Haptic Feedback Remote Controller for Non-Visual Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote controllers are limited by requiring visual feedback, being dedicated to specific systems, and not providing non-visual feedback, making them inconvenient and potentially distracting or unsafe for use in various settings.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive, interactive remote controller using widely available mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, which provides non-visual feedback through haptic and audio cues, allowing multi-touch commands and communication with multiple external systems via wired or wireless connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual feedback is provided on the remote controller, then the user can verify commands and receive feedback, but the user must look at the controller which causes distraction and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual feedback mechanisms with haptic feedback mechanisms. Instead of requiring the user to look at a display screen to verify commands, the system uses vibration motors and tactile actuators to provide physical feedback through the controller itself, allowing blind operation while maintaining command verification capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces audio feedback as an intermediary between the user and the controlled system. Voice commands and audio responses allow the user to issue and verify commands through hearing rather than sight, eliminating the need to look at the controller while maintaining full command verification
2Reliability
If dedicated controllers are used for each system, then each system can be controlled precisely, but the user must manage and learn multiple different controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal remote controller that can interface with multiple different systems through various communication protocols (Bluetooth, USB, infrared). The controller uses a standardized interface design with consistent haptic and audio feedback mechanisms across different target systems, allowing one controller to replace multiple dedicated controllers while maintaining system-specific control precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability where the controller automatically adjusts its behavior and feedback characteristics based on the connected system. The haptic feedback patterns and audio responses are dynamically configured to match the specific system being controlled, providing precision appropriate for each system while maintaining a unified user experience
3Ease of operation
If haptic feedback elements are added to the remote controller, then non-visual feedback is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent strategically places haptic feedback elements only at critical interaction points on the controller where tactile confirmation is most needed, rather than distributing feedback mechanisms throughout the entire device. This localized approach provides effective non-visual feedback while minimizing the overall complexity and cost of the controller structure
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
Enables efficient and safe control of various systems without the need to look at the controller, reducing user distraction and improving usability across different environments and applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one haptic feedback element adapted to provide feedback to the user
Implementation Method 2
audio feedback
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
A remote controller adapted to interact with a system under control (SUC) is described. The remote controller includes: at least one input adapted to receive data from a user; a command interpreter adapted to evaluate data received via the at least one input and determine whether the received data is associated with a remote command from among a set of remote commands associated with the SUC; at least one communication element adapted to send remote commands to the SUC; and at least one haptic feedback element adapted to provide feedback to the user. A mobile device application adapted to remotely control an external system includes sets of instructions for: receiving an input via a user interface element of the mobile device; generating a command output based at least partly on the received input; and sending the control output to the external system.