Haptic Feedback for Meta-Information Narration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for notifying users of meta-information during content narration, such as co-author presence, hyperlinks, or errors, often rely on visual or audible cues that can be impractical or distracting, especially for visually impaired users, disrupting the user's experience and workflow.
Innovation Solution
An automated system employing haptic feedback to communicate relevant meta-information through non-auditory cues, using haptic outputs that vary in pattern, intensity, location, and duration to alert users of specific types of meta-information, allowing them to request and interact with additional information without interrupting the narration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual or audible notifications are used to alert users of meta-information during content narration, then users can be informed of relevant information, but the notifications may be distracting or impractical, especially for visually impaired users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual and audible notification systems with a haptic feedback system. Instead of using light displays or sound alerts to communicate meta-information, the system uses tactile vibrations and haptic patterns through the device, substituting mechanical/tactile feedback for traditional sensory channels that cause distraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic feedback acts as an intermediary between the content narration system and the user. Rather than directly presenting meta-information through distracting visual or audible cues, the system uses haptic patterns as a mediating channel that conveys information subtly through tactile sensation without disrupting the primary audio content.
2Loss of information
If audible content is added to notify users of meta-information, then users receive comprehensive information, but the user experience degrades due to overwhelming or disruptive audio output
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system is segmented into distinct haptic patterns corresponding to different types of meta-information. Instead of using a single audible alert for all meta-information types, the system creates separate tactile signal patterns for different categories of information, allowing users to distinguish between various types of meta-information through differentiated haptic feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from one-dimensional audio notification to multi-dimensional haptic feedback by varying multiple parameters including vibration intensity, duration, frequency, and pattern. This adds temporal and tactile dimensions to the notification system, enabling rich information communication without increasing audio volume or complexity.
3Loss of information
If visual alerts are used to notify users of meta-information, then information is communicated effectively, but visually impaired users cannot access this information
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic feedback system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides meta-information notifications, indicates the type of information through pattern differentiation, and remains accessible to all users including those with visual impairments. The single haptic interface replaces multiple specialized notification channels (visual and audible) with a universal tactile system.
Data Source
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AI summary
Haptic feedback for communication of relevant information is provided. Oftentimes when using content narration to read or author a document, it is desirable to notify the user of a presence of meta-information. Aspects of a haptic feedback system avoid adding data to an audio stream, and instead, use haptic feedback technology to communicate information about a presence and type of meta-information in relation to content being narrated. Device functionality can be improved by enabling communication of relevant information through non-auditory cues that are consumable by sight-impaired users. By employing haptic technologies as described herein, users are enabled to feel when certain meta-information is available, and are further enabled to interact with the meta-information to receive additional information associated with the meta-information.