Methods and apparatus for distributing power and data to devices coupled
to the human body are described. The human body is used as a conductive
medium, e.g., a bus, over which power and/or data is distributed. Power
is distributed by coupling a power source to the human body via a first
set of electrodes. One or more devices to be powered, e.g., peripheral
devices, are also coupled to the human body via additional sets of
electrodes. The devices may be, e.g., a speaker, display, watch,
keyboard, etc. A pulsed DC signal or AC signal may be used as the power
source. By using multiple power supply signals of differing frequencies,
different devices can be selectively 15 powered. For example, a 100 Hz
signal may be used to power a first device while a 150 Hz signal may be
used to power a second device. Digital data and/or other information
signals, e.g., audio signals, can be modulated on the power signal using
frequency and/or amplitude modulation techniques. The power source and
peripheral devices can interact to form a complete computer network where
the body serves as the bus coupling the devices together. Devices can
include optional batteries, one or more CPUs, transmit/receive circuitry,
and/or input/output circuitry. In one particular exemplary network
implementation the first device to be placed on the body operates as a
master device, e.g., bus master, with one or more subsequently added
devices working as slaves.