WO2016205959A1

WO2016205959A1 - Vibratory propagation apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2016205959A1
Application number: PCT/CA2016/050757
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruce Donald MURISON
Original assignee: Standard Innovation Corporation
Priority date: 2015-06-24
Filing date: 2016-06-27
Publication date: 2016-12-29

Abstract

A vibratory propagation assembly (VP A) and adult devices within which the VPA is incorporated. More specifically, the VPA includes one or more vibrating source(s) encased in source scaffold(s). Vibrations generated by the vibrating source(s) are propagated along the source scaffold(s) towards one or more vibration conducting prong(s) coupled to the one or more source scaffold(s). Subsequently, the vibration conducting prong(s) propagate the induced vibrations throughout varying portions of the adult device(s), thereby providing stimulation to one or more anatomical area(s) of a user, of which the adult device(s) are contacting. Further, varying effects may be generated when multiple vibrating sources are operated separately or in combination.

Description

VIBRATORY PROPAGATION APPARATUS

BACKGROUND

[0001] Mechanized adult devices typically vibrate, thereby facilitating human sexual pleasure and wellness that may be experienced by one or more users. Vibrators are the most common mechanized adult device, and typically operate through the operation of an electric motor wherein a small weight attached off-axis to the motor results in vibration of the motor, and subsequently, portion(s) of the vibrator coupled to the electric motor. Conventionally, one or more of these motor(s) are situated within portions (e.g., one or more stimulating arm(s)) of the adult device that are distal to the respective base portion of the adult device, where the controller(s) and/or power source(s) reside.

SUMMARY

[0002] In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a vibratory propagation assembly (VP A). The VP A includes a first source scaffold encasing a first vibrating source coupled to a first offset weight, and a first vibration conducting prong (VCP) extending longitudinally from the first source scaffold.

[0003] In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to an adult device. The adult device includes an arms portion comprising a pair of stimulating arms and a base portion, a vibratory propagation assembly (VP A) internal to the adult device and extending from the base portion to a tip of each stimulating arm of the pair of stimulating arms, a controller operatively connected to the VP A, and a power source operatively connected to the controller.

[0004] Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1A shows an adult device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0006] FIG. IB shows an adult device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0007] FIG. 2A shows a variation of a vibratory propagation assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0008] FIG. 2B shows a variation of a vibratory propagation assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0009] FIG. 2C shows a variation of a vibratory propagation assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0010] FIG. 3A shows non-limiting examples of pivoting vibratory propagation assemblies in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 3B shows non-limiting examples of pivoting vibratory propagation assemblies in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 3C shows non-limiting examples of pivoting vibratory propagation assemblies in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 3D shows non-limiting examples of pivoting vibratory propagation assemblies in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B each show a diagram of a computing system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.

[0017] Throughout the application, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) may be used as an adjective for an element (i.e., any noun in the application). The use of ordinal numbers is not to imply or create any particular ordering of the elements nor to limit any element to being only a single element unless expressly disclosed, such as by the use of the terms "before", "after", "single", and other such terminology. Rather, the use of ordinal numbers is to distinguish between the elements. By way of an example, a first element is distinct from a second element, and the first element may encompass more than one element and succeed (or precede) the second element in an ordering of elements.

[0018] In the following description, any component description with regard to a figure, in various embodiments of the invention, may be equivalent to one or more like-named components described with regard to any other figure. For brevity, descriptions of these components will not be repeated with regard to each figure. Thus each and every embodiment of the components of each figure is incorporated by reference and assumed to be optionally present within every other figure having one or more like-named components. Additionally, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, any description of the components of a figure is to be interpreted as an optional embodiment, which may be implemented in addition to, in conjunction with, or in place of the embodiments described with regard to a corresponding like- named component in any other figure.

[0019] In general, embodiments of the invention relate to a vibratory propagation assembly (VP A) and adult devices within which the VPA is incorporated. More specifically, the VPA includes one or more vibrating source(s) encased in source scaffold(s). Vibrations generated by the vibrating source(s) are propagated along the source scaffold(s) towards one or more vibration conducting prong(s) coupled to the one or more source scaffold(s). Subsequently, the vibration conducting prong(s) propagate the induced vibrations throughout varying portions of the adult device(s), thereby providing stimulation to one or more anatomical area(s) of a user, of which the adult device(s) are contacting. Further, varying effects may be generated when multiple vibrating sources are operated separately or in combination.

[0020] In one or more embodiments of the invention, the vibrating source(s) are positioned within a base portion of the adult device(s), whereas the vibration conducting prong(s) extend from the base portion to and throughout an arms portion of the adult device(s) (discussed below). In their traditional placement (e.g., within the arms portion of an adult device), the vibratory functionality of the adult device is limited because the vibrating source(s) embedded within the arms portion are typically small. In contrast, in one embodiment of the invention, placement of the vibrating source(s) in the base portion yields low frequency and/or intensified vibrations because larger vibrating source(s) and/or offset weight(s) may be used.

[0021] FIGS. 1A and IB show adult devices in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. An adult device (or a sexual pleasure toy or a sex toy) refers to a sexual pleasure device intended for use by an individual or in activities involving more than one individual, which provides one or more functions. In one embodiment of the invention, in conjunction with one or more functions, an adult device may include design features that are intended to be penetrative or non-penetrative, vibratory or non-vibratory, and/or passive in nature. An adult device may be designed for use with one or more regions of the male and/or female anatomies including, but not limited to, the clitoris, the clitoral area (i.e., the area surrounding and including the clitoris), the vagina, the rectum, the nipples, the breasts, the penis, the testicles, the prostate, and the "G-spot". In one embodiment of the invention, a "male adult device" may be an adult device configured to receive a user's penis within a cavity or recess. In another embodiment of the invention, a "female adult device" may be an adult device having at least a portion configured to be inserted into a user's vagina or rectum. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the user of a female adult device may be a male or female when the adult device is used for insertion into a user's rectum.

