectable by the person. The system according to claim 3.

5. The system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the contact / proximity detection device and the capacitive coupling element of the base unit are provided on the actuator selectable by the human.

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the output device includes a speaker, and the signal perceptible by the human includes an audible signal output by the speaker based on the received object-related data.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the mobile unit includes earphones or headphones including the speaker.

8. The mobile unit includes a mobile unit transmission circuit for transmitting mobile unit data via the data transmission connection passing through the human body, and the mobile unit data includes information associated with the mobile unit or the human. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the base unit includes a base unit receiver circuit for receiving the mobile unit data via the data transmission connection.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the object-related data includes an audio file.

10. The mobile unit includes a memory for storing a plurality of physical object-related data. The object-related data transmitted by the base unit and received by the mobile unit includes an object-related identifier. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the mobile unit processor identifies each physical object-related data corresponding to the object-related identifier from the plurality of physical object-related data, and causes the output device to output the identified physical object-related data as a signal perceptible by a human.

11. The mobile unit includes a memory for storing a plurality of audio files. The object-related data includes an audio file identifier. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the mobile unit processor receives the audio file identifier via the data transmission connection, identifies the corresponding audio file among the plurality of audio files, and causes the output device to output the identified audio file as a signal perceptible by the human.

12. A system, A base unit, A capacitive coupling element located on or in proximity to the object, A contact / proximity detection device, A detection element located on or in proximity to the object, A contact / proximity detection circuit for detecting a contact / proximity event in the detection element, the contact / proximity event including a person physically contacting the detection element or the person approaching the detection element, the contact / proximity detection circuit, and a contact / proximity detection device comprising the same, A processor for initiating a communication sequence with a mobile unit in response to the detection of the contact / proximity event by the contact / proximity detection device, the communication sequence including the transmission of object-related data to the mobile unit via a data transmission connection including a capacitive coupling between the capacitive coupling element and the person, and a base unit comprising the processor, a system.

13. The object comprises an actuator selectable by a human, The object-related data identifies an actuator function associated with the actuator selectable by the human, The contact / proximity event does not activate the actuator selectable by the human, the system according to claim 12.

14. The mobile unit comprises an output device for outputting a signal perceptible by a human based on the object-related data received from the base unit via the data transmission connection, the system according to claim 12 or 13.

15. The output device comprises a speaker for outputting an audio signal, the system according to claim 14.

16. A method, Detecting a contact / proximity event involving a person by a contact / proximity detection device of a base unit associated with an object; In response to detecting the contact / proximity event, initiating a communication sequence including transmitting object-related data from the base unit to the mobile unit via a data transmission connection between the base unit and the mobile unit, The data transmission connection includes (a) a base unit-human capacitive coupling between the base unit and the person and (b) a mobile unit-human capacitive coupling between the mobile unit and the person and passes through the person's body, The mobile unit receives the object-related data transmitted via the data transmission connection, The mobile unit causes an output device to output a signal perceptible by a human based on the received object-related data. **Claim 17** The object includes an actuator selectable by a human, The contact / proximity detection device is provided on the actuator selectable by the human, The system according to claim 16, wherein the object-related data identifies an actuator function associated with the actuator selectable by the human. **Claim 18** The method according to claim 17, wherein the contact / proximity event does not activate the actuator selectable by the human. **Claim 19** The step in which the mobile unit causes an output device to output a signal perceptible by a human based on the received object-related data includes the step in which the mobile unit causes a speaker to output an audible signal based on the received object-related data. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18. **Claim 20** The step in which the mobile unit transmits mobile unit data via the data transmission connection passing through the human body, the mobile unit data including information associated with the mobile unit or the human, and the step of transmitting; The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, including the step in which the base unit receives the mobile unit data via the data transmission connection.

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