Apparatus and method for physical interaction over a distance using a telecommunication device
Methods and apparatus that permit two users to physically interact with one another from a distance using their telecommunication device are disclosed. In an exemplary method, a connection between the telecommunication devices may be established and an indication of inputs at the first and second telecommunication devices received. The inputs may be verified to have been input at the telecommunication devices either substantially simultaneously or overlapping in time. A signal may be sent to the telecommunication devices instructing them to provide a physically perceptible output responsive to verification of substantially simultaneous or overlapping inputs.
1. A method for simulating physical interaction between a caller and a recipient using telecommunication devices, the method comprising:
providing a server to communicate with the telecommunication devices;
registering the telecommunication devices with the server;
establishing a communication link between the telecommunication devices in response to conformation of registration of the devices at the server;
receiving an indication of substantially simultaneous inputs occurring at the caller's and the recipient's telecommunication devices; and
providing a physically perceptible output at the caller's and/or recipient's telecommunication devices in response to verification of the substantially simultaneous inputs at the caller's and recipient's devices.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one input is a tactile input.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one input is an audible input.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the output is a tactile output.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the tactile output is a vibration output.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the output is an audible output.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the output is a visual output.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the output is the combination of two or more outputs selected from the group consisting of: tactile, audible and visual outputs.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the inputs are tactile motions applied to a touch screen which are not used to select numeric or text symbols on the touch screen.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an indication of a tactile input from the caller's telecommunication device; and
sending a notification of the input of the tactile input to the recipient's telecommunication device in response to the receipt of the indication of the tactile input at the caller's telecommunication device.
11. A method for providing physical interaction between a caller and a recipient using telecommunication devices, the method comprising:
providing a server to communicate with the telecommunication devices;
subscribing the telecommunication devices with the server;
placing a call using an application installed on the telecommunication devices;
authenticating the caller's telecommunication device with the server;
authenticating a recipient's telecommunication device with the server;
synchronizing the caller's and recipient's telecommunication devices;
receiving indication of inputs at the caller's and recipient's telecommunication devices;
verifying whether the inputs at the caller's and recipient's telecommunication devices are substantially simultaneous; and
providing a physically perceptible output at the caller's and recipient's telecommunication devices responsive to verification of substantially simultaneous inputs.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one input is selected from the group consisting of: a tactile input and an audible input.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the output is a tactile output.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the tactile output is a vibration output.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the inputs are tactile inputs applied to a touch screen which inputs are not used to select numeric or text symbols on the touch screen.
16. The method of claim 11 further comprising:
receiving an indication of a tactile input from the caller's telecommunication device; and
sending a notification of the input of the tactile input to the recipient's telecommunication device in response to the receipt of the indication of the tactile input at the caller's telecommunication device.
17. A method for simulating physical interaction between a caller and a recipient using the caller's and recipient's telecommunication devices, the method comprising:
providing a server to communicate with the telecommunication devices;
subscribing the telecommunication devices with the server;
establishing a connection between the telecommunication devices;
authenticating the caller's telecommunication device with the server;
authenticating the recipient's telecommunication device with the server;
receiving indication of inputs at the caller's and recipient's telecommunication devices;
verifying that the inputs at the caller's and recipient's telecommunication devices overlapped in time; and
providing a physically perceptible output at the caller's and recipient's telecommunication devices responsive to verification of overlapping inputs.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein at least one input is selected from the group consisting of: a tactile input and an audible input.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the output is a tactile output.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the tactile output is a vibration output.
21. The method of claim 17 wherein the inputs are tactile inputs applied to a touch screen which inputs are not used to select numeric or text symbols on the touch screen.
22. A method for simulating physical interaction between users of first and second telecommunication devices, the method comprising:
establishing a connection between the telecommunication devices;
receiving an indication of an input from the first telecommunication device;
sending a notification of the input to the second telecommunication device in response to the receipt of the indication of the input at the first telecommunication device;
receiving indication an input at the second telecommunication device;
verifying that the inputs at the first and second telecommunication devices overlapped in time; and
sending one or more signals to the telecommunication devices to provide a physically perceptible output at the telecommunication devices responsive to verification of overlapping inputs.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein at least one input is selected from the group consisting of: a tactile input and an audible input.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the output is a tactile output.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the tactile output is a vibration output.
26. The method of claim 22 wherein the inputs are tactile inputs applied to a touch screen which inputs are not used to select numeric or text symbols on the touch screen.