WO2006030407A1 - Computer-implemented method and system for giving a user an impression of tactile feedback - Google Patents

Abstract

A computer-implemented method and system for giving a user an impression of tactile feedback, comprising a computer coupled to a memory storing therein a plurality of computer-accessible live movie sequences of at least one image relating to a predetermined subject. An appliance is associated with the at least one image, and at least one data input source is associated with the appliance for inputting tactile-dependent signals to the computer. A display device is connected to the computer for displaying one of the live movie-sequences in accordance with the tactile-dependent signals.

Description

Computer-implemented method and system for giving a user an impression of tactile feedback

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

TMs invention relates to interactive display and manipulation of computer images.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The need for interactive display and manipulation of computer images has been extensively addressed in the patent literature. U.S. Patent No. 5,844,547 discloses an apparatus and a method of operation for manipulating the display of an object on a display device in accordance with sensing a touching contact on a touch pane, superimposed on a display surface of the display device. Movement of the displayed object is simulated in accordance with characteristics of the touching contact on the touch panel adjacent to the displayed object image. Further, object data defining the display of the object image for each of a plurality of different states of the object, display information specifying the shape and physical properties of the object and the current display position thereof and file information relating to the stored data are stored and accessed for interpreting the simulated manipulation of the object by the characteristics of the touching contact therewith, for correspondingly manipulating and displaying the thus manipulated object image.

U.S. Patent No. 5,739,811 discloses a method and apparatus for controlling human-computer interface systems providing force feedback using an interface device manipulated by a user. A microprocessor is provided local to the interface device and reads sensor data from sensors that describes the position and/or other information about an object grasped and moved by the user, such as a joystick. The microprocessor provides the sensor data to a host computer that is coupled to the interface device by a communication bus that preferably includes a serial interface. In a "host-controlled" embodiment, the host computer calculates force values using the sensor data and other parameters of a host application program and sends the force values to the local microprocessor, which directly provides the force values to actuators to apply forces to the user object. In a "reflex" embodiment, the host computer sends high level supervisory commands to the local microprocessor, and the microprocessor independently implements a local process based on the high level command for reading sensor data and providing force values to the actuators using sensor data and other parameters.

U.S. Patent No. 4,954,697 shows a vending apparatus for a self-service store comprising a memory for storing product data associated with a plurality of different stored items, the product data including multiple displays of more precise product information on successive screen images for display on a display panel. An input means includes a touch sensing input device on the display panel and allows selection and designation data to be received from a user indicative of selected products.

US 5,844,547 (Minakuchi et al) discloses a touch screen that is used to control the display of images stored on disk so as to allow the object to be manipulated. The touch screen is a transparent panel that is mounted in front of the display and the operator's finger provides touch screen information representing the motion of the body and conveys a touch report to a controller for adjusting the display of the object image. The touch screen is associated with the image in that movement of the image is accomplished via the touch screen. But the touch screen neither depicts nor is suggestive of a sexual theme. US 5,845,263 (Camaisa et al) teaches a portable, interactive restaurant visual ordering system using photo-realistic images that may be displayed using a portable computer having a data input device. A video monitor is electronically connected to the computer, and a set of photo-realistic images are digitally accessible to the computer. A computer readable code is digitally accessible to the computer for displaying one or more of the images and one or more of the characteristics associated with the image or images on the monitor in response to manipulation of the data input device. Again, the data input device neither depicts nor is suggestive of a sexual theme.

US 5,174,759 (Preston et al) teaches a video system that enables an operator to repeatedly touch a study object to change the action according to dramatics or game on a video display. An educational embodiment enables that student to touch the page of a printed book and effect multiple types of video response, selected on page by a student, educating the student of the meaning of the point in the printed text or graphics touched. A similar embodiment provides a solid object the student touches to effect multiple animations. As noted in col. 9, lines 28$ the student has the ability to operate the system by touching keys of a keyboard printed on the book page. In so doing the system enters a response to a question posed on the display. By such means, a student working at a workbook may utilize a pen indicator to either respond to monitor stimuli or to effect video monitor response to the student's indicated book position stimuli. The meaning of the student performance is determined and evaluated and the response is timed and scored. There is no suggestion in Preston et al. to provide an appliance for inputting signals that depicts or is suggestive of a sexual theme These references are typical of systems allowing image manipulation using touch sensitive sensors. However, the touch sensors merely serve to allow user selection of pre- stored characteristics and do not actually provide the user with an impression of tactile feedback. Tactile feedback is important in a large number of circumstances. For example, tactile feedback provides valuable information about saleable products which is not assessable from mail order catalogues be they in printed form or computer implemented. For instance, the "feel" of cloth is important when purchasing clothes, particularly, albeit not exclusively, lingerie.

Tactile feedback may also form an essential component of sex therapy. It is known that sexual dysfunction is commonly psychological rather than physiological in origin. To this extent, the cure of sexual dysfunction is usually predicated on the gradual building up of a patient's self-confidence, using various means for inducing sexual stimulation. Short of using surrogate partners, which is an extreme and often unacceptable approach, little has been offered to simulate the sensation of feel, notwithstanding its crucial importance in real life. US 6,368,268 (Sandvick et al.) published April 9, 2002 and entitled "Method and device for interactive virtual control of sexual aids using digital computer networks" describes an interactive virtual sexual stimulation system. A person at a first user interface controls a stimulation device(s) located at a second user interface. The first and second user interfaces may be connected, for instance, through a web site on the Internet, hi another embodiment, a person at a user interface may interact with a prerecorded video feed such that the prerecorded video feed controls the stimulation device(s). US 6,695,770 (Choy et al.) published February 24, 2004 and entitled "Simulated human interaction systems" discloses an apparatus for providing a virtual reality sexual experience. The apparatus includes audio reproduction means, visual reproduction means and tactile means for sexual stimulation. The apparatus further comprises a control system to correlate the audio means, visual means and tactile means to relate to one another to simulate a sexual experience. The apparatus provides a scenario for audio and visual outputs which is selected from a database and advances in a manner corresponding to user movements and engagement with the tactile system. The user simulates a sexual encounter with a doll having sensors which provide control signals to the control system to alter the audio and the visual outputs corresponding to physical interaction of the user with the part of the doll.

