WO2010070463A1

WO2010070463A1 - Method and device for automatically creating a romantic atmosphere, and method and system for mood detection

Info

Publication number: WO2010070463A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/053246
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marieke Van Dooren; Mark T. Johnson; Martijn Krans; Jacobus M. A. Van Den Eerenbeemd; Richard G. C. Van Der Wolf
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2008-12-15
Filing date: 2009-07-24
Publication date: 2010-06-24
Also published as: TW201021760A

Abstract

A mood detection system for indicating a person's mood for sex comprises: a body sign detecting device generating a response signal representing a body parameter of said person,- a body contact detector (30) generating a contact signal indicative for the occurrence of body contact between said person and a partner; a signal processor (20) provided with a memory (50); and an output device (40) controlled by the processor (20). The processor is capable of operating in a registration mode. In an analyzing mode, the processor analyses the response signal (s) obtained from the body sign detecting device, determines the person's mood and, depending on the outcome of the determination, operates the output device. In response to receiving a contact signal from the body contact detector indicating that the bodies of the person and the partner make physical contact, the processor switches from its registration mode to its analyzing mode. A mood enhancing apparatus may be provided.

Description

Method and device for automatically creating a romantic atmosphere, and method and system for mood detection

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to method and device for automatically creating a romantic atmosphere when a person is in a romantic mood. The present invention also relates in general to a method for detecting whether a partner is in the mood for sex.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many things which could prevent a person from being in the mood for sex. Widely known barriers for sex are the following examples: too much worries on the person's mind that prevent him/her from relaxation; cold body (cold feet or hands). These uneasinesses have to be overcome before even starting to think of sex; like the clinically grounded principle states: first relax and unwind, afterwards become excited (focus on sexual arousal). For couples, there is the complication that two persons may have different moods at the same moment, while it is the difficult for one partner to estimate the mood level of the other partner.

Therefore, there is a need for a method and device allowing one partner to an easy way of detecting / sensing his/her partner's mood, because this would be highly advantageous for the mutual understanding of partners in a sexual relationship.

Devices claiming to be capable of signaling a person's mood have already been proposed. For instance, US-2007/0266479 discloses lingerie provided with mood stones, which respond to skin temperature by changing color. A disadvantage of such approach is that the user first has to put on this lingerie, which in itself may be considered as an act signaling readiness. Further, a disadvantage is that the mood signal, i.e. the color of the mood stones, is not visible in the dark. The present invention takes a different approach.

A specific problem in a sexual relationship concerns communication. It is difficult for one partner to explicitly ask the other partner for his/her mood. Further, such explicit question might well spoil the other partner's mood. So, in practice, one partner approaches the other partner by touch. If the other partner responds positively, nature may take its course. A problem, however, is that it is often difficult to read the partner's response, and a wrong interpretation may lead to partners frustrating and irritating each other. Further, it may be desirable to be able to enhance the romantic contents of a relationship between two persons, either by automatically creating a romantic atmosphere when at least one of these persons is in a romantic mood and/or by creating a romantic atmosphere in order to induce a romantic mood in both of them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above problems.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for detecting a person's mood by measuring and interpreting the person's body reaction to the partner's touch.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a system capable of detecting a person's mood by measuring and interpreting the person's body reaction to the partner's touch.

The interpretation of the person's body reaction may be communicated back to the partner, for instance by a light signal. Further, it is possible that mood enhancing apparatus are switched on, for instance lighting, music, video, massaging devices, etc. Creating a romantic atmosphere can be done by suitable apparatus. For instance, a music player can be started to play a romantic music; a romantic movie can be displayed on a monitor or screen; the light in the room can be set at a romantic level (dimming) and color; a fragrance device can be triggered to dispense some romantic fragrance into the room; etc. Such apparatus are known, and can of course be switched on as desired by any of said persons. However, if these persons are involved in some kind of romantic (or near- romantic) encounter, the mere act of stopping in order to switch on some apparatus may just be sufficient to spoil the moment.

In order to overcome this problem, and based on the idea that when one person is in a romantic mood he/she will probably start touching the other person, the present invention proposes an ambient mood setting system comprising at least one mood setting apparatus of the type mentioned above, as well as a detector for detecting physical contact between said persons. When these persons touch each other's skin, this is interpreted by the system as a romantic step, and in response a controller of the system starts any or all of said apparatus in a predefined manner.

Further advantageous elaborations are mentioned in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained by the following description of one or more preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which same reference numerals indicate same or similar parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a mood detection system according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a graph showing measurements of a person's physiological response to a touch;

Figure 3 is a graph schematically illustrating mood detection as a function of the frequency of skin conductance responses;

Figure 4 schematically illustrates an ambient mood setting system according to the present invention; Figure 5 schematically illustrates another embodiment of the ambient mood setting system according to the present invention;

Figure 6 schematically illustrates a mattress with an embodiment of body contact sensors;

Figure 7 schematically illustrates a mattress with an embodiment of body contact sensors and weight sensors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 schematically shows a mood detection system 1 according to the present invention. The system 1 generally comprises a body sign detecting device 10, a body contact detector 30, a control device 20, and a mood enhancing output device 40 controlled by the control device 20.

