Patent Description:
Timepieces such as watches are known. A user can tell the time by reading either a digital or analogue indication of the time on a face of the timepiece.

<CIT> discloses a watch that transmits time information through electrical pulses or mechanical vibrations.

<CIT> discloses an electromechanical wristwatch in which "cursors" can be actuated to give a user an indication of time by sense of touch.

<CIT> discloses a time management device. The device may be in the form of a wrist band having a signal generator and one or more distributed vibrating elements.

According to a first aspect disclosed herein, there is provided an apparatus according to claim <NUM>.

Some preferable features of the apparatus are set forth in the dependent claims.

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus (or device) for providing a user with a perception or sense of time. More particularly the apparatus may provide a sense of passing time (rather than just time at an instant). In examples the apparatus is configured to send safe and discreet electrical signals to nerves of a user's skin. More particularly, in examples it may be considered that the perception of passing time is provided by use of sensory substitution. Sensory substitution is a known technique of translating one sense to another or new sense using "brain plasticity" (the brain's ability to adapt to a changing environment). A well-known example of sensory substitution is BrainPort®, a device that converts camera pixels into electrical signals on to the tongue of a subject to aid the subject with orientation, mobility and object recognition. So far, there are not many real world use cases of sensory substitution due to the high data throughput that is required to mimic complex senses (such as vision and hearing). The present disclosure identifies that time is an ideal use case for sensory substitution. Time is one-dimensional, thus needs only a small bandwidth, yet is central to our experience of living.

There are several mechanisms in the brain to construct an idea of time. Humans can understand a sequence of events and rough duration. However, currently a user's perception of time is many orders of magnitude lower than that of artificial clocks in terms of precision. Time is involved in nearly everything humans do - movement, speech, goal oriented behaviour, decision making etc. - these are all guided by time to at least some degree. The present disclosure identifies that improving humans' sense of time would lead to a significantly improved understanding of the world and ability to operate in it.

Timepieces such as watches can give a user an accurate read-out of time or the passing of time, however they require a user to look at the timepiece. This can be inconvenient, for example if the user is holding something which prevents them from turning their wrist to look at their watch, or they do not want to be seen to be checking the time (for example during a meeting). Vibrating wristwatches are known, which can for example provide a vibrating alarm function. Such devices may be used by people with impaired hearing who cannot hear an alarm clock. However such devices only give a user an alert at the point in time that the alarm goes off, for example to cause a user to wake-up at 7a. Such devices do not give a user a perception of passing of time, rather they just create an alert at a specific instant. Thus some known vibrating wristwatches do provide a user with information of time at an instant. Typically a single vibrating actuator is provided in the known vibrating wristwatches, which provides time information in an encoded fashion, for example <NUM> buzzes for <NUM> a. and <NUM> buzzes for <NUM> a. etc. It will be appreciated that it can be quite time consuming for the encoded time to be read out, and it can easily be misunderstood by the wearer (e.g. if the wearer miscounts the number of buzzes). Also the wearer needs to press a button for the encoded time to be provided, which may be inconvenient or even not possible in some circumstances. Thus such known vibrating wristwatches do not provide a continuous output indicative of passing time.

An example of an apparatus or device according to an example is shown in <FIG>. In examples the apparatus (or device) <NUM> is constructed and arranged to be worn on or proximate to a user's skin. The apparatus <NUM> comprises a substrate or main body portion <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> comprises at least one region <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> constructed and arranged to provide a sensory output to a wearer of the apparatus <NUM>. In the example of <FIG> each of the at least one regions comprises an array of sensory output zones or nodes or actuators. In the example of <FIG> the at least one region comprises a first region <NUM> which comprises a plurality of output zones <NUM>; a second region <NUM> which comprises a plurality of output zones <NUM>; a third region <NUM> which comprises a plurality of output zones <NUM>; and a fourth region <NUM> which comprises a plurality of output zones <NUM>. (It will be understood that the { } brackets are to show which output zones belong to which array, and the brackets are not part of the apparatus design). It will be understood that each of the output zones is arranged to provide an output signal which can be sensed by the user. More particularly it will be understood that each of the output zones is arranged to provide an output signal which can be sensed by skin of the user. In other words it may be considered that each of the output zones is arranged to provide an output signal to skin of the user. The user can sense the signal that has been output to the user's skin. In the example of <FIG> it may be considered that each output region comprises a plurality of output zones arranged in an array or a row.

