Haptic Wearable System for Silent Team Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems in hazardous environments, such as military and medical settings, face limitations in real-time information sharing and situational awareness due to reliance on auditory and visual modalities, which can be disrupted by noise and line-of-sight constraints, and are vulnerable to interception.
Innovation Solution
A haptic communication system comprising sensors and a computing platform embedded in attire, enabling bi-directional communication between operators and robotic assets through tactile displays, allowing for real-time transmission of location, action, and hand signal information without relying on visual or auditory cues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If radio communications are used between unit members, then communication range is extended, but only one unit member can transmit at a time creating communication delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication channel into multiple simultaneous channels by distributing radio frequency resources across different unit members. Each unit member is equipped with a wearable device containing sensors and haptic feedback mechanisms that enable independent transmission without requiring manual channel switching, allowing parallel communication streams to coexist on the radio spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wearable devices with sensors and haptic displays as intermediary components between unit members and the radio communication system. These intermediaries automatically capture body position, orientation, and hand signals, process them into communication data, and transmit them via radio frequency, eliminating the need for manual operation and enabling simultaneous multi-user transmission.
2Ease of operation
If voice communications are used, then information can be transmitted verbally, but communications are limited when noise discipline must be maintained or combat noises drown out voice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes acoustic mechanical systems (voice transmission through air) with electromagnetic field-based radio frequency communication. The wearable devices capture physical states (body position, orientation, hand gestures) and convert them into radio signals, eliminating dependence on acoustic channels that are vulnerable to noise from weapons, vehicles, and environmental sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs wearable sensing devices as intermediaries that bridge the gap between physical actions and radio communication. These devices translate body position, orientation, and hand signals into digital data streams that can be transmitted via radio frequency, providing a noise-resistant communication pathway that operates independently of acoustic environments.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hand-and-arm signal communications are used, then silent propagation is achieved, but it requires line of sight and additional attention to receive commands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical visual signal transmission (hand-and-arm gestures requiring line of sight) with electromagnetic radio frequency communication. The wearable devices capture body position and orientation data and transmit it wirelessly, eliminating the line of sight constraint while maintaining silent operation. Radio waves can penetrate obstacles and propagate through environments where visual signals cannot travel.
4Ease of operation
If visual and auditory modalities are used for robotic control, then operator can control robotic assets, but operators are exposed to hazardous environments and cannot maintain focus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes visual and auditory display modalities with haptic feedback mechanisms for robotic asset control. The wearable devices provide tactile information about the robotic asset's state and environment through vibrations and forces, allowing operators to control robots without visual confirmation. This enables operation in hazardous environments where visual exposure to dangers is present while maintaining operator focus through tactile feedback alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wearable haptic display devices as intermediaries between operators and robotic assets. These devices translate robotic state information and environmental data into tactile feedback that operators can perceive through touch, providing a safe communication pathway that eliminates the need for visual or auditory exposure to hazardous conditions while maintaining full control capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A haptic communication system having a range of sensors embedded with an operator's attire. Data collected by the sensors is processed by a computing device local to the operator and is communicated via a haptic modality in real-time to other team members and robotic assets in the system.