The body sign detecting device 10 is a device capable of capturing body signals that may be indicative of a state of arousal, and capable of outputting an electronically processable signal representing said body signals. It is noted that devices of this type are known per se. Therefore, an elaborate description may be omitted here.

The body sign detecting device 10 may for instance operate by sensing one or more physiological parameters of a body. Experiments have shown that a person's response to touch results in changes of physiological parameters. This is illustrated in figure 2, which is a graph showing an example of a physiological response of a woman reacting to her partner's touch by getting aroused. The vertical arrow at the top- Ie ft side indicates the moment when the touch is given. Curve 201 indicates skin conductance level. Curve 202 indicates peripheral skin temperature (on little finger). Curve 203 indicates raw data blood volume pulse. Curve 204 indicates raw data respiration. Curve 205 indicates heart rate. Curve 206 indicates amplitude heartbeat. Curve 207 indicates respiration rate. It can clearly be seen from figure 2 that the physiological parameters change shortly after the touch has been given (within a time frame from 1-5 seconds to 2-3 minutes).

Whilst the curves in figure 2 are recorded from basic physiological signals, it is also possible to measure the response to the partner's touch by measuring more complex physiological signals. An example of such a measurement is the analysis of facial expression to the touch event. Whilst facial expression changes are primarily a combination of specific muscle contractions and relaxations (as could be measured using the electromyography [EMG] technique), it is extremely practical to analyze the expression generated on the face using a simple webcam and an image processing system: it is easily recognizable if somebody smiles or scowls (if even slightly) as a response to the touch. For this reason, an extremely straight forward embodiment of the body sign detecting device 10 will use only a web cam and image processing software to both detect the touch and to interpret the emotional response of the partner by monitoring the change in his/her facial expression. Thus, in general, the hardware of the body sign detecting device 10 may comprise one or more sensors like a heart rate sensor, a skin conductance sensor, an electromyography sensor, a skin temperature sensor, or for instance a webcam for facial expression measurement.

For detecting body contact between two human bodies, several implementations are possible for the body contact detector 30. In one embodiment, the body contact detector 30 comprises a camera and an image processing system, processing images obtained from the camera of the bodies to detect contact. In another embodiment, the body contact detector 30 may comprise a capacitance sensor or electrical impedance sensor, with electrodes coupled to either body: when one partner touches the other, the capacitance of the contact sensor increases and/or the resistance of the sensor decreases. The electrodes may be coupled to the bodies directly or arranged in clothing. It is also possible that the sensor is positioned at a specific location, associated with a potential location for lovemaking: for instance, electrodes of a capacitive sensor may be arranged in a bed, in a blanket, in a sheet, etc., as will be explained later in more detail. The control device 20, which may comprise for instance a micro processor or the like and which will therefore be indicated hereinafter as processor 20 or controller 20, will process the signal(s) obtained from the body sign detecting device 10 at a body signal input 21. In this respect, it is to be noted that a physiological change may also be caused by reasons other than the touch experience. In order to discriminate physiological changes caused by any other reason, the processor 20 has a body contact input 23 for receiving a signal from the body contact detector 30 indicating that the two partners touch each other. It is noted that the body contact detector 30 may provide measurement signals which the processor 20 needs to interpret to determine whether there is body contact or not, but it is also possible that the processing of measurement signals is done by the body contact detector 30 itself, so that the body contact detector 30 provides a binary signal having either the value "0" for "no contact" or the value "1" for "contact".

Until the two partners touch, as indicated by the body contact detector 30, the processor 20 will ignore the signal(s) obtained from the body sign detecting device 10 at its body signal input 21, or at least will attach low weight to these signals. It is also possible that the processor 20 and the body sign detecting device 10 are integrated, and that the body sign detecting device 10 will only start operating after having been triggered by the body contact detector 30. In this respect, it is noted that, depending upon the physiological parameter being considered, there is some latency / delay time between the touch event and the measured physiological response to that touch event. This latency is typically in the order of about

1-3 seconds (for e.g. skin conductance response and heart rate) up to around 2-3 minutes for e.g. peripheral skin temperature measurements on a finger. For this reason, in a preferred embodiment of this invention, the contact sensor must be capable of initiating the physiological sensor system within 3 seconds, and more preferably in less than 1 second. It is further noted that the processor 20 preferably has a baseline, i.e. a reference value of the physiological parameter(s): in analyzing the physiological parameter(s), these will be compared with the reference value(s). These reference value(s) may be collected immediately after touch, for instance in the first second after touch. Preferably, the reference value(s) are collected before the touch event. To that end, the processor 20 preferably is designed to record in a memory 50 its input signals received from the body sign detecting device 10 for a certain time interval, for instance 3 minutes. Older measurements will be deleted from the memory 50. When the partners touch, the processor 20 starts the measurement, while the baseline in the memory 50 is maintained. The measurement is continued for at least a predetermined time interval, for instance 3 minutes, even if the touch is broken. If only the measurements immediately after touch are collected as reference value(s), the same memory 50 may be used.