[0022] FIG. 1A shows a c toral stimulating (CSTIM) adult device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. More specifically, FIG. 1A shows a CSTIM adult device (100 A) in different perspectives. The top diagram captures the CSTIM adult device (100A) from a top-view perspective, whereas the bottom diagram captures the CSTIM adult device (100A) from a side-profile perspective. The CSTIM adult device (100 A) may be segmented into a base portion (102) and an arms portion (104). When compared analogously and/or anatomically to a human hand, the base portion (102) may be mapped to the palm, whereas the arms portion (104) may be mapped to the fingers. The CSTIM adult device (100A) includes a vibratory propagation assembly (VP A) (108), a controller (110), and one or more power source(s) (112). Each of these components is described below.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, the CSTIM adult device (100A) includes functionality to stimulate the clitoris, clitoral area and/or u-spot of a female user. In one embodiment of the invention, the arms portion (104) includes a pair of stimulating arms (106) that may be positioned relative to the clitoris and/or u-spot. Further, at least a portion of the VPA (108) (e.g., the vibration conducting prong(s) (discussed below)) extends throughout each of the stimulating arms (106), thereby providing a mechanism through which vibrations (induced within the CSTIM adult device (100 A)) may propagate along and/or towards the tips of the stimulating arms (106) and ultimately, towards the desired areas of the human anatomy which the stimulating arms (106) are contacting. In one embodiment of the invention, the skin (or shell) of the CSTIM adult device (100A) may be constructed using, for example, silicone, thermoplastic rubber (TPR), or any other flexible, non-toxic, and low durometer material. Moreover, the skin of the CSTIM adult device (100A) may typically be 1 to 4 millimeters thick, and/or is often 2.5 millimeters thick.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, the actual physical effect experienced by the user may vary according to the control program applied the VP A (108), the region of the user's anatomy being stimulated, and the properties of the user's anatomy. Other parameters such as emotional state, physical position, user holding device, another user holding device, user engaged in sexual activity, environment, etc., may also factor into the user's perceived experience. As will become evident according to the descriptions below in respect of embodiments of the invention, the interaction between the physical effects of two or more vibrating sources included in the VPA (108) may be controlled to provide additional variations in the experience provided by CSTIM adult device (100A) to the user.

[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, the vibratory propagation assembly

(VPA) (108) is operatively connected to the controller (110). The VPA (108) is representative of a culmination of varying components (discussed below) that enable the vibratory functionality of the CSTIM adult device (100 A). With respect to the positioning of the VPA (108), in one embodiment of the invention, one or more components of the VPA (e.g., the source scaffold(s), the vibrating source(s), the offset weight(s) - see, e.g., FIGS. 2 A, 2B, and 2C) may be situated within the base portion (102) of the CSTIM adult device (100A), alongside the controller (110) and the power source(s) (1 12). In such an embodiment, the remaining components of the VPA (e.g., the vibration conducting prong(s) - see, e.g., FIGS. 2A, 2B, and-2C) may extend from their couplings with the source scaffold(s) in the base portion (102) to the tip(s) of the stimulating arm(s) (106) forming the arms portion (104) of the CSTIM adult device (100 A). The VPA (108) is described in further detail below with respect to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and2C. [0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the controller (110) is operative ly connected to the VP A (108) and one or more power source(s) (1 12). The controller (1 10) may be a computer processor, and/or one or more integrated circuits for processing instructions. For example, the controller may be one or more cores, or micro-cores of a processor. Additionally, or alternatively, processing in the CSTIM adult device (100 A) may be performed using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a discrete processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller, or any other type of integrated circuit or combination thereof. Moreover, the controller may process software and/or firmware instructions, in the form of computer readable program code, to perform embodiments of the invention. The instructions may be related to, for example, the managing of the power source(s) (112), the monitoring and operating of the VPA (108), the aggregation of sensor information from optionally included sensors (not shown) in the CSTIM adult device (100 A), and the bidirectional communication of sensor information, instructions, etc., with other networked computing systems and/or devices (see e.g., FIG. 3). In one embodiment of the invention, the software and/or firmware instructions may be stored, in whole or in part, temporarily or permanently, on a non-transitory computer readable medium (not shown) such as a storage device, flash memory, physical memory, or any other computer readable storage medium. Specifically, the aforementioned instructions may correspond to computer readable program code that, when executed by the controller (1 10), is configured to perform embodiments of the invention.

[0027] In one embodiment of the invention, the controller (1 10) includes functionality to monitor and/or operate the VPA (108). More specifically, the controller (1 10) includes functionality to actuate one or more vibrating source(s) (discussed below) included in the VPA (108). In one embodiment of the invention, towards generating varying effects towards enhancing the stimulation and/or arousal of a user, the controller (110) may actuate a vibrating source separately or more than one vibrating sources concurrently. Characteristics of the vibrating source(s) that the controller (1 10) may manipulate in generating desired effects include, but are not limited to, the frequency (or speed) of the vibrations, the intensity (or amplitude) of the vibrations, the phase (or offsetting) of vibrations induced by the vibrating source(s), the direction of rotation of the actuated movement, etc. These varying effects are discussed in further detail below with respect to FIG. 2C.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, the power source(s) (1 12) are operatively connected to the controller (1 10). The power source(s) (112) are a storage medium for, and subsequently, a source of, direct current (DC) power. The power source(s) (112) may include, but are not limited to, one or more nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, or any other type of power cell(s). Further, in one embodiment of the invention, the power source(s) (112) are devices that are capable of being recharged. To this end, the power source(s) (112) include functionality to receive (and store) DC from an external source (e.g., a fixed electrical outlet, an inductive charging apparatus, etc.) via the controller (1 10). The power source(s) (112) may also include functionality to distribute an appropriate amount of DC to each element to which it is operatively connected.

