Interactive Seat Sensing for Personal Audio and Vibro-Acoustic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing entertainment systems for seated users are primarily passive, lacking interactive elements that allow users to control audio, lighting, and vibratory effects in a personalized manner without cumbersome sensing arrays.
Innovation Solution
An entertainment apparatus featuring a seat with integrated sensors that detect object presence or movement, a processor to process these inputs for audio and lighting control, and a vibro-acoustic transducer for tactile sound transmission, allowing users to interactively modify audio, lighting, and vibratory effects without external sensing arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor array is mounted externally to detect user movement and control audio, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transmitter and receiver into a single co-located sensor unit mounted on the seat, eliminating the need for separate external sensing arrays. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system serves multiple functions: detecting user presence, tracking hand movements for audio control, and enabling interaction with lighting effects. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized sensors, simplifying the overall device while maintaining precise measurement capabilities.
2Device complexity
If a co-located transmitter and receiver sensor is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensor arrays with an optical/electromagnetic field-based co-located transmitter-receiver system. This substitution simplifies the mechanical mounting requirements while maintaining precise measurement capabilities through field-based detection of hand movements and gestures.
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 a personalized and interactive experience for seated users, enhancing engagement through intuitive control of audio, lighting, and vibratory effects, while reducing the need for complex external sensing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor can be an ultrasonic or infra-red sensor which includes a co-located source of energy (e.g. ultrasonic or infra-red energy) and a detector/receiver
Implementation Method 2
The sensor can be an ultrasonic or infra-red sensor which includes a co-located source of energy (e.g. ultrasonic or infra-red energy) and a detector/receiver
Implementation Method 3
a transducer for generating sound and/or vibratory energy which is mounted within the seat. The transducer is advantageously arranged to transmit vibratory energy to a seated user in a tactile manner
Data Source
AI summary
A seat (5) includes a sensor (21) mounted on the seat which is arranged to sense the presence of an object, or movement or position of an object in a non-contact manner, within a sensing region around the seat. A processor is arranged to receive an audio signal and to process the audio signal based on presence, movement or position detected by the first sensor. A processed signal is delivered to a vibro-acoustic transducer mounted within the seat. The processor can also control a lighting effect based on presence, movement or position detected by the first sensor. A user can interact with audio in a personal way, to suit the mood of the user. A seated user can move their body (especially arms or hands) to modify audio, such as music. The seat has a nodule (12) which, in use, fits between the legs of a seated user. The nodule can house the sensor (21) and user controls.