FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a system comprising a controller and two devices, and to a method of operating the system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Erotic games are an ideal way to discover more about your partner's sexual preferences, especially if one is afraid of telling about what he/she would like to try. Erotic board games have been traditionally used for many years. However they have the disadvantages of having to be played in a random order, and after playing a couple of times it is already known which tasks are coming, and therefore the game is not exciting anymore but boring. Recently a number of electronic erotic computer games have appeared in the adult sex game industry. They have some advantages compared to the traditional erotic board games, for instance that tasks are adapted to the players preferences, however they still do not provide enough variety for repetition of the game to be sufficiently enjoyable The adult toy industry, worldwide, is one of the largest and most successful aspects of the adult entertainment business. Further, the adult entertainment industry has flourished in the online environment offered by the Internet. Adult internet sites are constantly looking for innovative methods and apparatus that can attract additional adult thrill seekers. For example, United States of America Patent Application Publication US 2004/0082831 discloses an electronic variable stroke device and system for remote control and interactive play. The electronic variable stroke device comprise a base portion containing a motor-driven screw shaft, an upper portion extending from the base portion having the screw shaft extending longitudinally therein, a traveller engaged with the screw shaft to drive a part of the upper body in reciprocating longitudinal motion, and electronic controls include a transmitter/receiver for sending and receiving control signals for operating the device. A remote controller unit is provided for ergonomic operation of the device by the user. A network connection unit is provided to connect the user's device to an external service offered on the Internet or other networks, and includes controls for transmitting audio/visual content in conjunction with operation of the device. The device may be adapted as a female toy, and can exchange control signals with one or more other users operating a male toy or other electronic stimulation device. The Internet service can join a user in an interactive session with another user.

In one embodiment, the system of this Patent Application serves to establish an encoding method for each partner to initiate a virtual session, then receive, encode, and transmit control signals and associated audio/visual signals from the male toy or female toy of one partner to the other. For example, signals generated by the motions of the male toy are transferred over the Internet to the female toy user. The female toy then produces the corresponding response in terms of longitudinal position and speed of the thrusting member as dictated by the signals from the male toy. In this manner, the partners can enjoy an interactive session of virtual stimulation in the privacy and safety of their own rooms. However, the output from the male toy and/or female toy is never adapted towards the end of improving the experience of either or both participants. The system of this Patent Application is designed to re-create the performance of one partner for the benefit of another partner who is at a different location.

None of the prior art systems or games feature a sex toy as an integral part of the system, where the sex toy comprises a part of the functionality of the entire system, whereby for example a part of the game can only be activated if the sex toy is networked into the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to improve upon the known art. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising a first device comprising a device output component for stimulating a physiological parameter of a first user, a device storage component arranged to store an identifier of the device, and a device communication component arranged to transmit the identifier, a second device comprising a device output component for stimulating a physiological parameter of a second user, and a device communication component, a controller comprising a controller storage component, a controller output component, an input component, a controller communication component arranged to receive the identifier, and a processor arranged to execute a device specific routine for the second device, following receipt of the identifier at the controller communication component.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a system, the system comprising a controller comprising a controller storage component, a controller output component, an input component, a controller communication component and a processor, a first device comprising a device output component for stimulating a physiological parameter of a first user, a device storage component arranged to store an identifier of the device, and a device communication component, and a second device comprising a device output component for stimulating a physiological parameter of a second user, and a device communication component, the method comprising the steps of transmitting the identifier from the device communication component of the first device, receiving the identifier at the controller communication component, and executing a device specific routine for the second device at the processor. Owing to the invention, it is possible to provide a system that uses a first device such as a sex toy in a manner that provides an enjoyable experience for the participants, but is not repetitive or boring. The invention describes an interactive system on which it is possible to implement a new adult (erotic, romantic or intimate) game. The system includes the first device (sex toy) as an integral part of the system, together with a computer or other electronic (erotic romantic or intimate) game. The sex toy comprises a part of the functionality of the entire system, whereby for example a part of the game can only be activated if the sex toy is networked into the system. The arrival of the first device provides additional functionality for a second device (another sex toy) that is already present.

The system can be used to implement a game that contains thousands of hot adult interactions and features intelligent game-play that matches interactions to the player status and the state of the game. The tasks can be performed by using the love toys devices such as a relax massage device and hot spot guidance system. The love toys devices are in wireless connection to the computer erotic game. The software package of the erotic game translates the feedback from the devices to the computer, and communicates to the players if the task has been properly fulfilled.

