Tactile-based guidance system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A guidance system comprising:
- a head mount;
one or more audio transducers attached to the head mount that provide 3D audio;
one or more tactors attached to the head mount; and
an electronics module connected to the one or more tactors and the one or more audio transducers; and
wherein;
the one or more tactors are positioned in the head mount so as to make physical contact with a person'"'"'s head substantially about a circumference disposed above eyes and ears of the person'"'"'s head when the head mount is situated on the person'"'"'s head;
the 3D audio exhibits front/back confusion; and
the electronics module provides signals to the one or more tactors to indicate a direction that removes the front/back confusion for the person.
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Abstract
A tactile-based guidance system incorporating tactors in headgear, such as a hat, helmet, or hood. Tactors may provide tactile sensations at different places about the head to convey information to a person such as direction, bearing, movement, orientation, and the like, of the person wearing the tactors. The system may also include an optional multi-dimensional sound mechanism which provides indications of direction, bearing, and other information. One or more tactors may be resorted to for resolving any ambiguity in the sound indications.
34 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A guidance system comprising:
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a head mount; one or more audio transducers attached to the head mount that provide 3D audio; one or more tactors attached to the head mount; and an electronics module connected to the one or more tactors and the one or more audio transducers; and wherein; the one or more tactors are positioned in the head mount so as to make physical contact with a person'"'"'s head substantially about a circumference disposed above eyes and ears of the person'"'"'s head when the head mount is situated on the person'"'"'s head; the 3D audio exhibits front/back confusion; and the electronics module provides signals to the one or more tactors to indicate a direction that removes the front/back confusion for the person. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for physical guidance of a person, comprising:
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placing a plurality of tactors in physical contact with the person about a circumference disposed above eyes and ears of the person'"'"'s head; providing multi-dimensional audio to a person; and providing signals from the one or more tactors in a form of physical stimulation at one or places proximate to the person'"'"'s head; and wherein; the multi-dimensional audio provides sound appearing to be from an ambiguous direction to the person hearing the sound; and the plurality of tactors provides disambiguation signals to resolve the ambiguous direction from the multi-dimensional audio. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A tactile guidance system comprising:
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a structure; one or more tactors attached to the structure; a signal source connected to the one or more tactors; and a multi-dimensional sound transducer attached to the structure; and wherein; the signal source is for providing direction and/or location information about the structure to the one or more tactors; the structure is for providing contact between the one or more tactors and a surface on a person'"'"'s head; the sound transducer is connected to the signal source; the sound transducer provides a sound indicating an ambiguous direction; and the one or more tactors provide a tactile signal to resolve the ambiguity of the direction of the sound. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A tactile guidance system comprising:
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a head mount; a front tactor and a back tactor attached to the head mount, the front tactor and the back tactor each positioned in the head mount so as to make physical contact with a person'"'"'s head substantially in the front and the back, respectively, of the person'"'"'s head, above the level of eyes and ears of the person'"'"'s head; one or more audio transducers attached to the head mount; an electronics module connected to the front tactor, the back tactor, and the one or more audio transducers; and wherein; the one or more audio transducers provide a sound indicating a 3D direction; the 3D direction of the sound is ambiguous; and the front tactor and the back tactor provide a tactile signal to resolve the ambiguity of the 3D direction of the sound.
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Specification