Wearable haptic feedback devices and methods of fabricating wearable haptic feedback devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017011602-A1
Application number	US-201615248303-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 26, 2016
Priority date	Dec 11, 2014
Publication date	Jan 12, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Embodiments include wearable haptic feedback devices and methods of fabricating wearable haptic feedback devices. In an illustrative embodiment given by way of non-limiting example, a wearable haptic feedback device includes: a wearable neckwear band; a plurality of haptic elements disposed about the band in a spaced-apart manner and configured to provide haptic feedback to a user; and an interface circuit configured to operatively couple each of the plurality of haptic elements individually to an electronic system.

First claim

1 . A wearable haptic feedback device comprising:
a wearable neckwear band; a plurality of haptic elements disposed about the band in a spaced-apart manner and configured to provide haptic feedback to a user; and an interface circuit configured to operatively couple each of the plurality of haptic elements individually to an electronic system.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable neckwear band is made of an elastomeric material.

3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable neckwear band has an exterior made of silicone.

4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable neckwear band is shaped to rest proximate a user's collarbone.

5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable neckwear band is shaped to rest intermediate a user's collarbone and a user's sternum.

6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable neckwear band is shaped to rest proximate an upper portion of a user's sternum.

7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable neckwear band is shaped to rest proximate a user's spine.

8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable neckwear band has a length in a range between 20 inches and 24 inches.

9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable neckwear band is made of unitary construction.

10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein:
the wearable neckwear band has a first end and a second end; and the device includes a closure configured to maintain the first end and the second end proximate each other.

11 - 13 . (canceled)

14 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of haptic elements are disposed about the band in an non-equidistant spaced-apart manner.

15 - 21 . (canceled)

22 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of haptic elements includes a plurality of haptic elements chosen from a vibrator, a tapper, an air puffer, an eccentric rotating mass, a linear resonant actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and a piezoelectric actuator.

23 - 28 . (canceled)

29 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the interface circuit is configured to operatively couple the plurality of haptic elements to an electronic system via a wireless connection.

30 - 32 . (canceled)

33 . A wearable haptic feedback device comprising:
a wearable neckwear band; a plurality of haptic elements disposed about the band in a spaced-apart manner and configured to provide haptic feedback to a user; an interface circuit configured to operatively couple each of the plurality of haptic elements individually to an electronic system wirelessly via a Bluetooth connection; and a USB port electrically coupled to the interface circuit.

34 - 61 . (canceled)

62 . A wearable haptic feedback device comprising:
a wearable neckwear band made of an elastomeric material, the wearable neckwear band being shaped to rest proximate a user's collarbone, the wearable neckwear band being further shaped to rest proximate a user's spine; a plurality of haptic elements disposed about the band in a spaced-apart manner and configured to provide haptic feedback to a user; and an interface circuit configured to operatively couple each of the plurality of haptic elements individually to an electronic system.

63 - 90 . (canceled)

91 . A wearable haptic feedback device comprising:
a wearable neckwear band; a plurality of haptic elements disposed about the band in a spaced-apart manner and configured to provide haptic feedback to a user, the plurality of haptic elements being disposed about the band in a manner to rest proximate a user's collarbone, spine, and trapezius muscles; and an interface circuit configured to operatively couple each of the plurality of haptic elements individually to an electronic system.

92 - 119 . (canceled)

120 . A wearable haptic feedback device comprising:
a wearable neckwear band made of an elastomeric material, the wearable neckwear band being shaped to rest proximate a user's collarbone, the wearable neckwear band being further shaped to rest proximate a user's spine, the wearable neckwear band having a first end and a second end; a closure configured to maintain the first end and the second end proximate each other; a plurality of haptic elements disposed about the band in a spaced-apart manner and configured to provide haptic feedback to a user; and an interface circuit configured to operatively couple each of the plurality of haptic elements individually to an electronic system wirelessly via a Bluetooth connection.

121 - 127 . (canceled)

128 . The device of claim 120 , wherein the plurality of haptic elements are disposed about the band in an non-equidistant spaced-apart manner.

129 . The device of claim 128 , wherein a first set of the plurality of haptic elements that are configured to rest proximate a user's chest have a first spacing distance therebetween and a second set of the plurality of haptic elements that are configured to rest proximate a user's back have a second spacing distance therebetween that is shorter than the first spacing distance.

130 - 138 . (canceled)

139 . The device of claim 120 , further comprising at least one light disposed on an external surface of the wearable neckwear band and operatively coupled to the interface circuit.

140 . The device of claim 139 , wherein the at least one light is configured to indicate at least one attribute chosen from energization of the interface circuit, identification of an actuated haptic element, identification of a user, and condition of a user.

141 . The device of claim 120 , wherein the interface circuit is configured to operatively couple each of the plurality of haptic elements individually to an electronic system via a wired electrical connection.

142 . The device of claim 141 , wherein the device further comprises a USB port electrically coupled to the interface circuit.

143 . The device of claim 120 , wherein the interface circuit is configured to operatively couple the plurality of haptic elements to an electronic system via a wireless connection.

144 . The device of claim 143 , wherein the wireless connection includes a connection chosen from an optical connection, an infrared connection, a radiofrequency connection, a WiFi connection, and a Bluetooth connection.

145 . The device of claim 120 , further comprising a user interface controller operably coupled to the interface circuit.

146 . The device of claim 145 , wherein the user interface controller includes at least one of an on/off switch, a multi-function control switch, and a fingerprint sensor.

147 . A wearable haptic feedback device comprising:
a wearable neckwear band having a first end and a second end; a closure configured to maintain the first end and the second end proximate each other; a plurality of haptic elements disposed about the band in a spaced-apart manner and configured to provide haptic feedback to a user, the plurality of haptic elements being disposed about the band in a manner to rest proximate a user's collarbone, spine, and trapezius muscles; and an interface circuit configured to operatively couple each of the plurality of haptic elements individually to an electronic system wirelessly via a Bluetooth connection.

148 - 172 . (ca

Assignees

• Elwha Llc

Inventors

• Brav Ehren J
• Bright G Scott
• Buesseler Joshua
• Chan Alistair K
• Duncan William David
• Kaser Aren Anders
• Lowe Jr Edward Stephen
• Mcbeath Sean Gregory
• Mcclellan Carole
• Murphy Sean Patrick
• Singer Marc

Classifications

• H04W4/80

  Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication · CPC title

• G06F1/163

  Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt · CPC title

• G08B6/00 Primary

  Tactile signalling systems, e.g. tactile personal calling systems · CPC title

• G08B5/36

  using visible light sources · CPC title

• H04W4/008

  Electricity · mapped topic