Advantageously, the device specific routine comprises instructions for controlling the device output component of the second device, and the controller communication component is arranged to transmit the instructions to the device communication component of the second device. The device routine that is executed by the controller, after the first device such as the sex toy has been connected to the central controller, can be used to control the operation of the second device sex toy.

Preferably, in one embodiment, the device storage component of the first device is arranged to store the device specific routine, and the device communication component of the first device is arranged to transmit the device specific routine to the controller communication component. The connecting first device, the sex toy, can include within it one or more software routines that are then used by the controller (a PC for example) to enhance the overall experience of the game or session. These routines may be for directly controlling the sex toy that provided them to the controller, but are also used to control functionality of other devices, including the controller itself. For example, a specific type of device that is connected to the controller may open up new possibilities for the entire session, and these are reflected in instructions for the controller and the other devices present.

Ideally, the device storage component is arranged to store an access code, the device communication component of the first device being arranged to transmit the access code to the controller communication component, and the processor arranged to unlock one or more routines according to the access code. The connecting device, such as the sex toy, can include a security component that ensures that the system will only allow specific types of devices to be connected. The use of the access code can also allow content on the controller to be present that can only be accessed with a specific device or type of device. This encourages the use of different individual devices and increases the variety in the overall system.

Preferably, the first device further comprises a sensor component for measuring a physiological parameter of the user and the device communication component of the first device is arranged to transmit the measured parameter to the controller communication component. The overall game or session that is being enjoyed by the participants can be enhanced by the use of feedback from the sex toys that are being used. This feedback can be used to record information about the participants for later recall or can be used in real-time to change or adapt the current configurations and outputs that are being provided to the users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system comprising a controller and a pair of devices,

Figures 2 to 6 are schematic diagrams of further embodiments of the system, and

Figure 7 is a diagram of a method of operating the system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates an example of a system according to an embodiment of the invention. The system comprises a first device 14, which is for stimulating a physiological parameter of a first user 28, a second and further device 30, which is for stimulating a physiological parameter of a second user 36 and a controller 12 which is in communication with the two devices 14 and 30. The system can be used for the playing of games that have a sexual content, and the devices 14 and 30 could be vibrators, for example.

To deliver the system to the users 28 and 36 the sex toys 14 and 30 are (wirelessly) connected to an erotic electronic game, erotic education or advice system such as an Internet based erotic content system, henceforth called the "erotic system", being run by the controller 12. The sex toys as proposed in this system are an integral part of the erotic system, where the sex toys comprise a part of the functionality of the entire system. For this reason, the users 28 and 36 will be encouraged to use a specific sex toy product as an accessory for the erotic system, as using the sex toy system increases the total functionality of the erotic system.

Clearly, however, whilst the sex toys 14 and 30 are preferably used in connection with the erotic system run by the controller 12, it is not excluded that the owners may use the sex toys independently of the erotic system. For this reason, the sex toy system preferably also comprises means for operation independent of the erotic system. Such means may comprise integrated user interfaces, such as buttons, displays, touch sensors, and/or voice sensors, on-board processor devices and on-board driving software to control the actuation of the device, for example, vibrators, motors, and/or heating/cooling elements.

Figure 2 shows a simplified system block diagram of the processing elements of the first device 14 and the controller 12. This Figure depicts the complete systems, incorporating elements from different embodiments discussed below. Only a subset of the blocks is required for some embodiments. The interactive system includes an erotic game system 12 and a sex toy system 14 that are wirelessly connected, as shown by the arrows joining communication components 4 and 7.

The erotic game system 12 includes a central processor 9 which has access to software driver modules 8, which are able to activate the sex toy system 14 as soon as it is recognized by the erotic system 12. A user interface 10 is also provided. The erotic system 12 initiates the dedicated software programs 8 which are specifically included in the erotic system 12. Consequently, the data is sent in coded form, from the communication component 7. The sex toy system 14 interprets the coded data, received at its communication component 4, to activate the sex toy device 14. The sex toy system 14 identifies that it is connected with the erotic game system 12, and determines the capabilities of the erotic game system 12. By initiating the dedicated software programs 3 that are specifically included in the sex toy system 14, they can be used to activate the output component 2 of sex toy 14. The output component 2 of the device 14 is for stimulating a physiological parameter of a user.

