Orientation-Adaptive Haptic Channel Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haptic devices fail to adapt haptic effects effectively when the device orientation changes, leading to inconsistent user experiences, as they do not dynamically reassign haptic channels based on the device's orientation.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines the orientation of a haptically-enabled device and assigns haptic effect channels to corresponding haptic output devices, ensuring that haptic signals are routed and generated accordingly to maintain intended effects regardless of the device's orientation, using a processor, actuators, and sensors like accelerometers to manage actuator spatial arrangements and adjust haptic signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If haptic channels are statically assigned to fixed haptic output devices, then the device structure is simple and easy to implement, but the haptic effects become inconsistent when the device orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic channel assignment by detecting device orientation through sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer) and dynamically remapping haptic effect channels to appropriate haptic output devices based on current orientation. This allows the system to adapt haptic feedback delivery in real-time as the device rotates or changes position, ensuring consistent spatial haptic effects regardless of device orientation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple haptic output devices are used with dynamic channel assignment, then haptic effects remain consistent across different orientations, but the system complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal haptic feedback system where multiple haptic output devices can serve different spatial positions (front, back, left, right) depending on device orientation. The same physical haptic output devices are dynamically reassigned to different logical positions based on orientation detection, allowing the system to adapt to various orientations without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical mechanical reconfiguration with software-based dynamic channel assignment. Instead of physically moving or reconfiguring haptic output devices mechanically, the system uses software to remap haptic effect channels to appropriate devices based on sensor data, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If haptic channels are dynamically reassigned based on orientation, then user experience remains seamless during device rotation, but real-time orientation detection and processing are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where orientation sensors continuously monitor device position and feed this information to the haptic feedback system. The system processes this orientation data in real-time and dynamically adjusts channel assignments accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains seamless haptic feedback during device rotation without requiring manual user intervention.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer implemented method to generate haptic effects on a haptically-enabled device is provided. The method comprises: obtaining a haptic signal comprising a first haptic effect channel, a second haptic effect channel, a third haptic effect channel and a fourth haptic effect channel; assigning the first haptic effect channel to a first haptic output device on the haptically-enabled device and assigning the second haptic effect channel to a second haptic output device on the haptically-enabled device when a first orientation is determined; and assigning the third haptic effect channel to the first haptic output device on the haptically-enabled device and assigning the fourth haptic effect channel to the second haptic output device on the haptically-enabled device when a second orientation is determined.