IP Library Granted Patent US 9,218,055
Granted Patent B2
US 9,218,055 · App. 14/085,174 · Granted Dec 22, 2015

Devices, systems, and methods for empathetic computing

Inventors: Rikko Sakaguchi (Menlo Park, CA); Hidenori Ishikawa (Los Altos, CA)
Assignee: SomniQ, Inc.
G06F3/011A61B5/165G06F1/1613G06F1/1694G06F3/014G06F3/015G06F2203/011
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,218,055
App. No.
14/085,174
Granted
Dec 22, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for empathetic computing are described herein. An example empathetic computing device includes an enclosure configured to fit into the palm of a user. The enclosure may have an upper portion and a lower portion and comprise an interface board, a processor, and a touch sensor. The interface board may have a plurality of light emitting devices configured to provide a light pattern of a visual response. The processor may be coupled to a memory device. The touch sensor may be configured to detect the touch of the user. The touch sensor may comprise a touch belt disposed along the enclosure circumferentially and a touch pad.

Claims (44)

1. An empathetic computing device, comprising:

an enclosure configured to fit into a palm of a user and having an upper portion and a lower portion, the enclosure comprising:

an interface board having a plurality of light emitting devices configured to provide a light pattern of a visual response;

a processor coupled to a memory device; and

a touch sensor configured to detect a touch of the user, comprising:

a touch belt disposed along the enclosure circumferentially; and

a touch pad.

2. The empathetic computing device of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the enclosure is partially translucent.

3. The empathetic computing device of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure further comprises a plurality of infrared sensors configured to determine proximity of the user to the empathetic computing device.

4. The empathetic computing device of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion is substantially hemispherical.

5. The empathetic computing device of claim 1 , wherein the interface board further comprises an ambient light sensor.

6. The empathetic computing device of claim 1 , wherein the light emitting devices comprise light emitting diodes.

7. The empathetic computing device of claim 1 , further comprising:

an optic device configured to adjust light of the light pattern.

8. The empathetic computing device of claim 1 , wherein the touch pad comprises a plurality of radial electrode lines.

9. An empathetic computing system, comprising:

a palm-sized empathetic computing device including a plurality of sensors, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor, the palm-sized empathetic computing device configured to enter a mode responsive to identification of an event and provide a visual response indicative of the mode,

wherein the event is based on a proximity of a user to the palm-sized empathetic computing device, a natural action of the user, interaction of the user with the palm-sized empathetic computing device, or a combination thereof.

10. The empathetic computing system of claim 9 . wherein the visual expression comprises a light expression.

11. The empathetic computing system of claim 9 , wherein the user interaction comprises touching, supporting, partially grasping, fully grasping, clasping, or a combination thereof.

12. The empathetic computing system of claim 9 , wherein the palm-sized empathetic computing device is further configured to store data associated with the event responsive to the event concluding.

13. The empathetic computing system of claim 9 , wherein the mode is an initial mode and wherein the palm-sized empathetic computing device is further configured to weight the event to provide a weighted event and enter a weighted mode based on the weighted event and the initial mode.

14. The empathetic comparing system oh claim 9 , wherein the palm-sized empathetic computing device is further configured to selectively enable one or more features, one or more components, or a combination thereof, based on the event.

15. A method of interfacing with a user, comprising:

receiving a first set of user data;

identifying an event based on the first set of user data;

selecting an initial mode based on the event;

providing, using a light device, a first response to the user based on the initial mode;

receiving a second set of user data;

weighting the event based on the second set of user data to provide a weighted event;

selecting a weighted mode based on the weighted event and the initial mode; and

providing, using the light device, a second response to the user based on the weighted event.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

filtering the user data.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein identifying an event based on the user data comprises performing feature extraction on the user data.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein providing, using a light device, a first response to the user based on the initial mode comprises providing an auditory response.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein providing, using a light device, a first response to the user based on the initial mode comprises providing a vibrational response.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the weighted event is a first weighted event, the method further comprising:

weighting the event based on the user data to provide a second weighted event; and

providing a third response to the user based on the second weighted event.

21. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

storing data associated with the event.

22. The method of claim 15 , wherein identifying an event based on the user data comprises comparing the user data to a data model.

23. The method of claim 15 , wherein weighting the event based on the user data to provide a weighted event comprises weighting the event based on a duration of the event.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2013
From: SAKAGUCHI, RIKKO; ISHIKAWA, HIDENORI
To: SOMNIQ, INC.
Reel/Frame 031692/0481 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61728963 · Nov 21, 2012
Related Publication 20140139466A1 · May 22, 2014