FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a system comprising a first device and a second device, and to a method of operating the system. In one embodiment, the invention provides a connected stimulator system, which can be used as an application for reaching simultaneous orgasm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Orgasm is the great feeling you get when you are very excited and the body releases the accumulated tension. For a few seconds you have a very pleasant feeling in your genitals, when your love muscles rhythmically contract. At that moment, your body may start to shake, as if you are losing control. "Simultaneous orgasm" is a phrase that describes two people who orgasm at the same time during intercourse. The build up to orgasm for a man is essentially not different from that of a woman. The differences are to be found in the speed with which the orgasm is reached. The achievement of simultaneous orgasms for couples is known to be a difficult practice to perform to the satisfaction of both partners, on a regular and consistent basis.

Systems using two stimulating devices, one for the man and one for the woman, are known. 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 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.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention improving upon the known art. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising a first device comprising: a first output component arranged to stimulate a physiological parameter of a first user, a first sensing component arranged to sense a physiological parameter of the first user, a first processor arranged to control the first output component according to an output of the first sensing component and to generate a first message according to the sensed parameter, and a first communication component arranged to transmit the first message, a second device comprising: a second output component arranged to stimulate a physiological parameter of a second user, a second communication component arranged to receive the first message, and a second processor arranged to control the second output component according to the received first message.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a first device and a second device comprising at the first device: stimulating a physiological parameter of a first user, sensing a physiological parameter of the first user, controlling the stimulation according to the sensing of the physiological parameter of the first user, generating a first message according to the sensed parameter, and transmitting the first message, at the second device: stimulating a physiological parameter of a second user, receiving the first message, and controlling the stimulation according to the received first message.

Owing to the invention, it is possible to deliver a system that provides increasing pleasure for both men and women, designed to bring couples together, liberate and enhance their sexual pleasure, and deepen their mutual understanding of intimacy. The system aids synchronicity between couples, for example during foreplay and intercourse, and can be used to assist in reaching a simultaneous orgasm. The system is based on more than one stimulating device. One feature of the system is that both stimulator devices work independently but can also communicate to each other, for example using (wirelessly) connectivity techno Io gies .

In the simplest embodiment, both the male and female devices have an output component (such as a vibrator), but only one device (for example the male device) has a sensor. The output of this sensor is used to control both the output components of the two devices. So the current arousal level of one partner is measured and this is used to control their own device (auto-feedback) and to control their partner's device. For example, if the man is becoming too excited too quickly, their own device will detect this through the sensor, slow down the output of their device, but also speed up the output of their partner's device.

Preferably both devices contain sensors that can detect the arousal of the partner holding the device and/or the partner on whom the device is being used, and a detection system for getting and receiving feedback of the other partner's arousal level. This system helps to slow down or speed up the intensity of the stimulation by providing extra information about the arousal level of the user. Optionally, a real time audio highlight detection system can be incorporated.

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 two devices, Figure 2 is further schematic diagram of the system, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the system,

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of the system, Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method of operating the two device, and Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a yet further embodiment of the system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The system of the present invention, in one embodiment, is to assist in the achievement of one of the sexual goals of many couples, which is to reach a simultaneous orgasm. The key to simultaneous orgasms is pacing. Many couples try to hit that magical moment of synchronicity when they both orgasm in unison while having sex, however it is not easy. There is provided a system, based on more than one connected stimulating device, and a method that aids the synchronicity between couples, for example, during foreplay and intercourse and to assist in reaching a simultaneous orgasm. Preferably, the system is based on stimulator devices such as vibrators and massage devices that can be used in relation to the sexual areas o f individuals .

In particular, the system can be used to deliver a method that aids following and controlling the arousal level of the users, hence pacing the build up of pleasure. The system is intentionally non- invasive and comprises any arousal sensor approach, for example using physiological sensors (such as those based upon galvanic skin response, muscle tension, and/or heart rate variability), video analysis sensors (such as face or body recognition software) and/or audio analysis one (such as audio highlight detection or voice pattern recognition), which are able to detect automatically the arousal level of one or both partners (users). As a response, the system consequentially adapts the stimuli intensity in response to the arousal state of the other partner (user). This control of the frequency, intensity, pulse pattern or position on the body of the stimulation can help to control the arousal, by accelerating or decreasing the stimuli, and ultimately aid in reaching a simultaneous orgasm.

