Output Control Device for Multi-User Tactile Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing output control technologies fail to efficiently control tactile stimuli positions in multi-user scenarios, leading to increased processing burdens and costs due to the need for complex signal management across multiple devices.

Innovation Solution

A device, referred to as a 'jacket,' that receives a common signal from an information processing server and corrects it based on positional information to generate specific control signals for individual output units, allowing for efficient output position control and reducing processing burdens on the server.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a plurality of output devices is used to provide tactile feedback for multiple users, then the user experience is improved, but the processing complexity and burden increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-user supportVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the output control function into two segments: the information processing server generates a common signal that is distributed to multiple output devices, while each output device independently corrects and adjusts the signal based on its own positional information. This segmentation eliminates the need for the server to process individual device-specific parameters, thereby reducing processing complexity while maintaining multi-user support capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each output device performs self-service by autonomously correcting the common signal using its own positional information (such as GPS coordinates or sensor data). The devices independently determine their own output characteristics without requiring centralized control or complex server-side processing for each device, thus reducing the overall system processing burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If centralized control is implemented for multiple output devices, then coordination is improved, but processing burden on the server increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecoordinationVSAvoidprocessing burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces positional information as an intermediary that enables coordinated output control without requiring the server to directly manage each output device. The server sends a common signal based on event information, and the positional information acts as a mediator that allows each output device to autonomously adjust its output timing and characteristics, maintaining coordination while minimizing server processing burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If output timing is adjusted based on event occurrence position, then realism is improved, but the same tactile stimuli are output from the same output section regardless of event position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput position precisionVSAvoidspatial adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making each output device unique in its characteristics (different positions, different sensor capabilities) while receiving the same common signal. Each output device corrects the common signal according to its local positional information, resulting in tactile stimuli that are spatially adapted to the event occurrence position. This allows different output sections to provide differentiated feedback based on their local characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3511801B1Output device, output control method, and program
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3511801B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3511801B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3511801B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Object] To realize the control of the output position at the device more efficiently. [Solution] There is provided an output control device including: a controller that, on the basis of a common signal to be employed by a plurality of devices, conducts an output control in regard to a plurality of output units provided in the device. The common signal includes information specifying an output unit serving as a control object. The controller generates a control signal derived by correcting the output unit serving as the control object on the basis of positional information of the device and the common signal which are acquired, and conducts the output control specific to the device on the basis of the control signal.