Packaging with Non-Visual Message Elements for Accessibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visually impaired and blind individuals cannot fully enjoy the unboxing experience of products due to the visually-oriented packaging designs that lack non-visual cues for exploration and information.
Innovation Solution
Packaging that incorporates non-visual message elements such as tactile and audio signals, including Braille, embossed shapes, and wireless signals, to provide information and enhance the unboxing experience by guiding users through the opening process and providing details about the contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If packaging is designed with visually pleasing arrangements and creative sub-component packaging, then the unboxing experience is enjoyable and engaging for sighted users, but visually impaired or blind users cannot access this experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces non-visual message elements (tactile, audio, wireless signals) as intermediaries that convey packaging information to visually impaired users, bridging the gap between the visual packaging design and the needs of impaired users
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from purely visual information delivery to multi-dimensional information delivery by incorporating tactile, audio, and wireless signal dimensions, allowing visually impaired users to access packaging information through non-visual senses
2Loss of information
If packaging provides detailed visual information and step-by-step opening instructions, then sighted users can easily understand the package contents and opening process, but blind users lack access to this information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the packaging system universal by incorporating multiple message element types (tactile, audio, wireless) that serve different user needs simultaneously, allowing both sighted and visually impaired users to access information through their preferred sensory channel
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the information delivery system into multiple independent message element types, each capable of conveying information through different sensory modalities, allowing flexible adaptation to different user needs without requiring complete system redesign
Data Source
AI summary
Packaging for visually impaired and blind user is disclosed. In one embodiment, a package includes an exterior surface, a first sub-component package, and a second sub-component package. The first sub-component package and the second sub-component package are enclosed by the exterior surface in an interior region of the package. The package further includes a first non-visual message element associated with the first sub-component package, and a second non-visual message element associated with the second sub-component package. The non-visual message elements may be configured as tactile and/or audio non-visual message elements. In some embodiments, wireless signal emitter devices are provided within the package to actuate one or more speaker devices to thereby play auditory signals.