Synchronized Haptic Waveform Generation Across Multi-Device Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic devices lack effective synchronization of audio and haptic waveforms, leading to an incomplete immersive experience for users, particularly in multi-device setups where haptic feedback is not adequately synchronized with audio outputs.
Innovation Solution
The method involves processing audio waveforms to generate synchronized haptic waveforms based on the capabilities of haptic actuators, the number and type of devices, and their locations, ensuring that haptic feedback is coordinated with audio outputs across multiple devices, including host and slave devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If haptic waveforms are generated and transmitted across multiple devices, then the immersive audio-haptic experience is enhanced, but the synchronization between devices becomes more complex and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the multi-device haptic synchronization task into separate processing units: the host device handles waveform generation and initial processing, while slave devices handle local actuator control. This segmentation allows each device to focus on specific functions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining synchronization capability across multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the host device receives status information from slave devices about their haptic actuator states. This feedback loop enables real-time adjustment and coordination of haptic waveforms across devices, maintaining synchronization even as device capabilities or conditions change, thereby managing complexity through adaptive control.
2Reliability
If haptic waveforms are customized based on individual device capabilities, then the haptic performance is optimized, but the processing and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by customizing haptic waveforms according to the specific capabilities of each device's haptic actuator. The host device queries slave devices for their actuator capabilities and generates tailored waveforms that optimize performance for each device's specific hardware characteristics, ensuring reliable haptic output while managing processing requirements through targeted customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters of haptic waveforms based on device capabilities, adjusting frequency, amplitude, and duration parameters to match each actuator's optimal operating range. This parameter adaptation ensures reliable haptic performance across different devices without requiring overly complex processing, as the adjustments are made systematically based on capability profiles.
3Measurement precision
If audio waveforms are processed in real-time to generate haptic waveforms, then the synchronization accuracy is improved, but the computational load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-processing audio waveforms and pre-determining haptic waveform parameters before real-time playback. The host device analyzes audio content in advance and prepares corresponding haptic waveforms, reducing the computational burden during real-time execution while maintaining high synchronization accuracy between audio and haptic outputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by processing only the essential components of audio waveforms that are most relevant for haptic conversion. Rather than analyzing every aspect of the audio signal, the system focuses on key features such as bass frequencies and rhythmic elements that translate most effectively to haptic feedback, reducing computational energy consumption while preserving synchronization accuracy for the most impactful haptic elements.
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
This approach enhances the user experience by providing a more immersive and synchronized audio-haptic experience, improving the perception of audio content through tactile feedback that aligns with audio outputs, even across multiple interconnected devices.
Implementation Method 1
a haptic actuator... actuating the haptic actuator with the actuator control signal
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the invention pertain to augmented performance synchronization systems and methods. According to some embodiments of the invention, an audio waveform may be used to generate one or more haptic waveforms for one or more electronic devices. The haptic waveforms may be generated based on any of a number of factors, including features of the audio waveform, capabilities of the haptic actuators performing the haptic waveforms, the number, type and location of devices having haptic actuators, and the like. The haptic waveforms may be synchronized with performance of the audio waveform to provide an augmented listening experience to a user.