The displayed images engage in a sexual activity that mimics the action of the user with the doll thereby providing tactile feedback that further stimulates the user. The images are animated computer generated avatars that are software-controlled based on inputs received from the user(s) using limb-tracking devices that allow the software to know exactly what each user is doing and to use motion capture for attaching life-like attributes to the computer-generated avatar.

Such a system provides an impression of tactile feedback that is an essential component of sexual stimulation. However, the displayed images are computer-generated animations. The degree of stimulation would clearly be enhanced if real movie stars were used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to give a user an impression of tactile feedback which allows visual images to be manipulated according to the manner in which the user contacts one or more touch-sensitive switches.

According to a broad aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer- implemented method for giving a user an impression of tactile feedback, the method comprising: using an appliance shaped to resemble a human body part to input tactile- dependent signals to a computer, accessing a plurality of computer-accessible live movie sequences of at least one image relating to a predetermined subject associated with or suggested by the appliance, and displaying on a display device connected to the computer one of said live movie- sequences in accordance with said tactile-dependent signals.

Unlike the prior art, the tactile-dependent signals are not used to select pre-stored and/or computer animated images on a one-to-one basis but rather allow selection of pre- stored images according to the order, rate and/or pressure with which a sequence of touch sensors are contacted. Moreover, in the prior art, there appears to be no suggestion that an appliance may be associated with a non-animated image to be displayed such that the appliance allows for the communication of tactile-dependent signals to the computer which processes the image. The invention provides tactile feedback that reinforces the actual sensation of feel associated, for example, with a particular texture by displaying live artists engaging in physical encounters that suggest the desired sensation. More particularly, when used as a sex aid, the feedback is achieved using a regular DVD or comparable medium that is pre-processed so as to display different sex acts according to actions performed by the user with one or more sex appliances.

Within the context of the description and appended claims it is to be understood that the term "computer" embraces any device that is adapted to display movie sequences and has a processor that allows connection of an appliance for inputting tactile-dependent signals to the computer. Thus, apart from being a computer in the generally accepted sense, the computer can be a mobile telephone having a suitable interface for connecting an appliance thereto. Such an interface need not, of course, required direct coupling and may be served by the IR interface now provided as standard on up-market cellular telephones.

Likewise, within the context of the description and appended claims it is to be understood that the term "live" as applied to movie implies that the movie is not computer generated or animated but uses live actors and actresses to act out a theme associated with the appliance, hi saying this, the claims are not intended to preclude animation effects that are superimposed on such a movie or that are provided in addition thereto. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, some preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing functionally a system according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a pictorial representation of an appliance for use with the system shown in Fig. 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c are pictorial representations of an alternative data input source for use with the system shown in Fig. 1 ;

Figs. 4a to 5 are pictorial representations of different appliances for use with the system shown in Fig. 1 according to further embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a pictorial representation of a penetration sensor for use with the system shown in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 7 is a pictorial representation showing a plan view of the penetration sensor depicted in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of the penetration sensor depicted in Fig. 6 showing its mode of operation;

Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of an object intersecting an infrared beam in the penetration sensor depicted in Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a pictorial representation of a different type of penetration sensor for use with the system shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 11 is a flow diagram showing the principal actions associated with a method for providing tactile feedback using the system depicted in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 12 is a flow diagram showing the principal actions associated with a method for formatting a DVD or other video medium to allow live interaction during replay; and

Fig. 13 is a flow diagram showing the principal actions associated with a method for live interaction with the DVD or other video medium formatted according to Fig. 12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Figs. 1 and 2 show a computer-implemented system depicted generally as 10 for giving a user 11 an impression of tactile feedback. The system 10 comprises a computer 12 coupled via a communication line 13 through the Internet to a server 14 having a memory 15 storing therein a plurality of computer-accessible movie sequences 16 of at least one image relating to a predetermined subject. For the sake of clarity, it will be supposed that a clothes manufacturer or supplier wishes to sell his wares over the Internet. To this end, he sets up a site and stores at least one image relating to a specific article of clothing. More typically, he would want to show the article of clothing being worn as seen by an observer from various angles, and thus stores a plurality of images which, when displayed in quick succession, give the impression of a movie-sequence of a model or mannequin moving or pirouetting whilst wearing the article of clothing.

The user, in this case a potential customer, is provided with an appliance 20 associated with the image of the article of clothing depicted by the movie sequence. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the appliance 20 is a card 21 (constituting a substantially planar membrane) bearing a pictorial representation 22 of a corresponding article of clothing or movie-sequence. In such case, the user 11 acquires a collection of such cards 21 each depicting, for example, a different article of clothing in the manufacturer's or supplier's catalogue. A keyboard 23 is coupled to the computer 12 and constitutes a data input source for inputting tactile-dependent signals to the computer 12; and a display device 24 is connected to the computer 12 for displaying one of the movie-sequences in accordance with the tactile-dependent signals. The appliance 20 includes at least one flexible area 25 therein for overlapping a predetermined sequence of keys 26 of the keyboard 23 connected to the computer 12. Applying pressure to the appliance 20, for example by the user 11 brushing a finger across an external surface thereof within the flexible area 25, successively depresses the predetermined sequence of keys 26 in an order dependent on the direction in which the user's finger brushes across the external surface of the appliance. The computer 12 is adapted to extract one of the movie-sequences responsive to depressing said predetermined sequence of keys and to display successive images so as to give the desired impression of motion. By arranging that the flexible area 25 in different cards 21 overlies different sequences of keys 26, the location of the flexible area serves for encoding the respective card and signals to the computer 12 which movie sequence to display. Which images in the selected movie sequence are actually displayed and the order in which they are displayed is determined according to the order in which the keys are depressed and, possibly, also the rate of depression. Further, seeing that different locations of the card 21 overlie specific keys 26, the computer 12 is responsive to discrete points of contact by the user 11 with the card 21 for displaying a respective image of the movie-sequence. More particularly, the computer 12 may be responsive to successive points of contact by the user with the pictorial representation for displaying respective successive images of the selected movie-sequence, and each of the respective successive images may depict contact with the pictorial representation at a respective point of contact. Li such manner, the movie-sequence mirrors the user's contact with the pictorial representation. For example, the card 21 may bear a pictorial representation of a toy teddy bear. A child strokes the head of the teddy bear depicted in the pictorial representation, thus activating a specific sequence of keys 26. The computer 12 responds to the specific sequence of keys 26 thus activated to display a sequence of images of a "virtual" child stroking a teddy bear at the same location, thus mirroring the action of the child. If desired, a portion of the card 21 within the flexible area 25 may be contoured so as to resemble more closely a feature of the teddy bear (or other image) depicted thereon. Furthermore, sound files may be downloaded from the Web site or CD-ROM to the computer 12 for vocalization by a loudspeaker 27 coupled thereto. The invention thus provides tactile feedback that reinforces the actual sensation of feel associated, for example, with a particular texture, since the child will gain the impression that he is actually stroking the fur coat of a real teddy bear.

