Wearable Haptic Feedback With Distributed Motors for Musical Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haptic devices fail to precisely convey the richness and complexity of musical compositions to deaf or hard of hearing individuals, lacking precision, scalability, and user-centric design.
Innovation Solution
A wearable garment equipped with acoustic sensors and vibrational motors that generate vibrational patterns corresponding to musical notes and rhythm, processed in real-time by a controller to provide immersive haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual representations of music (light shows) are used, then sensory input is provided, but the richness and complexity of musical elements cannot be captured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual light-based feedback with mechanical haptic feedback through vibrational motors. This substitution allows the transmission of musical information through tactile vibrations that can convey rhythm, melody, and harmony, thereby capturing the richness and complexity of musical elements while avoiding the information loss inherent in visual representations.
2Measurement precision
If haptic feedback technology is used, then tactile sensations are generated, but precision and scalability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the haptic feedback system into multiple independent vibrational motors distributed across the wearable garment. Each motor can be independently controlled to deliver precise haptic feedback at specific locations, enabling both high precision and scalability without requiring a single complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the characteristics of haptic feedback (frequency, amplitude, pattern) based on the analyzed musical elements. The controller processes audio signals in real-time and modulates the vibrational motors accordingly, allowing precise adaptation of haptic output to match the temporal and spectral characteristics of the music being experienced.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing haptic devices are used, then some sensory input is provided, but user-centric design and personalization are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements different haptic feedback characteristics at different locations on the wearable garment. Specific vibrational patterns, frequencies, and intensities are assigned to different body regions, creating a personalized and spatially differentiated haptic experience that adapts to user preferences and anatomical variations while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
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
Enables deaf or hard of hearing individuals to experience music through precise and personalized tactile sensations, capturing the nuances of musical elements.
Implementation Method 1
a means for sensing an acoustic wave disposed on at least one surface of the supporting structure or embedded in the supporting structure; a controller communicably engaged with the means for sensing the acoustic wave via at least one bus, wherein the means for sensing the acoustic wave is configured to provide at least one signal to the controller in response to sensing one or more acoustic wave
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of vibrational motors operably engaged with the controller, wherein each vibrational motor in the plurality of vibrational motors is disposed on at least one surface of the supporting structure or embedded in the supporting structure, wherein each vibrational motor in the plurality of vibrational motors is configured to generate a vibrational output in response to a control signal from the controller
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable haptic feedback apparatus and system for deaf and hard of hearing persons comprising a wearable garment, an acoustic sensing means, and one or more haptic output means. In accordance with certain embodiments, the wearable haptic feedback apparatus and system is configured to process an audio input comprising a musical composition in real-time to generate a series of haptic outputs (e.g., at a body part of a user) according to the musical notes and/or rhythm of the musical composition.