IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,629,834
Granted Patent B2
US 8,629,834 · App. 12/766,940 · Granted Jan 14, 2014

Haptic automated communication system

Inventors: Jack M. Vice (Stafford, VA); Corinna E. Lathan (Silver Spring, MD); James Drane (Washington, DC); Jonathan Farris (Silver Spring, MD); Bryan Hays (Damascus, MD); Joli Rightmyer (Arlington, VA); Anna Skinner (Silver Spring, MD)
Assignee: Anthrotronix, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,629,834
App. No.
12/766,940
Granted
Jan 14, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A haptic communication system having a range of sensors embedded with an operator's attire. Data collected by the sensors is processed by a computing device local to the operator and is communicated via a haptic modality in real-time to other team members and robotic assets in the system.

Claims (26)

1. A communication system comprising:

a first operator having a first set of sensors and a first haptic display in communication with a first computing device embedded local to the first operator;

a second operator having a second set of sensors and a second haptic display in communication with a second computing device embedded local to the second operator;

said first and second computing devices in a closed loop bi-directional communication supporting haptic properties;

a manager to support simultaneous exchange of sensor data between said operators, including communication of data received by the first operator from the second operator to the first haptic display; and

at least one robotic asset in the closed loop, the robotic asset to support bi-directional communication with the computing device of each operator, wherein information provided by the sensors is exchanged in real-time within the closed loop.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said set of sensors is selected from the group consisting of: position and orientation, acceleration, physiological, global positioning, digital compass, pressure, light, electro-magnetic, radio frequency, and combinations thereof.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first and second operators and a robotic asset form a closed loop communication system.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising each computing device to support recognition of a hand gesture communicated by said sensors.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein gesture information received by the computing device of each operator from the sensors is presented to each of the operators via a haptic modality.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a visual display local to a head mount of at least one of the operators.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the visual display is a micro-display.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a visual display embedded within clothing of the operator.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the visual display is part of a personal digital assistant.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a video device for providing image functionality selected from the group consisting of: visible light spectrum, light amplification, and thermal, infra-red imaging and combinations thereof.

11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a physiological monitor in communication with the operator to manage physiological properties selected from the group consisting of: blood oxygenation level and heart rate.

12. A method of communicating data between multiple users in a network, comprising:

configuring a first user having a first set of sensors and a first haptic display in communication with a first computing device embedded local to the first user;

configuring a second user having a second set of sensors and a second haptic display in communication with a second computing device embedded local to the second user;

establishing closed loop bi-directional communication between said first and second computing devices, said communication to support haptic properties;

simultaneously exchanging sensor data between said users, including communicating data received by said first user from said second user to said first haptic display; and

at least one robotic asset in the closed loop system and said robotic asset supporting bi-directional communication with the computing device of each user, wherein information provided by the sensors is exchanged in real-time within the closed loop including said users and the at least one robotic asset.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said first and second set of sensors is selected from the group consisting of: position and orientation sensors, acceleration, physiological sensors, global positioning sensors, digital compass, pressure sensors, light sensors, electro-magnetic, radio frequency, and combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising computer operated instructions for recognition of activities communicated by said sensors.

15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising computer operated instructions to for recognition of a hand gesture.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein gesture information received by the computing device of each user from the sensors is presented to each of the users via a haptic modality.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 26, 2010
From: VICE, JACK M.; LATHAM, CORINNA E.; DRANE, JAMES; FARRIS, JONATHAN; HAYS, BRYAN; RIGHTMYER, JOLI; SKINNER, ANNA
To: ANTHROTRONIX, INC.
Reel/Frame 024284/0300 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61172576 · Apr 24, 2009
Related Publication 20100271298A1 · Oct 28, 2010