[0029] In one embodiment of the invention, the CSTIM adult device (100A) may include one or more sensor(s) (not shown) operatively connected to any one or more components of the CSTIM adult device (100A). The sensor(s) refer to hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof, which detects and measures one or more physical properties (e.g., heat, light, sound, pressure, motion, etc.). The sensor(s) may further include functionality to encode these aforementioned measurements into analog and/or digital signals (or data) that may be interpreted and/or pre-processed by the controller (110). Examples of the sensor(s) include, but are not limited to, an accelerometer, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a microphone, a camera, a light detector, a photopletismograph (PPG) (i.e., a blood flow sensor), an electroencephalograph (i.e., a bioelectricity sensor), a photoionization detector (PID) (i.e., a gas and/or organic compound sensor), etc. In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor(s) may serve, separately or in combination, to provide information pertaining to, for example, orientation, biometrics, environmental conditions, and control feedback (e.g., pertinent to the performance of the VP A (108)).

[0030] FIG. IB shows a c toral stimulating and vibrator (CSTIMV) combination adult device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. The CSTIMV adult device (100B) may be segmented into a base portion (102), an arms portion (104), and a phallus-like shaped portion (114). Similar to a conventional "rabbit" style vibrator, the phallus-like shaped portion (114) is designed/intended for insertion into a cavity (e.g., vagina or rectum) of a user, whereas the arms portion (104) is designed/intended for fitting against the pubic region of the user (i.e., external to the cavity such as for stimulating the clitoris of a female user). In one embodiment of the invention, the base portion (102) may reside external to the cavity and may also substitute as a handle for which the user may grip/manipulate the CSTIMV adult device (100B). The CSTIMV adult device (100B) includes components (e.g., the VPA (108), the controller (1 10), the power source(s) (1 12), and the stimulating arms (106)) substantially similar to the CSTIM adult device (see, e.g., FIG. 1A). In one embodiment of the invention, the phallus-hke shaped portion (1 14) of the CSTIMV adult device (100B) may include additional components such as, for example, separate vibrating sources (to those actuating the arms portion (104)) and/or rotating beads.

[0031] FIG. 2A shows a variation of a vibratory propagation assembly (VPA) in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. More specifically, the variation illustrated may be referred as the single-source, single-prong (SSSP) VPA (200A). The SSSP VPA (200A) includes a vibrating source (202A), an offset weight (204A), a source scaffold (206A), and a vibration conducting prong (VCP) (208A). Each of these components is described below.

[0032] In one embodiment of the invention, the vibrating source (202A) is representative of an actuator, which is configured to generate and/or tune the vibratory functionality of the VPA (200A) and subsequently, the adult device. Examples of the vibrating source (202A) include, but are not limited to, an electric motor, a linear motor, a screw drive, and a piezoelectric element. Particular to electric and/or linear motor implementations, the vibrating source (202 A) may be represented, for example, by using: (i) a brushless cylinder rotary motor with an eccentric mass (e.g., the offset weight (204 A)) attached to the shaft of the rotary motor; (ii) a linear resonant motor coupled to a magnetic mass that may be actuated under action of an electrical coil; (iii) a shaftless motor (e.g., a pancake motor) coupled to an asymmetric mass with coils that rotate upon a shaft centrally disposed to a radial magnet; and/or (iv) a linear resonant motor coupled to a magnetic mass that is actuated under action of an electrical coil that slides within a guide rail.

[0033] In one embodiment of the invention, the offset weight (204A) is a mass that may be coupled to the vibrating source (202A). In coupling to the vibrating source (202A), the offset weight (204A) may be mounted on a drive shaft protruding from (and rotated by) the vibrating source (202 A). In one embodiment of the invention, as depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C, the offset weight (204A) may be asymmetrically mounted to the shaft upon which it is mounted. In another embodiment of the invention, the offset weight (204A) may be symmetrically mounted to the shaft, however, the offset weight (204A) itself may be designed in such a way so that its mass is asymmetrically distributed. In one embodiment of the invention, an offset weight may not be coupled to the vibrating source (202 A). In such an embodiment, the offset weight (204A) may be coupled, alternatively, to the VCP (208A). The positioning of the offset weight (204 A) along the length of the VCP (208A) may be predetermined in order to induce desired vibrating effects.

[0034] In one embodiment of the invention, the source scaffold (206A) is representative of the encasement enclosing the vibrating source (202A) and offset weight (204A), if coupled to the vibrating source (202A). Other than encasing the aforementioned components, the source scaffold (206A) also includes functionality to serve as the conduit for the propagation of vibrations induced by the vibrating source (202 A) and/or offset weight (204 A) towards the VCP(s) (208A, 208B) to which it is coupled. In one embodiment of the invention, the source scaffold (206A) (and/or frame or skeleton) may be constructed using rigid and/or semi-rigid materials such as plastics, thermoplastics, steel, aluminum, nylon acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), synthetic polymers, composites, etc. In one embodiment of the invention, the source scaffold (206A) may extend backwards (see, e.g., 306 in FIG. 3D), thereby providing structural support for the controller and/or power source(s) of the adult device (see e.g., FIGS. 1A and IB). In such an embodiment, the source scaffold extension may be coupled to the main source scaffold structure (206A) via a flexible connector (or hinge or joint). In one embodiment of the invention, the flexible connector may be a ball joint and/or a flex joint. The flexible connector may allow a user to manipulate the adult device in a variety of desired positions.

