COMPUTERS IN THE DUNGEON or C/BDSM

Part 2 -- Some Thoughts on Design and Construction

A Think Piece By Uncle Abdul

In my previous article I hopefully piqued your interest in C/BDSM. You may have come up with one or two or ??? of your own ideas. What's left? Why to implement them of course. But hold on there! Let's look at what you need to consider to design C/BDSM applications and do them safely. The key word here is safety.

Having done this sort of stuff for a living as a professional electrical engineer, let me share a few rules with you. But first here are some necessary definitions. These definitions are specifically applied to the field of C/BDSM, and they are as follows:

C/BDSM: Computers or devices employed in either E-Stim or E-Play.

Computer: Besides desktop, laptop, and handheld units that we normally associate with computers, I would also include specially designed electronic or mechanical devices. All of them share the following characteristics:

    • Programmability -- i.e., the feature using software, hardware, or hardwiring that allows the computer to perform a specific function or procedure. Generally it also means that the operator can select (change) the different functions or procedures that can be performed.

    • Inputs -- the ability of the computer or device to accept outside signals from electronic or mechanical equipment. This equipment would include operator controls (switches, control knobs, etc.), but it can also be equipment that measures some parameter (like temperature).

    • Outputs -- the ability of the computer or device to deliver signals to outside electronic or mechanical equipment. This equipment would include operator displays (dials, lights, etc.), but it can also be equipment that controls something that moves, delivers a signal that is used by an electrical device, or delivers an electric current or voltage.

Compliance: The ability of an end-effector or a sensor to self adjust to the contour or inadvertent motion of a receiver at the point of application. This is an important safety consideration. (This term is borrowed from the robotics field.)

Device: A single-purpose/function piece of control equipment operating either electrically or mechanically that has the same characteristics as a computer except for programmability.

End Effector: A piece of output equipment specifically used for physically controlling or constraining a receiver or for delivering a physical or electrical sensation to a receiver. Examples would include insertable electrodes, vibrating dildos or butt plugs, heaters, electrodes used to deliver a shock or sensation, an electrical limb stretcher, an automatic cage lock, etc. (This term is also borrowed from the robotics field.)

E-Play: Using direct electrical stimulation on a receiver for purposes of BDSM play.

E-Stim: Using direct electrical stimulation on a receiver for purposes of sexual masturbation.

Fail-Safe: The ability of a computer or device to cease operation of end effectors in a safe and controlled manner in the event of a power failure, operation of a panic switch, or hardware or software failure. The safe and controlled manner of cessation of end effector operation may require that it also go limp.

Fail-Soft: The same definition as in fail-safe except that the computer or device cease its function or program in a predictable and known state so that reset may be more easily facilitated. Again the safe and controlled manner of cessation of end effector operation may require that it also go limp.

Feedback Loop, Closed Loop, or just Loop: A system of sensors and end effectors connected together through computers and/or devices for use in C/BDSM. Such a system will automatically deliver sensations to a receiver through the end effectors in response to signals from the sensors. The operator can make initiation, intervention, and modifications of the functions or procedures in the computer or device. IMPORTANT: See also panic switch.

(to go) Limp: The ability in end effectors and active sensors ceasing operation, due to fail-safe or fail-soft conditions, having its power removed to prevent further operation or stimulation, if preventing further operation or stimulation is the safest condition of that equipment for the receiver. Examples would include removing electrical power from a vibrator or shocking/stimulating electrodes. Also included would be releasing tension in a stretching device or releasing all pressure in a piston. Examples of where removal of power would result in an unsafe condition are the releasing of an electrical latch that causes something or the receiver to drop on and/or injure the receiver.

Operator: The person who directly controls or initiates sensation delivered to a receiver for autoerotic purposes or for BDSM play. Specifically this means through computers, devices, and/or end effectors.

Panic Switch: An input, switch, or other device that will make limp or shut down end effectors under the direct, manual control of an operator in the event a safeword is called or a hazardous, emergency, or unforeseen condition exists that would result in injury (physical, psychological, or spiritual) to a receiver. The panic switch would override any controls done by the computer or device.

Receiver: The person who receives through computers, devices, and/or end effectors the sensations controlled by the operator for autoerotic purposes or BDSM play.

Reset: The operation and the ability of a computer or device to go from its stopped fail-safe condition or from its predictable, known fail-soft state to the beginning of its program or the start of its function on specific initiation of the operator. During the transition from this condition or state, the end effectors and active sensors will remain or be brought into a condition that is safe for both the receiver and the operator. This may even require that the operator remove the end effector or the active sensor from the receiver before the operator resets the computer or device.

