COMMUNICATING VIA A BODY-AREA NETWORK

摘要

In a first example of “Body-Area Networking” (“BAN”), a user wishing to access his electronic device ingests a small pill carrying a transmitter. The transmitter's signal carries an identification code that traverses the user's BAN and is read by the device. If the device recognizes that identification code as authenticate, then the device grants the user the desired access. In another example, the user again swallows a transmitter. When the user shakes hands with another person, the signal originating at the ingested transmitter is carried across the BAN of the first user, travels across the handshake to the BAN of the second user, then traverses the second user's BAN to her device. In a third example, a media player transmits audio information across the BAN to a headset worn by the user. The headset receives the signal, demodulates it, and renders the audio to the user.

主权项

1. A method of notifying a first user of information regarding a second user, the first and second users distinct, the method comprising:
concurrently establishing a first physical contact between an electronic device and the first user and establishing a second physical contact between the first user and the second user; receiving, by the electronic device via the first and second physical contacts, a first varying electrical signal generated by a first transmitter ingested by the second user; demodulating, by the electronic device, the first received varying electrical signal to a first identification code; based, at least in part, on the first identification code, retrieving information associated with the second user; and presenting, by the electronic device to the first user, the information associated with the second user.