Multi-Channel Vibratory Entertainment System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current entertainment systems fail to fully immerse users in the vibratory rhythms of audio entertainment, as they primarily focus on stereo audio and lack the ability to separate and transmit individual instrument vibrations to the body, limiting the tactile experience.
Innovation Solution
A portable media device that produces both audible and individual vibratory output signals, synchronized with separate tracks of a musical piece, and a network of actuators positioned on the body to stimulate nerve receptors, enhancing the tactile sensation and immersive experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If stereo audio output is used to transmit music to users, then the audio spectrum is delivered to users' ears, but the separate rhythmic vibrations of individual instruments cannot be felt by the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stereo audio signal into separate left and right channel signals, and further divides each channel into multiple frequency bands. This segmentation allows individual instruments and rhythmic elements to be separated and transmitted to different actuators on the user's body, enabling the user to feel distinct rhythmic vibrations from different instruments rather than a mixed tactile signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a tactile dimension to the traditional auditory experience by transmitting vibratory signals through actuators positioned on the user's body. This transforms the one-dimensional audio experience (heard through ears) into a multi-dimensional experience where users can both hear and feel separate rhythmic vibrations from different instruments through their skin, enhancing the perception of musical arrangement and rhythmic timing.
2Loss of information
If tactile transducers are mounted on theater seats and walls to provide vibratory feedback, then users can feel some vibration, but the separate parts of the stereo experience are not enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions multiple actuators at specific locations on the user's body (such as chest, back, arms, and legs) rather than using a single centralized transducer. Each actuator receives processed vibratory signals corresponding to specific instruments or frequency bands, creating localized tactile sensations that map to the spatial arrangement of instruments in the musical piece. This allows users to feel separate rhythmic vibrations from different instruments at different body locations, enhancing the ability to distinguish individual parts of the stereo experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signal processing circuitry as an intermediary between the stereo audio source and the actuators. This intermediary processes the audio signals to extract and separate rhythmic vibrations from individual instruments and frequency bands, then routes these processed signals to appropriate actuators. This intermediary processing enables the system to transform mixed stereo audio into separated tactile signals that enhance the user's perception of individual musical parts.
3Loss of information
If all listening devices concentrate bass frequency on one central vibratory response, then the bass is felt strongly, but the rhythmic sensation from other individual parts of the musical arrangement is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio frequency spectrum into multiple bands (such as bass, mid-range, and treble) and further divides instruments into separate channels. Instead of concentrating all vibratory energy on a single bass frequency, the system processes and transmits separate vibratory signals for different frequency bands and instruments to multiple actuators distributed on the user's body. This segmentation allows users to feel rhythmic sensations from individual instruments across different frequency ranges, not just bass.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent expands the vibratory feedback from a single centralized bass response into a multi-channel distributed tactile experience. By positioning actuators throughout the user's body and assigning different instruments and frequency bands to different actuators, the system creates a spatial distribution of tactile sensations that corresponds to the spatial arrangement of instruments in the stereo mix. This adds dimensional complexity to the tactile experience, allowing users to perceive the rhythmic structure of individual parts across their body rather than through a single point.
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
The system allows users to feel distinct parts of a musical piece through separate areas of the body, creating a more immersive and engaging experience by synchronizing tactile sensations with the audible audio, thereby enhancing the awareness of rhythmic timing and musical arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
each actuator configured and operable to receive one of the plurality of individual vibratory signals and to vibrate based on the received vibratory signal
Implementation Method 2
vibrate to stimulate nerve receptors in the user's body
Data Source
AI summary
An entertainment system is provided, the system comprising a portable media device configured to simultaneously produce an audible output signal and a plurality of vibratory output signals, the audible output signal representing a multi-track recording comprising a plurality of individual recorded tracks, each vibratory output signal based on at least one individual recorded track; and a plurality of actuators positioned at various locations on a user's body, each actuator configured to receive a respective one of the vibratory signals and to vibrate based on the received signal. A method of mixing a multi-track vibratory recording is also provided, the method comprising utilizing an entertainment system to feel vibrations representing individual recorded tracks on different locations of a user's body; and for each actuator, selecting at least one of the tracks based on suitability for driving the actuator, and providing, to the actuator, a vibratory signal derived from the selected track.