A certain physiological development, such as for instance a rise of heart rate or blood pressure, may be caused by different causes, such as for instance fear, fright, anxiety. Therefore, as such, a physiological parameter does not necessarily reliably indicate the mood for sex. In order to obtain a reliable indication, the processor 20 analyses in realtime, by software that is integrated on the processor 20, the body signals in correlation with a touch event to determine the emotional impact of the touch experience, and more particular to determine whether or not the partner has any sexual interest at a particular moment. When the temporal profile of the physiological parameter, i.e. the development of the parameter as a function of time since the touch event, corresponds to a predetermined reference profile of which it has been established that it corresponds to a mood for sex (sexual arousal), it becomes safe to draw a conclusion that the person considered is in the mood, especially when this is corroborated by the temporal profile of other physiological parameters. Thus, the reliability of the determination whether or not the person is interested in sex is essentially coupled to the detection of the touch event, and increases as more parameters are considered in conjunction.

Depending on the outcome of this determination, the processor 20 may operate the mood enhancing output device 40. It can be assumed that the partner initiating the touch (indicated as the toucher) is already in the mood for sex. The processor 20 determines whether the touched partner (indicated as the touchee) is also in the mood for sex, i.e. is in an aroused state, or that it is feasible that the touchee will get into the right mood for sex, i.e. can become aroused in the near future.

If the outcome of this determination is positive, the system 1 may communicate this to the toucher (and possibly also to the touchee), for instance by a light signal. To this end, the processor-controlled output device 40 may comprise one or more light sources, for instance LEDs, of which the color can be controlled by the processor 20. Then, for instance, a green signal may encourage the toucher to continue stimulating the touchee. It is also possible that the system encourages or facilitates the touchee to get into the mood for sex. To this end, the output device 40 may comprise one or more apparatus providing a sensory, mood-inducing stimulation effect. Such apparatus may for instance be a device for showing a romantic photo, a device for playing romantic music, a device for playing an exciting movie, a device for issuing an arousing fragrance, or even an erotic stimulation device such as a massage device or intimate massager. It is noted that the output device 40 is preferably controlled wirelessly by the processor. Since suitable methods for wireless control of an apparatus are known per se, for instance Bluetooth, wifϊ, a more detailed description of wireless control will be omitted here.

If the outcome of the determination is not very clear or reliable, the system 1 may optionally suggest the toucher to again try to touch the touchee, perhaps in a more intimate manner. In a case where the processor-controlled output device 40 comprises one or more light sources, this suggestion may be communicated by a light signal of a different color, for instance purple.

If the outcome of the determination is that the touch is not appreciated by the touchee, the system 1 will advise the toucher not to continue in order to avoid frustration and possible future irritation. In a case where the processor-controlled output device 40 comprises one or more light sources, this advice may be communicated by a light signal of a different color, for instance a red light starting flickering.

In a more elaborate embodiment, the system is also capable of indicating the distance between the touchee's mood and a threshold value. For such embodiment, the output device 40 may comprise a light source capable of displaying more colors, for instance yellow or light green if the touchee is only just feeling in the mood for sex.

Whilst the light approach is simple to implement (e.g. in the form of 3 colored LEDs: red, green, blue), it may be considered disadvantageous that the result is clearly visible to both partners. This may be off-putting. In this case, a method may be preferred which reports the result discretely back to only one partner (preferably the toucher). A discrete feedback to one person can be achieved using an audio report (i.e. whispering the result in their ear), using a pre-defined set of vibration patterns (for example using a telephone vibrator), sending a short text message (again to a phone etc.) The interpretation, by the processor 20, of the body response signals is based upon an algorithm comparing the actual measured value (normalized in time windows of e.g. 30 seconds) with either one or more threshold values - which can be fixed or variable over time. The lower and/or upper thresholds define the desired region. Two exemplary embodiments will be discussed below, which explain the interpretation principle in more detail: embodiment 1 yields a qualitative decision, whereas embodiment 2 yields a more advanced, numerically scaled decision. Embodiment 1 : Qualitative (yes/no) decision

An example of a method for detecting a person's mood is illustrated in figure 3. In this example, the measured physiological parameter is the frequency of skin conductance responses (freqSCR) within a certain time window (in casu 3 minutes). Figure 3 is a graph illustrating mood detection (vertical axis) as a function of the frequency of skin conductance responses (horizontal axis). A skin conductance response (SCR) is defined as a phasic increase in conductance, an example of which is shown in curve 201 of figure 2. A simple illustration is given by a step function (see curve 301) with a double, fixed threshold criterion (see two vertical arrows). If the person's response falls within these boundaries, the person is sufficiently in the mood for sex; otherwise, if the response is far off this desired frame, the person wouldn't get in the mood easily. The outcome of the interpretation process can be "0 = not in the mood for sex" or "1 = in the mood for sex". In the literature, the criterion of {conductance increase > 0.05 μSiemens} is often used to detect SCRs.