The at least one region <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be considered to comprise a set of regions. In examples, each region is configured for representing or indicating a different unit of time. For example and with respect to <FIG>, first region <NUM> is configured to indicate hours; second region <NUM> is configured to indicate minutes; third region <NUM> is configured to indicate seconds; and fourth region <NUM> is configured to indicate split-seconds (e.g. hundredths of a second). It will of course be understood that this is by way of example and that different arrangements may be provided in different examples. For example some arrangements may omit some of the regions or output zones where such accuracy is not required. For example the seconds or split seconds output zones may be omitted. In some examples fewer or more output zones may be provided in each region. For example in the "minutes" region <NUM>, twelve (rather than sixty) output zones could be provided, which would give a user accuracy to the nearest five minutes. Additionally or alternatively the accuracy to nearest minute could be provided by employing additional encoding, for example by using several output zones simultaneously. In some examples in the "hours" region <NUM>, twenty four output zones could be provided to represent a <NUM> hour clock. Other examples may additionally or alternatively have regions configured to indicate days, months or years etc. In some examples multiple time scales could be simultaneously displayed on a single region (e.g. split-seconds and hours in a single region).

In some examples each zone (e.g. zone <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to output an electrical discharge, or in other words an electric shock or signal (which would be a small electric shock), to a user's skin. In some examples a strength of current used is <NUM>. 1mA or about <NUM>. In some examples the electrical discharge is provided by an electrode (which forms an output zone) which is arranged to be in contact with the wearer's skin.

In some examples each output zone (e.g. output zones in arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to provide a haptic or vibratory sensation or signal to a user's skin. Any one or more of the following may be used to provide the vibratory feedback: linear actuator(s); eccentric rotating mass motor(s); piezoelectric transducer(s); or other methods for generating vibration. In some examples, output zones would convey signal via heat or cold receptors in the skin, activating them with thermoelectric components. Thus in some examples it may be considered that the output zones comprises one or more thermoelectric components.

Thus it may be considered that each output zone is arranged to provide an output signal (e.g. electrical discharge and/or vibration and/or thermoelectric output) which can be sensed by a user (i.e. wearer) of the apparatus.

The output zones are configured to be fired or actuated in a manner that indicates a passing of time to a user of the apparatus <NUM>. In some examples, each output zone within a region is arranged to be actuated sequentially as time passes. For example within region <NUM> there are twelve output zones <NUM>. So, by way of example, at 12p. a first output zone <NUM> is actuated, at 1p. a subsequent output zone <NUM> in the region <NUM> is actuated, and so on. Likewise at 12p. a first output zone <NUM> in region <NUM> is actuated, at <NUM>. a subsequent output zone <NUM> in region <NUM> is actuated, and so on. Therefore it may be considered that the apparatus <NUM> is constructed and arranged such that different zones or locations on the apparatus <NUM> are actuated as time passes. That is in examples the time is represented by firing or actuation of a particular output zone amongst the plurality of output zones. It will be appreciated that this is advantageous over the known vibrating wristwatches described above, in which a single electrode is used to provide encoded information of time. For example in the example of <FIG>, actuation of just the specific output zone designated for 7a. (e.g. the seventh output zone in hours region <NUM>) could be actuated to signify that the time is 7a. , whereas the prior art wristwatch would need to actuate the single electrode seven times (or some other relatively complicated encoding pattern) to provide this information.

According to some examples an output zone is continually actuated (or continually "on") until the subsequent output zone needs to be actuated. For example at 12p. the first output zone in region <NUM> may be actuated, as explained above. The first output zone will then remain actuated or on, until the subsequent output zone is actuated at 1p. For example where the output zone provides a vibratory sensation, then that vibratory sensation will be provided by the first output zone for <NUM> hour between 12p. The same concept applies for minutes, seconds, split-seconds etc. Thus a user is given a continuous sense or perception of time or passing time, rather than just an indication of a point in time. At any moment, the user will have full information regarding current time, and will not have to set an alarm or press a button on the device in order to get this information.

