Apparatus, method, and computer-readable recording medium for generating tactile sensation through non-invasive brain stimulation using ultrasonic waves

摘要

The present invention relates to an apparatus for creating a tactile sensation through non-invasive brain stimulation by using ultrasonic waves. The apparatus includes: an ultrasonic transducer module for inputting the ultrasonic waves to stimulate a specific part of the brain of a specified user non-invasively through at least one ultrasonic transducer unit; a compensating module for acquiring information on a range of tactile perception areas in the brain of the specified user and compensating properties of ultrasonic waves to be inputted to the specified user through the ultrasonic transducer unit by referring to the acquired information thereon; and an ultrasonic waves generating module for generating ultrasonic waves to be inputted to the specified user through the ultrasonic transducer unit by referring to a compensating value decided by the compensating module.

主权项

1. An apparatus for creating a tactile sensation through non-invasive brain stimulation by using ultrasonic waves, comprising:
at least one support fixture configured to fix the apparatus to a head of a specified user; a brain activity monitoring sensor supported by the at least one support fixture, said brain activity monitoring sensor configured to acquire information on a range of tactile perception areas in the brain of the specified user; at least one processor in electronic communication with the brain activity monitoring sensor, said processor configured to determine at least one compensating value for ultrasonic waves to be inputted to the specified user through at least one ultrasonic transducer unit based on the acquired information on the range of tactile perception areas in the brain of the specified user; said at least one processor further configured to determine properties of ultrasonic waves to be inputted to the specified user through the at least one ultrasonic transducer unit by referring to the compensating value; and said at least one ultrasonic transducer unit supported by the at least one support fixture and in electronic communication with said at least one processor to receive said properties of said ultrasonic waves, said ultrasonic transducer unit configured to generate and input the ultrasonic waves having said properties into the brain of the specified user, resulting in the tactile sensation within the brain of the specified user non-invasively; wherein the brain activity monitoring sensor acquires the information on the range of the tactile perception areas in the brain of the specified user by referring to a first tactile perception location in the tactile perception areas in the brain that perceives stimulation to a first body part of the specified user, when inputted, and a second tactile perception location in the tactile perception areas that perceives stimulation to a second body part, when inputted and said processor determines properties of the ultrasonic waves to be inputted to the specified user through the ultrasonic transducer unit by referring to the acquired information on the range of the tactile perception areas in the brain of the specified user.