Haptic Effect Generation Using Audio Hardware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional technologies lack richness in hardware technologies, software tools, and technical expertise for developing haptic-based interactions in modern electronic devices, which are designed to engage users through multiple sensory modes.
Innovation Solution
A haptic effect generation system utilizing a computing platform with a haptic transformer, hardware processor, and readily available audio-based components to create, edit, store, and broadcast haptic data files, enabling the production of various haptic user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional technologies are used for haptic-based interactions, then existing hardware and software can be utilized, but the richness and variety of haptic effects are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables audio hardware components to perform dual functions: traditional audio output and haptic effect generation. The audio processor and audio output interface are configured to generate both audio signals and haptic effect data from the same audio input, allowing existing hardware to serve multiple purposes without requiring dedicated haptic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates haptic effect data as a copy or representation of audio data. The haptic effect data mirrors the temporal and spectral characteristics of the audio signal, allowing haptic effects to be generated from audio content without requiring separate haptic input sources or complex dedicated haptic processing hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated haptic hardware and software tools are developed, then haptic interaction richness improves, but implementation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The audio processor is configured to perform both audio processing and haptic effect generation functions. The same processor generates audio output signals for speakers while simultaneously generating haptic effect data that describes temporal and spectral characteristics suitable for driving haptic actuators, eliminating the need for separate dedicated haptic processing hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces haptic effect data as an intermediary representation between audio input and haptic output. This intermediate data structure captures the essential characteristics of audio signals in a form suitable for haptic reproduction, allowing flexible generation of various haptic effects without requiring complex direct mapping hardware or specialized software tools.
3Device complexity
If existing audio hardware is used for haptic effects, then device complexity is reduced, but the quality and range of haptic effects are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters of the audio signal to generate haptic effect data with different temporal and spectral characteristics optimized for haptic perception. By analyzing and transforming audio parameters such as frequency content, amplitude envelope, and temporal patterns, the system generates haptic data that reliably produces perceptible and meaningful haptic effects even though the same hardware components are used for both audio and haptic output.
Data Source
AI summary
A haptic effect generation system includes a computing platform including a hardware processor, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and a memory storing a haptic software code, as well as a haptic transformer coupled to the computing platform. The haptic transformer receives an input signal, and transforms the input signal to a first audio signal corresponding to the input signal. The ADC converts the first audio signal to a first audio data. The hardware processor executes the haptic software code to receive the first audio data from the ADC, and to generate a second audio data using the first audio data, the second audio data corresponding to a desired haptic effect. The DAC converts the second audio data to a second audio signal. The haptic transformer then transforms the second audio signal to a haptic actuator signal for producing the desired haptic effect.