Over time, and through brain plasticity, a user will learn to associate the sensory outputs provided by the apparatus <NUM> with the actual time. Thus in some examples there may be a training period or a training phase during which a user learns the associations between the sensory outputs and the actual time. Initially, a user may learn to use the sensory outputs for telling time via conscious action. For example the user may consciously observe the location of actuated zones and translate that to time knowledge by knowing the time meaning of each zone. Over time, the user would also learn subconscious use. Because in some examples the time information is always available and the signal is always present, the brain tries to predict the signal and associate it with everything else the brain is aware of, and in the process learns to associate the new signal with time. That is in some examples, the device is configured so that as long as the device is "on" or powered, it will be providing sensory output via the output zones.

In some examples, the apparatus <NUM> is configured such that the strength of the sensory outputs is adjustable. For example during the training phase the strength of the sensory outputs may be set relatively high. Over time, and as the user becomes used to the sensations, then the strength can be reduced. In some examples, over time the strength of the sensory output can be reduced to such an extent that it is almost imperceptible or unnoticed by the user, albeit still providing the perception of time. That is the sensory outputs may be considered equivalent to background noise. Therefore the user may constantly be conscious or aware of the time, without having to specifically think about the time and/or look at a timepiece. Likewise, the strength of the sensory outputs can be increased by a user if required. In some examples the strength of the sensory outputs is not adjusted over time, nevertheless the user becomes so accustomed to the sensory output that it is not distracting or uncomfortable (again, by way of analogy, the sensory outputs become the equivalent of background noise).

In some examples the strength of the sensory outputs may adjust over the course of a day. For example a user may be able to set alarms whereby the strength of the sensory output will increase at the time of the alarm.

According to some examples, the apparatus <NUM> is constructed and arranged to modulate the one or more sensory outputs, so as to alter a user's subjective sense of time. That is in some examples the apparatus <NUM> is able to spoof or fool a user in to thinking that time is passing more quickly or more slowly than it actually is. In some examples it may be considered that the device becomes a "master clock" for the brain. By providing an always present and reliable time signal the device may become the main source of "truth" for time information for the brain. Once this has happened, changing a speed of time output by the device may also change the user's subjective sense of time, as explained in more detail below.

In one example the apparatus is constructed and arranged to modulate the output zones so that one or more sensory outputs is provided in a manner that is configured to speed up a user's subjective sense of time. For example the output zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be actuated in a manner (e.g. a sequence) more quickly than they would be if they were indicating the actual passage of time. By way of example only and with reference to <FIG>, the output zones <NUM> representative of seconds may take less than <NUM> seconds to complete a full cycle (e.g. each of the sixty output zones could be actuated sequentially every <NUM> seconds instead of every second, in order to speed up subjective sense of time by <NUM>%).

In one example the apparatus is constructed and arranged to modulate the one or more sensory outputs in a manner that is configured to slow down a user's subjective sense of time. For example the output zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be actuated in a manner (e.g. a sequence) more slowly than they would be if they were indicating the actual passage of time. By way of example only and with reference to <FIG>, the output zones <NUM> representative of seconds may take longer than <NUM> seconds to complete a full cycle (e.g. each of the sixty output zones could be actuated sequentially every <NUM> seconds instead of every second, in order to slow down subjective sense of time by <NUM>%).

The ability of the apparatus <NUM> to speed-up or slow-down a user's perception of time may have many practical applications. For example, such functionality could be used to lessen the effects of jet lag. Jet lag occurs when a person's circadian clock does not agree with local time. Human circadian clocks are not <NUM>% confident - they use any reliable signal (e.g. light, food, activity) to resynchronize. The apparatus <NUM> can provide a more reliable time signal for the body and become a "master clock" for resynchronization. For example, when travelling to a destination location that is ahead in time from the origin location, then the apparatus <NUM> could be used to speed up the user's perception of time before reaching the destination (e.g. during the flight), so that the user's body clock is more closely synchronized with the local time on arrival. Likewise, when travelling to a destination location that is behind in time from the origin location, then the apparatus <NUM> could be used to slow down the user's perception of time before reaching the destination (e.g. during the flight), so that the user's body clock is more closely synchronized with the local time on arrival.

