Wearable Haptic Feedback for Discreet Temporal Notifications
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable computing systems lack an effective method to provide temporal feedback to users without disturbing others, such as notifications at specific times or during presentations, which are not adequately addressed by existing vibration-based alert systems.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with a controller and feedback mechanism, including a vibrational motor, that provides haptic feedback at predetermined time parameters, such as the beginning of an hour or during presentations, allowing users to be notified discreetly through varying vibrations in duration, intensity, and direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vibration-based alert systems are used to notify users, then users can receive notifications, but the notifications may disturb others nearby
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the notification function from traditional audible/visual alert systems and implements it through haptic feedback mechanisms embedded in wearable devices. This separates the notification delivery from public spaces, allowing users to receive alerts privately through tactile sensations while eliminating the harmful effect of disturbing others nearby.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If discrete alarm vibrations are used for notifications, then users can be alerted without alerting others, but the system lacks temporal precision for scheduled notifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the wearable device continuously monitors time parameters and provides haptic feedback notifications at precisely scheduled intervals. The system compares current time against predetermined time parameters and triggers vibrations when conditions are met, ensuring both temporal precision and discrete notification delivery without disturbing others.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional notification systems are used, then users can receive alerts, but there is no way to provide feedback during specific events like presentations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal notification system that can adapt to multiple event types including presentations, meetings, and scheduled reminders. The wearable device uses haptic feedback patterns that can be configured for different event contexts, providing versatile event-specific notifications while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through standardized vibration mechanisms and programmable control logic.
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 users to receive timely and discreet notifications, enhancing their experience by providing haptic feedback at specific times or presentation milestones without disturbing others, thus improving user engagement and awareness.
Implementation Method 1
the feedback mechanism including at least on vibrational motor operably coupled to vibrate a housing in response to a signal from the controller
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects include a system for providing feedback to a user with a wearable device. The system including a wearable device and a feedback mechanism disposed within the wearable device. The feedback mechanism the feedback mechanism including at least on vibrational motor operably coupled to vibrate a housing. A memory is provided having computer readable instructions. One or more processors are provided for executing the computer readable instructions, the one or more processors being coupled to communicate with the feedback mechanism. The computer readable instructions include defining at least one prompt point that is associated with a first time parameter. The instructions further include determining when the current time is equal to the first time parameter. The instructions provide for actuating the feedback mechanism in response to the current time being equal to the first time period.