Haptic Feedback Actuator for Voice Command Confirmation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voice command systems often fail to provide effective feedback to users, especially in noisy environments or when audio is muted, leading to a lack of acknowledgement for recognized or unrecognized commands.
Innovation Solution
Implementing haptic feedback systems that use actuators to provide tactile indications for recognized and unrecognized voice commands, allowing users to receive confirmation through haptic effects without relying on auditory or visual cues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voice command systems use auditory feedback (beeps, lights) to indicate command recognition status, then the feedback mechanism is simple and cost-effective, but the feedback becomes ineffective in noisy environments or when audio is muted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a haptic intermediary (vibration motor/actuator) as a mediator between the voice command system and the user. Instead of directly providing auditory feedback that can be blocked by noise or mute settings, the system uses haptic feedback as an intermediate channel to convey command recognition status. This intermediary channel bypasses the harmful environmental factors affecting auditory feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the acoustic feedback mechanism with a mechanical haptic feedback mechanism. The vibration motor generates tactile sensations that the user can feel regardless of audio conditions. This substitution eliminates the dependency on acoustic channels that are vulnerable to noisy environments and mute settings.
2Reliability
If the system provides multiple feedback channels (auditory, visual, haptic) to ensure reliable command recognition indication, then feedback reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic feedback selection where the system adapts the feedback channel based on current operational conditions. Instead of always providing all feedback types simultaneously, the system dynamically chooses the most appropriate feedback channel (haptic, auditory, or visual) based on context such as whether the device is muted, in a noisy environment, or currently playing audio content. This dynamic approach maintains reliability while reducing unnecessary complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic feedback mechanism serves multiple functions: it indicates command recognition, confirms voice input receipt, and provides tactile confirmation without requiring separate dedicated components for each function. The vibration motor acts as a universal feedback element that can convey different types of information through varying vibration patterns, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Loss of information
If the system interrupts audio playback (music, videos) to provide command recognition feedback, then the feedback is delivered clearly, but the user experience deteriorates due to audio interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses haptic feedback as an intermediary channel that does not interfere with audio playback. Instead of interrupting the audio stream to deliver feedback, the system conveys command recognition status through tactile vibrations that coexist with the audio content. This intermediary approach allows feedback delivery without compromising the continuity or quality of audio playback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the feedback from the auditory dimension to the tactile dimension. By moving feedback to a different sensory dimension (haptic instead of acoustic), the system eliminates the conflict between feedback delivery and audio playback. The user can simultaneously experience both the audio content and the haptic feedback without one interfering with the other.
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 users to discern command recognition and execution status through tactile feedback, improving usability in noisy conditions or when audio is muted, and providing real-time status updates for command processing.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator configured to generate haptic effects in response to recognized speech information
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for haptic confirmation of commands are disclosed. For example a system for generating haptic effects to confirm receipt of a voice command includes a microphone; a housing configured to be contacted by a user, and an actuator in communication with the housing, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the housing. The system also includes a processor in communication with the microphone and the actuator, the processor configured to receive speech information from the microphone; recognize the speech information and determine a command associated with the speech information. If the speech information is recognized and the command is determined, the processor is configured to generate a first actuator signal configured to cause the actuator to output a first haptic effect, and transmit the first actuator signal to the actuator. Otherwise, the processor is configured generate a second actuator signal configured to cause the actuator to output a second haptic effect; and transmit the second actuator signal to the actuator.