According to some examples the apparatus <NUM> is constructed and arranged to alter the user's subjective sense of time in a gradual manner. So for example over an eight hour flight the user's subjective sense of time may be gradually brought in to line (either by speeding up or slowing down the subjective sense of time) with the destination time. In some examples the apparatus <NUM> is constructed and arranged to alter the user's subjective sense of time in a gradual manner between a defined start time and a defined end time. So for example for an eight hour flight the defined start time may be at take-off (t = <NUM>), and the defined end time may be the expected landing time (t = <NUM> hrs). Of course, such values are adaptable and the user could select the defined start and end times to suit.

The ability to speed-up or slow-down a user's subjective sense of time may also be useful in other contexts. For example, people may be more productive and get more work done when their sense of time is speeded because the brain's cognitive processing abilities will have quickened. In a <NUM> study by Allen and Wearden, subjects' sense of time was speeded up by using an audio signal of <NUM> clicks, and an increase in cognitive abilities was measured. By analogy, it is like speeding up a processor clock frequency of a computer. Accordingly, a user could cause the apparatus to speed up their subjective sense of time so that they work more efficiently. On the other hand, some people do not work well under time pressure. Such people could cause the apparatus <NUM> to slow down their subjective sense of time to alleviate the feeling of time pressure.

Another situation where modifying a sense of time may be useful is to modify the subjective duration of events or a situation. A pleasant situation can be made to last subjectively longer by speeding up the sense of time, or an unpleasant one shorter by slowing down subjective sense of time.

The apparatus <NUM> could also help to adjust users' sleep patterns. For example, some people like to wake up early in the morning and work most productively at that time - such people are often referred to as "morning larks". On the other hand, some people work best at night - such people are often referred to as "night owls". Unfortunately for night owls, the world, such as the working world, is based around morning larks (for example most people are expected to have already commuted and to be at work by 9a. By way of example a night owl could use the apparatus <NUM> to speed up their subjective sense of time in the evenings, to fool their body in to thinking it is later than it actually is so that they can begin sleeping earlier than they usually would. During sleep, the apparatus <NUM> could then begin to bring the user's body back in to synchronization with the actual time.

A morning lark could likewise use the apparatus in the opposite fashion, to keep themselves awake longer at night. For example such a user could use the apparatus <NUM> to slow down their subjective sense of passing time in the evening or night. This could be useful, for example, for a morning lark who needs to work a night-shift.

The apparatus <NUM> may also comprise further functionality. In one example the further functionality comprises a stop-watch function. For example this enables the user to time events. This could be particularly useful, for example, when cooking and it may otherwise be inconvenient to need to regularly look at a timer. This may also be convenient when undertaking sporting activity or wanting to time a sporting activity.

In some examples the apparatus <NUM> may be used as a "brain-operated stopwatch" where the apparatus is still presenting regular time information but the user remembers the start time and can determine duration by mentally subtracting the start time from the end time. Advantageously no button presses are needed. One successful test example involved a participant making pancakes while doing other chores in the kitchen. The pancakes needed <NUM> seconds on each side. It was easy to observe the pancake start time mentally, do other activities with no regard for the pancakes for <NUM> seconds and then return to flip the pancake in perfect time.

As mentioned briefly above, the apparatus <NUM> is constructed and arranged to be worn on or proximate a user's body. In some examples the apparatus <NUM> is constructed and arranged to be worn against a user's skin. In such examples the user may also be termed a wearer of the apparatus <NUM>.

In some examples the apparatus <NUM> is constructed and arranged to be worn around a user's wrist. In such an example the substrate <NUM> may be formed of a flexible material, enabling the substrate <NUM> to conform to a shape of the user's wrist. The substrate <NUM> may in some examples be formed of an elastic material. This enables the substrate <NUM> to account for different wrist sizes. As shown in <FIG> the apparatus <NUM> comprises clasp portions <NUM> and <NUM>, which enable first end <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM> to be joined to second end <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM>. In other examples Velcro® may be used as the fastener.

In another example the substrate <NUM> may be rigid or semi-rigid. For example the substrate <NUM> may be in a rigid or semi-rigid circular shape, like a bracelet or bangle. The substrate may also be part circular in shape in some examples, like a horseshoe or crescent. For example the substrate <NUM> may be made of a plastic such as high-density polyethylene or nylon.