In like manner the pictorial representation and the movie-sequence may depict erotic images. In this case, for example, the card 21 may depict part of a woman's anatomy which, when stroked by the user 11, results in a movie sequence of images being displayed showing a model performing similar motions on her own body. If desired, a portion of the card 21 within the flexible area 25 may be contoured so as to resemble more closely the part of the woman's anatomy depicted thereon. Here also sound data may be downloaded for vocalization by a loudspeaker 27. Strategic areas of the pictorial representation may be covered with fabric having erotic connotations such as chiffon or silk and conjuring up lingerie in the user's mind. The movie sequence thus obtained in consequence to rubbing these areas provides tactile feedback that gives the user the impression that he is actually feeling the lingerie on the displayed model.

Figs. 3a to 3c show pictorially an alternative data input source that may be used instead of, or in addition to, the keys 26 shown in Fig. 2. The data input source comprises a capacitive sensor 30 having a base plate 32 and a non-parallel tablet 33 displaced therefrom, both formed of metal and each being divided into mutually separate sections 34. The capacitance between the base plate 32 and the tablet 33 for each section is a function of their mutual separation and thus varies according to the location along the section. The same effect could be achieved by employing parallel plates separated by a non-linear dielectric. hi use, a user contacting the sensor 30 with his finger 35 applies slight pressure to the tablet 33 thereby slightly displacing one of the sections 34 toward the base plate 32. The sensor 30 is connected in one arm of a capacitive meter 36, which thus produces an output signal whose magnitude is a function of the capacitance between the base plate 32 and the tablet 33 of the depressed section 34. This is a function of displacement of the user's finger 35 along the tablet 33, and thus of displacement along one axis of the tablet relative to an origin thereof, owing to the approximately linear relationship between the two. Knowledge of which section 34 is depressed provides a measure of the displacement along an orthogonal axis of the tablet, thus allowing both coordinates to be determined. According to one application of this embodiment, a picture 37 may be mounted on the tablet 33 such that movement of the user's finger 35 along the picture translates into a varying signal that is fed to the computer 12. Associated with the picture 37 is a barcode 38 that is read by a barcode reader 39, which produces an identification signal identifying the picture 37. The computer 12 is responsive to the identification signal for accessing a library of pre-stored images corresponding to the picture 37 and is programmed to display one of the stored images according to the varying sensor signal. Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c show pictorially how movement of the user's finger 35 across the picture 37 of a teddy bear translates to the display of different frames of a movie sequence of a walking teddy bear on the display device 24. Thus, Fig. 3a shows a first situation where a user touches the picture 37 towards the teddy bear's head and there is shown on the display device 24 a first frame showing a hand stroking a teddy bear at the same point. In Fig. 3b, the user's finger 35 has progressed towards the middle of the teddy bear, and there is likewise displayed a subsequent frame on the display device 24 wherein the hand has moved to the same point of the teddy bear. In Fig. 3 c, the user's finger 35 has progressed towards the teddy bear's foot, and there is displayed a subsequent frame on the display device 24 wherein the hand is touching the teddy bear's foot. By way of further example, the picture 37 may be a calendar or other promotional material supplied by a company having a Web site. At the Web site there is stored a plurality of movie sequences depicting movement of the calendar image. The user mounts the calendar image on the tablet 33 and connects to the company's Web site whereupon there is displayed on the display device 24 the same image as shown on the calendar. As the user moves his or her finger 35 along the tablet 33, the display image varies giving the impression of a movie-sequence. In particular, images may be displayed depicting motion of the user's finger at a specific location of the calendar image. For example, the calendar image may show a model advertising a hair conditioner. Movement of the user's finger 35 in an area of the model's head, may show on the display device 24 swaying motion of the model's hair. According to another application, erotic images of the model may be displayed showing a desired area of her anatomy according to the location of the user's finger 35 on the calendar image.

According to yet another application sports personalities may be shown on the card. Applying fmger pressure on a selected personality causes a movie sequence to be displayed depicting the selected personality playing the sport with which he is associated. This also has application as an educational aid. For example, touching one of several musicians depicted in a pictorial representation mounted on the tablet, might result in a movie sequence of the selected musician playing music which is heard through the loudspeaker 27. The tablet 33 may also be used in conjunction with other sensors so as to provide feedback of a user's emotional response. For example, an image of a heart may be mounted on the tablet and a pulsimeter (not shown) attached to the user's wrist. As the user's heart beat varies, a varying signal is fed from the pulsimeter to the computer, which is programmed to display, for example, a pulsating heart whose rate of pulsation mimics the user's heart rate, thereby providing biofeedback to the user. If desired, the fed-back movie sequence shown on the display device may be specially selected to have a calming effect on the user. The capacitive sensor 30 can be replaced with a conventional pad having a matrix of intersecting switches, whereby depressing on any point of the pad closes one of the switches, thus allowing the x- andj- coordinates to be determined.