Figure 1 illustrates the general concept of the system, which can be employed by two users 10 and 20. The system comprises two devices 11 and 21, which are used by the respective users 10 and 20. The devices 11 and 21 are vibrators which provide vibration for stimulation of a physiological parameter of the respective user 10 and 20. In this example, the devices 11 and 21 are haptic devices, being based on the sense of touch. They can be used to provide stimulation to the intimate areas of the respective users 10 and 20. The two devices 11 and 21 are in communication with each other over a wireless connection. This communication channel need not be direct; the two devices 11 and 21 could be connected indirectly, via some third device, such as a computer with wireless routing facilities.

The essential feature of the invention is stimulator devices 11 and 21 that work independently but can also communicate to each other. A communication system is designed in which both stimulator devices 11 and 21 are (wirelessly) connected, and at least one, but preferably both stimulator devices 11 and 21 contain sensors that can detect the arousal of respective user 10 and 20. The detection system of the stimulators 11 and 21 is able to get feedback of the other partner's arousal level. Preferably, each stimulator device is able to send signals to each other, but one device could be a dumb device receiving signals from the other.

The signal of the stimulator is sent, preferably wirelessly, to the other stimulator. The stimuli signal can be sent directly to the other stimulator or indirectly via a signal process system, where, for example, the signals may be interpreted as an arousal level of the users. Optionally, a series of sensor signals are combined to improve the interpretation of the arousal level. The signal received by the partner's stimulator is processed and a signal is generated, which may optionally also be communicated to the other partner in the form of a visual (e.g. a brighter light) or an audio signal. In response to the feedback signal, the other stimulator can adapt the mode of stimulation, for example by accelerating or reducing the stimuli. Both stimulators may work simultaneously. The arousal detection system does not disturb with the stimulator function of the device. Signal from one stimulator does not interfere to the signal sent by the other.

A first embodiment is shown in Figure 2, in which a female stimulator 21 is activated by male stimulator 11 (or vice versa). In the first embodiment of this system, the female stimulator 21 is simply activated by a sensor 14 on the male stimulator 11 (or alternatively the male stimulator 11 is simply activated by a sensor on the female stimulator 21, not shown in Fig. 2). The entire system may simply comprise the two devices 11 and 21 and a direct (wireless) communication channel.

The first device 11 includes a first output component 12 arranged to stimulate a physiological parameter of the first user 10, and a first sensing component 14 which is arranged to sense a physiological parameter of the first user 10. The sensed parameter may be body temperature or heart rate, for example. The device 11 also includes a first processor 16, which is arranged to control the first output component 12 according to the output of the first sensing component 14 (auto-feedback) and is also arranged to generate a first message 17 according to the sensed parameter. A first communication component 18 in the first device 11 is arranged to transmit the first message 17 to the other device 21. In this way, the arousal level of the user of the first device 11 is measured, and this information is transmitted in the message 17, to the second device 21.

The second device 21 comprises a second output component 22 which is arranged to stimulate a physiological parameter of the second user 20, a second communication component 28 arranged to receive the first message 17, and a second processor 26 arranged to control the second output component 22 according to the received first message 17. The second device 21 receives the message 17 and uses this to control the performance of the output device 22 (a motor to provide vibration). It is possible that the system further comprises a signal processing system such as a computer (for example to interpret the sensor signals as arousal level), on first use of the female stimulator 21, the computer recognises the female system 21 as a new connected hardware and (optionally) installs initiation and driver software modules to identify the stimulator 21 and to enable it to function within the overall system. Similarly, further devices may be installed to the system. The stimulators 11 and 21 need only communicate in a one directional manner.

The sensor 14 provides an output that is received by the processor 16. This output is used to adapt the performance of both devices 11 and 21. The respective output components 12 and 22 are driven by their respective processors 16 and 26, all based upon the measurement made by the sensor 14. The measured arousal level of the male 10 who is using the device 11 is used to determine the outputs of the two devices 11 and 21. In this way the arousal of the two users 10 and 20 can be controlled or adapted to provide a certain level of synchronicity in the arousal states of the two users 10 and 20, with the increased likelihood of the two users 10 and 20 achieving simultaneous orgasm. A second embodiment is shown in Figure 3, in which both stimulators 11 and

21 comprise sensing functionality. The second device 21 further comprises a second sensing component 24 arranged to sense a physiological parameter of the second user 20, and the second processor 26 is arranged to generate a second message 27 according to the sensed parameter. The second communication component 28 is arranged to transmit the second message 27 to the first device 11. The first communication component 18 receives the second message 27, and the first processor 16 controls the first output component 12 according to the received second message 27.

