Haptic Control Signals From Audio for Richer Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haptic devices struggle to provide a wide range of tactile sensations to enhance immersion in visually immersive content, such as virtual reality and 3D images, by adjusting current and voltage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A haptic control signal providing apparatus that determines haptic pattern data from audio and additional effect signals, generates a haptic control signal, and transmits it to a haptic device, allowing for various haptic stimuli through actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If haptic devices adjust current and voltage to provide tactile sensations, then haptic feedback capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a haptic control signal providing apparatus as an intermediary between the content source and the haptic device. This apparatus generates haptic control signals based on audio signals and additional effect signals, then transmits them to the haptic device. The haptic device itself only needs to execute the control signals by adjusting current and voltage according to the haptic pattern data, rather than requiring complex internal processing capabilities. This mediator approach enables sophisticated haptic feedback while keeping the haptic device structure relatively simple.
2Adaptability or versatility
If haptic devices provide diverse tactile sensations, then user immersion is improved, but control precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic control signal is segmented into distinct components: haptic pattern data extracted from audio signals through frequency band division and bit pattern extraction, and additional effect data that provides supplementary control information. The haptic control signal providing apparatus processes these segmented elements separately and combines them into a comprehensive control signal. This segmentation allows for precise control of different haptic parameters (vibration intensity, direction, cycle) while maintaining the ability to provide diverse tactile sensations.
3Measurement precision
If haptic control signals are generated from audio signals, then haptic feedback accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic control signal providing apparatus performs preliminary processing by extracting haptic pattern data from audio signals in advance, before the actual haptic feedback is needed. The apparatus divides the audio signal into frequency bands, extracts bit patterns, and generates the haptic control signal structure beforehand. This preliminary action allows the haptic device to quickly execute the pre-prepared control signals without requiring complex real-time processing during haptic delivery, thus maintaining high accuracy while reducing processing time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances user immersion by providing diverse haptic sensations like rubbing, tightening, and pressing, matching the content's tactile requirements through precise control of vibration intensity, direction, and cycle.
Implementation Method 1
a haptic control signal generator configured to generate a haptic control signal for controlling a vibration operation of a haptic device
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for providing a haptic control signal of a haptic device are disclosed. The apparatus for providing a haptic control signal of a haptic device comprises: a haptic pattern data determination unit for determining haptic pattern data on the basis of at least one of an audio signal and an additional effect signal; a haptic control signal generation unit for generating a haptic control signal for controlling a vibration operation of the haptic device on the basis of the haptic pattern data; and a transmission unit for transmitting the haptic control signal to the haptic device.