These options give designers great flexibility in how the apparatus <NUM> will look and feel. For example the apparatus <NUM> may be designed to look like a traditional timepiece such as a wristwatch. The apparatus <NUM> could equally be designed in a manner that hides its function as a timepiece - for example externally the apparatus <NUM> could resemble a piece of jewellery like a bracelet as mentioned above. The apparatus also does not necessarily have to be wrist-worn. For example the apparatus <NUM> could equally be worn around a user's ankle (like an ankle bracelet), around a user's neck (like a necklace or "choker"), or around a user's finger or thumb (like a ring), or around a user's waist like a belt, to name a few. Thus in at least some examples the apparatus <NUM> is constructed and arranged to be worn by a user. Thus in at least some examples the apparatus <NUM> is not an implant and can be removed by the user whenever the user wishes.

The example of <FIG> schematically shows what an inside surface <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM> resembles, in an example. By "inside surface" is meant the surface that is in contact with or faces a user's skin. <FIG> schematically shows an example of such an apparatus <NUM> (in <FIG> reference numerals designating an equivalent item to <FIG> are in <NUM> series rather than <NUM> series) when the apparatus is in a circular fashion like a bracelet or ring. The apparatus <NUM> has an inside surface <NUM> and an outside surface <NUM>.

In some examples a width W of the apparatus is in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>. In some examples the width W is <NUM> or about <NUM>.

Some further aspects will now be described, according to some examples. The apparatus <NUM> comprises a power source <NUM>. The power source <NUM> may be a battery. For example the battery may be a lithium battery. In some examples the battery <NUM> is rechargeable. A port is shown at <NUM>. The port <NUM> may be a USB port or a micro-USB port, for example. The port <NUM> may allow connection of the apparatus <NUM> to an external apparatus such as a computing device (e.g. PC, smartphone, or tablet), and/or to a mains electrical socket. Thus via port <NUM> the apparatus <NUM> may be able to transmit and receive information from the external apparatus, and/or be charged. A transmitter is schematically shown at <NUM>, and a receiver is schematically shown at <NUM>, which may be present according to some examples. By means of transmitter <NUM> and receiver <NUM>, the apparatus <NUM> is able to wirelessly transmit and receive information with an external apparatus (e.g. via WiFi® or Bluetooth®).

The apparatus <NUM> comprises a controller or microcontroller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> comprises a memory <NUM> and a processor <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured to control operations of the apparatus <NUM> e.g. the timing and/or strength of actuation of the sensory output zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

A display is schematically shown at <NUM>. In some examples the display is part of the apparatus <NUM>. In other examples the display <NUM> is comprised in an apparatus external from the apparatus <NUM>. The display <NUM> is configured to display a user interface <NUM>. In some examples the user interface <NUM> provides a read-out of the actual time, for example in digital or analogue form. This may be useful while a user is training to use the apparatus <NUM> in the sensory substitution manner intended (e.g. while the user's brain plasticity is updating). In other examples the apparatus <NUM> does not comprise a display. This may make manufacture simpler and decrease the costs of manufacture, as well as making the apparatus <NUM> particularly lightweight. In some examples the apparatus <NUM> provides no visual indication of time.

Via the user interface <NUM> one or more functionalities of the apparatus <NUM> may be controlled. For example via user interface <NUM> a user may control the functionality of speeding up or slowing down the user's subjective sense of time, as described above. In some examples via user interface <NUM> a user can adjust the power of the sensory outputs of the device. In some examples the display <NUM> is a touchscreen display. In some examples the apparatus <NUM> comprises one or more inputs, such as button or buttons <NUM>. The buttons <NUM> may in some examples be physical hardware buttons. In other examples the buttons <NUM> may be comprised in user interface <NUM>. The buttons <NUM> could for example enable functionality such as one or more of: starting and stopping a stopwatch function; selectively increasing and decreasing the power of the sensory output of the device; altering the speed of actuation of the output zones so as to alter the user's perception of passing time (e.g. by speeding up or slow down the sequential actuation of the output zones).