Embodiment 2: More advanced, numerically scaled decision

In this more advanced embodiment, the distance of the person's actually measured value to the threshold value is used to make a more gradual bipolar mood scale. E.g. The pole for lowest scores corresponds to "not in the mood at all" and the pole for highest scores corresponds to "perfectly in the mood - go for sex" (e.g. score on a seven- point Likert scale).

The first embodiment has an advantage of more simplicity. The second embodiment has an advantage in that it gives the user of the system, i.e. the toucher, the possibility to play a more active role in the decision process (if he/she wants to). The user could decide by himself/herself- given the information how far his/her partner is away from the best mood for sex, and consequently how much effort it will take to lead his/her partner to sexual desire - to either proceed or refrain. In this way, this embodiment permits more freedom to personalize in that the user is not just replaced by the system, but actively contributes to the final judgment / decision about his/her partner's mood level for sex - which could finally serve the goal of calibrating the (optionally self- learning) system. The system proposed by the present invention will enhance mutual understanding, intimacy and motivation for sex in relationships, whereby the system is capable of bringing into account one or more partners' mood levels for sex. The ultimate goal is to have partners get more "in sync" with each other. In a most simple case, the system will simply detect that one partner has touched the other and will provide feedback to the partner who does the touching.

In a more advanced case, the system will detect that one partner has touched the other and will provide (separate) feedback to both partners as to the state of both partners (i.e. it may assume that the partner doing the touching is in the mood but will preferably be able to establish this from sensing of this partner too).

In a still further application, the system will encourage both partners to touch each other and record the responses. In this case, the system can establish the present mood of both partners for sex. In the following, specific embodiments of a body contact detector will be discussed with reference to figures 4-7 in the context of an ambient mood setting system 100. Figure 5 schematically shows an object 70 expected to carry two persons next to each other. For sake of explanation, the object 70 is depicted as a bed, and in the following explanation it will be assumed that the object 70 is a bed, comprising a frame 71, mattress 72, sheet 73 and blanket 74, but it is noted that the object may be any other type of object, for instance a chair, a sofa or settee or couch, a rug, a floor, etc. Two persons A and E are schematically depicted lying down on the bed 70, but it is noted that, depending on the type of object, they may be sitting or standing.

According to the invention, the bed 70 is provided with a body contact detector 30 comprising two conductive electrodes 31, 32, connected to sensing inputs 23a, 23b of a control device 20. The controller 20 and the electrodes 31, 32 are part of an ambient mood setting system 100 that further comprises at least one mood enhancing output apparatus 40 of the type mentioned above. A control output 24 of the controller 20 is coupled to a control input 43 of the apparatus 40, which coupling may suitably include a wireless link. For sake of illustration, it will be assumed that the apparatus 40 includes ambient lighting and music.

The external electrical loop between the controller inputs 23 a, 23b has certain properties that are different depending on whether the persons A and E physically touch each other or not. The controller 20, which may include a suitably programmed microcontroller, is designed and/or programmed to monitor the loop properties at its inputs 23 a, 23b and, in response to detecting a change indicating that A and E touch each other, to control the mood enhancing output apparatus 40 in a predetermined way: soft romantic music is played, and the ambient lighting is dimmed and shifted to warm romantic colors. While the nature of the electrodes 31, 32 will be explained in more detail below, it is noted that the above explanation as well as the schematic drawing of figure 4 assume that the location of A and E on the bed 10 are known in advance: there are only two sensors 31, 32 positioned under those known locations. However, it is noted that each sensor may have a size corresponding to half the bed surface area. It is further noted that there may be multiple sensors per person, distributed over the bed surface, the active sensor(s) being determined by the location(s) where A and E are actually lying.

