Abstract In the transmission of information through the medium of electrocutaneous stimuli, the data is generally transmitted by issuing signals in the form of pulse trains which carry the information in terms of their frequency of repetition, the duration time of the train of pulses, the pulse height and the pulse width. Different pulse signals, on conveyance to the organism, generate thereon one and the same magnitude of sensation when the products of pulse widths multiplied by the squares of respective pulse heights are equal. By a procedure of first measuring the cutaneous impedance of a given subject, forwarding the measured value of impedance as a feedback for thereby controlling the pulse signal of the information being transmitted so as to make constant the product of the pulse width multiplied by the square of the pulse height of the pulse signals and passing the controlled pulse signal to the subject, the magnitude of sensation roused in response to any particular signal is rendered constant at all times and therefore the information conveyed through the medium of a varying collection of such particular signals can be correctly transmitted to the subject.
In an apparatus for the transmission of information, comprising means for applying pulse signals representing a desired item of information to electrodes fastened to the skin of a human subject for thereby transmitting the information by electro-cutaneous stimuli, an improvement which comprises (a) the means for applying pulse signals including means for applying pulse signals corresponding to stimulation energy based on the information to be transmitted, (b) means for measuring the current and voltage of the pulse signals corresponding to stimulation energy for thereby detecting the cutaneous impedance of the human subject, (c) the means for applying pulse signals including means for applying pulse signals on the basis of the detected cutaneous impedance, (d) means for controlling the pulse signals so that the product of the square of pulse height multiplied by pulse width of the pulse signals corresponding to stimulation energy is equal to the product of the square of the pulse height multiplied by pulse width of the pulse signals on the basis of the detected cutaneous impedance, and (e) the means for applying the pulse signals including means for applying the controlled pulse signals to the electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
In an apparatus for the transmission of information, comprising means for applying pulse signals representing a desired item of information to electrodes fastened to the skin of a human subject for thereby transmitting the information by electro-cutaneous stimuli, an improvement which comprises (a) the means for applying pulse signals including means for applying pulse signals corresponding to stimulation energy based on the information to be transmitted, (b) means for measuring the current and voltage of the pulse signals corresponding to stimulation energy for thereby detecting the cutaneous impedance of the human subject, (c) the means for applying pulse signals including means for applying pulse signals on the basis of the detected cutaneous impedance, (d) means for controlling the pulse signals so that the product of the square of pulse height multiplied by pulse width of the pulse signals corresponding to stimulation energy is equal to the product of the square of the pulse height multiplied by pulse width of the pulse signals on the basis of the detected cutaneous impedance, and (e) the means for applying the pulse signals including means for applying the controlled pulse signals to the electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus for the transmission of information according to claim 1, comprising means for controlling the pulse height of the pulse signal so as to make constant the product of the square of pulse height multiplied by the pulse width of the pulse signals representing the data desired to be transmitted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus for the transmission of information according to claim 1, comprising means for controlling the pulse width of the pulse signal so as to make constant the product of the square of pulse height multiplied by the pulse width of the pulse signals representing the data desired to be transmitted.