Smart Ring Haptic Guidance for Mobile Device Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with disabilities face challenges in accessing features of mobile devices due to visual or motor impairments, particularly in tasks requiring precise alignment or movement of the device relative to objects, such as aligning checks for remote deposit or interacting with NFC readers.
Innovation Solution
A wearable computing device, like a smart ring, provides haptic feedback to guide users through spatial orientation adjustments by communicating with the mobile device to determine the current and desired spatial relationships and deliver haptic cues to assist in aligning the device or objects accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual display and manual control methods are used on mobile devices, then information can be presented and tasks can be controlled, but individuals with visual or motor impairments cannot effectively access these features
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable computing device serves as an intermediary between the mobile device and the user with disabilities. It receives data from the mobile device and presents it through alternative modalities (haptic feedback, audio), and similarly mediates user input by translating simple gestures or voice commands into the precise motor actions required by the mobile device interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the visual-mechanical interface (screen display and manual manipulation) with a haptic-audio interface. Visual information is substituted with tactile and auditory feedback, and fine motor control requirements are substituted with simpler gestures or voice commands that the wearable device then translates into precise actions.
2Measurement precision
If precise alignment tasks are required (such as aligning checks for remote deposit), then accurate positioning can be achieved, but individuals with motor impairments cannot perform the necessary manual adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-alignment through haptic feedback. The wearable device provides tactile cues that guide the user's movements, allowing the alignment process to be performed autonomously with minimal cognitive load. The haptic feedback acts as a real-time guide, reducing the alignment task to following intuitive tactile directions rather than performing complex manual positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous feedback through haptic cues that inform the user about their alignment status. The wearable device vibrates or applies pressure to indicate when the device is properly aligned or needs adjustment, creating a closed-loop control system that compensates for the user's limited motor control precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mobile device interfaces are designed for standard interaction methods, then device functionality can be maintained, but accessibility for users with disabilities is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable computing device acts as a universal accessibility interface that can work with any mobile device application. It provides a layer of adaptation between the user and the standard mobile interface, enabling users with various types of disabilities (visual, motor, cognitive) to access the full functionality of mobile applications through alternative interaction modalities.
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
Enhances accessibility by enabling users with disabilities to perform tasks like remote check deposit and NFC interactions more effectively by providing tactile guidance, overcoming visual and motor limitations.
Implementation Method 1
A wearable computing device, like a smart ring, provides haptic feedback to guide users through spatial orientation adjustments
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems, devices, and machine-readable mediums which provide a wearable device, such as a smart ring, that provides feedback to guide users in performing physical tasks. Tasks may include tasks associated with an application executing on a mobile device of the user.