The electrodes 31, 32 may be designed for direct physical contact with the persons' skins. In that case, a suitable method for monitoring the loop properties at controller inputs 23a, 23b is to measure the resistance between inputs 23a, 23b. Experiments have shown that without body contact the resistance between inputs 31, 32 is practically infinity, while this resistance drops to a few kiloOhms in the case of body contact. However, such embodiment expects the users A and E to lie naked on the sensors, and this may detract somewhat of the spontaneity. Therefore, the electrodes 31, 32 are preferably designed for capacitive contact with the persons' bodies. In that case, a suitable method for monitoring the loop properties at controller inputs 23 a, 23b is to measure the capacity between inputs 23 a, 23b. An experiment has shown that without body contact the capacity between inputs 23 a, 23b was about 1.4 nF, while this capacity increased to 14 nF in the case of body contact. Of course, the exact values of the capacity will depend on the actual implementation of the sensors, the type and thickness of clothes, amount of humidity, etc, but in general a distinct and measurable increase of the capacity is to be expected in the case of body contact.

In this respect, it is noted that an increase of the capacity is already to be expected if one of the persons is in "contact" with an electrode while the other person is not: the experiment mentioned above showed an increase from 1.4 nF to 1.55 nF for such case.

There are several embodiments feasible for the electrodes 31, 32.

In one embodiment, each electrode 31, 32 is implemented as a conductive foil having length and width chosen in conformity with the bed size. The conductive foil may be a metal or polymer foil, and it may be arranged between the mattress 72 and the bed sheet 73 or it may be arranged under the mattress 72 cover.

In another embodiment, each electrode 31, 32 is implemented as a conductive fabric having length and width chosen in conformity with the bed size. The fabric may be woven or knitted from conductive yarn, or at least comprise conductive yarn, or a non- conductive fabric may be provided with conductive ink. Again, this fabric may be arranged between the mattress and the bed sheet or it may be arranged under the mattress cover. However, in such case it is also possible to have the sensors be integrated into the bed sheet 73 and/or into the mattress 72.

Each electrode may have a two-dimensional shape, for instance rectangular. However, it is also possible that each electrode comprises a plurality of electrode segments, mutually separated from each other and individually coupled to a respective controller input, distributed over the surface area of the mattress 72 and/or bed sheet 73. The segments may be implemented as longitudinal, one-dimensional segments arranged parallel to each other, which can easily be implemented by arranging conductive yarns into the cloth of the mattress and/or sheet. The segments may also be implemented as dots, arranged in a two-dimensional array. In all of the above cases, the controller 20 may integrate all sensor segment signals so that the combination of all sensor segments behaves as one sensor, but the controller may also process each sensor segment signal individually in order to detect the location of body contact. In the embodiments discussed so far, it is assumed that the bed 70 is provided with two electrodes 31, 32, each electrode corresponding to a different surface area of the mattress 72, and it is further assumed that each person A and E is lying on these respective different surface areas for allowing contact with the two electrodes 31, 32. Such embodiments may not be optimal in case both persons are lying on the same half of the bed or even on top of each other. In a further elaboration of the present invention, schematically illustrated in figure 5, the bed 70 is further provided with weight sensors 51, 52 sensing the weight of a person, coupled to inputs 25a, 25b of the controller 20. If the controller finds that the signal received at any of its inputs 25a, 25b indicates a weight of two persons, indicating that the two persons are lying on the same weight sensor (same side of the bed), the controller 20 may safely assume body contact and respond by controlling the mood enhancing apparatus 40 in said predetermined way, as mentioned above.

The weight sensors 51, 52 may be implemented by using for instance piezo electric force sensors, strain sensors, etc. They may be integrated in the bed sheet or in the mattress, or in an additional layer between the bed sheet and the mattress, similarly as described above for the electrodes 31, 32. They may even be mounted under the mattress, or on the mattress support 71.

Figure 6 schematically illustrates a particular layout of such weight sensors. The figure shows a perspective view of the mattress 72. The mattress 72 is provided with four weight sensors 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d, each being substantially rectangular, arranged next to each other. When A and E are lying next to each other, A will lie on sensor 53a or 53b or in between these sensors, so either one of these sensors will detect the weight of one person or both will detect half the weight of one person. The same applies to E lying on sensor 53c or 53d or in between these sensors. IfA and E are cuddling close together, A and E will lie on two adjacent sensors 53a, 53b or 53b, 53c or 53c, 53d or they will lie in between two adjacent sensors 53a, 53b and 53b, 53c, so that always two adjacent sensors 53a, 53b or 53b, 53c or 53c, 53d will each detect the weight of one person or one sensor 53b will detect the weight of one person while the two adjacent sensors 53a, 53c on opposite sides will each detect half the weight of one person. IfA and E are lying on top of each other on one sensor, this one sensor will detect the weight of two persons, or, if they are lying on top of each other between two adjacent sensors 53b, 53c, these sensors will each detect the weight of one person.

