Tactile Communication System for Remote Touch Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional communication systems are inadequate in transmitting tactile information, failing to effectively convey the attributes of touch forces and patterns between users in a remote setting.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that analyze touch inputs from a user, determine their characterization, and communicate this information to another system to provide a corresponding tactile output, utilizing various sensors and communication protocols to recreate the touch experience across different geographical locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional communication systems are used, then audio and video information can be transmitted, but tactile information cannot be adequately communicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile information transmission capabilityVSAvoidtactile attribute information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces tactile feedback apparatuses as intermediary devices that convert physical touch actions into transmittable signals and reconstruct them at the remote location. These apparatuses act as mediators between the user's physical touch and the remote system, enabling tactile information transmission through wireless communication of force attributes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical contact with a system using sensors, wireless communication, and signal processing. Instead of physical connection, tactile information is transmitted by converting mechanical force attributes into electrical signals, transmitting them wirelessly, and converting them back to mechanical feedback at the remote end.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If tactile feedback apparatuses are used to transmit reaction forces, then tactile information can be communicated, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile information transmission accuracyVSAvoidtactile feedback apparatus complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential attributes of touch forces (magnitude, direction, duration, frequency) needed for tactile communication, rather than transmitting complete physical touch data. This extraction approach reduces data complexity while maintaining tactile information fidelity, allowing accurate tactile transmission with simplified system requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If touch characterization analysis is performed to determine output signals, then accurate tactile recreation is achieved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch characterization accuracyVSAvoidtactile information processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary analysis of touch characteristics (force magnitude, direction, duration, frequency patterns) before generating output signals. By pre-characterizing the touch input parameters, the system can quickly generate appropriate tactile output without extensive real-time processing, reducing latency while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2365421B1Tactile communication system
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
  • EP2365421B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2365421B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2365421B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for communicating tactile information from a first system, receiving a touch input from a user, to a second system.