Adaptive Tactile Feedback Mapping for Cross-Device Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tactile telecommunications devices face challenges in transmitting tactile data between devices of different sizes and capabilities, leading to distorted input and reduced user experience due to the lack of consideration for enabled and disabled tactile exploration regions during communication.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that calculate and adapt tactile feedback regions based on exchanged device properties and poses, enabling efficient indication of exploration and non-exploration areas to ensure accurate and undistorted tactile data transmission between devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If tactile data is transmitted between devices of different sizes without adaptation, then communication simplicity is maintained, but tactile input distortion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication simplicityVSAvoidtactile input accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts tactile feedback parameters (intensity, frequency, pattern) based on the receiving device's capabilities and the detected tactile state, transforming the tactile data to match the target device's characteristics while preserving the original tactile intent

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

A tactile adapter component acts as an intermediary between the transmitting and receiving devices, translating tactile data from one device's format to another's, enabling accurate tactile communication across different device types and sizes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If tactile feedback is provided in all device regions, then complete tactile coverage is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile feedback completenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies tactile feedback selectively to specific regions of the device based on the detected tactile state and user interaction location, providing enhanced feedback only where needed rather than uniformly across the entire device surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides tactile feedback at varying intensities and only in necessary regions, using partial action to achieve effective tactile communication while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary feedback in non-critical areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If device-specific tactile properties are used, then optimal tactile feedback is achieved, but device compatibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile feedback qualityVSAvoiddevice compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal tactile communication protocol that can adapt to multiple device types and configurations, allowing the same system to provide optimized tactile feedback across smartphones, tablets, wearables, and other devices with different tactile capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11789535B2Transmission of haptic input

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A tactile telecommunications device comprising: a tactile device configured to receive input of tactile data and to output tactile data, said tactile device being associated with tactile device properties; a communications interface configured for establishing a connection with a second tactile telecommunications device, said second tactile telecommunications device comprising a second tactile device being associated with tactile device properties; a memory configured for storing said tactile device properties; and a controller configured to: receive said tactile device properties for said second tactile device; determine a common property by comparing said tactile device properties for said tactile device and said tactile device properties for said second tactile device; determine whether an adaptation is required, and if so, adapt operation of said tactile device accordingly.