Figure 7 schematically illustrates a particular implementation of the weight sensors. The figure shows a perspective view of the bed sheet 73, with for sake of clarity an exaggerated thickness, having a top surface 731 and a bottom surface 73b. In use, the bottom surface 73b will be directed downwards and will be in contact with the mattress 72, while the top surface 73t will be directed upwards. At the top surface 73t of the bed sheet 73, electrodes 31, 32 are arranged, in this case implemented as an array of one-dimensional electrode segments 31s, 32s arranged parallel to each other. At the bottom surface 73b of the bed sheet 73, electrodes 61, 62 (dotted lines) are arranged, in this case implemented as an array of one-dimensional electrode segments 61s, 62s arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the electrode segments 21s, 22s at the top surface 73t of the bed sheet 73. The electrodes 31, 32 function as described earlier. The electrodes 31s and 61s on opposite sides of the sheet 73 together form a first pressure sensor 51; the capacity between electrodes 31s and 61s is a measure for the weight lying on these sensors: a larger weight tends to press these electrodes closer together. The same applies for the electrodes 32s and 62s on opposite sides of the sheet 73 which together form a second pressure sensor 52. In this embodiment, with mutually perpendicular one-dimensional electrodes, the sensors 51, 52 actually provide an array of pressure-sensitive measuring points, so that it is possible for the controller 20 to calculate the location on the sheet 73 where A and E are lying. The controller 20 can even distinguish whether A and E are lying next to each other or on top of each other.

Alternatively, instead of measuring the weight distribution on the bed, it is possible to measure the temperature distribution on the mattress 72 or the bed sheet 73. To that end, the mattress 72 and/or the bed sheet 73 may be provided with an array of thermosensors coupled to the controller 20. Since thermosensors are known per se, a further explanation of their design and operation is not needed here. The array may for instance be a matrix of mutually perpendicular rows and columns. From the temperature readings of the individual thermosensors, the controller 20 is capable to reconstruct the temperature distribution and to decide whether A and E are close together or even on top of each other, and based on this determination the controller 20 may also start the mood enhancing apparatus 40.

Summarizing, the present invention provides a mood detection system 1 for indicating a person's mood for sex. The system comprises: a body sign detecting device 10 generating a response signal representing a body parameter of said person; a body contact detector 30 generating a contact signal indicative for the occurrence of body contact between said person and a partner; a signal processor 20 provided with a memory 50; and an output device 40 controlled by the processor 20.

The processor is capable of operating in a registration mode. In an analyzing mode, the processor analyses the response signals obtained from the body sign detecting device, determines the person's mood and, depending on the outcome of the determination, operates the output device. In response to receiving a contact signal from the body contact detector indicating that the bodies of the person and the partner make physical contact, the processor switches from its registration mode to its analyzing mode.

Also, the present invention provides a method for automatically creating a romantic atmosphere when a person is in a romantic mood with respect to another person. The method comprises the step of detecting physical body contact of said persons and, in response to such detection, automatically controlling at least one mood enhancing apparatus such as a lamp or a music player or a fragrance dispenser.

An ambient mood setting system 100 comprises at least one mood enhancing apparatus 40, detecting means 31, 32 for detecting physical contact between two persons A, E, and a controller 20 having an input 23 a, 23b coupled to said detecting means and a control output

24 coupled to an input of said mood enhancing apparatus. The controller processes detector signals received from the detecting means and, if said signals indicate body contact, automatically controls said mood setting apparatus, i.e. dims the light and plays romantic music. Thus, the present invention overcomes the problem that a romantic moment may be spoiled if one person has to shift his/her attention to switching on some apparatus: such apparatus is automatically switched on if the romantic moment is detected.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, it should be clear to a person skilled in the art that such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments; rather, several variations and modifications are possible within the protective scope of the invention as defined in the appending claims. For instance, in the explanation above it has been assumed that every skin contact event constitutes a romantic step. However, it is possible that two persons touch without romantic intent, for instance because the contact is unintentionally, or because one partner is ill and is helped by the other partner: in those cases, a mood enhancing action by the system would not be appreciated. One solution might be that the system is provided with an OFF button; in order to prevent that the system must be switched ON manually, the OFF button may switch the system off for a specific time duration, for instance 12 hours, after which the system automatically returns to an active state. Alternatively and/or additionally, the system 100 may be provided with the body sign detection device 10 such as to detect the mood of the partner(s) and to avoid any mood enhancing action if at least one of the partners is not in the right mood. Conversely, the failure of the system to respond by switching on the mood enhancing apparatus 40 may be interpreted by the toucher as a signal that the touchee is not in the right mood.

Further, the body sign detecting device and the body contact detector may be integrated as one device, possibly comprising a camera and image processing software for both detecting body contact and capturing body response signals.

Further, it is possible that the body sign detecting device comprises a sensor capable of producing a signal that contains information indicating a person's mental state; an example of such sensor is an EEG sensor.

