Haptic Effect Authoring Interface With Parameter Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional approaches for producing haptic effects are limited and require expert knowledge, hindering their application to various media content and preventing novice users from engaging with media in a creative and participatory way due to the lack of an authoring infrastructure for creating, modifying, and sharing haptic effects.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing a shared online library of haptic content that allows users to produce customized haptic effects through an intuitive authoring interface with sliders, knobs, and buttons, enabling modification of haptic effects using common language and visual descriptors, and transforming these inputs into output data for haptic devices like vibrotactile arrays and force-feedback technologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional approaches for producing haptic effects are used, then haptic effects can be generated, but expert knowledge and experienced hapticians are required, making the process inaccessible to average consumers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of creating haptic effectsVSAvoidcomplexity of haptic authoring infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that translates simple user inputs (slider positions, knob rotations, button presses) into complex haptic effect parameters. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of haptic effect generation internally while presenting a simplified interface to users, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/expert-based haptic authoring system with a software-based parameter mapping system. Instead of requiring users to understand complex haptic mechanics and coding, the system uses software to automatically map intuitive UI interactions to haptic effect parameters, making the process accessible to average consumers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If expert codes and experienced hapticians are required for haptic authoring, then precise haptic effects can be created, but the process becomes time-consuming and inaccessible to novice users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of creating haptic effectsVSAvoidprecision of haptic effect creation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a parameter mapping system that copies and adapts existing haptic effect templates and patterns for different applications. Pre-defined haptic effect profiles can be copied and modified through simple parameter adjustments, allowing novice users to quickly create precise haptic effects without starting from scratch or requiring expert knowledge

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables precise haptic effect creation through systematic parameter changes rather than complex procedural knowledge. Users can achieve different haptic effects by adjusting parameters such as amplitude, frequency, and duration through intuitive controls, maintaining precision while dramatically improving productivity and accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If a simplified interface is provided for haptic authoring, then average consumers can create haptic effects, but the system loses the ability to generate complex and sophisticated haptic experiences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to different user skill levelsVSAvoidcapability range of haptic effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal haptic authoring system that serves multiple user skill levels and application types through a single interface. The parameter mapping framework can handle everything from simple vibrational patterns to complex force feedback effects, making the system adaptable to different user expertise levels while maintaining versatility in generating sophisticated haptic experiences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension to haptic authoring by introducing parameter spaces and mapping dimensions that bridge simple user inputs and complex haptic outputs. This dimensional approach allows the system to maintain a simple interface while accessing complex effect generation capabilities through multi-dimensional parameter transformations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9588588B2Customized haptic effects

Publication Date: 2017.03.07 DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC

AI summary

There is provided a system and method for producing a haptic effect. In one implementation, such a system includes a system processor, a system memory, and a haptic engine stored in the system memory. The system processor is configured to execute the haptic engine to receive a media content, to map an event contained in the media content to a predetermined haptic effect, and to display an interface enabling a system user to produce a customized haptic effect based on the predetermined haptic effect. The system processor is further configured to generate an output data for causing one of the predetermined haptic effect and the customized haptic effect to occur.