Abstract: A massage chair is provided with a base, a seat bottom, and a seat back having a peripheral frame. A peripheral cover is oriented over the frame. A central fabric cover is oriented within the peripheral cover and supported by the frame. A detachable massage unit is connected to the frame. A massager is provided with a seat back, a massage unit within the seat back, and a pair of armrests. A docking cavity is formed within one of the armrests and a remote controller is received within the docking cavity. A massager is provided with a body support member, a massage unit oriented in the body support member, a heater oriented in the body support member, and a wireless remote controller for controlling the operation of the massage unit and the heater by wireless signals.

Abstract: A handheld massager is disclosed having a spring and dampener provided between a massage head portion and a handle portion of a massager. A massage mechanism is provided in the massage head portion for application of a massage effect to the user. Resulting shock and vibrations caused by the massage effect are absorbed and dampened by the spring and dampener for minimizing these effects upon the hand and wrist of the user. Additionally, variable vibrational contact surfaces and various visual therapy effects are disclosed in combination with the massage effect.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a body massager with a backrest, a lower torso massager, and an upper torso massager. The upper torso massager extends from the backrest for imparting a massage effect to the upper torso of the user. A biasing member is connected to the backrest and the upper torso massager for urging the upper torso massager into contact with the user. Another embodiment provides a body massager with a housing having a first guide oriented generally in a longitudinal direction of the housing. A carriage cooperates with the guide for limited longitudinal translation. A motor translates the carriage along the guide. A second guide is canted relative to a longitudinal direction of the housing. A massage member is supported on the carriage and cooperates with the second guide such that as the carriage is translated along the guide, the massage member is translated transversely relative to the carriage.

Abstract: An apparatus for interacting with a developmentally challenged individual is set forth. The apparatus includes a user input device, a visual display, an audio output device, and a processing system. The processing system is connected to control the visual display, the input device, and the audio output device and operates to display one or more photographic images on the visual display based on a mastery level of the developmentally challenged individual. The developmentally challenged individual communicates by selecting one of the a predetermined photographic images from the visual display using the user input device. In response to this selection, the processing system controls the audio output device to play audio vocalizations corresponding to the selected photographic image.