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US 8,710,965 B2Granted
Devices, systems, and methods for tactile feedback and input
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorKevin Ansia Li
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to tactile communication. Devices are included for direct tactile input and having logic for conversion of speech and other forms of audio into vibrotactile sequences. Vibrotactile sequences are transmitted to devices equipped with tactile output, such as vibrators. Voice coil vibrators create sensations of tapping and rubbing in addition to vibration.
Claims15
A tactile communication device comprising:
- a vibrator comprising a first voice coil motor, the first voice coil motor comprising a head, and the head comprising a second voice coil motor;
- a processor;
- and
- a memory that stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising
- in response to an event that triggers the vibrator, determining whether a standard vibration or a non-standard vibration is to be used for the event,
- if the processor determines that the standard vibration is to be used for the event, sending a standard signal to the vibrator to instruct the vibrator to vibrate for a predefined duration,
- if the processor determines that the non-standard vibration is to be used for the event,
- creating a vibrotactile sequence, and
- instructing the vibrator to vibrate according to the vibrotactile sequence.
6 more elements
A tactile communication system comprising:
- a tactile communication device comprising
- a vibrator comprising a first voice coil motor, the first voice coil motor comprising a head, and the head comprising a second voice coil motor
- a tactile communication device processor, and
- a tactile communication device memory;
- and
- a control communication device in communication with the tactile communication device, the control communication device comprising
- a tactile input device through which a user can provide a tactile input,
- a control communication device processor, and
- a control communication device memory that stores control communication device instructions that, when executed by the control communication device processor, cause the control communication device processor to perform control communication device operations comprising
- detecting the tactile input from the user as provided via the tactile input device,
- generating a vibrotactile sequence based, at least partially, upon the tactile input, and
- sending the vibrotactile sequence to the tactile communication device;
- and
- wherein the tactile communication device processor executes tactile communication device instructions stored on the tactile communication device memory to perform tactile communication device operations comprising
- receiving the vibrotactile sequence from the control communication device, and
- activating the vibrator according to the vibrotactile sequence.
13 more elements
A method of tactile communication, the method comprising:
- in response to an event that triggers a vibrator, determining, by a tactile communication device comprising a processor, whether a standard vibration or a non-standard vibration is to be used for the event,
- if the tactile communication device determines that the standard vibration is to be used for the event, sending, by the tactile communication device, a standard signal to the vibrator to instruct the vibrator to vibrate for a predefined duration,
- if the tactile communication device determines that the non-standard vibration is to be used for the event,
- creating, by the tactile communication device, a vibrotactile sequence, and
- instructing, by the tactile communication device, the vibrator to vibrate according to the vibrotactile sequence;
- wherein the vibrator comprises a first voice coil motor, the first voice coil motor comprising a head, and the head comprising a second voice coil motor.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.