In addition, the sex toy system 14 may communicate the information from the sensor 1 to the erotic game system 12. Respective access components 5 and 6 are also provided on the sex toy 14 and erotic system 12 respectively. These can be used to manage connection security. More detailed operations are described in the embodiments. An embodiment of the system is shown in Figure 3. In this case the erotic game system is a mobile phone 12, and the sex toy system includes a vibrator 14. This first device 14 is a haptic device i.e. relating to touch. The mobile phone 12 acts as a controller, and includes the communication component 7, the user interface 10, and an output component 16, which is a display device. The first device 14 includes the device output component 2, which is a component to provide vibration, for example by using a motor with an offset weight. The output component 16 of the first device 14 is for stimulating a physiological parameter of a user in contact with a user's body. The device 14 also includes a wireless chip 4, and a storage device 18 which stores an identifier 20. The identifier 20 is a short description that details the device 14. In the simplest embodiment of this invention, the sex toy device 14 is simply activated by the controller 12. In this embodiment, the mode of operation is as follows. On a first use of the sex toy device 14, the system 12 recognises the sex toy device 14 as a new connected hardware device 14, receiving the identifier 20, and (optionally) installs initiation and driver software modules to identify the device 14 in the system 12 and to enable the device 14 to function within the overall system. Optionally, driver modules may be updated (from for example, manufacturer or user updates) on a periodic basis, as improved functionality becomes available

The sex toy device 14, according to this embodiment of the invention, does not contain any functionality by itself, merely connectivity means 4 to enable it to communicate (in a two directional manner) with the controller 12. The communication means 4 comprise encoders and decoders to enable the efficient flow of data between the two systems 12 and 14. The erotic system 12 however contains functionality (for example, in the form of software driver modules 26) which is able to activate the sex toy device 14 as soon as it is recognised by the erotic system 12. In this case, the following set of events may occur. The erotic system 12 identifies that the sex toy device 14 is installed and is activated and is in communication with the controller 12. As a consequence, the controller 12 initiates one or more of its dedicated software programs 26 which are specifically included in the erotic system 12 to be activated in combination with the second sex toy device 30. As a further consequence, data is sent (in coded form) from the erotic system 12 to the sex toy device 30, to activate the sex toy device 30. The sex toy device 30 interprets the (coded) data, optionally by decoding the data. The sex toy device 30 uses the interpreted code to activate the sex toy device 30. The sex toy device 30 further acknowledges that the data has been received and the action of the sex toy device 30 has been initiated and (optionally) terminated.

The principle of the system is that the presence of the first device 14 enables additional functionality on the second device 30. The additional functionality is provided by the device specific routine 26 that is stored by the controller 12. This routine 26 can only be used by the second device 30 when the identifier 20 has been received by the controller 12, to indicate the presence of the first device 14. The second device 30 comprises a device output component 32 for stimulating a physiological parameter of the second user, and a device communication component 34, which is in communication with the controller communication component 7. The processor of the mobile phone 12 is arranged to execute the device specific routine 26 for the second device 30, following receipt of the identifier 20 at the controller communication component 7.

A further embodiment, in which the sex toy device 14 contains an access code 22 for the erotic system controller 12, is shown in Figure 4. The controller 12 is illustrated showing some of the internal components, including the processor 9, and a storage component 24. In this further embodiment of the system, the first sex toy device 14 further contains an access code 22, stored by the device storage component 18. Operation is similar to the operation in the previous embodiment, with the addition that the access code 22 is sent from the sex toy device 14 to the erotic system 12, where it enables an otherwise disabled action of the erotic system 12. As an example, when the erotic system 12 receives the access code 22, one or more software driver modules (as needed to operate the sex toy system), which are stored in the memory 24, are activated. In this manner, it is possible to protect the manufacturer of the systems 12 and 14 from counterfeit products, as these products (without the secret access code) will not function optimally with the erotic system 14.

A further embodiment of the system is shown in Figure 5, in which the first device 14 provides the complementary functionality. In this embodiment, the controller is a computer 12. This is not material to this specific embodiment, but shows a different example of the type of device that can be used in the overall system. The computer 12 is equipped with wireless functionality, for example with a short-range wireless connection such as that offered by the Bluetooth standard. In this embodiment of the system, the first sex toy device 14 provides the additional functionality, for example, in the form of software driver modules 26, which are able to activate the second sex toy device 30 in conjunction with the erotic system 12. The additional functionality provided by the modules 26 can also be used to control the first sex toy device 14. In this case, the device 14 also comprises additional processing capability to facilitate the additional functionality of the device, in which case the chip 4 has additional processing functionality.

