SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING SOUND AS VIBRATIONS
First Claim
1. A method for presenting audio signals as tactile stimuli to a user comprising:
- receiving at least one source audio signal to be presented to the user; and
in accordance with a sensory substitution model, outputting respective output signals comprising the entire range of frequencies of the at least one source audio signal for driving four or more output channels of a vibrotactile display wherein each output channel is presented via at least one vibrotactile device positioned for providing tactile stimuli directly or indirectly to a portion of the user'"'"'s body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a method and a system for presenting audio signals as vibrotactile stimuli to the body in accordance with a Model Human Cochlea (MHC). Audio signals are obtained for presentation. The audio signals are separated into multiple bands of discrete frequency ranges that encompass the complete audio signal. Those signals are output to multiple vibrotactile devices. The vibrotactile devices may be positioned in a respective housing to intensify and constrain a vibrational energy from the vibrotactile devices. Output of the vibrotactile devices stimulate the cutaneous receptors of the skin at the locations where the vibrotactile devices are placed. In one embodiment, a system implements this method using audio voice coils that are embedded in a chair, which make contact with the human body while seated.
31 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for presenting audio signals as tactile stimuli to a user comprising:
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receiving at least one source audio signal to be presented to the user; and in accordance with a sensory substitution model, outputting respective output signals comprising the entire range of frequencies of the at least one source audio signal for driving four or more output channels of a vibrotactile display wherein each output channel is presented via at least one vibrotactile device positioned for providing tactile stimuli directly or indirectly to a portion of the user'"'"'s body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computing device for presenting audio signals as tactile stimuli to a user, said device comprising a processor and memory coupled thereto, said memory storing instructions for configuring the processor to:
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receive at least one source audio signal to be presented to the user; and in accordance with a sensory substitution model, output respective output signals comprising the entire range of frequencies of the at least one source audio signal for driving four or more output channels of a vibrotactile display wherein each output channel is presented via at least one vibrotactile device positioned for providing tactile stimuli directly or indirectly to a portion of the user'"'"'s body. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer program product comprising a computer memory storing computer readable instructions for presenting audio signals as tactile stimuli to a user, which instructions when executed by a computer processor configure the processor to:
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receive at least one source audio signal to be presented to the user; and in accordance with a sensory substitution model, output respective output signals comprising the entire range of frequencies of the at least one source audio signal for driving four or more output channels of a vibrotactile display wherein each output channel is presented via at least one vibrotactile device positioned for providing tactile stimuli directly or indirectly to a portion of the user'"'"'s body.
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18. A system for presenting audio signals as tactile stimuli to a user comprising:
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a signal processing sub-system having an output for output signals to drive four or more output channels in accordance with a sensory substitution model, said output signals comprising the entire range of frequencies of at least one source audio signal to be presented to the user; and a vibrotactile display configured to receive the output signals and comprising the four or more output channels, wherein each output channel is presented via at least one vibrotactile device, each vibrotactile device configured for positioning to provide tactile stimuli directly or indirectly to a portion of the user'"'"'s body. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification