Floor-based haptic communication system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device comprising:
- a surface to form part of a flooring structure for use by a user formed from a first material having a first stiffness;
a sensor coupled to the surface and a controller, the sensor providing a sensor output signal in dependence upon pressure being applied to the surface by the user by moving at least one of onto, across, and off the surface;
at least one vibrotactile actuator coupled to the surface, the at least one vibrotactile actuator for receiving a control signal from the controller and generating a vibratory motion of the surface during the user'"'"'s movement; and
the controller for generating the control signal to the at least one vibrotactile actuator, the control signal controlling the vibratory motion of the surface generated by the at least vibrotactile actuator and established in dependence upon at least the sensor output signal and a second material;
whereinthe vibratory motion applied to the surface by the at least one vibrotactile actuator in combination with the user'"'"'s pressure upon the surface modify a first compliance the user associates with the surface as being lower than a second compliance the user associates with the surface when no vibratory motion is applied.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present relates to a system for providing vibration feedback to at least one foot. The system comprises at least one rigid surface for receiving the at least one foot, one vibrotactile actuator for each of the at least one rigid surface, and a suspension mechanism. The vibrotactile actuator is installed underneath the corresponding rigid surface and provides vibration feedback there through. The suspension mechanism supports the at least one rigid surface.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A device comprising:
-
a surface to form part of a flooring structure for use by a user formed from a first material having a first stiffness; a sensor coupled to the surface and a controller, the sensor providing a sensor output signal in dependence upon pressure being applied to the surface by the user by moving at least one of onto, across, and off the surface; at least one vibrotactile actuator coupled to the surface, the at least one vibrotactile actuator for receiving a control signal from the controller and generating a vibratory motion of the surface during the user'"'"'s movement; and the controller for generating the control signal to the at least one vibrotactile actuator, the control signal controlling the vibratory motion of the surface generated by the at least vibrotactile actuator and established in dependence upon at least the sensor output signal and a second material;
whereinthe vibratory motion applied to the surface by the at least one vibrotactile actuator in combination with the user'"'"'s pressure upon the surface modify a first compliance the user associates with the surface as being lower than a second compliance the user associates with the surface when no vibratory motion is applied. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A device comprising:
-
a surface to form part of a flooring structure for use by a user formed from a first material having a first stiffness; a sensor coupled to the surface and a controller, the sensor providing a sensor output signal in dependence upon pressure being applied to the surface by the user by moving at least one of onto, across, and off the surface; at least one vibrotactile actuator coupled to the surface, the at least one vibrotactile actuator for receiving a control signal from the controller and generating vibratory motion of the surface during the user'"'"'s movement; and the controller for generating the control signal to the at least one vibrotactile actuator, the control signal controlling the vibratory motion of the surface generated by the at least vibrotactile actuator and established in dependence upon at least the sensor output signal, a second material, and a virtual impact transient model relating to human locomotion on the second material. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
17. A method comprising:
-
storing first data relating to a virtual impact transient model within a memory of a controller, the virtual impact transient model defining frequency and amplitude data relating to the vibratory motion of a surface formed from a first material, the virtual impact transient model generated based upon surveying a plurality of individuals for their views of the compliance of the surface under a range of vibratory excitations and the compliance of other floor surfaces comprised of other materials; receiving at the controller second data relating to a material; receiving at the controller third data relating to pressure being applied to a tile that forms part of a flooring structure being used by a user in moving at least one of onto, across, and off the surface; generating with the controller a control signal for controlling a mechanical actuator coupled to the tile, the control signal generated in dependence upon at least first data, the second data and the third data.
-
Specification