Safe: Specifically a state where both a receiver and the operator is not at risk or subjected to physical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual injury to their persons and/or bodies beyond those limits sanely and non-exploitatively negotiated beforehand and which do not exceed known and published medical limits. Unsafe is of course the opposite of safe.

Sensor: A piece of input equipment that is used to measure some parameter such as temperature, blood pressure, breathing rate, skin conductivity, etc. It may also be an input measurement device. Sensors may be active, i.e., require external power or pressure to operate, or passive, i.e., not require external power or pressure to operate.

 

With these definitions under our belt, it is now time to consider what one needs to have in mind in designing C/BDSM equipment and systems. Again the following rules are based on my experience in designing systems for industry. And again they are specifically adapted to C/BDSM equipment. Here goes:

  1. All such C/BDSM equipment, systems, sensors, end effectors, etc.--whether they be especially designed and/or invented for the purpose or adapted equipment--should always be designed or applied from the standpoint of safety for both the receiver and the operator. You'll note from the C/BDSM definition of safe that it produce no more injury than negotiated for. It also says that it should produce no injury that exceeds medical guidelines. For a C/BDSM system built to be used on a variety of receivers, this might mean that it be capable of producing no more than a first degree burn over no more than 1-per cent of the receiver's body. Certainly in an electrical shocking device you wouldn't want to go beyond the Underwriters Laboratories™ current limits for causing muscle spasms. (Generally this is about 10 milliamps.) But if, say, you had an automatic caning machine, and you negotiated using it with a receiver, you shouldn't if the receiver were a hemophiliac. Similarly you wouldn't want to use an electrical toy with a receiver with a known heart condition or who had been a victim of electrical torture.

    2. It is always the responsibility of both the operator and the receiver to assure themselves of the safety of the C/BDSM equipment or system that they're using--regardless of whether it was self-manufactured or manufactured by others. It is also their responsibility to see that said equipment or system is operated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, and that the limits of the equipment or system not be exceeded. As an example, you may have tested your violet wand beforehand, but for God's sake don't play with it in the shower.

  2. As many of us know from painful experience, computers and devices have a habit of 'freezing up'--i.e., the program gets stuck at one point and refuses to work any further. Your only recourse is CTRL+ALT+DEL or recycling the power switch. Think about this when you design your C/BDSM equipment. Much of an engineer's work is thinking about the 'what if' issues in designing something. You should too.

    3. Here I specifically direct you to the definitions for fail-safe, fail-soft, and reset. Generally engineers try to design their systems so that if their computer or device fails or halts in its program, the system is left at a safe condition. And when it is time to continue the operation after the operator had assured hirself that the failure has been fixed and that it's safe to restart the system, then a specific reset operation--like pushing a RESET button--is required by an operator. And when the system starts operating again, engineers make damn sure that it starts safely--without damage to personnel or equipment.

    Here it is important to know and understand what the risks and potential damages are (the 'what if' questions). In C/BDSM design think about what your end effector will do if the power fails or the computer hangs up. Also consider how should the system restart when the failure is fixed and unsafe conditions are cleared.

  3. It should go without saying, ALWAYS PROPERLY REPAIR FAILURES THAT OCCUR IN C/BDSM EQUIPMENT before restarting it or using it again. Similarly, ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT THE OPERATOR AND THE RECEIVER ARE SAFE before restarting C/BDSM play.

  4. C/BDSM systems and equipment should always have some sort of panic switch under the direct control and within reaching distance of the operator. Other panic switches for the receiver or a dungeon monitor can be designed into the C/BDSM equipment, but these other switches must operate in the same way and through the same means as the operator's panic switch. And while an operator or receiver will not be able to react fast enough to prevent injury by excessive current in direct electrical stimulation, a panic switch can prevent further injury.

  5. Panic switches and other emergency shutdown devices should directly cause the removal of power or pressure from end effectors and active sensors (see para. 7). Such power removal operation should not work through the computer or device nor depend on the operation of the computer or device. It should be independent of the operation of the computer or device.

    6. The panic switch(es) and emergency shutdown device may report its state to the computer or device in their design. The design may incorporate this input signal to allow the computer or device to achieve a fail-soft state.

  6. In C/BDSM systems and equipment that are programmed to perform a sequence of events or to control a feedback loop of sensors and end effectors, the system or equipment should incorporate a shutdown timer wherein:

    1. It must receive a positive, periodic signal from the computer or device to continue to operate

    2. The shutdown timer will operate as long as it receives this signal and it is energized

    3. Loss of the periodic signal from the computer or device or it's energizing power for longer than a safe period of time* shall cause an emergency shutdown of the C/BDSM system or equipment (see para. 7).