According to another application, a 3 -dimensional tracker can be employed such as provided by Pegasus Technologies Ltd. under the trade name FreeD and described in their web site http ://www.netvision.net.il/~peg. Essentially, an L-shaped bracket is mounted around adjacent edges of the display monitor 24 having ultrasonic transducers at extreme edges of each arm. A third ultrasonic transducer is mounted at the corner of the bracket. A user wears a mobile tracker unit on his or her knuckles having conventional Left and Right mouse-type pushbutton switches. The location of the mobile tracker unit is determined by use of triangulation measurements, in real-time, with an accuracy of approximately 0.2mm. Button information from the mobile unit is transferred through infra-red signals, enabling the mobile tracker unit to be totally wireless. Such a tracker allows a 3 -dimensional object to be grasped by the user and for signals indicating a dimension thereof to be derived. By such means, the computer may be responsive to a selected dimension of the object, or to the span of the object between selected points thereof, for displaying a corresponding movie-sequence. The 3-dimensional object may be a live creature such as a bird whose wing span may be sensed by the rings, thus showing on the display a movie-sequence of a bird in flight, characteristics of which are dependent on the detected wing span, or any other desired measurement.

Use of a pulsimeter for measuring the user's pulse has been described. However, other sensors may equally well be used to sense other physiological variables such as temperature, skin resistance and so on. These may be used in like manner to provide biofeedback by controlling the image display or sound sequence according to the measured parameters.

Figs. 4a and 4b show yet another application of the invention with regard to a "feeling" book 40 each of whose pages is stored at a respective Internet address together with sound and image files. In use, the user accesses the book's Web site so as to receive an introductory home page. In accordance with one embodiment as depicted in Fig. 4a, the pages are removable so that each page can be removed, in turn, and mounted on a tablet of the kind described above with reference to Fig. 3b. Thus, as shown in Fig. 4b, a page 41 of the book is removed from the book 40 and mounted on the capacitive sensor 30. A signal is obtained indicating the new page number which has a corresponding hyperlink at the book's Web site, thus allowing the appropriate sound and image files to be downloaded. In order to identify the current page number, a barcode 42 may be printed on each page for reading by a miniature bar code reader 43 mounted in line of sight proximity to the current page 41 and connected to the computer 12 for feeding data indicative of the current page number thereto.

Pictorial representations depicted on the page allow for movie sequences associated therewith to be displayed upon the reader brushing the picture with his or her finger. This allows interactive animation effects to be played with the reader and for the sensation of feel associated with the external fabric of the pictorial representation to be fed back to the reader. The reader thus feels that real contact is being made with the character shown in the movie sequence.

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a card 45 depicting a flower 46 whose petals contain a sealed perfume pod 47 which emits perfume in response to finger pressure. Use of the card 45 is similar to that described above with reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings, allowing for display of a video sequence of the flower blooming. As finger pressure is applied to the petals, perfume is emitted. Here, too, the petals are formed of a material giving the sensation to the user that finger contact is being made with a real flower. The invention has been described so far inter alia with regard to a card bearing a pictorial representation of an object or person or a feature thereof. It has further been noted that part of the image depicted on such a card may, if required, be shaped to resemble a human body part. However, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the appliance 20 may be shaped in its entirety to resemble a human body part. Fig. 6 shows pictorially a penetration sensor 50 having an internal bore 51 formed of transparent material into which a body member, such as a finger, tongue or penis, may be inserted and having sensor pairs 54, 55 disposed along an outer surface thereof so as to provide an indication of depth of penetration of a member inserted therein. Each sensor pair may comprise an infrared light source 54, such as an LED, and a corresponding pair of staggered infrared detectors 55 mounted on opposite surfaces of the sensor 50, such that light emitted by any one of the infrared light sources 54 strikes two infrared detectors 55. Such a penetration sensor 50 may serve as a surrogate vagina allowing a user to insert a body member so as to activate the sensors at variable rate and pressure. Thus, as the user's member penetrates further into the bore 51, successive sensor signals are produced. The computer may be programmed to display images having stronger erotic content in response to increased penetration. The complete arrangement may be encased within a surrounding housing 56.

Fig. 7 shows a detail of the penetration sensor 50 in plan view. The outer surfaces of the sensor 50 adjacent the infrared light sources 54 and the infrared detectors 55 are flattened either by pre-forming the internal bore 51 with flat sides or by truncating the side-walls or by forming the surrounding housing 56 with flat side walls so that when the internal bore 51 is inserted therein, the material thereof proximate the infrared light sources and detectors is squashed, thereby producing the desired flattening effect.

The flattening of the side walls of the internal bore 51 adjacent the light sources and detectors ensures that light emitted by the infrared light sources 54 propagates directly through the side wall of the penetration sensor 50 and exits the opposite side so as to strike the staggered pair of detectors 55. If a completely cylindrical cross-section were employed, at least some of the light emitted by the infrared light sources 54 would scatter and miss the detectors 55. This would at best reduce the intensity of the signal received thereby and is unsatisfactory.

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of the penetration sensor 50 showing its mode of operation. Thus, as a user inserts a body member or other object into the internal bore 51 of the sensor, light from the infrared light sources 54 is intersected and one of the corresponding pair of detectors 55 stops receiving a signal. The second detector in the same pair does not stop receiving a signal until the user's finger for example intercepts the second detector. Thus, the time taken between the signal to the first detector being at least partially interrupted and the light to the second detector in the same pair being interrupted is a function of the rate at which the user inserts his finger into the penetration sensor 50.