In this second embodiment of the system, both stimulators 11 and 21 contain sensors 14 and 24. The sensors 14 and 24 comprise additional functionality to measure arousal (for example, in the form of a physiological measurement means 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.

In this embodiment, the stimulator device 11 (or 21) can merely communicate the information from the respective sensor to the other stimulator; the stimulator further comprising all functionality and interpretation capability. In a further embodiment, the stimulator 11 (or 21) also comprises additional processing capability to facilitate the additional functionality of the device, for example for interpreting the measured physiological signals (for example in the form of an arousal state of the user) and communicating the interpreted value to the processing signal system or to the other stimulator.

Both stimulators 11 and 21 contain the functionality to assist in the production of simultaneous orgasm in the users 10 and 20. In an embodiment of this invention, both stimulators, the female and male one, contain functionality, in the form of an arousal device to stimulate and activate the senses of the user as an aid to reaching simultaneous orgasm.

Both stimulators 11 and 21 can detect when the respective user 10 and 20 is close to reaching an orgasm. For the male device 11, the system will attempt to slow down the male if they are approaching orgasm (by reducing stimulation) if the female is not close to orgasm. In the case of the female device 21, the system may allow the female to reach orgasm several times before the male reaches orgasm provided that the male is not close to orgasm, but will attempt to synchronize the female if she is approaching orgasm (by reducing stimulation) if the male is also close to orgasm. Both stimulators 11 and 21 may be configured to turn off after a specific number of orgasms, not just one.

Both stimulators 11 and 21 can provide complementary functionality. In this case both devices 11 and 21 include functionality for receiving and processing information data about the arousal of the user and the partner's arousal. The arousal data is collected from the user and immediately sent to the partner's device. As a consequence, the sensual stimulation of the partner is adapted to a similar level to the other. This is achieved by increasing or decreasing the stimuli. The processing element includes any device capable of processing data. This device might include a single microchip embodied in the device itself, or may be included in a separate device, such as laptop computer, desktop computer, mp3 player or handheld computer.

In one embodiment, the complementary functionality is provided by the first and second processors 16 and 26 being arranged to control the respective first and second output components 12 and 22 such that the rates of change of the respective physiological parameters of the first and second users 10 and 20 are within a first predetermined range. Thus if skin temperature is being measured by the sensors 14 and 24, and it is seen that one user's temperature is rising at a rate outside a specific predefined range, then the output of their device can be changed to moderate the speed at which their arousal is increasing. In another embodiment, the complementary functionality is provided by the first and second processors 16 and 26 being arranged to control the respective first and second output components 12 and 22 such that the sensed physiological parameters of the first and second users 10 and 20 are within a second predetermined range. In this case, the arousal levels of the two users 10 and 20 are maintained within a predetermined range. For example, the respective sensors 14 and 24 may be measuring the heart rate of the user 10 and 20 of the respective device 11 and 21. A specific predetermined range, for example, of 8 bpm may be defined, which means that if one user is sensed as having a heart rate that is more than 8 bpm different from the other user, then the processors 16 and 26 will adapt the output of the output components 12 and 22 to bring the user's heart rates closer together. This process can of course be used for any other physiological parameter of the users that is being measured, and can be based on a combination of parameters being mapped to an arousal level.

