Devices and methods for controlling the functionality of a pair of earbuds. The first earbud establishes a connection between the first earbud and an electronic device, searches for the second earbud of the pair of earbuds using Body Coupled Communication, BCC, and sends a signal from the first earbud to the electronic device including information defining whether the first earbud detected the second earbud during the search. The electronic device receives a signal from the at least one of the earbuds, the signal comprising information defining whether the earbud has detected the other earbud of the pair of earbuds using Body Coupled Communication, BCC, and sends a signal to the at least one earbud wherein the signal is controlled based on the received signal and includes information associated with controlling the functionality of the pair of earbuds.

A method, system and device for transferring specific information data to a user thereof comprising at least a first and a second body coupled communication (BCC), enabled devices forming a body area network (BAN), wherein the first BCC enabled device comprises a touch sensitive interface and the second BCC enabled device is worn by the user.

One example discloses a communications device, including: a bio-antenna conducting surface configured to receive a set of bio-antenna modulated broadcast signals; wherein the conducting surface is configured to receive the set of bio-antenna modulated broadcast signals through a capacitively coupling; a broadcast receiver coupled to the conducting surface; and wherein the conducting surface is configured to pass the broadcast signals to the broadcast receiver.

An approach for interference mitigation/avoidance in a first wireless network, for example a Body Area Network (BAN), uses signals from other BANs to adjust data transmissions by the first network.

A wireless sensor device capable of constant operation without replacement of batteries. The wireless sensor device is equipped with a rechargeable battery and the battery is recharged wirelessly. Radio waves received at an antenna circuit are converted into electrical energy and stored in the battery. A sensor circuit operates with the electrical energy stored in the battery, and acquires information. Then, a signal containing the information acquired is converted into radio waves at the antenna circuit, whereby the information can be read out wirelessly.

A body-coupled communication apparatus (100) comprises a coupler arrangement (10) comprising a plurality of couplers (11,12,13) configured to couple signals (S) between the apparatus (100) and a body (200). Signal electronics (20) are configured to process and/or generate the signals depending on an operational mode (OT,OR,OW) of the apparatus. A routing network (40) is configured to provide variable routing of the signals (S) between the signal electronics (20) and the couplers (11,12,13) thereby providing a selection between distinct coupling modes (CT,CR,CW) of the coupler arrangement (10). A mode selector (30) is configured to switch the apparatus (100) between the operational modes (OT,OR,OW) and control the routing network (40) to select between the distinct coupling modes (CT,CR,CW) based on the operational mode (OT,OR,OW) of the apparatus.

The invention is directed at a communication device for performing data communication using a human or animal body as transmission medium. The communication device comprises a transceiver unit comprising at least one of a transmitter and a receiver. The communication device also comprises an electrostatic transducer for enabling data communication via a surface of the body with one or more user devices in touch with or located near (i.e. in close proximity, e.g. within a range of 0-10 mm therefrom) the body. The communication device further comprises an ultrasonic transducer for enabling data communication through the body using ultrasonic waves. Both the electrostatic transducer and the ultrasonic transducer are capacitive type transducers connected to and operated via the transceiver unit.

Method for sharing data (SD2) between users (11,12). The method comprises initiating body coupled communication (BCC) between first and second devices (21,22) and in response to the body coupled communication (BCC), sending a data request (Q1) from one or both of the devices (21,22) to a remote server (30). The data request (Q1,Q2) comprises first device data (ID1) and the second device data (ID2). The server (30) processes the data request (Q1) and determines shared data (SD2) based at least in part on both the first device data (ID1) and the second device data (ID2). The server sends a data response (R1) to the first device (21), wherein the data response (R1) comprises the shared data (SD2).

An on-body sensor system includes a hub configured to be attached to a surface of a user. The hub being further configured to transmit electrical power and/or data signals into the surface and to receive response data signals from the surface. The system further including at least one sensor node configured to be attached to the surface. The sensor node being further configured to receive the electrical power and data signals from the hub through the surface and to transmit the response data signals into the surface. The electrical power from the hub can power the sensor node and cause or enable the at least one sensor node to generate sensor information that is transmitted back to the hub within the response data signals.

A system including a wireless communication device and a peripheral device communicate with each other using radio frequency (RF) waves that are propagated using a user's own body as a transmission medium. The wireless communication device selectively controls the transmit output power of the peripheral device to cause the peripheral device to transmit data and information in a low-power transmission mode. This minimizes the amount of RF waves that are received at the wireless communication device as reflected RF waves, but helps to ensure that the RF waves that do reach the wireless communication device are transmitted as surface waves along the user's skin. Responsive to the receipt of the surface waves, and based on a validity of the information carried by those surface waves, the wireless communication device transitions from a locked state to an unlocked state.