System and method for communication using ambient communication devices

{
  "publication_number": "US9712359B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "System and method for communication using ambient communication devices",
  "abstract": "Interactive communication devices in communication with a central server support ambient communications between two or more remotely located users. Each device has embedded sensors, lights, and speakers. The sensors allow the device to sense ‘outgoing’ interaction (e.g., a squeeze or hug), and the lights and speakers allow the device to demonstrate ‘incoming’ interaction. A central device is activated when someone interacts with any of the other devices within the network. The other devices in the network - the peripheral devices - are activated both when the interaction originates from the central device as well as from the other peripheral devices. When the server determines that a user has interacted with one of the devices, messages are sent to other devices in the network to reflect the user interaction. The communication devices allow the users in the network to send messages to each other by simply squeezing their respective devices.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method for communication between remotely located users, the method comprising: (a) entering in a server identifying data for at least three functionally identical communication devices, each of said communication devices comprising: (i) a microcontroller and wireless connection for communicating with said server; (ii) at least one embedded sensor circuit for receiving tactile input from a user where said input is selected from the group consisting of: squeezing or hugging said communication device; (iii) at least one feedback actuator for presenting output to said user; and (iv) a housing formed from a stuffed animal toy; (b) designating at said server as a central device one of said plurality of communication devices; (c) designating at said server as peripheral devices, the remaining of said plurality of devices; (d) receiving at said server from said central device a tactile input message representing a received hug or squeeze, said message initiated in response to a user of said central device interacting with an embedded sensor circuit in said central device; and (e) in response to receiving said tactile input message, transmitting from said server to said peripheral devices an output message for presenting output at said peripheral devices using said feedback actuator; (f) receiving at said server from at least one peripheral device an interaction message initiated in response to said user of said at least one peripheral device interacting with said at least one peripheral; (g) transmitting from said server to said central device a feedback output message for providing feedback to said user of said central device; and (h) transmitting from said server to any additional peripheral devices, an interaction message in response which indicates that said at least one peripheral device has initiated said interaction message.",
    "2. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one feedback actuator comprises a visual feedback actuator.",
    "3. The method of claim 2 wherein said visual feedback actuator triggers a light.",
    "4. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one feedback actuator comprises an aural feedback actuator.",
    "5. The method of claim 4 wherein said aural feedback actuator triggers a music recording.",
    "6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: (f) receiving at said server from said peripheral device a tactile input message initiated in response to said user of said peripheral device interacting with an embedded sensor circuit in said peripheral device; and (g) transmitting from said server to said central device an output message for said feedback actuator.",
    "7. The method of claim 6 further comprising: (h) transmitting from said server to at least one other peripheral device an output message for said feedback actuator.",
    "8. A system for communication between remotely located users, the system comprising: (a) a plurality of compressible housings, each in the shape of an animal, each housing further comprising a functionally identical electronic circuit, such electronic circuit comprising: (i) a communication device, said communication devices comprising: (A) a microcontroller in electronic communication with a wireless communication circuit configured for communicating with a server; (B) a memory in communication with the microcontroller; (C) an embedded tactile input sensor circuit for receiving tactile input from a user, such tactile input selected from the group of: squeezing, hugging, or compressing said housing, said tactile input sensor in electronic communication with said microcontroller; and (D) at least one feedback actuator in electronic communication with said microcontroller for presenting output to said user, at least one of said feedback actuator selected from a group comprising a feedback actuator transmitting vibrations to the housing, or a feedback actuator producing a sound; (b) a server in communication with said plurality of compressible housings wherein: (i) said communications device of one of said plurality of compressible housings is designated at said server to be a central device without changing the configuration of the device itself; (ii) at least one of said communications devices of one of said plurality of compressible housings not designated as a central device is designated at said server to be a peripheral device, said server being configured to communicate with the microcontroller of the designated central device to cause the feedback actuator of said designated central device to react to a tactile input received from the tactile input sensor of one or more of such devices designated as peripheral devices; (iii) said server is configured to receive from said central device a tactile input message initiated in response to a user of said central device interacting with the embedded tactile input sensor circuit in said central device; and (iv) said server is configured to transmit upon receipt of such a tactile input message, an output message to said peripheral device(s) which causes an output to be produced by said feedback actuator of each peripheral device(s); (v) said server receives from one of said peripheral devices, a tactile input message initiated in response to said user of said peripheral device interacting with an embedded sensor circuit in said peripheral device; (vi) said server transmits to said central device an output message as the result of said received tactile input message; and (vii) said server transmits to at least one other peripheral device an output message as the result of said received tactile input message.",