In another embodiment, the complementary functionality is provided by the first and second processors 16 and 26 being arranged to control the respective first and second output components 12 and 22 such that the rate of change of the sensed physiological parameters of the first user 10 are within a third predetermined range and the rate of change of the sensed physiological parameters of the second user 20 are within a fourth predetermined range and the first and the second predetermined range are different. Similarly, the first and second processors 16 and 26 can be arranged to control the respective first and second output components 12 and 22 such that the sensed physiological parameter of the first user 10 is within a fifth predetermined range and the sensed physiological parameter of the second user 20 is within a sixth predetermined range and the fifth and the sixth predetermined ranges are different. In this case, the arousal level of the first user 10 is maintained within the fifth predetermined range and the arousal level of the second user 20 is maintained within the sixth predetermined range. For example, the respective sensors 14 and 24 may be measuring heart rate of the user 10 and 20 of the respective device 11 and 21. The first user 10 may have a baseline heart rate of 80 bpm, while the second user 20 may have a baseline heart rate of 60 bpm. One way to take interpersonal variability into account is to normalize the scores first so to map them onto a fixed arousal scale. The proposed way would be to take two predetermined ranges for the two users 10 and 20, respectively a third predetermined range and a fourth predetermined range; or respectively a fifth and a sixth predetermined range. In a further embodiment of this invention, both stimulators contain an access code. The access code can be sent from the female stimulator to the male stimulator (or vice versa), where it enables an otherwise disabled action of the male stimulators. As an example, when the male stimulator receives the access code, one or more software driver modules (as needed to give feedback to the female stimulator) can be activated. In this manner, it is possible to protect the users from neighbor's stimulators with other secret access code. It is also possible to provide additional audio highlight detection control system connected to both stimulators 11 and 21. In this embodiment of the system, an additional real-time audio highlight detector for two real persons can be inserted into the system. The audio-climax detector compromises an audio-analysis component, which automatically detects when one of the partners have become too aroused and is closer to reaching orgasm than the other. As a response, the system sends a signal to the stimulators 11 and 21 to accelerate or decelerate the stimuli and therefore assisting the users in achieving a simultaneous orgasm. Figure 4 illustrates the architecture of such an embodiment. In addition to the devices 11 and 21, with the message flow in between these two devices 11 and 21, there is provided external sensing and processing functions. A sensor 30, here an audio capture device 30, is sensing physiological data concerning one or both of the users 10 and 20. This data is passed to an arousal processing device 32, which is processing the received physiological data to determine the arousal levels in the users 10 and 20. If any adjustment is determined to be necessary to the output of the stimulators 11 and 21, then the output device 34 will provide an additional message or messages for transmitting to one or both of the devices 11 and 21.

Figure 4 illustrates this architecture of real time highlight detection control system connected to the stimulators 11 and 21. The microphone 30 captures continuously both partners' reactions. This audio signal is fed to the audio analysis component 32, which tries to detect arousal by looking at the properties of the audio signal. In case a state of arousal of certain duration is detected and one of the partners is considered to be too close to the orgasm, the system immediately sends the information to both stimulators 11 and 21. The stimulators 11 and 21 automatically adapt the intensity of the stimulation to the arousal level of the respective user.

Figure 5 represents a flowchart for the operation of the devices 11 and 21, where the system consists of two stimulators, a male device 11 and a female device 21 that communicate with each other directly or indirectly via a signal process system 36, such as a computer. The sensors 14 and 24 provided integrally with the respective devices 11 and 21 detect the arousal of the individual user 10 and 20 who is using the respective device 11 and 21. This information can be fed back into the control of the output of the specific device 11 and 21 or can be passed across to affect the output of the other device 21 and 11. In the flowchart of Figure 5, the computer 36 is also receiving an output from the sensors 14 and 24 and is providing, through the feedback system 38, further control of the output of the devices 11 and 21.

The fact that the output of the sensors 14 and 24 are fed back into the operation of their own device 11 or 21 means that the first processor 16 is arranged to control the first output component 12 according to the output of the first sensing component 14, and the second processor 26 is arranged to control the second output component 22 according to the output of the second sensing component 24. For example, if the sensor 14 detects that the male user is approaching orgasm at too fast a rate, then in addition to passing this information to the female stimulator 21, the processor 16 in the male stimulator 11 can slow down the rate at which the output device 12 is operating.

A yet further embodiment is shown in Figure 6, in which the system block diagram of the processing elements of the connected stimulators system is rendered. This Figure depicts the complete system, incorporating all embodiments discussed above. The total connected stimulators system includes a male stimulator 11 and a female stimulator 21 that are wirelessly connected, via respective communication components 18 and 28.

Both stimulators 11 and 21 include a central processor 16 and 26 which have access to programs in the form of software driver modules, 19 and 29, which are able to activate each other as soon as they recognize they are activated. Consequently, the data is sent in coded form. Both stimulators can interpret the coded data, to connect each other. The stimulators 11 and 21 are also provided with sensors 14 and 24 that are capable of measuring the arousal state of the respective user 10 and 20. In addition, the devices 11 and 21 may communicate the information from the local sensor 14 and 24 to the other device 21 and 11. The devices 11 and 21 are also provided with storage components 15 and 25, for storing access data that can be used in authorizing connection between the two devices 11 and 21. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

For example, it is possible to operate the invention in an embodiment wherein the first and second processors are arranged to control the respective first and second output components such that an averaged value of the respective physiological parameters of the first and second users are within predetermined ranges. It is also possible to operate the invention in an embodiment wherein the first and second processors are arranged to control the respective first and second output components such that a weighted average value of the respective physiological parameters of the first and second users are within predetermined ranges.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.