[0035] In one embodiment of the invention, the VCP (208A) is a solid or hollow projection extending from the source scaffold (206A). The VCP (208A) includes functionality to disseminate the vibrations propagated via the source scaffold (206A) throughout portions of the adult device in which it is embedded. In one embodiment of the invention, the VCP (208A) may be constructed of materials similar to those materials used in the construction of the source scaffold (206A). In another embodiment of the invention, the VCP (208A) may be constructed of materials different to those materials used in the construction of the source scaffold (206 A). In such an embodiment, for example, the VCP (208A) may be implemented using a metal rod enclosed within a thin layer of plastics. In one embodiment of the invention, the VCP (208A) may extend longitudinally from, and may be frontally coupled to, the source scaffold (206). In one embodiment of the invention, "frontal coupling" may refer to the fastening of one end of the VCP (208A) to the front (or nose) of the source scaffold (206A).

[0036] FIG. 2B shows a variation of a vibratory propagation assembly (VP A) in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. More specifically, the variation illustrated may be referred as the single-source, dual-prong (SSDP) VPA (200B). The SSDP VPA (200B) is substantially similar to the SSSP VPA (200 A) with the exception of a secondary VCP (208B) coupled to the source scaffold (206A) and the first VCP (208A) via a prong crosspiece (210). The secondary VCP (208B), as well as the prong crosspiece (210), may be constructed using material similar to the material used in the construction of the first VCP (208A) and/or the source scaffold (206A). Alternatively, as mentioned above, and like the first VCP (208A), the secondary VCP (208B) may be constructed using material different to the material used to construct the source scaffold (206 A). Additionally, or alternatively, in one embodiment of the invention, the secondary VCP (208B) and/or the prong crosspiece (210) may be solid or hollow. In one embodiment of the invention, the prong crosspiece (210) may further include functionality to propagate and/or branch vibrations induced by the vibrating source (202A) towards each of the VCPs (208A, 208B).

[0037] FIG. 2C shows a variation of a vibratory propagation assembly (VPA) in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. More specifically, the variation illustrated may be referred as the dual-source, dual- prong (DSDP) VPA (200C), and represents the preferred embodiment of the VPA. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the DSDP VPA (200C) may be representative of two SSSP VP As (see, e.g., FIG. 2 A) longitudinally parallel to one another and connected via a relatively thin scaffold crosspiece (212). In one embodiment of the invention, the scaffold crosspiece (212) may be flexible and/or deformable. As such, the scaffold crosspiece (212) may be constructed using elastomeric materials such as rubber, silicone, latex, etc. Further, the material of which the scaffold crosspiece (212) is constructed may or may not dampen or suppress the crossover of varying vibrational characteristics (e.g., frequency, intensity, phase, etc.), produced by the two vibrating sources (202A, 202B) to the opposing source scaffold (206A, 206B) and/or VCP (208A, 208B). In one embodiment of the invention, the scaffold crosspiece (212) connects one source scaffold (206 A) to another (206B). The flexibility and/or deformability of the scaffold crosspiece (212) is discussed in detail below with respect to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D.

[0038] In one embodiment of the invention, each of the pair of vibrating sources (202A, 202B) may be operated separately, or in combination, towards generating varying vibrational and/or stimulating effects. By way of an example, characteristics associated with a vibrating source (202A) may be adjusted (by the controller (see, e.g., FIG. 1A)) in relation to the characteristics associated with the other vibrating source (202B) to yield "harmonic throbbing". In one embodiment of the invention, harmonic throbbing pertains to constructive and/or destructive interference of the induced vibrations from both vibrating sources (202A, 202B) towards generating any combination of intensified or suppressed intervals of vibratory stimulation. Parameters controlling the actuation of the vibrating sources (202 A, 202B) that may be adjusted, individually or in combination, include, but are not limited to, the vibrational frequency, the vibrational intensity, the vibrational phase, etc.

[0039] In one or more embodiments of the invention, harmonic throbbing further includes the control of at least a pair of vibrating sources such that their vibrational summation encompasses a much lower frequency than the frequency range the vibrational sources are able to maintain separately. In one embodiment of the invention, the two or more vibrating sources may be operated within a narrower frequency range around their respective maximum efficiencies. In such an embodiment, the relative phase and frequency offset(s) between the two or more vibrating sources induce the combination of intensities and/or frequencies experienced by the user.

Further to harmonic throbbing, and by way of an example, one vibrating source (202A) may be set to frequency f_x , whereas another vibrating source (202B) may be set to frequency f₂ = f_x + 5f such that the two vibrating sources are running at approximately the same speed but with a difference 5f which the user can feel and / or hear wherein the amplitude of the resulting low frequency vibration is a maximum when the two vibrating sources are in phase and is at a minimum when they are 180° out of phase. Accordingly, with this set speed differential the user will sense the two vibrating sources drift in and out of phase at the 5f rate. Depending upon the accuracy of speed determination, control voltage setting, etc., then 5f « lHz is feasible adding sensations not felt previously as this deep low frequency signal can be constantly maintained. In one embodiment of the invention, "second harmonic throbbing" may be effected by actuating the vibrating sources (202A, 202B) such that the frequencies are tuned to f_x = f₀ and f₂ = 2 · _j = 2 · f₀ , respectively. In such an embodiment, in addition to sensing the two distinct frequencies, the user will also experience an interaction between them as now one vibrating source (202A) is operating at the second harmonic of the other vibrating source (202B). Further the harmonic and second harmonic throbbing effects can be essentially merged if f₂ = 2^■ _j ± df = 2 - f₀ ± df where, for example 5f = \Hz;2Hz:. In one embodiment of the invention, the rate of "harmonic throbbing" as the vibrations go from constructive to destructive and back to constructive is once per second if the two vibrating sources are operating at 1Hz. Harmonic throbbing, however, can be adjusted from a slow pace, for example 0.01 Hz or 0.25 Hz to fast rates, for example 2 Hz, 4 Hz, or 10 Hz. Further, the nature of resonance achieved depends upon whether the offset weights (204 A, 204B) are rotating in the same direction or not.

