Wearable Cue Receiver With Haptic Alerts for Backstage Coordination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Theater communication systems face challenges such as missed or misheard cues, excessive communication traffic, and bulky, expensive wireless headsets that distract crew members and require supplementary written instructions, leading to inefficiencies in backstage coordination.
Innovation Solution
A wearable theater communication system using LoRaWAN protocols, comprising discreet, compact receiver devices with screens and haptic motors for cue alerts, and transmitter devices for secure, efficient cue transmission, tailored to specific backstage teams, with features like UV lighting and energy-saving mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless headsets are used for theater communication, then real-time cue delivery is enabled, but the headsets become bulky and expensive while distracting crew members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential communication function from the bulky headset by implementing a wearable device that can be worn on the body (such as a wristband or chest strap). This separates the communication functionality from the traditional headset form factor, reducing the distraction and discomfort while maintaining real-time cue delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs LoRaWAN technology which uses low-cost, license-free radio frequency bands instead of expensive licensed spectrum. This enables cost-effective wearable devices that can be easily deployed across multiple crew members without the high costs associated with traditional wireless headset systems.
2Reliability
If traditional wireless headsets are used, then communication coverage is provided, but excessive communication traffic and missed cues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into team-specific channels using LoRaWAN mesh networking. Each crew member or team receives communication only relevant to their function, reducing unnecessary communication traffic and preventing missed cues from irrelevant information. The mesh network structure divides the overall communication load across multiple low-power nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides localized communication quality by delivering cues and information only to the specific crew members or teams that need them. The LoRaWAN mesh network enables selective broadcasting where each node can identify and forward information to designated recipients, ensuring high reliability for relevant cues while filtering out unnecessary communication traffic.
3Reliability
If written instructions are carried as supplementary, then cue accuracy is maintained, but productivity decreases due to additional tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device with LoRaWAN communication enables self-service cue delivery where the system automatically transmits cues to the appropriate crew members without requiring manual distribution of written instructions. The device autonomously manages communication, displays cues on its display, and provides haptic feedback, freeing crew members from the task of manually handling and referencing written materials.
4Use of energy by moving object
If LoRaWAN technology is used, then long-range communication with low power consumption is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional wearable device that integrates LoRaWAN communication, display output, haptic feedback, and positioning capabilities into a single unit. This universal device serves multiple purposes for the crew member including communication, information display, tactile alerting, and location tracking, justifying the included complexity through consolidated functionality rather than multiple separate devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for processing cues during a theater performance are disclosed. A wearable device including a screen, a haptic motor, and wired and wireless communication interfaces is associated with a category of tasks related to the performance and alerts a user about cues belonging to the category of tasks that the device is associated with. The device receives a first cue and an associated first identifier associated with a first task. The device determines whether the first cue belongs to the first category of tasks and, in response to determining that the first cue belongs to the first category of tasks, alerts the user about the first cue by displaying the first cue, the first identifier, or a text string associated with the first cue on the screen and generating, from the haptic motor, a first vibration signal associated with the first cue.