Haptic Actuator Feedback for Short Range Wireless Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Short range wireless communication systems, such as NFC and PAN, typically rely on auditory and visual cues for user feedback, which are not available in user devices like contactless integrated circuit cards, limiting the means to confirm interaction events to the user.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating haptic actuators in user devices to provide kinesthetic and tactile feedback, such as vibration or force feedback, to supplement auditory and visual feedback and enhance user interface confirmation of interaction events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If auditory and visual cues are used for user feedback in short range wireless communication systems, then user feedback is provided, but user devices like contactless integrated circuit cards cannot provide feedback as they lack these output mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator device (such as a smartphone or computing device) that receives data from the contactless integrated circuit card and provides auditory and visual feedback through its own output mechanisms. This intermediary bridges the gap between the card's limited capabilities and the user's need for multiple feedback modalities, allowing the card to communicate transaction status reliably without requiring built-in output hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mobile phones are used to provide auditory and visual feedback in NFC or PAN systems, then feedback is available, but this limits the solution to devices with built-in output mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mediator device universal by enabling it to work with multiple types of short-range wireless communication systems (NFC, PAN, and other proprietary protocols). The computing device serves multiple functions: it acts as a communication interface, a feedback output device, and a transaction record-keeping system. This multi-functionality allows the same device to support various card types and communication protocols without requiring separate feedback mechanisms for each system.
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
Haptic feedback effectively confirms interaction events to users, improving the user experience by providing an additional sensory output that complements existing auditory and visual cues, enhancing the reliability and usability of short range wireless communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
a haptic actuator configured to impose a haptic effect upon a user when the processor determines that the specific interaction event has occurred
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and associated software for imposing a haptic effect upon a user are disclosed herein. A user device, which is operable within a wireless interaction system according to one implementation, includes a transceiver that is configured to communicate wirelessly with a host device. The user device further includes a processor that is configured to determine whether a specific interaction event occurs. The interaction event, for example, is related to an interaction with the host device. The user device also includes a haptic actuator that is configured to impose a haptic effect upon a user when the processor determines that the specific interaction event has occurred.