Fig. 9 shows schematically a beam of infrared light 56 emitted by one of the infrared light sources 54 striking respective detectors 55. It is seen that a cross-section of the light beam 56 is elongated i.e. oval in shape owing to the staggered displacement of the two detectors 55 relative to the corresponding sensor 54. As a result, as an object is inserted into the penetration sensor 50, it cuts the light beam 56 obtusely (i.e. non- normally) and the width of the cross-section of the light beam 56 that must be traversed by the object before light is fully interrupted from reaching the detector 55 is larger than would be the case if a single detector 55 were disposed directly opposite a light source 54. This allows better discrimination and, in practice, permits a larger number of discrete binary levels to be counted between the object starting to interrupt the beam to the first detector and completely interrupting the beam to the second detector. The resulting higher resolution signal permits more discrete frames of a video sequence to be displayed in the time interval that elapses between the object's penetration between adjacent detectors.

Preferably, the inside surface of the internal bore 51 is formed of an elastic material allowing for radial expansion and contraction depending on the overall width of the body member inserted therein. In such case, some or all of the sensors pairs 54, 55 may be pressure sensors, which produce a signal when acted upon by the body member. A male user suffering from impotence, for example, who inserts his penis into the bore will exert against the inside surface of the bore 51 pressure whose magnitude is a function of his penile width. This, in turn, is clearly correlated with the strength of his erection and thus sensor signals are produced which characterize rate of "pumping" and strength of erection. Since the penis contracts after orgasm, monitoring the depth of penetration allows the moment of orgasm to be determined. The computer 12 is programmed to display movie- sequence depicting erotic images which may, for example, mirror the patient's actions in response to tactile stimulation of the appliance. It has been found that such images stimulate the patient further and give rise to greater strength of his erection, thus further increasing the pressure on the pressure sensors 54, 55. The computer may be programmed to display images having stronger erotic content, this inducing yet further stimulation and aiding the patient to reduce anxiety and by such means overcome his impotence.

Fig. 10 shows pictorially an alternative embodiment depicting an appliance 60 including a generally cylindrical phallic-shaped member 61 having sensors 62 disposed along an outer surface thereof, for use by female patients in a similar manner. Thus, as the appliance 60 is inserted deeper into the user's vagina, the sensors 62 produce successive signals indicative of depth of penetration. The computer may be programmed to be responsive to the sensor signals for displaying images having stronger erotic content, this inducing yet further stimulation.

The sensors 62 may be micro-switches whose states (open or closed) are toggled when depressed by the walls of the vagina. Alternatively, or additionally, they may produce signals whose magnitude is a function of electrical resistance, this in turn varying as a function of moisture in the vagina and decreasing in inverse proportion to the woman's stimulation. Alternatively, they may be pressure sensors that are activated upon the application of pressure between the appliance and the inside wall of the vagina. The embodiments described above with particular reference to Figs. 6 to 10 may be supplemented by other sensors such as shown in Fig. 3, in order that the displayed image or the sound track may be varied according to other physiological characteristics. Thus, for example, heart rate as well as body temperature and resistance may be monitored, all of these being indicative of the user's state of arousal: the image or sound track being selected in accordance with a combined function of the measured variables.

Likewise, the appliances 50 and 60 may be provided with rotation sensors (not shown) allowing rotation of the appliance to be monitored. Different movie sequences may be stored each in respect of a different orientation of the appliance. Upon rotation of the appliance, a respective signal is produced by the motion sensor allowing the orientation of the appliance to be determined and a different one of the movie sequences to be downloaded. This allows for greater flexibility and range of the appliance.

Furthermore, the appliances shown in Figs. 6 to 10 may themselves be provided with actuators responsive to signals which are fed together with the movie sequences according to the erotic content thereof, for example. By such means, tactile sensation can be fed back to the user. By way of example, the side walls of the appliance 50 may be contracted by means of a solenoid which is actuated via a signal when the model closes her legs, thereby squeezing the user's penis. The signal may be downloaded from the web site or produced locally by the user's computer in response to data stored in the same computer readable medium as the movie. Fig. 11 is a flow diagram showing the principal steps associated with use of the invention for downloading selected pages through the Internet. A card or other appliance bearing thereon a pictorial representation is placed on the data entry source and the user connects to the Web site associated with the card or appliance as printed thereon. The Web site downloads a Java™ applet to the user's computer which awaits receipt of a signal from the data entry source. Upon receipt thereof, the signal is decoded and a corresponding file is downloaded to the computer for output. The file may be a graphics file for display on the display device; or a sound file for reproduction via the loudspeaker. It will be understood that the flow diagram shown in Fig. 11 is simplified and partial. In practice, on connecting to a particular Web site, data is pre-fetched to the user's site thus obviating the need for each page of sound or graphics data to be downloaded from the Web site in direct response to its selection if it already exists in the user's cache. It will also be appreciated that the data can be fed to the user's computer locally via bulk storage media such as CD-ROM or DVD. According to one approach, a demo version of the application may be downloaded through the Internet or through the telephone line via a modem and a commercial version on CD-ROM may then be purchased for continued use. Such a commercial version of a movie must be adapted so as to allow the viewer to interact with the movie stars during replay. Specifically, sections that are amenable to such interaction must be marked so that the viewer knows when he is watching a section that allows interaction. Furthermore, the rate at which such sections are replayed must then be adjusted according to the rate of interaction of the user with the appliance.

Fig. 12 is a flow diagram showing the principal actions associated with one suitable method for formatting a video medium such as a DVD to allow live interaction during replay. Typically, the DVD contains a plurality of movie frames encoded in a suitable video format such as MPEG. An audio sound track is also provided that is synchronized to the movie data.

