Haptic Signal Synchronization for Immersive Remote Viewing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote viewing experiences of activities like sporting contests and technological events lack the reproduction of haptic stimuli, which are essential tactile sensations such as vibrations, making them less immersive compared to attending the event in person.
Innovation Solution
The method involves sensing haptic vibrations during an event using electromechanical transducers and converting them into haptic signals, which are then transmitted and applied to a remote viewer in synchronism with video and audio signals, using electromechanical transducers connected to solid objects for a more realistic experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If remote viewing reproduction uses only audio and video signals, then the system complexity remains manageable, but the immersive experience and realism are insufficient due to lack of haptic stimuli
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensory reproduction system into three independent channels: audio signals, video signals, and haptic signals. Each channel processes and transmits specific sensory information separately, then combines them at the receiver end. This segmentation allows the system to incorporate haptic reproduction without overwhelming complexity, as each segment can be developed and optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromechanical transducer serves multiple functions: it acts as a sensor to detect haptic vibrations at the event location, converts them to electrical signals for transmission, and also functions as an actuator to reproduce these vibrations remotely. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing system complexity while enhancing realism.
2Reliability
If haptic vibrations are reproduced at a remote location, then the tactile experience is enhanced, but the transmission and synchronization of haptic signals adds system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the haptic signal transmission with the existing audio-video transmission infrastructure. All three signal types (audio, video, haptic) are transmitted through the same communication channel and synchronized using common timing references. This merging approach leverages existing protocols and infrastructure, reducing the complexity burden that would arise from creating entirely separate haptic transmission systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates synchronization mechanisms that monitor and adjust the timing of haptic signal reproduction relative to audio and video playback. This feedback ensures that haptic vibrations are reproduced at the correct moments to match the corresponding visual and auditory events, maintaining tactile experience accuracy while managing synchronization complexity through automated adjustment rather than manual coordination.
3Measurement precision
If electromechanical transducers are used to sense and reproduce haptic vibrations, then the tactile sensation is accurately captured and reproduced, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electromechanical transducer at the remote location operates autonomously to reproduce haptic vibrations. It receives electrical signals containing haptic information and automatically converts them back into mechanical vibrations without requiring complex external control systems. This self-service capability simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating the need for sophisticated coordination mechanisms between the transmission and reproduction components.
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
This approach enhances the realism of remote viewing by allowing viewers to feel haptic vibrations, simulating the tactile experience of being present at the event, thereby improving the overall immersion and enjoyment of the activity.
Implementation Method 1
sensing haptic vibrations of an object... and converting them into a haptic signal
Implementation Method 2
a reproduction of the sensed haptic vibration signal is generated and applied, in synchronism with reproduction of the sensed video signal and of the sensed audio signal, to an electromechanical transducer that is mechanically connected to a solid object in physical contact with a remote viewer
Implementation Method 3
The transducer is capable of transducing the haptic vibration signal to a representation of the sensed haptic vibration
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for reproducing and applying reproductions of haptic vibrations that occur at a live activity to a remote video and audio viewer. In synchronism with sensing visible and audible stimuli to generate video and audio signals representing the video and audio at the activity, haptic vibrations of an object at the activity are sensed and converted to haptic vibration signals. A haptic vibration signal that is a reproduction of the sensed signal, a simulation of the haptic vibration, or an enhancement of the sensed haptic vibration signal is transmitted to a remote location or recorded. The haptic vibration signal contains information about the timing and characteristic of the sensed haptic vibrations and is recoverable separately from the visible and audible signals. At a location that is remote from the activity, that information is detected and used to generate and apply a reproduction of the sensed haptic vibration signal, in synchronism with reproduction of the sensed video signal and of the sensed audio signal, to an electromechanical transducer that is mechanically connected to a solid object in physical contact with a remote viewer.