    4. Re-energization of the shutdown timer(s) shall only occur during manual reset

    * This safe period is the minimum cycle or event time required by the C/BDSM system or equipment. It is highly recommended that it not exceed 16 milliseconds.

    The shutdown timer may report it's state to the computer or device in their design, but it shall not cause the operation of an emergency shutdown through the computer or device. The design may incorporate this input signal to allow the computer or device to achieve a fail-soft state.

  7. End effectors and active sensors should be designed in a way that it requires the presence of power (electrical or pressure) to make it operate as designed. Also they should be designed so that removal of that power or pressure shall:

    1. cause its operation to cease

    2. assume a safe state, position, or condition

    3. remain at this safe state, position, or condition until the equipment is specifically reset by the operator

    4. not go into an unsafe state, position, or condition if the power or pressure is reapplied upon reset

    Additionally, it is highly desirable that all end effectors go limp upon removal of power or pressure. In pressure systems, this may require that the equipment be vented to the atmosphere or to a return reservoir.

  8. It is recommended that upon reset and restart of a C/BDSM system, that the system and equipment operate at their lowest design settings and operating points. This is intended to allow the receiver to physically and mentally prepare for and to accommodate to the sensations imparted.

  9. Where practicable, C/BDSM systems and equipment shall be designed in a way that a failure of any single component of the system or equipment shall not lead to an unsafe condition for the operator or receiver.

  10. C/BDSM systems and equipment shall be designed and built in a manner that neither the operator nor the receiver be exposed to hazardous voltages or currents or to moving components within the control and operating portions of the system and equipment that would cause serious injury or death to the operator or receiver or to bystanders not involved in the C/BDSM play. Here a designer should reference the National Electrical Code (NEC), the Underwriters Laboratories™ standards and specifications, and other applicable documents.

  11. End effectors and sensors shall be designed, specified, and constructed with compliance (see definition) in mind. Cases of emergency or inadvertent moves must be taken into consideration. As an example, consider the situation where a vibrating dildo affixed to a rod anchored to the floor is inserted into a receiver suspended above it. What happens if the suspension fails. You don't want the receiver to be injured by impalement.

  12. Mechanical components incorporated in C/BDSM equipment should be designed and/or specified with a minimum safety factor either of 3 or of the minimum value specified for that component, whichever is greater.

  13. End effectors and sensors shall not have any sharp edges, burrs, or deformities that can cause injury to the operator or the receiver. This is especially critical for end effectors and sensors that are intended for insertion into a body.

  14. End effectors and sensors--especially those that are intended for insertion into a body--should be constructed of such material that is not injurious nor poisonous to human beings.

  15. End effectors and sensors that are intended for insertion into a body and utilizes an electrical cord or pressure tubing for withdrawal should be designed and constructed in such a manner that neither the tube or wire does not break or separate nor the equipment break or disassemble during the withdrawal. Also such end effectors and sensors should be sufficiently sealed to prevent bodily fluids from their interiors. And their design and construction shall be such that cavities or voids on their contact surfaces shall be minimized. (Remember, muscle tension during times of stress or excitement in a receiver may at times be more than normal.)

  16. It is recommended that end effectors and sensors be designed and constructed in a manner to allow for cleaning in a dishwasher with 140º Fahrenheit (60º Centigrade) water.

  17. End effectors and sensors shall be designed and constructed to meet or exceed the requirements of the environmental conditions to which they'll be subjected.

  18. C/BDSM systems and equipment shall be designed and built in a manner that the temperatures of any of its exposed surfaces shall not exceed 100º Fahrenheit (37.8º Centigrade).

I presented these as a series of thoughts and considerations based on my experience. They in no way can be considered definitive not official. The designers and users must assess their own risks and accept full responsibility for their use of C/BDSM. And users--both operators and receivers--should look at these issues even if they use systems and equipment supplied by a manufacturer.

I would also like to hear from users and experimenters that either are contemplating or actually playing with C/BDSM. You may contact me at UncleAbdul@gMail.com or write me at:

Uncle Abdul
530 Showers Drive
Building 7, #224
Mountain View, California 94040

Chao-4-Now

Unc'

 

 

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© by Uncle Abdul, 2001. No copies--hardcopy or electronic--may be made without expressed, written permission of the author. This material is presented for informational purposes only and is not represented as nor should it be interpreted as a standard, a specification, a recommended practice, a guideline, or even a professional opinion on the safety of C/BDSM or of any equipment or systems. The author cannot be held responsible for nor does he certify the safety of any equipment or devices that are built, designed, and/or manufactured utilizing this information. In the nature of a textbook the author requests comments on omissions and errors that a reader may find contained herein. The author can be contacted at UncleAbdul@gMail.com.

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