[0041] In one or more embodiments of the invention, "harmonic throbbing" and/or the interaction of a pair of vibrating sources is highest when the vibrations are generated parallel to one another and in close proximity. At low angular offsets, the interaction is reduced and in theory the interaction may reduce to zero as the angle between the two vibrating sources (202A, 202B) increases assuming plane wave vibration fronts. However, the vibrating sources (202A, 202B) do not generate highly planar wavefronts and the human body may distort (or bend or change) the direction of vibrations. In one embodiment of the invention, even at high angular offsets relative to one another, the effects of harmonic throbbing may be evident to the user.

[0042] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D show non-limiting examples of pivoting

VP As in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. As mentioned above, in one embodiment of the invention, the scaffold crosspiece (302; see also, e.g., 212 in FIG. 2C) and/or any other connecting structure (e.g., hinge, joint, etc.) (not shown) may be flexible and/or deformable in nature, thereby enabling the VPA to exercise a variety of degrees of freedom (DOF). Turning to FIG. 3A, in one embodiment of the invention, the scaffold crosspiece (302) may be pliable enough so as to permit the pair of VCPs (304 A, 304B) to get closer to (see, e.g., 300 A) or farther from (see, e.g., 300B) one another. Turning to FIG. 3B, the scaffold crosspiece (302) may be pliable enough so as to additionally permit the pair of VCPs (304), either separately or as a unit, to hinge downwards (see, e.g., 300C) or upwards (see, e.g., 300D). Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, the scaffold crosspiece (302) may allow the VPA (300E) to orient itself about a vertical axis or simply, to maneuver in the left and right directions. Turning to FIG. 3D, in one embodiment of the invention, the source scaffold(s) (306) may extend backwards. These extended scaffold(s) (306) may subsequently be connected together via any variation of the scaffold crosspiece (see, e.g., 302 A, 302B). In one embodiment of the invention, the extended scaffold(s) (306) may be connected to the scaffold crosspiece in such a way so as to allow pivoting (e.g., consider pinion or rotary joints).

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. As discussed above, one or more adult device(s) may include a communications interface (see, e.g., discussion with respect to FIG. 1A), which facilitates the integration of the adult device(s) into a multi-framework system towards enhancing user interactions and joint activities involving the adult device(s), services, and/or content. The system (400) includes an adult device platform (ADP) (402), the adult device(s) (404), one or more client device(s) (406), one or more wearable devices (408), and optional third-party provider(s) (410). Further, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, one or more of these components may be communicatively connected to one another or each other via a network (412). Each of these components is described below.

[0044] In one embodiment of the invention, the ADP (402) refers to hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof, which provides support resources for one or more client device(s) (406) executing an ADP-associated software application including respective software development kits (SDKs), application programming interface (API), software tool(s), etc. These support resources may include, for example, cloud computing logic, data storage, content generation, access, and/or dissemination, software and/or firmware updates, etc.

[0045] In one embodiment of the invention, the ADP (402) includes functionality to: (i) receive resource requests from one or more client device(s) (406); (ii) provide resources to the one or more client device(s) (406) in response to requests and/or other operations performed via user interaction with an ADP-associated software application; and/or (iii) broker third-party products and/or services between ADP users and the third-party provider(s) (410). [0046] In one embodiment of the invention, as discussed above, the adult device(s) (404) refer to a sexual pleasure, wellness, and/or exercise device, which may provide various functions when employed by one or more user(s). In addition to the various functionalities discussed in the disclosure above, the adult device(s) (404) may include further functionality to: (i) relay sensor information (from one or more sensor(s) included in the adult device(s)) to client device(s) (406); and (ii) receive instructions and software/firmware updates from the client device(s) (406).

[0047] In one embodiment of the invention, client device(s) (406) are any computing system (see e.g., FIGS. 5 A and 5B) that is programmed to interact with the ADP (402), the adult device(s) (404), and/or wearable device(s) (408). Client device(s) (406) may include functionality to: (i) aggregate sensor information and settings adjustments from adult device(s) (404); (ii) generate and transmit resource requests to the ADP (402); (iii) receive resources from the ADP (402); (iv) obtain and/or record enablement and setting adjustments (for features provided by the ADP-associated software application), which may be performed by one or more user(s) that may be operating the client device(s) (406); (v) present information (e.g., notifications, analytics, recommendations, content, etc.) to one or more user(s); and (vi) transmit instructions and/or software/firmware updates to the adult device(s) (404) and wearable device(s) (408), which may be communicatively connected to the client device(s) (406). Examples of client device(s) (406) include, but are not limited to, a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a gaming console, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a computer server, an Internet-enabled appliance, a smart television, a tablet computer, and an electronic reader.

[0048] In one embodiment of the invention, wearable device(s) (408) are any computing system (see e.g., FIGS. 5A and 5B), which may be worn by a user. Wearable device(s) (408) may be embedded under, within, with or on top of clothing and/or accessories. Further, in one embodiment of the invention, wearable device(s) (408) include functionality to: (i) relay sensor information (from one or more sensor(s) included in the wearable device(s)) to client device(s) (406); and (ii) receive instructions and/or software/firmware updates from client device(s) (406). In one embodiment of the invention, wearable device(s) (408) may also function as adult device(s) (404). Examples of wearable device(s) (408) include, but are not limited to, a smart watch, e- textiles, a smart shirt, an activity tracker, and smart glasses.

[0049] In one embodiment of the invention, third-party provider(s) (410) refer to an external platform for products, services, and/or content. Third-party provider(s) (410) may include functionality to: (i) provide their respective products, services, and/or content through the ADP (402) to registered users of the ADP (402); (ii) receive requests, from the ADP (402) on behalf of a registered user, to access, obtain, or otherwise purchase their respective products, services, and/or content; and (iii) potentially, receive feedback, analytics, and/or recommendations for improvement regarding their products, services, and/or content directly from users of the ADP (402) or from the ADP (402) itself. Examples of third-party provider(s) (410) include, but are not limited to, a social network (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Linkedln, etc.), an adult device supplier (e.g., We-Vibe, Natural Contours, Lelo, etc.), an online retailer (e.g., Amazon, E-bay, etc.), an online personals website (e.g., PinkCupid, etc.), an online chat room and/or forum (e.g., Reddit, etc.), an adult multimedia content website (e.g., RedTube, etc.), and a multimedia content website (e.g., iTunes, etc.).

