Methods of generating tactile user feedback utilizing headphone devices and related systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016192060-A1
Application number	US-201514982647-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 29, 2015
Priority date	Dec 31, 2014
Publication date	Jun 30, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Methods of generating tactile user feedback utilizing headphone devices may involve sending a feedback signal from a computing device to a headphone device operatively connected to the computing device. A tactile vibration may be generated utilizing a tactile bass vibrator of the headphone device in response to the feedback signal. Systems for generating tactile user feedback utilizing headphone devices may include a headphone device operatively connected to a computing device, the headphone device comprising a tactile bass vibrator configured to generate a tactile vibration in response to a feedback signal received from the computing device. The computing device may be programmed to send a feedback signal to the headphone device in response to a predetermined event

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of generating tactile user feedback utilizing a headphone device, comprising:
sending a feedback signal from a computing device to a headphone device operatively connected to the computing device; and generating a tactile vibration utilizing a tactile bass vibrator of the headphone device in response to the feedback signal.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
sending an audio signal from the computing device to the headphone device; and generating audible sound utilizing a speaker of the headphone in response to the audio signal, the speaker being distinct from the tactile bass vibrator.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the feedback signal is sent concurrently with the audio signal and the tactile vibration is generated concurrently with the audible sound.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the feedback signal from the computing device to the headphone device comprises sending a feedback signal composed of bass frequency waves from the computing device to the headphone device.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the feedback signal from the computing device to the headphone device comprises sending the feedback signal from the computing device to the headphone device in response to a user input received at the computing device.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the tactile vibration utilizing the tactile bass vibrator of the headphone device in response to the feedback signal comprises generating a tactile vibration in a predetermined vibration pattern utilizing the tactile bass vibrator.

7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising selecting the predetermined vibration pattern from a set of predetermined vibration patterns stored in memory of the computing device.

8 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising defining the predetermined vibration pattern in response to user input at the computing device.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the feedback signal from the computing device to the headphone device comprises sending the feedback signal in response to at least one of:
a signal relating to physical activity of the user; a signal relating to navigation for the user; and a signal relating to an adventure sport engaged in by the user.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein:
sending the feedback signal from the computing device to the headphone device comprises sending the feedback signal in response to a signal that the user is to turn in the predetermined direction generated by the computing device; and generating the tactile vibration utilizing the tactile bass vibrator of the headphone device in response to the feedback signal comprises generating the tactile vibration in a left-side tactile bass vibrator or a right-side tactile bass vibrator of the headphone device corresponding to the predetermined direction in which the user is to turn.

11 . A system for generating tactile user feedback utilizing a headphone device, comprising:
a headphone device operatively connected to a computing device, the headphone device comprising a tactile bass vibrator configured to generate a tactile vibration in response to a feedback signal received from the computing device; wherein the computing device is programmed to send a feedback signal to the headphone device in response to a predetermined event.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the headphone device comprises a speaker distinct from the tactile bass vibrator and the computing device is programmed to send an audio signal from the computing device to the headphone device, causing the speaker of the headphone to generate audible sound in response to the audio signal.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the computing device is programmed to send the feedback signal concurrently with the audio signal, causing the tactile vibration to be generated concurrently with the audible sound.

14 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the computing device is programmed to send a feedback signal composed of bass frequency waves from the computing device to the headphone device.

15 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the computing device is programmed to send the feedback signal to cause the tactile bass vibrator of the headphone device to generate the tactile vibration in a predetermined vibration pattern.

16 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the computing device is programmed to send the feedback signal from the computing device to the headphone device comprises sending the feedback signal in response to at least one of:
a signal relating to physical activity of the user; a signal relating to navigation for the user; and a signal relating to an adventure sport engaged in by the user.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the headphone device comprises a left-side tactile bass vibrator and a right-side tactile bass vibrator located within housings corresponding to a left-side ear cup and a right-side ear cup of the headphone device.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the computing device is programmed to send the feedback signal from the computing device to the headphone device in response to a signal that the user is to turn in the predetermined direction generated by the computing device, causing the tactile bass vibrator of the headphone device to generate the tactile vibration in the left-side tactile bass vibrator or the right-side tactile bass vibrator of the headphone device corresponding to the predetermined direction in which the user is to turn.

19 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the computing device is at least one of a tablet device, a smartphone, a video game console, and an in-car infotainment system.

20 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the headphone device comprises an amplifier located within a housing of the headphone device, the amplifier being operatively connected to the tactile bass vibrator of the headphone device.

Assignees

• Skullcandy Inc

Inventors

• Noertker Sam
• Timothy John
• Windt Matthew

Classifications

• H04R2201/10

  Details of earpieces, attachments therefor, earphones or monophonic headphones covered by H04R1/10 but not provided for in any of its subgroups · CPC title

• A61B5/02438

  with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient · CPC title

• A61B5/1118

  Determining activity level · CPC title

• H04R2400/03

  Transducers capable of generating both sound as well as tactile vibration, e.g. as used in cellular phones · CPC title

• G06F3/016

  Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user · CPC title