Vibration Time Reporting via Segmented Pulse Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for communicating time through vibration are complex, lengthy, and difficult to interpret, often requiring unnecessary precision and being cumbersome for everyday use, especially for individuals with impairments or in discreet situations.
Innovation Solution
A method that assigns distinct vibrations to hour and minute regions on a computing device, allowing for a concise sequence of minimal vibration pulses to approximate the time, with each hour region and minute region associated with specific vibrations, enabling quick and accurate time indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vibration is used to report time with high precision (pulsing out hour and minutes in complicated sets), then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The time reporting system is segmented into two distinct components: hour regions (1-12) and minute regions (0-59). Each region is assigned a unique vibration pattern, allowing the complex task of time reporting to be broken down into manageable, distinguishable segments that are easier to interpret individually while maintaining overall precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Different vibration characteristics are assigned to different time regions. Hour regions use one set of vibration patterns while minute regions use another, creating local differentiation in the vibration quality. This allows the system to convey precise time information through distinct, region-specific vibration signatures that are easier to distinguish.
2Measurement precision
If complicated vibration sets are used to indicate time, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration sequence is segmented into hour-indicating vibrations and minute-indicating vibrations. This segmentation allows users to separately process and interpret hour information from minute information, reducing the cognitive load and making the overall time interpretation easier despite maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Distinct vibration qualities are assigned to hour regions versus minute regions, creating local differentiation that aids interpretation. Users can distinguish between hour vibrations and minute vibrations through their different characteristics, making the overall system easier to operate and interpret.
3Measurement precision
If detailed time information is communicated through vibration, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to lengthy sequences
Solution Approach 1:
The time communication process is segmented into two efficient phases: hour indication followed by minute indication. This segmentation allows the system to convey complete time information in a structured, time-efficient manner, reducing the overall duration while maintaining precision through the use of distinct vibration patterns for each phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic vibration patterns to indicate hours and minutes efficiently. By employing regular, repeating vibration sequences for each time component, the system communicates detailed time information rapidly through rhythmic, easily distinguishable patterns that reduce communication time.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional vibration methods are used to report time, then adaptability is improved for impaired users, but device complexity increases making it difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The time reporting system is segmented into hour regions and minute regions with distinct vibration assignments. This segmentation simplifies the implementation logic by creating clear, separate mappings between time values and vibration patterns, making the system more adaptable for impaired users while reducing implementation complexity through modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for reporting a particular time using vibration is disclosed. The tool assigns a distinct vibration to separate hour regions and minute regions. The tool uses a short series of vibration pulses, one of which is the distinct vibration assigned to the hour region associated with the hour of the particular time, to indicate the hour. The tool produces the distinct vibration assigned to the minute region associated with the minute of the particular time, to indicate the minute to the nearest quarter hour. The total sequence of pulses consists of no more than five separate vibrations.