Haptic Feedback Synchronization in Mobile Media Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current media playback systems provide limited incorporation of haptic feedback, failing to enhance the media experience with sophisticated tactile and touch-based sensations during the playback of media content on mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing haptic technologies in mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to provide synchronized tactile and touch-based feedback, including texture, pressure, and thermal sensations, by establishing a connection with local content receivers and receiving haptic data signals to enhance the user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If haptic feedback is incorporated into media playback systems, then user experience is enhanced with tactile sensations, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates haptic feedback generation into independent haptic effects that can be individually controlled and synchronized with specific media events. Each haptic effect is a discrete component that can be managed separately, reducing overall system complexity while enabling rich tactile feedback experiences during media playback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a haptic feedback manager as an intermediary component that coordinates between media playback and haptic effect generation. This manager synchronizes haptic effects with media events and manages the complexity of coordinating multiple haptic components, shielding users from the underlying complexity while delivering enhanced experiences.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple haptic effects are provided simultaneously, then immersion is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates haptic effects periodically or event-driven rather than continuously, synchronizing tactile feedback with specific media events such as scene changes, sound effects, or visual impacts. This approach provides immersive experiences at key moments while allowing the device to conserve energy during static or less engaging segments of media playback.
3Adaptability or versatility
If haptic feedback is continuously provided, then user engagement increases, but user comfort decreases due to overstimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies haptic feedback selectively and partially rather than continuously, providing tactile sensations only when they add value to the media experience. By synchronizing haptic effects with specific media events and avoiding overuse, the system maintains user engagement while preventing the discomfort that would result from constant or excessive haptic stimulation.
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
Enhances the media experience by adding a 'fifth dimension' of haptic feedback, providing users with a more immersive and interactive experience, customizable to individual preferences and contexts, while minimizing unnecessary feedback.
Implementation Method 1
The haptic output component may include a motor, such as an eccentric rotating motor, a linear resonant actuator, or a voice coil motor
Implementation Method 2
The thermal output component may include a Peltier device, a heating element, or a cooling element
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer-readable media for using haptic technologies to provide enhanced media experiences are presented. According to one or more aspects of the disclosure, a computing device, such as a smart phone, tablet computer, or portable media player, may establish a connection with a local content receiver. Subsequently, the computing device may receive, from the local content receiver, a sensation data signal that specifies one or more haptic effects to be provided at a particular time relative to playback of a media content item received by the local content receiver. Thereafter, the computing device may provide the one or more haptic effects.