Vibration Control Unit for Input Device Sound Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vibration actuators in input devices can cause discomfort to individuals around the user due to sound leakage, especially when background music is intended to be kept private, such as during gaming.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a vibration control unit that adjusts the vibration output based on surrounding environment information, including attributes and actions of individuals nearby, to minimize sound disturbance while maintaining user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vibration output is increased to enhance user sense of presence, then user experience is improved, but sound discomfort to surrounding people increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration output is made dynamically adjustable based on surrounding environment. The system automatically detects the presence of other people and adjusts vibration intensity accordingly, transitioning from static high output to adaptive output levels that balance user experience with social consideration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates environmental sensing feedback to monitor the presence of surrounding people and adjusts vibration output based on this feedback. The sensing device provides real-time information about the environment, enabling the control unit to modify vibration characteristics appropriately.
2Loss of information
If headphones are used to prevent sound leakage, then privacy is improved, but vibration sound from input device becomes more noticeable to surrounding people
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful vibration sound into a beneficial adaptive response. When headphones are detected as connected, the system recognizes the need for enhanced privacy and adjusts vibration output to compensate, while still considering the presence of other people to avoid excessive discomfort.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If vibration amplitude is reduced to decrease sound disturbance, then comfort to surrounding people is improved, but sense of presence for user deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes vibration parameters (amplitude, frequency, pattern) based on environmental conditions. Rather than simply reducing amplitude, the control unit adjusts multiple parameters to maintain the sense of presence while minimizing sound disturbance, such as using lower frequency vibrations that are less audible but still provide tactile feedback.
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
Effectively reduces sound discomfort to people around the user by dynamically controlling vibration frequencies and amplitudes according to the environment, ensuring a private gaming experience without compromising the sense of presence.
Implementation Method 1
a technique of incorporating an actuator or the like in an input device that operates content of a game or the like and providing a tactile stimulation such as vibration to a user holding the input device
Implementation Method 2
a sound caused by vibration of an actuator that vibrates an input device may cause discomfort to a person around the game user
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing apparatus-readable recording medium that are capable of adjusting sound caused by vibration of a vibration output unit that vibrates an input device in accordance with the surrounding situation of a game user. The information processing apparatus includes a vibration control unit. The vibration control unit controls vibration of a vibration output unit to change a sound caused by the vibration of the vibration output unit on a basis of surrounding environment information of an input device including a vibration output unit, the input device being held by a user.