<FIG> schematically shows a further example apparatus, in this case apparatus (or device) <NUM>. It will be understood that aspects of the example of <FIG> can be combined with aspects of <FIG> and <FIG> and vice versa in any way, unless specifically stated otherwise.

The apparatus <NUM> comprises a substrate <NUM>. In examples, substrate <NUM> is a flexible substrate. In some examples the substrate <NUM> may be considered a flexible membrane. An array of output zones is located on the substrate <NUM>. In the example of <FIG> the array of output zones comprises an array of electrodes. That is in some examples it may be considered that each output zone comprises an electrode. In the example of <FIG> there is a first output zone region (or row or column) <NUM>; a second output zone region <NUM>; and a third output zone region <NUM>. In the example of <FIG> each output zone region <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a series of output zones (e.g. electrodes) arranged in a linear fashion. In the example of <FIG> each output zone region <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> comprises twelve electrodes arranged in a linear fashion. For example output zone region <NUM> may be considered to comprise electrodes <NUM>; output zone region <NUM> may be considered to comprise electrodes <NUM>; and output zone region <NUM> may be considered to comprise electrodes <NUM>. By way of example, in <FIG> output zone region <NUM> is arranged to indicate hours; output zone region <NUM> is arranged to indicate minutes; and output zone region <NUM> is arranged to indicate seconds. Thus, using the example of <FIG>, the twelve output zones <NUM> can indicate to the user which hour it is; output zones <NUM> can indicate minutes to within five minute accuracy, and output zones <NUM> can indicate seconds to within <NUM> second accuracy.

A circuit board is schematically shown at <NUM>. In the example of <FIG> the circuit board <NUM> is placed on the opposite side of the substrate <NUM> from the output zones (hence why the circuit board is illustrated in phantom). The circuit board <NUM> comprises a controller or microcontroller <NUM> configured for controlling the actuation of the output zones. In this example the controller <NUM> comprises a memory <NUM> and a processor <NUM>. A power source is schematically shown at <NUM>. The power source may for example comprise a battery, as previously described. Each output zone is conductively connected to the circuit board <NUM>, for example with a wire or a conductive track. For clarity the conductive connections are not shown in <FIG>. In some examples the conductive connections comprise conductive tracks that are printed on to the substrate <NUM>.

According to some examples each output zone (e.g. electrode) is a square. According to some examples each output zone is a square of <NUM> x <NUM> (or about <NUM> x <NUM>). According to some examples, within each output zone region <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, a spacing X between each output zone is between <NUM> and <NUM> (or between about <NUM> and <NUM>). This spacing is found to enable a wearer of the apparatus <NUM> to clearly discriminate between output zones that are being actuated. According to some examples, a minimum value of X is <NUM>. That is in some examples X is equal to or greater than <NUM>. According to some examples, each output zone region (or array) is separated by a distance Y. In one example Y is <NUM> or about <NUM>.

<FIG> shows apparatus <NUM> once flexed in to a circular (or oval) shape for wearing by a user. In the example of <FIG>, the circuit board <NUM> is located on an outer surface of the substrate <NUM>, and the output zones are located on an inner surface of the substrate <NUM> (i.e. so that the output zones are oriented to face and/or be in contact with the user's skin). In <FIG> only output zones <NUM> are visible due to perspective of the image. In some examples the substrate <NUM> is covered with a cover <NUM>, for example to make a wearable strap. In some examples a fabric material is used for the cover <NUM>. In other examples a metallic material (e.g. a series of links) is used for the cover <NUM>. Where a metallic cover is used, the output zones may be insulated from the metallic cover. In some examples the output zones are covered (e.g. enclosed) by the cover <NUM>, so that the output zones are not in direct contact with the wearer's skin. In such examples the cover material and thickness is selected so that the user can still feel the output from the output zones through the cover material. In some examples cut-outs are provided in the cover <NUM> so that the output zones can be in direct contact with the wearer's skin. In some examples the circuit board <NUM> is also covered with a cover <NUM>. For example cover <NUM> may comprise a plastic cover.

In some examples a fastener is provided for fastening the apparatus <NUM> (e.g. around a wearer's wrist). For example, a clasp may be provided for connecting the two ends of the substrate <NUM>. In another example Velcro® may be used. In some examples the apparatus <NUM> is fixed in its circular or oval shape in a permanent or semi-permanent manner e.g. like a bracelet or bangle. In some examples the substrate <NUM> and/or cover <NUM> comprise an elastic material e.g. so that it can be slipped over a user's wrist. In some examples the apparatus may be referred to as a neuro-electric bracelet.

