Systems for collaborative interaction using wearable technology

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12411540-B2
Application number	US-202218275754-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 3, 2022
Priority date	Feb 3, 2021
Publication date	Sep 9, 2025
Grant date	Sep 9, 2025

Abstract

Described herein are systems for collaborative interaction using wearable technology. An example system includes a wearable sensor configured to sense a collaborative interaction event, a microcontroller including a wireless transceiver, where the microcontroller is in operable communication with the wearable sensor, and where the microcontroller is configured to receive a sensor signal from the wearable sensor, and transmit, using the wireless transceiver, the sensor signal. The system also includes a computing device in operable communication with the microcontroller. The computing device includes a processor and a memory, the memory having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive the sensor signal from the microcontroller; analyze the sensor signal to detect the collaborative interaction event; and generate a control command in response to detecting the collaborative interaction event, where the control command is configured to manipulate an object within a gaming environment.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:
a wearable sensor configured to sense a collaborative interaction event, the wearable sensor comprising a human body communication sensor configured to sense skin-to-skin contact between two different users;
a microcontroller comprising a wireless transceiver, wherein the microcontroller is in operable communication with the wearable sensor, and wherein the microcontroller is configured to:
receive a sensor signal from the wearable sensor; and
transmit, using the wireless transceiver, the sensor signal; and

a computing device in operable communication with the microcontroller, wherein the computing device comprises a processor and a memory, the memory having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
receive the sensor signal from the microcontroller;
analyze the sensor signal to detect the collaborative interaction event; and
generate a control command in response to detecting the collaborative interaction event.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a plurality of wearable sensors.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein a first wearable sensor of the plurality of wearable sensors is configured to be worn by a first user and a second wearable sensor of the plurality of wearable sensors is configured to be worn by a second user, and wherein at least one of the first wearable sensor or the second wearable sensor senses the collaborative interaction event.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the memory has further computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to generate a different control command in response to detecting the collaborative interaction event at each of the plurality of wearable sensors.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the memory has further computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to generate a different control command in response to detecting the collaborative interaction event at a distinct combination of the plurality of wearable sensors.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the wearable sensor further comprises a pressure sensor.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the wearable sensor further comprises a force sensitive resistor.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the force sensitive resistor comprises a force-sensitive material and an embroidered material.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the embroidered material comprises conductive thread.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the wearable sensor further comprises a proximity sensor.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the wearable sensor further comprises an impedance sensor.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the wearable sensor further comprises an ultrasound sensor.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system comprises at least three wearable sensors and the at least three wearable sensors are human body communications sensors.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to simultaneously receive sensor signals from each of the at least three human body communication sensors.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control command is configured to manipulate an object within a gaming environment.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the memory has further computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to update the object's state within the gaming environment.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the computing device further comprises a user interface, and the memory has further computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to graphically display the display data on the user interface.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control command is configured to facilitate interactive learning or provide therapy.

Assignees

• Ohio State Innovation Foundation

Inventors

• Swearingen Eunkyoung
• Swearingen Scott
• Thrane Susan
• Kiourti Asimina
• Dontha Balaji
• Williamson Ian

Classifications

• G09B5/02

  with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip · CPC title

• G06F3/0487

  using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser · CPC title

• A63F13/533

  for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu · CPC title

• A63F13/212

  using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity · CPC title

• G06F3/014

  Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves · CPC title