Device for physical interaction between remotely located users

Abstract

An electronic device for touch translation includes a body, a plurality of pins extending from the body, the pins including couplings to facilitate movement of a first portion relative to a second portion of the pins, the pins being controllable to control movement of the first portion relative to the second portion and to control force applied by the pins on an external object. Sensors cooperating with the pins detect forces externally applied to the pins and a communication subsystem is utilized to communicate over a network, with a remote electronic device. A controller is coupled to the pins, the sensors, and the communication subsystem to, based on detected forces externally applied to the pins, transmit a signal to the remote electronic device for the control of the remote electronic device, and to, based on signals received from the remote electronic device, actuate ones of the pins to control the movement of the first portion relative to the second portion and to control the force applied by the pins on the external object.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic device, the device comprising:
 a body;   a plurality of pins extending from the body, the pins including couplings to facilitate movement of a first portion of the pins relative to a second portion of the pins, the pins being controllable to control the movement of the first portion relative to the second portion and to control a force applied by the pins on an external object;   sensors cooperating with the pins to detect forces externally applied to the pins;   the sensors configured to read biometric information received by pressing a portion of the user's body against one or more of the sensors;   the device further configured to compare the biometric information against biometric information of one or more permitted users;   where the device actuates a communication subsystem for communication, over a network, with a remote electronic device only where the biometric information has been authenticated as corresponding to the one or more permitted users;   a controller coupled to the pins, the sensors, and the communication subsystem to:   based on detected forces externally applied to the pins, transmit a signal to the remote electronic device for the control of the remote electronic device;   receive response signals from the remote electronic device;   based on the response signals received from the remote electronic device, actuate ones of the pins to control the movement of the first portion relative to the second portion and to control the force applied by the pins on the external object.   
     
     
         2 . An electronic device, the device comprising:
 a body;   a plurality of pins extending from the body, the pins including couplings to facilitate movement of a first portion of the pins relative to a second portion of the pins, the pins being controllable to control the movement of the first portion relative to the second portion and to control a force applied by the pins on an external object;   sensors cooperating with the pins to detect forces externally applied to the pins;   the device in communication with a second electronic device substantially similar to the electronic device, where the displacement of the sensors on the electronic device cause the electronic device to send instructions to the second electronic device as to movement of pins on the second electronic device that represent a movement of pins on the second electronic device that correspond to the movement detected by the sensors disposed on the electronic device.   
     
     
         3 . An electronic device, the device comprising:
 a body;   a plurality of pins extending from the body, the pins including couplings to facilitate movement of a first portion of the pins relative to a second portion of the pins;   sensors cooperating with the pins to detect forces externally applied to the pins;   the electronic device in communication with a second electronic device equipped with means to deform its surface to substantially match the shape detected by the sensors.   
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 3  being applied to a portion of the body comprising glands and actuating transmission of data to the second electronic device, configured to allow palpation of the second electronic device after being configured, utilizing the data, to match that portion of the body to which the electronic device is applied.