Confidential development testing of examples of the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> showed that the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> can improve human performance. In particular, the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> can help to improve reaction times and accuracy. One test involved computer game players ("gamers") playing games while wearing the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM>. The gamers chosen for this testing were from a "serious amateur" category - having played many thousands of hours, participating at local or regional tournaments, and competing online. Testing on serious gamers reduces the impact of random fluctuation between gaming rounds since their high skill level is already relatively stable. The general methodology for the testing was as follows:.

One test was conducted with the game "Counter-Strike:Global Offensive" (CS:GO). CS:GO testing was conducted in a special player performance testing mode. In this mode targets appear in random locations, to be hit as quickly ("time to hit") and accurately as possible. Targets are shot at until hit. "Time to hit" metrics reflects the reaction time while accuracy relies on both the focus and the reaction time.

Results showed performance improvements while wearing the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> of:.

Another test was conducted where the gamers played Mortal Kombat. Special performance testing / practice mode was played with a bot, executing <NUM> different strikers, each of which requires a different blocking move to defend against. The goal is to block as many as possible. Successful blocking involves recognizing the move the bot is executing, and reacting with a certain button and joystick combination. Results showed performance improvements while wearing the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> of:.

It will be appreciated that over time, examples of the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> enable a user to have constant awareness or sense of time and the passing of time, without having to look for a visual indicator such as on a watch face. Unlike with a traditional watch a user can discreetly check on the time in a business meeting, in an airport with hands full of luggage etc., without having to look at a watch. A user can also ignore the sense of time; just like other senses it fades to the background when not relevant. Furthermore, the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> can help improve human efficiency. Once a training period of the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> has been completed, encoding of time is simple and readily understood by the user, and does not require a complex or long encoding pattern.

It will be understood that according to some examples the apparatus is constructed and arranged to provide a user with a perception of passing time using sensory substitution. There is also described a method comprising using sensory substitution to provide a user with a perception of passing time. According to some examples the method is non-therapeutic.

It will be understood that the processor or processing system or circuitry referred to herein may in practice be provided by a single chip or integrated circuit or plural chips or integrated circuits, optionally provided as a chipset, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), digital signal processor (DSP), graphics processing units (GPUs), etc. The chip or chips may comprise circuitry (as well as possibly firmware) for embodying at least one or more of a data processor or processors, a digital signal processor or processors, baseband circuitry and radio frequency circuitry, which are configurable so as to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments. In this regard, the exemplary embodiments may be implemented at least in part by computer software stored in (non-transitory) memory and executable by the processor, or by hardware, or by a combination of tangibly stored software and hardware (and tangibly stored firmware).

Reference is made herein to data storage for storing data, such as memory. This may be provided by a single device or by plural devices. Suitable devices include for example a hard disk and non-volatile semiconductor memory (including for example a solid-state drive or SSD).

Although at least some aspects of the examples described herein with reference to the drawings comprise computer processes performed in processing systems or processors, the invention also extends to computer programs, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted for putting the invention into practice. The program may be in the form of non-transitory source code, object code, a code intermediate source and object code such as in partially compiled form, or in any other non-transitory form suitable for use in the implementation of processes according to the invention. The carrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the carrier may comprise a storage medium, such as a solid-state drive (SSD) or other semiconductor-based RAM; a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a semiconductor ROM; a magnetic recording medium, for example a floppy disk or hard disk; optical memory devices in general; etc..

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) for wearing by a user, comprising:
a plurality of output zones (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) arranged on the apparatus (<NUM>), each of the output zones (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) arranged to provide an output signal which can be sensed by skin of the user; and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to actuate the plurality of output zones (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) at a predetermined speed reflecting actual passage of time in a manner so as to give the user a continuous perception of passing time over a time period;
characterized in that the controller (<NUM>) is configured to modulate said predetermined speed of an actuation sequence of the plurality of output zones (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in a gradual manner so as to alter a subjective sense of passage of time of the user in a gradual manner.