Perceptual Swim Notifications via Haptic and Visual Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Swimmers face difficulties in reading notifications while swimming due to excessive text, requiring them to pause or stop, which disrupts their workout and drains battery power in wearable devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing faster and more efficient methods for providing perceptual notifications through wearable devices with sensors and output mechanisms that measure swim characteristics, issuing notifications based on specific criteria to convey information quickly and efficiently without needing to stop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If text-based notifications are displayed to convey swimming metrics, then information completeness is improved, but readability and ease of operation deteriorate due to excessive text requiring pause to read
Solution Approach 1:
The notification is segmented into multiple sensory channels: visual icons represent different swim metrics (pace, distance, time), while haptic vibrations provide additional information layers. This segmentation allows comprehensive information delivery without requiring the swimmer to read extensive text, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and readability.
Solution Approach 2:
Haptic feedback serves as an intermediary between the device and the swimmer, conveying notification status and metric information through tactile sensations rather than text. This intermediary mechanism enables information transfer that does not depend on reading speed or visual attention during swimming motion.
2Loss of information
If traditional text notifications are used, then detailed information is provided, but cognitive burden increases and battery power is drained due to interaction requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system operates autonomously by detecting swim metrics through sensors and automatically generating appropriate haptic feedback patterns and visual icons. No user interaction is required to access or interpret the information, eliminating the energy cost of manual navigation through text while maintaining detailed information delivery through multi-sensory channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical interaction model (reading text, scrolling, tapping) is replaced with a passive sensory reception model where haptic vibrations and visual icons automatically convey information. This substitution eliminates the energy-consuming interaction cycle while preserving comprehensive metric information through intuitive sensory cues.
3Measurement precision
If text notifications require user interaction to view information, then information accuracy is maintained, but productivity and workout continuity deteriorate due to interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system dynamically adapts to the swimmer's state by using haptic feedback patterns that can be perceived during continuous swimming motion without requiring pauses or changes in swimming rhythm. Visual icons provide immediate visual confirmation while haptic patterns deliver detailed metric information, maintaining accuracy while preserving workout continuity through motion-compatible delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic haptic feedback patterns to convey different types of information at different intervals during the swim workout. This periodic delivery mechanism ensures accurate metric information is communicated at appropriate moments without requiring continuous user attention or interrupting the swimming flow, balancing information accuracy with productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to providing perceptual notifications containing information about a measured activity-based value of a swim characteristic. In some examples, the perceptual notifications utilize colors and haptic taps to convey measured values of the swim characteristic without requiring the swimmer to interact with the perceptual notification while the swimmer is swimming.