Patent ID: 7924144

Claim:
An apparatus for producing an electrosensory sensation to at least one body member to be stimulated, the apparatus comprising: one or more conducting electrodes, each conducting electrode being provided with an insulator, the insulator preventing flow of direct current from the each conducting electrode to the body member to be stimulated and a capacitive coupling over the insulator being formed between the each conducting electrode and the at least one body member to be stimulated when the at least one body member to be stimulated being proximate to the each conducting electrode; a high-voltage source for applying an electrical input to the one or more conducting electrodes, wherein the electrical input comprises a low-frequency component in a frequency range between 10 Hz and 1000 Hz; a grounding connection between a reference voltage of the high-voltage source other than the electrical input to the one or more conducting electrodes and at least one grounding electrode separate from the one or more conducting electrodes, the grounding electrode being positioned to be touched by a second body member distinct from each of the at least one body member to be stimulated; wherein the capacitive coupling and electrical input are dimensioned to produce an electrosensory sensation; and wherein the electrosensory sensation is produced independently of any mechanical vibration of the one or more conducting electrodes or insulators.