    "9. The system of claim 8 wherein said at least one feedback actuator further comprises a visual feedback actuator.",
    "10. The system of claim 9 wherein said visual feedback actuator triggers a light.",
    "11. The system of claim 8 wherein said aural feedback actuator triggers a music recording.",
    "12. A system for communication between remotely located users, the system comprising: (a) a plurality of compressible housings, each in the shape of an animal, each housing further comprising a functionally identical electronic circuit, such electronic circuit further comprising: (i) a communication device, said communication devices comprising: (A) a microcontroller in electronic communication with a wireless communication circuit configured for communicating with a server; (B) a memory in communication with the microcontroller; (C) an embedded tactile input sensor circuit in communication with said microcontroller, said embedded tactile input sensor configured to receive input from a user, such tactile input selected from the group of: squeezing, hugging, or compressing said housing; and (D) at least one feedback actuator in electronic communication with said microcontroller, said feedback actuator configured for presenting feedback output to said user, at least one of said feedback actuator selected from a group comprising a feedback actuator transmitting vibrations to the housing, or a feedback actuator producing a sound where such sound is selected from a list including a tone, prerecorded music, and prerecorded voice sounds, said feedback actuator further comprising a visual feedback function in the form of an indicator light; (b) a server in communication with said plurality of compressible housings wherein: (i) said communications device of one of said plurality of compressible housings is designated at said server to be a central device without changing the configuration of the device itself; (ii) at least one of said communications devices of one of said plurality of compressible housings not designated as a central device is designated at said server to be a peripheral device, said server being configured to communicate with the microcontroller of the designated central device to cause the feedback actuator of said designated central device to react to a tactile input received from the tactile input sensor of one or more of such devices designated as peripheral devices; (iii) said server is configured to receive from said central device a tactile input message initiated in response to a user of said central device interacting with the embedded tactile input sensor circuit in said central device; and (iv) said server is configured to transmit upon receipt of such a tactile input message, an output message to said peripheral device(s) which causes an output to be produced by said feedback actuator of each peripheral device(s); (v) said server receives from one of said peripheral device, a tactile input message initiated in response to said user of said peripheral device interacting with an embedded sensor circuit in said peripheral device; (vi) said server transmits to said central device an output message as the result of said received tactile input message; and (vii) said server transmits to at least one other peripheral device an output message as the result of said received tactile input message."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates generally to computerized communication systems and methods. In particular, the disclosed embodiments relate to interactive communication devices that support ambient communications between remotely located users.\n\nIt is common today for the generations of a family to live in different neighborhoods, cities, states, and even countries. Similarly, an increasing number of divorces as well as job-related travel requirements cause family members to be separated for varying periods of time. Although staying connected across distances is facilitated with the use of mobile phones and computers, there are practical limitations to the types of communications and interactions that family members can have using these devices. The devices require users to have a certain level of physical as well as mental dexterity. The family members that use them must be able to dial, type, talk, etc. As a result, older family members may have difficulty using them and very young family members may not be able to use them at all.\n\nFurthermore, because of the complexity, overhead, and intrusiveness of the devices as well as the need for privacy associated with using the devices, and in some cases costs, many families limit their use of the devices to situations in which they need to communicate an important message or a long message. When two family members connect by phone or computer, they may engage in a series of communications and remain engaged for a longer period of time than expected.",
  "cpc": [
    "A63H 3/28",
    "A63H 2200/00",
    "G08B 21/0202",
    "H04L 27/2611"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G06F 15/16",
    "A63H 3/28",
    "G08B 21/02",
    "H04L 27/26"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Humana Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Seth Snyder",
    "Katie Wray"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2010-04-27",
  "publication_date": "2017-07-18",
  "grant_date": "2017-07-18",
  "priority_date": "2009-04-30",
  "application_number": "US-76847410-A",
  "family_id": "57452448",
  "cited_by_count": 17,
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}