Audio-Haptic Signal Mixing for Virtual Button Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing human-machine interaction systems face challenges in providing reliable and integrated audio-haptic feedback, as physical buttons are prone to reliability issues and add design constraints, while virtual buttons require additional components for effective tactile and auditory simulation.
Innovation Solution
An audio-haptic signal generator that processes audio signals based on haptic and amplifier states to mix and output combined audio-haptic signals, avoiding overdriving haptic actuators and maintaining haptic performance without the need for separate loudspeakers or multi-function transducers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If virtual buttons are used instead of physical buttons, then reliability and design flexibility are improved, but additional components are required to provide effective tactile and auditory feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines audio and haptic signal processing into a single integrated system. The audio-haptic signal generator merges the functionality of separate audio amplifiers and haptic drivers into one unified device, reducing component count while maintaining both tactile and auditory feedback capabilities for virtual buttons
Solution Approach 2:
The audio-haptic signal generator is designed as a multi-functional device that can simultaneously provide audio output, haptic feedback, and adaptive signal processing. This universal device replaces multiple specialized components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability through integrated control
2Device complexity
If audio signal is mixed with haptic signal without processing, then system complexity is reduced, but haptic performance degrades due to overdriving the actuator
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors the combined audio-haptic signal and adjusts processing parameters in real-time. This feedback loop prevents overdriving the haptic actuator by dynamically adjusting signal levels based on actual actuator state and amplifier capabilities, maintaining haptic performance while managing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The signal processing is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The controller adapts processing parameters such as gain, filtering, and signal mixing ratios in real-time based on signal characteristics and system state. This dynamic approach maintains optimal haptic performance across varying conditions without requiring overly complex fixed processing
Data Source
AI summary
An audio-haptic signal generator for a haptic system including an amplifier coupled to a haptic actuator is described. The audio-haptic signal generator includes an audio input configured to receive an audio signal; a haptic input configured to receive a haptic signal and a controller configured to receive to at least one of the haptic signal, an amplifier state and a haptic actuator state. A mixer is coupled to the audio input and the haptic input. The mixer has an output configured to be coupled to a haptic actuator. The controller controls the mixer to process the audio signal dependent on at least one of a characteristic of the haptic signal, an amplifier state, and a haptic actuator state. The mixer is configured to mix the haptic signal and processed audio signal on to output the mixed haptic signal and processed audio signal.