The video data is formatted by creating a file containing still images (frames) that correspond to one or more sections of movie data and contain a plurality of still images that may, for example, be in JPEG format. It is known when each frame of movie data is rendered relative to a predefined origin, typically being the start of the movie. By this token, a time stamp may be associated with each still image. The time stamps are likewise stored in the file, which is stored on the DVD so as to be accessible to a computer through which the DVD is played or which is responsively coupled to a regular DVD player. The time stamps serve to identify successive frames of the movie and correlate them with corresponding still pictures in the auxiliary file. Thus, it will be understood that the term "time stamp" is intended to encompass any measurable characteristic of movie frames that allows their correlation with still pictures in the auxiliary file. These do not need to be times in a literal sense; rather frames can be numbered sequentially and in this case the "time stamp" of a frame is simply its number within the ordered sequence. Thus, in effect the DVD medium contains two files: one being the original movie sequence containing video and audio data; and the other being an auxiliary file containing sets of still images, each set corresponding to a specific section of the movie allowing live interaction with the user. Likewise, an auxiliary sound track is constructed corresponding to the original sound track associated with each "interactive section" of the movie file and is stored in the auxiliary file. In the case that variable strength actuation signals are to be fed to the appliance whose strength is dependent on erotic content, data representative of such signals may likewise be stored in the auxiliary file.

Fig. 13 is a flow diagram showing the principal actions associated with a method for live interaction with the DVD or other video medium formatted according to Fig. 12. hi use, when the DVD is played, the computer reads the auxiliary file and infers from the time stamps associated with each "interactive section" of the movie file when each interactive section starts and finishes. The start time associated with each "interactive section" is compared with the actual running time, which of course is known. By such means, the computer can determine when the movie section currently being played has an "interactive section" and is thus amenable to live interaction by the viewer. If so, a marker may be displayed to alert the viewer that he may, if he wishes, interact with the current movie section. Such a marker may, for example, be an icon or text message displayed at the top of the screen. The viewer may be content to continue watching the movie in its original form, in which case he may simply do nothing.

However, if he wishes to interact with the current section, he may switch from regular display mode to interactive display mode whereupon interacting with the appliance causes still images in the auxiliary file to be displayed in fast succession at a rate that is dependent on his rate of interaction with the appliance. At the same time, the auxiliary sound track may be vocalized at a constant rate regardless of the rate of video display so as to avoid changes in pitch to the resulting sound. Provided that a sufficient number of still images is stored for each "interactive section" and that, even for slow interaction with the appliance, they are displayed at a sufficiently high display speed (exceeding 25 frames per second), the resulting display will be free of flicker and will therefore be indistinguishable from the original movie sequence: apart from variations in display rate. In the case of an appliance such as shown in Figs. 6 or 10 having multiple internal or external sensors disposed along its length, a predetermined number of still images may be associated with each sensor and displayed whenever the respective sensor is activated. Thus, considering the appliance shown in Fig. 6, the faster an object such as a man's penis is inserted into the bore of the appliance, the faster it will actuate the sensors (i.e. the faster will light continuity between successive sensors be interrupted in the embodiment shown in Fig. 8) and the faster the still images will be replayed. At the same time, the processed audio file is played alongside the processed video images so as to recreate the original sound track, which is therefore also indistinguishable from the original movie sequence.

It will be appreciated that the above description relating to the manner in which a video file may be pre-processed to allow interaction during replay is exemplary and many other approaches are possible. Formatting of the auxiliary file as described is appropriate for a DVD or other computer readable medium. It is not directly appropriate to a video cassette tape, which can only be played continuously, it not being possible to jump back and forth to a different part of the video tape mid-sequence. However, one or more auxiliary files may be provided as described above and synchronized with a video tape so as to produce a comparable effect, hi such case, of course, the video tape should be played through the computer after loading pre-formatted auxiliary file(s) on the computer. Preferably this is done by the manufacturer or distributor of the video tape so that an auxiliary file may be custom synchronized to the video tape. When the video tape is started the computer is then able to correlate the time stamps of subsequent frames with the still pictures in the auxiliary file. Alternatively, approximate synchronization may also be achieved manually without pre-processing the movie media, hi such case, upon reaching the start of the film, the user may set a "sync" icon on the computer so as to set the origin of the movie, so that the time stamps or frame numbers of subsequent movie frames serve to allow determination of the corresponding still pictures in the auxiliary file, where such exist. Such approximate synchronization is not ideal but obviates the need to pre-process the original movie media and most importantly allows the auxiliary files to be sold or otherwise made available independent of the movie medium. This of course is all the more feasible when the medium on which the movie is stored is directly computer readable since the origin may simply be the first frame or may be identified by a special origin frame that serves to define the origin of still pictures in the auxiliary files.

Regardless of whether the origin is stored as part of the movie or can be set independently, the ability to synchronize an auxiliary file with the movie or to ensure that a pre-formatted auxiliary file will be properly synchronized to the movie means that movie suppliers or suitable third parties can supply auxiliary files that correlate to predetermined sections of the movie and allow them to be viewed interactively with an appliance according to the invention. By the same token, different auxiliary files can be provided for use with a given movie and can be sold not only independent of the movie but also discretely so as to allow a user to collect a whole series of auxiliary files associated with a movie. Such auxiliary files may conveniently be downloaded over the Internet, although they can be provided on any suitable computer-readable medium such as floppy disk, disk- on-key, CD-ROM and so on. It should also be noted that certain embodiments have been described by way of example and without detailed description of interrelationship between different embodiments. However, features of one embodiment may be combined with those of other embodiments in a manner which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the appended claims are intended to cover such combinations. It will also be noted that whilst some preferred embodiments have been described with particular regard to downloading computer-accessible movie sequences and other files through the Internet, the files may be stored locally on a CD-ROM, DVD or other locally accessible media. Likewise, the invention encompasses within its scope a medium containing a movie sequence in addition to computer readable files that contain auxiliary data pertaining to one or more sections of the movie sequence and that allow a viewer to interact with such sections using an appliance according to the invention coupled to a computer.

It should also be noted that while live interaction between a view and a movie has been described with particular regard to the adaptation of a DVD so as to produce a specially formatted medium containing pre-processed files that may be rendered inter¬ actively, similar principles may be applied to other formats and the invention is certainly not limited to DVDs only. Thus, for example, any suitable movie format may be downloaded through the Internet and processed so as to create auxiliary files in the manner described above with reference to Fig. 12 so as to allow subsequent interaction with a viewer. The processed files may be copied to a computer readable medium such as CD- ROM or DVD. Alternatively, they may be downloaded through the Internet to a user's computer. Finally, it will be understood that the invention may also be implemented via a computer program product and a machine-readable medium allowing a computer to display to a user computer-accessible movie sequences of a predetermined subject in accordance with tactile-dependent signals received from the user. The computer may be a web server coupled via the Internet to a client computer to which images are downloaded for display; although as noted above the client computer may be standalone and adapted to read data that is local thereto.