[0050] In one embodiment of the invention, the network (412) refers to the medium through which the ADP (402), the adult device(s) (404), the client device(s) (406), the wearable device(s) (408), and the third-party provider(s) (410) are communicatively connected. The connections between these various components may be wired and/or wireless, direct or indirect, temporary, permanent and/or intermittent, through a local area or wide area network, or have any other type of connection or combination thereof. Further, the network (412) may include any existing or future developed communication systems and may employ any existing or future developed wired and/or wireless protocol, which may be directed to the facilitation of communications and the exchange of information between the various components of the system (400).

[0051] Embodiments of the invention may be implemented on a computing system.

Any combination of mobile, desktop, server, router, switch, embedded device, or other types of hardware may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the computing system (500) may include one or more computer processors (502), non- persistent storage (504) (e.g., volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), cache memory), persistent storage (506) (e.g., a hard disk, an optical drive such as a compact disk (CD) drive or digital versatile disk (DVD) drive, a flash memory, etc.), a communication interface (512) (e.g. , Bluetooth interface, infrared interface, network interface, optical interface, etc.), and numerous other elements and functionalities.

[0052] The computer processor(s) (502) may be an integrated circuit for processing instructions. For example, the computer processor(s) may be one or more cores or micro-cores of a processor. The computing system (500) may also include one or more input devices (510), such as a touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, microphone, touchpad, electronic pen, or any other type of input device.

[0053] The communication interface (512) may include an integrated circuit for connecting the computing system (500) to a network (not shown) (e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, mobile network, or any other type of network) and/or to another device, such as another computing device.

[0054] Further, the computing system (500) may include one or more output devices (508), such as a screen (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, touchscreen, cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, projector, or other display device), a printer, external storage, or any other output device. One or more of the output devices may be the same or different from the input device(s). The input and output device(s) may be locally or remotely connected to the computer processor(s) (502), non-persistent storage (504), and persistent storage (506). Many different types of computing systems exist, and the aforementioned input and output device(s) may take other forms.

[0055] Software instructions in the form of computer readable program code to perform embodiments of the invention may be stored, in whole or in part, temporarily or permanently, on a non-transitory computer readable medium such as a CD, DVD, storage device, a diskette, a tape, flash memory, physical memory, or any other computer readable storage medium. Specifically, the software instructions may correspond to computer readable program code that, when executed by a processor(s), is configured to perform one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0056] The computing system (500) in FIG. 5 A may be connected to or be a part of a network. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the network (520) may include multiple nodes (e.g., node X (522), node Y (524)). Each node may correspond to a computing system, such as the computing system shown in FIG. 5A, or a group of nodes combined may correspond to the computing system shown in FIG. 5A. By way of an example, embodiments of the invention may be implemented on a node of a distributed system that is connected to other nodes. By way of another example, embodiments of the invention may be implemented on a distributed computing system having multiple nodes, where each portion of the invention may be located on a different node within the distributed computing system. Further, one or more elements of the aforementioned computing system (500) may be located at a remote location and connected to the other elements over a network.

[0057] Although not shown in FIG. 5B, the node may correspond to a blade in a server chassis that is connected to other nodes via a backplane. By way of another example, the node may correspond to a server in a data center. By way of another example, the node may correspond to a computer processor or micro-core of a computer processor with shared memory and/or resources.

[0058] The nodes (e.g., node X (522), node Y (524)) in the network (520) may be configured to provide services for a client device (526). For example, the nodes may be part of a cloud computing system. The nodes may include functionality to receive requests from the client device (526) and transmit responses to the client device (526). The client device (526) may be a computing system, such as the computing system shown in FIG. 5A. Further, the client device (526) may include and/or perform all or a portion of one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0059] The computing system or group of computing systems described in FIG.

5A and 5B may include functionality to perform a variety of operations disclosed herein. For example, the computing system(s) may perform communication between processes on the same or different system. A variety of mechanisms, employing some form of active or passive communication, may facilitate the exchange of data between processes on the same device. Examples representative of these inter-process communications include, but are not limited to, the implementation of a file, a signal, a socket, a message queue, a pipeline, a semaphore, shared memory, message passing, and a memory-mapped file. Further details pertaining to a couple of these non- limiting examples are provided below.

[0060] Based on the client-server networking model, sockets may serve as interfaces or communication channel end-points enabling bidirectional data transfer between processes on the same device. Foremost, following the client-server networking model, a server process (e.g., a process that provides data) may create a first socket object. Next, the server process binds the first socket object, thereby associating the first socket object with a unique name and/or address. After creating and binding the first socket object, the server process then waits and listens for incoming connection requests from one or more client processes (e.g., processes that seek data). At this point, when a client process wishes to obtain data from a server process, the client process starts by creating a second socket object. The client process then proceeds to generate a connection request that includes at least the second socket object and the unique name and/or address associated with the first socket object. The client process then transmits the connection request to the server process. Depending on availability, the server process may accept the connection request, establishing a communication channel with the client process, or the server process, busy in handling other operations, may queue the connection request in a buffer until server process is ready. An established connection informs the client process that communications may commence. In response, the client process may generate a data request specifying the data that the client process wishes to obtain. The data request is subsequently transmitted to the server process. Upon receiving the data request, the server process analyzes the request and gathers the requested data. Finally, the server process then generates a reply including at least the requested data and transmits the reply to the client process. The data may be transferred, more commonly, as datagrams or a stream of characters (e.g., bytes).