Further, it is possible that the sensors 31, 32 are implemented as an array of one or more inductive coils. Such coil has a resonance frequency depending on the proximity of a person, and this frequency changes if this person touches another person. This implementation even has the advantage that it can distinguish between "small" contact and "large" contact, i.e. the difference between one finger contact and contact with one or two hands, arm, leg, etc. 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 measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

In the above, the present invention has been explained with reference to block diagrams, which illustrate functional blocks of the device according to the present invention. It is to be understood that one or more of these functional blocks may be implemented in hardware, where the function of such functional block is performed by individual hardware components, but it is also possible that one or more of these functional blocks are implemented in software, so that the function of such functional block is performed by one or more program lines of a computer program or a programmable device such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, etc.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Mood detection system (1) for indicating a person's mood for sex, the system comprising: a body sign detecting device (10) capable of generating at least one response signal representing at least one body parameter of said person; a body contact detector (30) capable of generating at least one contact signal indicative for the occurrence of body contact between said person and a partner; a signal processor (20); and an output device (40) controlled by the processor (20); wherein the processor has a body signal input (21) coupled to an output of the body sign detecting device for receiving said at least one response signal; wherein the processor has a body contact input (23) coupled to an output of the body contact detector for receiving said at least one contact signal; wherein the processor is capable of operating in two modes: a non-analyzing mode and an analyzing mode; wherein, in the analyzing mode, the processor will analyze in real-time the signal(s) obtained from the body sign detecting device at its body signal input and, using predetermined algorithms, determine the person's mood and, depending on the outcome of the determination, will operate the output device; and wherein the processor is designed, in response to receiving at its body contact input a contact signal from the body contact detector indicating that the bodies of the person and the partner make physical contact, to switch from its non-analyzing mode to its analyzing mode.

2. Mood detection system according to claim 1, wherein the signal processor (20) is provided with a memory (50), and wherein the processor is capable of store into the memory the signal(s) obtained from the body sign detecting device at its body signal input in order to obtain a reference for the body signals; wherein the processor is designed to analyze the signal(s) obtained from the body sign detecting device by comparing the received signals with the signals in the memory; and wherein preferably: a] the signal processor (20) is designed to store into said memory the signal(s) obtained from the body sign detecting device in a brief time interval immediately after switching from its non-analyzing mode to its analyzing mode; or b] the processor is designed, when operating in the non-analyzing mode, to store into the memory the signal(s) obtained from the body sign detecting device; or c] the memory holds a recording of the measured signals for a predetermined time interval.

3. Mood detection system according to claim 1, wherein: the body sign detecting device is designed for sensing one or more physiological parameters of a human body; and/or the body sign detecting device comprises at least one sensor selected from the group comprising: a skin conductance sensor for sensing skin conductance level, a skin temperature sensor for sensing peripheral skin temperature, a heart rate sensor, an electromyography sensor for detecting muscle activity, a blood sensor for sensing raw data blood volume pulse, a respiration sensor for sensing raw data respiration, a heartbeat sensor for sensing amplitude heartbeat, a respiration rate sensor for sensing respiration rate, a mental state sensor; and/or the body contact detector comprises a camera and an image processing system for processing images obtained from the camera of the bodies to detect contact; and/or the output device is controlled by the processor wirelessly.

4. Mood detection system according to claim 1, wherein the body sign detecting device is designed for capturing a facial expression; the body sign detecting device preferably comprising a camera, preferably a simple webcam, and an image processing system.

5. Mood detection system according to claim 1, wherein the body contact detector comprises a capacitance or electrical impedance sensor, with at least one electrode for coupling to said person and/or at least electrode for coupling to said partner; and wherein preferably: d] the electrode(s) are/is coupled to the bodies/body directly; or e] the electrodes are arranged in clothing; or f] the electrodes are arranged in a bed and/or in a blanket and/or in a sheet.

6. Mood detection system according to claim 1, wherein the processor-controlled output device comprises one or more light sources, for instance LEDs, of which the color can be controlled by the processor; and wherein preferably: g] the processor controls the light source(s) to emit light of a first color (green) if the outcome of the determination is positive, wherein the processor controls the light source(s) to emit light of a second color (red) if the outcome of the determination is negative, while more preferably the processor controls the light source(s) to emit light of a third color (purple) if the processor considers that the signal(s) obtained from the body sign detecting device at its body signal input are not distinctive or clear enough and/or that the outcome of the determination has low reliability; while most preferably the processor controls the light source(s) to emit light of a fourth color (yellow; light green) for indicating a distance between the person's mood and a threshold value.

7. Mood detection system according to claim 1, wherein the processor-controlled output device comprises one or more apparatus capable of providing a sensory, mood- inducing stimulation effect; and wherein preferably: h] said apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a device for showing a romantic photo, a device for playing romantic music, a device for playing an exciting movie, a device for issuing an arousing fragrance, an erotic stimulation device; and/or i] the processor is designed to activate at least one of said apparatus for providing a sensory, mood-inducing stimulation effect if the outcome of the determination is positive.