Claims

— 9 Z,1 J. —CLAIMS:

1. A computer-implemented method for giving a user an impression of tactile feedback, the method comprising: using an appliance shaped to resemble a human body part to input tactile- dependent signals to a computer; accessing a plurality of computer-accessible live movie sequences of at least one image relating to a predetermined subject associated with or suggested by the appliance; and displaying on a display device connected to the computer one of said live movie- sequences in accordance with said tactile-dependent signals.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the appliance is associated with a commercial product and the movie-sequences depict different models of said product for aiding in selection or purchase thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further including associating a sound- sequence with at least one of the movie-sequences so as to reproduce a sound track with the at least one movie-sequence.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further including: sensing auxiliary signals representative of respective physiological variables of the user, selecting one of the movie-sequences in accordance with a function of the sensed physiological variables.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 , further including: receiving actuation signals representative of a specified function of the at least one movie-sequence, and controlling an auxiliary property of the appliance with the actuation signals.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further including: associating with different areas of the appliance a respective object, and inputting to the computer a signal indicative of a selected one of the objects upon touching said one of the objects; whereby the movie sequence which is displayed is associated with the selected object.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein displaying live movie-sequences includes: accessing a computer-readable medium having stored thereon a movie at least one section of which is to be configured for interactive viewing; selecting one or more sections for interactive viewing; accessing a computer-readable file containing respective still images associated with each selected section of the movie and being synchronized therewith; and successively displaying respective still images associated with each selected section of the movie such that a succession of still images has at least one characteristic that varies in accordance with said sequence of tactile-dependent signals.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the at least one characteristic is a rate at which said still images are displayed being dependent on a rate of interaction between the user and the appliance.

9. A computer-implemented system for giving a user an impression of tactile feedback, the system comprising: a computer coupled to a memory storing therein a plurality of computer- accessible live movie sequences of at least one image relating to a predetermined subject, an appliance shaped to resemble a human body part associated with said at least one image, at least one data input source associated with the appliance for inputting tactile- dependent signals to the computer, and a display device connected to the computer for displaying one of said movie- sequences in accordance with said tactile-dependent signals.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the pictorial representation is associated with a commercial product and the movie-sequences depict different models of said product for aiding in selection or purchase thereof.

11. The system according to claim 9 or 10, including auxiliary sensors for measuring auxiliary signals representative of respective physiological variables of the user, whereby the movie-sequences are selected in accordance with a function of the measured auxiliary signals.

12. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein: a sound-sequence is associated with at least one of the movie-sequences so as to reproduce a sound track with the at least one movie-sequence, and a loudspeaker is coupled to the computer for vocalizing the sound-sequence.

13. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein: the appliance includes at least one actuator for controlling an operating characteristic associated therewith, and the computer is responsive to the at least one movie-sequence for feeding corresponding actuating signals to the at least one actuator.

14. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein: for each of said at least one image relating to a predetermined subject the memory stores therein at least two computer-accessible movie sequences each in respect of a different orientation of the appliance, at least one motion sensor is coupled to the appliance for detecting an orientation thereof , and the computer is responsive to the orientation of the appliance or to a shift in the orientation thereof for selecting a respective one of the at least two computer— accessible movie sequences.

15. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the memory is a bulk storage medium such as a CD ROM or DVD

16. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the memory is coupled to the computer remotely.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the memory is associated with a remote server accessible to the computer via the Internet.

18. A computer-implemented method for providing sexual stimulation, the method comprising: using an appliance depicting or suggestive of a sexual theme to input a sequence of tactile-dependent signals to a computer; and displaying on a display device connected to the computer a live erotic movie- sequence having at least one characteristic that varies in accordance with said sequence of tactile-dependent signals.

19. The method according to any one of claims 18, wherein displaying the live erotic movie-sequence includes: accessing a computer-readable medium having stored thereon a live erotic movie at least one section of which is to be configured for interactive viewing; in respect of each section to be configured for interactive viewing, accessing a computer-readable file containing respective still images associated with each selected section of the movie and being synchronized therewith; and if a user wishes to view the movie interactively, successively displaying respective still images associated with a selected section of the movie.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the at least one characteristic is a rate at which said still images are displayed being dependent on a rate of interaction between the user and the appliance.

21. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein displaying an erotic movie-sequence includes: providing at least one flexible area within said appliance, disposing said appliance in predetermined relationship to a keyboard of the computer so that the at least one flexible area overlaps a predetermined sequence of keys of said keyboard, and extracting one of said movie-sequences responsive to depressing said predetermined sequence of keys; whereby applying pressure to the appliance within said at least one flexible area successively depresses said predetermined sequence of keys.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the appliance is a substantially planar membrane having depicted thereon a pictorial representation of a corresponding one of said movie-sequences.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein displaying an erotic movie- sequence includes displaying said movie-sequence at a rate dependent on a rate at which successive pressure is applied to said predetermined sequence of keys.

24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein a portion of the appliance within said at least one flexible area is contoured.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein said portion of the appliance within said at least one flexible area is contoured to resemble a human body part.

26. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 25, wherein the appliance is shaped to resemble a human body part.

27. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 26, wherein the appliance is associated with a commercial product and the movie-sequences depict different models of said product for aiding in selection or purchase thereof.

28. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 27, further including associating a sound-sequence with at least one of the movie-sequences so as to reproduce a sound track with the at least one movie-sequence.

29. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 28, further including: sensing auxiliary signals representative of respective physiological variables of the user, selecting one of the movie-sequences in accordance with a function of the sensed physiological variables.

30. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 29, further including: receiving actuation signals representative of a specified function of the at least one movie-sequence, and controlling an auxiliary property of the appliance with the actuation signals.

31. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 30, further including: associating with different areas of the appliance a respective object, and inputting to the computer a signal indicative of a selected one of the objects upon touching said one of the objects; whereby the erotic movie sequence which is displayed is associated with the selected object.

32. A computer-readable medium for use with the method according to any one of claims 7, 8, 19 and 20, said computer-readable medium including: an auxiliary file containing at least one series of still images of a respective section of a movie and data allowing the computer to associate each series of still images with a respective section of the movie; whereby in use one of said series of still images may be displayed instead of the respective section of the movie.

33. The computer-readable medium according to claim 32, wherein the auxiliary file further includes sound data.

34. A computer-implemented system for giving a user an impression of tactile feedback, the system comprising: a computer coupled to a memory storing therein a plurality of computer- accessible live erotic movie sequences, an appliance depicting or suggestive of a sexual theme, at least one data input source associated with the appliance for inputting tactile- dependent signals to the computer, and a display device connected to the computer for displaying one of said erotic movie-sequences in accordance with said tactile-dependent signals.

35. The system according to claim 34, wherein: the appliance includes at least one flexible area within said appliance for overlapping a predetermined sequence of keys of a keyboard of the computer so that applying pressure to the appliance within said at least one flexible area successively depresses said predetermined sequence of keys, and the computer is adapted to extract one of said movie-sequences responsive to depressing said predetermined sequence of keys.

36. The system according to claim 35, wherein the computer is adapted to display said movie-sequence at a rate dependent on a rate at which successive pressure is applied to said predetermined sequence of keys.

37. The system according to claim 35, wherein the computer is responsive to at least one point of contact by the user with the appliance for displaying a respective image of said movie-sequence.

38. The system according to claim 35, wherein the appliance is a "feeling book".

39. The system according to claim 38, wherein a page number is encoded on each page in barcode format for reading by a barcode reader which produces a corresponding signal for extracting data from a respective location in the memory.

40. The system according to claim 35, wherein a portion of the appliance within said at least one flexible area is contoured.

41. The system according to claim 40, wherein said portion of the appliance within said at least one flexible area is contoured to resemble a human body part.

42. The system according to claim 35, wherein the appliance is a substantially planar membrane bearing a pictorial representation of a corresponding one of said movie- sequences.

43. The system according to claim 42, wherein: the computer is responsive to successive points of contact by the user with the pictorial representation for displaying a respective successive images of said movie- sequence, and each of the respective successive images depicts contact with the pictorial representation at a respective point of contact so that the movie-sequence mirrors the user' s contact with the pictorial representation.

44. The system according to claim 34, wherein the memory is a bulk storage medium such as a CD ROM or DVD.

45. The system according to claim 34, wherein the memory is coupled to the computer remotely.

46. The system according to claim 34, wherein: for each of said at least one image relating to a predetermined subject the memory stores therein at least two computer-accessible movie sequences each in respect of a different orientation of the appliance, at least one motion sensor is coupled to the appliance for detecting an orientation thereof, and the computer is responsive to the orientation of the appliance or to a shift in the orientation thereof for selecting a respective one of the at least two computer-accessible movie sequences.

47. The system according to claim 34, including auxiliary sensors for measuring auxiliary signals representative of respective physiological variables of the user, whereby the movie-sequences are selected in accordance with a function of the measured auxiliary signals.

48. The system according to claim 34, wherein: a sound-sequence is associated with at least one of the movie-sequences so as to reproduce a sound track with the at least one movie-sequence, and a loudspeaker is coupled to the computer for vocalizing the sound-sequence.

49. The system according to claim 34, wherein: the appliance includes at least one actuator for controlling an operating characteristic associated therewith, and the computer is responsive to the at least one movie-sequence for feeding corresponding actuating signals to the at least one actuator.

50. The system according to claim 34, wherein the appliance is shaped to resemble a human body part.

51. The system according to claim 50, wherein the appliance includes a generally cylindrical member having sensors disposed along an outer surface thereof.

52. The system according to claim 50, wherein the movie-sequence depicts erotic images and the computer is adapted to displaying respective ones of the erotic images in response to tactile stimulation of the appliance.

53. The system according to claim 52, wherein the appliance includes a flexible bore having sensors disposed along an inside surface thereof.

54. The system according to claim 53, wherein said bore is formed of an elastic material allowing for radial expansion and contraction depending on an overall width of a member inserted therein.

55. The system according to claim 53, wherein the sensors are disposed along a length of said bore so as to provide an indication of depth of penetration of a member inserted therein.

56. A method for using the system according to claim 54 by a male inserting his penis into said bore, said method comprising the steps of: producing pressure-sensitive signals produced by movement of said penis against the inside surface of the bore, said pressure-sensitive signals having a magnitude that is a function of a width of the penis; and displaying live erotic images whose content is a function of the magnitude of said pressure-sensitive signals.

57. A method for using the system according to claim 55 by a male inserting his penis into said bore, said method comprising the steps of: producing successive pressure-sensitive signals produced by movement of said penis against the inside surface of the bore indicative of increasing penetration of the penis therethrough; and displaying live erotic images whose content is a function of the magnitude of said pressure-sensitive signals.

58. A computer-implemented method for giving a user an impression of tactile feedback, the method comprising: using an appliance to input tactile-dependent signals to a computer; accessing a plurality of computer-accessible live movie sequences of at least one image relating to a predetermined subject associated with or suggested by the appliance; and displaying on a display device connected to the computer one of said movie- sequences in accordance with said tactile-dependent signals; sensing auxiliary signals representative of respective physiological variables of the user; and selecting one of the movie-sequences in accordance with a function of the sensed physiological variables.

59. A computer program comprising computer program code means for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 6, 18 to 31 and 56 to 58 when said program is run on a computer.

60. A computer program as claimed in claim 59 embodied on a computer readable medium.