Shared memory refers to the allocation of virtual memory space in order to substantiate a mechanism for which data may be communicated and/or accessed by multiple processes. In implementing shared memory, an initializing process first creates a shareable segment in persistent or non- persistent storage. Post creation, the initializing process then mounts the shareable segment, subsequently mapping the shareable segment into the address space associated with the initializing process. Following the mounting, the initializing process proceeds to identify and grant access permission to one or more authorized processes that may also write and read data to and from the shareable segment. Changes made to the data in the shareable segment by one process may immediately affect other processes, which are also linked to the shareable segment. Further, when one of the authorized processes accesses the shareable segment, the shareable segment maps to the address space of that authorized process. Often, only one authorized process may mount the shareable segment, other than the initializing process, at any given time.

[0062] Other techniques may be used to share data, such as the various data described in the present application, between processes without departing from the scope of the invention. The processes may be part of the same or different application and may execute on the same or different computing system.

[0063] Rather than or in addition to sharing data between processes, the computing system performing one or more embodiments of the invention may include functionality to receive data from a user. For example, in one or more embodiments, a user may submit data via a graphical user interface (GUI) on the user device. Data may be submitted via the GUI by a user selecting one or more GUI widgets or inserting text and other data into GUI widgets using a touchpad, a keyboard, a mouse, or any other input device. In response to selecting a particular item, information regarding the particular item may be obtained from persistent or non-persistent storage by the computer processor. Upon selection of the item by the user, the contents of the obtained data regarding the particular item may be displayed on the user device in response to the user's selection.

[0064] By way of another example, a request to obtain data regarding the particular item may be sent to a server operatively connected to the user device through a network. For example, the user may select a uniform resource locator (URL) link within a web client of the user device, thereby initiating a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) or other protocol request being sent to the network host associated with the URL. In response to the request, the server may extract the data regarding the particular selected item and send the data to the device that initiated the request. Once the user device has received the data regarding the particular item, the contents of the received data regarding the particular item may be displayed on the user device in response to the user's selection. Further to the above example, the data received from the server after selecting the URL link may provide a web page in Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) that may be rendered by the web client and displayed on the user device.

[0065] Once data is obtained, such as by using techniques described above or from storage, the computing system, in performing one or more embodiments of the invention, may extract one or more data items from the obtained data. For example, the extraction may be performed as follows by the computing system in FIG. 5 A. First, the organizing pattern (e.g., grammar, schema, layout) of the data is determined, which may be based on one or more of the following: position (e.g., bit or column position, Nth token in a data stream, etc.), attribute (where the attribute is associated with one or more values), or a hierarchical/tree structure (consisting of layers of nodes at different levels of detail— such as in nested packet headers or nested document sections). Then, the raw, unprocessed stream of data symbols is parsed, in the context of the organizing pattern, into a stream (or layered structure) of tokens (where each token may have an associated token "type").

[0066] Next, extraction criteria are used to extract one or more data items from the token stream or structure, where the extraction criteria are processed according to the organizing pattern to extract one or more tokens (or nodes from a layered structure). For position-based data, the token(s) at the position(s) identified by the extraction criteria are extracted. For attribute/value-based data, the token(s) and/or node(s) associated with the attribute(s) satisfying the extraction criteria are extracted. For hierarchical/layered data, the token(s) associated with the node(s) matching the extraction criteria are extracted. The extraction criteria may be as simple as an identifier string or may be a query presented to a structured data repository (where the data repository may be organized according to a database schema or data format, such as XML). [0067] The extracted data may be used for further processing by the computing system. For example, the computing system of FIG. 5A, while performing one or more embodiments of the invention, may perform data comparison. Data comparison may be used to compare two or more data values (e.g., A, B). For example, one or more embodiments may determine whether A > B, A = B, A ! = B, A < B, etc. The comparison may be performed by submitting A, B, and an opcode specifying an operation related to the comparison into an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) (i.e., circuitry that performs arithmetic and/or bitwise logical operations on the two data values). The ALU outputs the numerical result of the operation and/or one or more status flags related to the numerical result. For example, the status flags may indicate whether the numerical result is a positive number, a negative number, zero, etc. By selecting the proper opcode and then reading the numerical results and/or status flags, the comparison may be executed. For example, in order to determine if A > B, B may be subtracted from A (i.e., A - B), and the status flags may be read to determine if the result is positive (i.e., if A > B, then A - B > 0). In one or more embodiments, B may be considered a threshold, and A is deemed to satisfy the threshold if A = B or if A > B, as determined using the ALU. In one or more embodiments of the invention, A and B may be vectors, and comparing A with B requires comparing the first element of vector A with the first element of vector B, the second element of vector A with the second element of vector B, etc. In one or more embodiments, if A and B are strings, the binary values of the strings may be compared.

[0068] The computing system in FIG. 5 A may implement and/or be connected to a data repository. For example, one type of data repository is a database. A database is a collection of information configured for ease of data retrieval, modification, re-organization, and deletion. Database Management System (DBMS) is a software application that provides an interface for users to define, create, query, update, or administer databases. [0069] The user, or software application, may submit a statement or query into the DBMS. Then the DBMS interprets the statement. The statement may be a select statement to request information, update statement, create statement, delete statement, etc. Moreover, the statement may include parameters that specify data, or data container (database, table, record, column, view, etc.), identifier(s), conditions (comparison operators), functions (e.g. join, full join, count, average, etc.), sort (e.g. ascending, descending), or others. The DBMS may execute the statement. For example, the DBMS may access a memory buffer, a reference or index a file for read, write, deletion, or any combination thereof, for responding to the statement. The DBMS may load the data from persistent or non-persistent storage and perform computations to respond to the query. The DBMS may return the result(s) to the user or software application.

