Haptic Feedback Remote Control for Accessibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional remote control devices are often confusing, difficult to use, or insufficient for individuals with limited or no vision and/or hearing, particularly when interacting with set top boxes or television displays.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of haptic feedback in remote control devices to provide tactile indications or messages, allowing users to receive information through touch, enhancing interaction with set top boxes or receiving devices by activating haptic feedback effects based on user inputs and device responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional remote control devices are used, then the device structure remains simple, but the usability for users with limited vision and/or hearing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements haptic feedback mechanisms that provide tactile responses to user inputs and system states. The remote control device includes vibration motors or haptic actuators that deliver distinct tactile patterns (e.g., different vibration frequencies, durations, or intensities) to communicate system status, confirmation of inputs, or navigation cues to users with limited vision and/or hearing, creating a closed-loop feedback system that enhances usability without requiring visual or auditory senses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces haptic feedback as an intermediary communication channel between the remote control device and the user. Instead of relying directly on visual displays or auditory signals, the system uses tactile sensations as a mediator to convey information about system state, input recognition, and operational status, enabling users with limited vision and/or hearing to interact with the device through touch perception.
2Ease of operation
If haptic feedback is added to remote control devices, then usability for users with limited vision and/or hearing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the haptic feedback system to serve multiple functions simultaneously: confirming button presses, indicating navigation direction, signaling system status, and providing error feedback. By making the haptic feedback mechanism multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate visual and auditory indicators, thereby limiting the overall increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive accessibility support for users with limited vision and/or hearing.
3Loss of information
If multiple feedback channels (visual, auditory, haptic) are used, then information communication is enhanced, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a selective haptic feedback strategy where tactile feedback is provided only when necessary to communicate critical information or confirm user inputs. The system distinguishes between essential information that requires haptic communication and non-critical information that can be conveyed through other means or omitted, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective information communication for users with limited vision and/or hearing.
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
Facilitates better interaction with set top boxes or receiving devices for users with low or limited vision and/or hearing by providing clear and intuitive tactile feedback, improving usability and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
activating a haptic feedback device within the haptic feedback remote control device, based on the haptic feedback command, to provide a haptic feedback effect to a user of the haptic feedback remote control device
Data Source
AI summary
Haptic feedback remote control systems and methods are provided. A method for providing haptic feedback to a user of a haptic feedback remote control device includes receiving, by a receiving device, an electronic command issued from the haptic feedback remote control device. The receiving device transmits a haptic feedback command to the haptic feedback remote control device. Based on the received haptic feedback command, the haptic feedback remote control activates a haptic feedback device, within the haptic feedback remote control, to provide a haptic feedback effect to a user of the haptic feedback remote control device.