In this embodiment, the following set of events may occur. The erotic system 12 identifies that the sex toy device 14 is installed and is activated and is in communication with the system 12. Similarly, the sex toy device 14 identifies that it is connected with the erotic system 12, and determines the capabilities of the erotic system 12. As a consequence, either the erotic system 12 initiates one or more of its dedicated software programs which are specifically included in the erotic system 12 to be activated in combination with the sex toy system (as in the embodiment of Figure 3), after which the steps of that embodiment will be initiated, or the sex toy device 14 initiates one or more of its dedicated software programs, which are specifically included in the sex toy system 12 to activate the sex toy device 14. In this mode, the sex-toy device 14 works in an essentially standalone operation mode, or the sex toy device 14 initiates one or more of its dedicated software programs, which are specifically included in the sex toy device 14 to initiate an action of the erotic system 12. In this case, it is necessary that data is sent from the sex toy device 14 to the erotic system 12 and subsequently decoded in the erotic system 12. It is also possible that software drivers will be transferred from the sex toy device 14 to the erotic system 12, and thereafter run on the erotic system 12. Optionally, the erotic system 12 further acknowledges that an action of the erotic system 12 has been initiated and (optionally) terminated. In this manner, the sex toy device 14 knows to proceed to the next procedure.

A yet further embodiment of the sex toy device 14 is shown in Figure 6, where the device 14 comprising additional sensing functionality, in the form of sensors 1. In this embodiment of the system, the sex toy device 14 comprises additional functionality in the form of a physiological measurement means 1 to measure at least one physiological parameter, optionally combined with a (psycho-physiological) feedback system, which adjusts the level of stimulation in accordance with the measured parameter. Measured physiological parameters might be the skin temperature of the user, or a measured heart rate, skin conductance, muscle tension, blood flow, blood volume or the like.

In one arrangement, the sex toy device 14 can merely communicate the information from the sensor 1 to the erotic system 12. In this case, the erotic system 12 further comprises all functionality and interpretation capability. In a different arrangement, the sex toy device 14 also comprises additional processing capability, in the form of a more powerful chip 4, to facilitate the additional functionality of the device 14, for example by interpreting the measured physiological signals (for example in the form of an emotional state of the user) and communicating the interpreted value to the erotic system 12. The embodiments above can find application in a computer game based application with the sex toy device 14, which optionally can comprise the physiological sensor 1. The present system provides wireless erotic/sensual toys 14 and 30 for use in an erotic system (gaming) environment. The erotic system, in one embodiment, combines both an erotic electronic board game and the erotic/sensual toys 14 and 30. The erotic electronic board game can work with a wide range of different erotic/sensual toys and accessories. The erotic electronic board game device comprises a processor that is in communication with a storage device. Suitable erotic electronic board games can be run by systems including, but are not limited to, laptop computer, desktop computer, mobiles phones, mp3 players and personal data assistants (pdas). The erotic electronic board game device sends directly the signal to the wireless sex toy devices 14 and 30, which recognise as tasks that the user have to carry out.

In one embodiment, emotional and arousal status of the toy's user is converted into a signal using emotional/arousal recognition software. Information is then converted into messages spoken by the erotic electronic game system 12. Each toy 14 and 30 is capable of communicate wireless with the erotic electronic game system 12, providing emotional and arousal status of the person who uses the toy 14, and transmitting this information to the erotic electronic board game system 12. Each erotic toy 14 and 30 detects and collects biological data from the user (for example, at least one of pulse rate, blood pressure, body temperature, muscle contraction, respiration rate, respiration intensity, galvanic skin response or skin conductivity). The erotic electronic board game software allows customisation of the modes and setting several internal parameters of the erotic toys 14. The erotic electronic board game system 12 can save the baseline response information for later retrieval and use. Figure 7 summarises the method of operation of the controller 12 and device 14. Firstly the first device 14 transmits the identifier 20 from the device communication component 4 of the first device 14, which is received by the controller communication component 7, and in response to this there is performed the executing of the device specific routine at the processor 9 of the controller 12. In addition to the identifier 20, the device 14 may also transmit the access code 22 (not shown) and/or the device specific routine 26 to the controller 12, according to the configuration and capabilities of the sex toy device 14. The routine is executed by the controller and the instructions are used to control the second device 30. The device specific routine may comprise instructions for controlling the first device, in which case the method further comprises transmitting instructions from the controller communication component 7 and receiving the instructions at the device communication component 4, as shown in the Figure. These instructions are used to control the first device 14.

Further devices can be added to the system, in a process of adding further functionality to the overall system, such that the whole system is greater then the sum of the parts. Each additional device that is added to the system will open up functionality on one or more of the devices that are already present in the system. Each additional device will have an identifier that identifies that device to the controller 12, and further device specific routines will be enabled for use in the system. For example, in the system as shown in Figure 3 for example, a third device such as a massage device could be added to the system. The controller 12 will recognise this new device through the identifier from the device, and this will unlock new routines for controlling the devices 14 and 30. In this way the game or activity being run by the controller 12 can be augmented by the addition of new devices.