8. Method for automatically creating a romantic atmosphere when a person is in a romantic mood with respect to another person, the method comprising the step of detecting physical body contact of said persons and, in response to such detection, automatically controlling at least one mood setting apparatus.

9. Ambient mood setting system (100) comprising at least one mood enhancing apparatus (40), body contact detecting means (30; 31, 32) for detecting physical contact between two persons (A, E) and capable of generating at least one contact signal indicative for the occurrence of body contact between said two persons, and a controller (20) having an input (23a, 23b) coupled to an output of said body contact detecting means (30; 31, 32) for receiving said contact signal and having a control output (24) coupled to an input of said mood enhancing apparatus (40); wherein the controller (20) is designed to process contact signals received from the detecting means (30; 31, 32) and, if said signals indicate body contact, to control said mood enhancing apparatus (40).

10. System according to claim 9, wherein said detecting means (31, 32) include two conductive electrodes, and the controller (20) is designed to measure the capacity between said electrodes; and/or said detecting means (31, 32) include conductive electrodes, and the conductive electrodes are two-dimensional electrodes; and/or said detecting means (31, 32) include conductive electrodes, and the conductive electrodes are comprised of an array of one-dimensional electrode segments arranged parallel to each other, or a plurality of dot-shaped electrodes arranged in a two- dimensional array; and/or said detecting means (31, 32) include conductive electrodes, and the conductive electrodes are integrated in a fabric; and/or said detecting means (31, 32) include two conductive electrodes, and the controller (40) is designed to measure the resistance between said electrodes; and/or said detecting means (31, 32) include inductive coils, and wherein the controller (20) is designed to measure the resonance frequency of said coils.

11. System according to claim 9, further comprising an object (70) which is expected to carry said two persons (A, E), wherein said detecting means (31, 32) are arranged in a carrying surface of said object; and wherein preferably: j] said object is a bed, and said detecting means (31 , 32) are arranged in or on a mattress (72) and/or in or on a bed sheet (73) and/or in or on a blanket (74).

12. System according to claim 9, further comprising an object (70) which is expected to carry said two persons (A, E), wherein said detecting means (31, 32) are arranged in a carrying surface of said object; wherein said object is further provided with weight sensors (51, 52; 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d) coupled to respective inputs (25a, 25b) of the controller (20), the weight sensors being associated with different locations on the carrying surface of said object, wherein the controller is designed to process the weight signals in order to determine the location of said persons; and wherein preferably: k] said object comprises a bed sheet (73) having a top surface (73t) and a bottom surface (73b); wherein said detecting means (31, 32) include an array of one-dimensional conductive electrode segments (31s; 32s) arranged parallel to each other at said top surface (73t); wherein the system further comprises an array of one-dimensional conductive electrode segments (61s; 62s) arranged parallel to each other at said bottom surface (73b), substantially perpendicular to said electrode segments (31s; 32s) at said top surface (73t); wherein said mutually perpendicular electrode segments (31s, 61s; 32s, 62s) together constitute weight sensors.

13. System according to claim 11, wherein said object is further provided with an array of temperature sensors coupled to respective inputs of the controller (30), the temperature sensors being distributed over the carrying surface of said object, wherein the controller is designed to process the temperature signals in order to determine the location of said persons.

14. System according to claim 9, further being capable of detecting a person's mood for sex and comprising: a body sign detecting device (10) capable of generating at least one response signal representing at least one body parameter of said person; wherein the controller has a body signal input (21) coupled to an output of the body sign detecting device for receiving said at least one response signal; wherein the controller is capable of operating in two modes: a non-analyzing mode and an analyzing mode; wherein, in the analyzing mode, the controller will analyze in real-time the signal(s) obtained from the body sign detecting device and, using predetermined algorithms, determine the person's mood and, depending on the outcome of the determination, will operate the mood enhancing apparatus; and wherein, in the non-analyzing mode, the controller is designed, in response to receiving a contact signal from the body contact detector indicating that the bodies of the person and the partner make physical contact, to switch from its non-analyzing mode to its analyzing mode.

15. System according to claim 9, further being capable of detecting a person's mood for sex and comprising: a body sign detecting device (10) capable of generating at least one response signal representing at least one body parameter of said person; wherein the controller has a body signal input (21) coupled to an output of the body sign detecting device for receiving said at least one response signal; wherein the controller is capable of analyzing in real-time the signal(s) obtained from the body sign detecting device and, using predetermined algorithms, to determine the person's mood; and wherein the controller (20) is designed, in response to contact signals indicating body contact, to control said mood enhancing apparatus (40) only if the signal(s) obtained from the body sign detecting device indicate that both persons are in the mood for sex and to avoid controlling said mood enhancing apparatus (40) if at least one of said persons is not in the mood for sex.