Tactile Signal Metadata for Multi-Position Haptic Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
The most widespread multichannel audio transmission systems, such as 5.1 channel, are limited in transmitting tactile presentation signals, allowing only tactile presentation at four positions, which is insufficient for effective tactile production.
Innovation Solution
A transmission apparatus and method that generates and transmits a signal including audio and tactile presentation signals with metadata designating targeted tactile presentation positions, enabling output at more positions than the number of channels, using various transmission paths like coaxial, optical, or HDMI cables, and dynamically changing metadata for seamless transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tactile presentation signals are transmitted using conventional multichannel audio transmission systems (e.g., 5.1 channel), then the transmission system is simple and widely compatible, but tactile presentation can only be performed at limited positions (four positions), which is insufficient for effective tactile production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces metadata as an additional dimension to the traditional audio transmission signal. This metadata field specifies the tactile presentation positions corresponding to each tactile signal channel, enabling the system to map multiple tactile channels to various physical positions without increasing the physical number of channels. This dimensional addition allows flexible tactile presentation positioning while maintaining the simplicity of the transmission signal structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of tactile presentation positions is increased beyond the number of transmission channels, then tactile presentation coverage is improved, but the complexity of signal processing and position mapping increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary element between the tactile presentation signals and the physical tactile devices. This metadata acts as a mapping guide that specifies which tactile signal channels correspond to which physical positions, eliminating the need for complex real-time signal processing to determine position mappings. The metadata pre-establishes the correspondence relationships, simplifying the processing requirements while enabling extensive tactile presentation coverage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If tactile presentation positions are dynamically changed to synchronize with audio content, then user immersion and experience are improved, but discontinuous changes may cause user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the metadata to specify tactile presentation positions before the actual tactile presentation occurs. The system can anticipate position changes and prepare appropriate transition parameters in advance, allowing smooth transitions between different tactile positions synchronized with audio content changes. This preliminary preparation prevents abrupt discontinuities and reduces user discomfort while maintaining synchronization with the audio experience.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a transmission signal to enable tactile presentation at more positions than the number of channels of a tactile vibration signal that can be transmitted. The transmission signal includes audio signals of a predetermined number of channels and tactile presentation signals of a predetermined number of channels and to which metadata designating the tactile presentation position targeted by each of the tactile presentation signals of the predetermined number of channels is added is generated. The transmission signal is transmitted to a reception side via a predetermined transmission path. For example, the metadata is dynamically changed to dynamically change the tactile presentation position targeted by each of the tactile presentation signals of the predetermined number of channels.