Core Haptic Engine Generating Dynamic Waveforms for Tactile Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional interface platforms and VR systems fail to provide adaptive tactile feedback, making it difficult for users to distinguish between virtual objects based on their natural haptic properties, which is essential for immersive and engaging user experiences.

Innovation Solution

A system that assigns haptic properties to digital content, using a core haptic engine to generate dynamic, time-varying waveforms for tactile feedback based on user interaction speed and force, allowing for real-time high-fidelity haptic responses through a haptic accessory integrated with touch devices, enabling the simulation of distinct textures and materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional interface platforms and VR systems are used, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is maintained, but tactile feedback capability is lost and user immersion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile feedback capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a haptic translation device as an intermediary component that couples between the user and the display device. This mediator translates visual information from the display into corresponding haptic feedback through actuators, enabling tactile perception of virtual objects without requiring complex integration into the core display system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the need for complex mechanical integration by using a software-based haptic translation layer that processes display output and generates appropriate haptic waveforms. This substitution of mechanical complexity with computational processing maintains ease of operation while enabling advanced tactile feedback capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If haptic properties are assigned to all digital content, then user immersion and engagement are improved, but processing time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser immersionVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of digital content to identify objects that would benefit from haptic feedback. By pre-processing content metadata and object characteristics, the system prepares haptic profiles in advance, reducing real-time processing requirements and enabling faster response during user interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements selective haptic assignment where only certain digital content objects receive haptic properties based on their relevance and user interaction potential. This partial application approach reduces overall processing burden while maintaining immersion for critical elements, avoiding the need to process every piece of content equally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If dynamic time-varying waveforms are generated for haptic feedback, then haptic fidelity and realism are improved, but computational requirements and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic fidelityVSAvoidcomputational requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system generates dynamic time-varying waveforms that adapt to user interaction parameters such as finger movement speed and pressure. This dynamic adjustment enables realistic haptic feedback that responds naturally to user actions, improving fidelity without requiring pre-computed static waveforms for every possible interaction scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The haptic translation device changes waveform parameters (frequency, amplitude, duration) based on detected interaction characteristics. By dynamically adjusting these parameters in response to user input, the system achieves high haptic fidelity using relatively simple computational rules rather than complex simulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables users to experience realistic tactile feedback from virtual objects, enhancing engagement and immersion by accurately replicating the feel of real-world objects in virtual environments, improving user interaction and engagement with digital content.

Implementation Method 1

an actuator for generating a vibration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11681372B2Touch enabling process, haptic accessory, and core haptic engine to enable creation and delivery of tactile-enabled experiences with virtual objects

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 TACTAI INC

AI summary

Various systems, methods and computer program products are disclosed which provide tactile feedback from virtual objects. In some particular embodiments, a touch-enabled platform (TEP) is configured to: receive data indicating a user is contacting a touch interface on a device; analyze the data to determine a characteristic of the contact between the user and the touch interface; and provide a waveform to actuate vibration at the touch interface based upon the characteristic of the contact and a display characteristic at the touch interface.