[0070] The computing system of FIG. 5 A may include functionality to present raw and/or processed data, such as results of comparisons and other processing. For example, presenting data may be accomplished through various presenting methods. Specifically, data may be presented through a user interface provided by a computing device. The user interface may include a GUI that displays information on a display device, such as a computer monitor or a touchscreen on a handheld computer device. The GUI may include various GUI widgets that organize what data is shown as well as how data is presented to a user. Furthermore, the GUI may present data directly to the user, e.g., data presented as actual data values through text, or rendered by the computing device into a visual representation of the data, such as through visualizing a data model.

[0071] For example, a GUI may first obtain a notification from a software application requesting that a particular data object be presented within the GUI. Next, the GUI may determine a data object type associated with the particular data object, e.g., by obtaining data from a data attribute within the data object that identifies the data object type. Then, the GUI may determine any rules designated for displaying that data object type, e.g., rules specified by a software framework for a data object class or according to any local parameters defined by the GUI for presenting that data object type. Finally, the GUI may obtain data values from the particular data object and render a visual representation of the data values within a display device according to the designated rules for that data object type.

[0072] Data may also be presented through various audio methods. In particular, data may be rendered into an audio format and presented as sound through one or more speakers operably connected to a computing device.

[0073] Data may also be presented to a user through haptic methods. For example, haptic methods may include vibrations or other physical signals generated by the computing system. For example, data may be presented to a user using a vibration generated by a handheld computer device with a predefined duration and intensity of the vibration to communicate the data.

[0074] The above description of functions presents only a few examples of functions performed by the computing system of FIG. 5 A and the nodes and/ or client device in FIG. 5B. Other functions may be performed using one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0075] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A vibratory propagation assembly (VPA), comprising:

a first source scaffold encasing a first vibrating source coupled to a first offset weight; and

a first vibration conducting prong (VCP) extending longitudinally from the first source scaffold.

2. The VPA of claim 1, wherein the first vibrating source is one selected from a group consisting of a rotary motor, a linear motor, and a screw drive.

3. The VPA of claim 1, wherein to couple with the first vibrating source, the first offset weight is asymmetrically mounted to a drive shaft protruding from the first vibrating source.

4. The VPA of claim 1, wherein, to couple with the first vibrating source, the first offset weight is symmetrically mounted to a drive shaft protruding from the first vibrating source.

5. The VPA of claim 4, wherein the first offset weight comprises a mass that is asymmetrically distributed.

6. The VPA of claim 1, wherein vibrations induced by the first vibrating source coupled to the first offset weight are propagated to the first VCP along the first source scaffold.

7. The VPA of claim 1, wherein the first VCP is frontally coupled to the first source scaffold.

8. The VPA of claim 1, further comprising:

a second VCP longitudinally parallel to the first VCP; and a prong crosspiece connecting the first VCP and the second VCP so that the first VCP and the second VCP branch from the first source scaffold when extending longitudinally from the first source scaffold.

9. The VPA of claim 8, wherein the prong crosspiece is frontally coupled to the first source scaffold.

10. The VPA of claim 8, wherein vibrations induced by the first vibrating source coupled to the first offset weight are propagated to the first VCP and the second VCP along the first source scaffold and the prong crosspiece.

1 1. The VPA of claim 1, further comprising:

a second source scaffold encasing a second vibrating source coupled to a second offset weight;

a second VCP extending longitudinally from the second source scaffold; and a scaffold crosspiece connecting the first source scaffold and the second source scaffold so that the first source scaffold and the second source scaffold are longitudinally parallel.

12. The VPA of claim 1 1, wherein the scaffold crosspiece is flexible or deformable.

13. The VPA of claim 11, wherein the first vibrating source coupled to the first offset weight induces vibrations characterized by a first vibrational frequency, and wherein the second vibrating source coupled to the second offset weight induces vibrations characterized by a second vibration frequency.

14. The VPA of claim 11, wherein the first VCP is frontally coupled to the first source scaffold and the second VCP is frontally coupled to the second source scaffold.

15. An adult device, comprising:

an arms portion comprising a pair of stimulating arms and a base portion;

a vibratory propagation assembly (VPA) internal to the adult device and extending from the base portion to a tip of each stimulating arm of the pair of stimulating arms; a controller operatively connected to the VPA; and

a power source operatively connected to the controller.

16. The adult device of claim 15, wherein the VPA comprises:

a first source scaffold encasing a first vibrating source coupled to a first offset weight;

a first vibration conducting prong (VCP) extending longitudinally from the first source scaffold;

17. The adult device of claim 16, wherein the first VCP is frontally coupled to the first source scaffold and the second VCP is frontally coupled to the second source scaffold.

18. The adult device of claim 16, wherein the scaffold crosspiece is flexible or deformable.

19. The adult device of claim 16, wherein the controller comprises circuitry enabling the controller to operate the first vibrating source and the second vibrating source separately.

20. The adult device of claim 19, wherein the controller further comprises a communications interface configured to enable the adult device to connect to a network.

21. The adult device of claim 20, further comprising:

an adult device platform (ADP), a client device, and a wearable device, wherein the communications interface enables the adult device to communicatively connect to the ADP, the client device, and the wearable device via the network.

22. The adult device of claim 21, further comprising a third-party provider, wherein the communications interface further enables the adult device to communicatively connect to the third-party provider via the network.

23. The adult device of claim 15, wherein at least the base portion is to reside external to an orifice of a user, wherein the base portion substitutes as a handle.

24. The adult device of claim 16, wherein the first source scaffold and the second source scaffold reside in the base portion of the adult device.

25. The adult device of claim 16, wherein the first VCP extends from the base portion of the adult device through a first stimulating arm of the pair of stimulating arms, wherein the second VCP extends from the base portion of the adult device through a second stimulating arm of the pair of stimulating arms.