EP-4735978-A1 - HAPTIC FEEDBACK HEADPIECE

EP4735978A1EP 4735978 A1EP4735978 A1EP 4735978A1EP-4735978-A1

Abstract

A haptic feedback apparatus is described. The haptic feedback apparatus comprises a headpiece (110) that conforms to a neurocranium (202) of a user (102) and a haptic processor (113). The headpiece (110) comprises left and right haptic actuators (112). The haptic processor (113) is configured to process an input signal and activate the left and right haptic actuators (112) according to the input signal. The left and right haptic actuators (112) are located on the headpiece (110) to abut the neurocranium (202) of the user (102) when the headpiece (110) is worn by the user (102). The left and right haptic actuators (112) provide haptic feedback to the user (102) via the neurocranium (202) upon activation by the haptic processor (113).

Inventors

TIRMIZI, Syed Asad
ISRAR, ALI
SCHWEMLER, Zachary
ZHAO, Dehao
CHENG, Erting
SAETERN, Kaochoy

Assignees

Lemon Inc.
Beijing Zitiao Network Technology Co., Ltd.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20230629

Claims (20)

A haptic feedback apparatus, comprising: a headpiece that conforms to a neurocranium of a user, the headpiece comprising left and right haptic actuators; a haptic processor configured to process an input signal and activate the left and right haptic actuators according to the input signal; wherein the left and right haptic actuators are located on the headpiece to abut the neurocranium of the user when the headpiece is worn by the user; and wherein the left and right haptic actuators provide haptic feedback to the user via the neurocranium upon activation by the haptic processor.
The haptic feedback apparatus of claim 1, wherein the haptic processor is integral with the headpiece.
The haptic feedback apparatus of claim 1, the haptic feedback apparatus further comprising: an audio processor configured to receive an audio signal, extract a low frequency portion of the audio signal, and provide the extracted low frequency portion of the audio signal to the haptic processor as the input signal; wherein the haptic processor activates the left and right haptic actuators based on the extracted low frequency portion of the audio signal.
The haptic feedback apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the headpiece is configured to removably engage an extended reality (XR) headset; and the left and right haptic actuators are located on the headpiece to abut the neurocranium of the user when the headpiece is engaged with the XR headset and the XR headset is worn by the user.
The haptic feedback apparatus of claim 1, wherein the left and right haptic actuators are located on the headpiece to abut locations adjacent to left and right sides of an occipital bone of the neurocranium when the headpiece is worn by the user.
The haptic feedback apparatus of claim 1, wherein the left and right haptic actuators are located on the headpiece to abut locations adjacent to left and right temporal bones of the neurocranium, respectively, when the headpiece is worn by the user.
The haptic feedback apparatus of claim 1, the haptic feedback apparatus further comprising: a communications processor configured to coordinate the haptic feedback provided by the left and right haptic actuators with haptic feedback provided by external haptic actuators.
A haptic feedback apparatus, comprising: an extended reality (XR) headset having a visual display, a left haptic actuator, and a right haptic actuator, the XR headset conforming to a skull of a user; and a haptic processor configured to process an input signal and activate the left and right haptic actuators according to the input signal; wherein the left and right haptic actuators are located on the XR headset to abut a neurocranium of the user when the XR headset is worn by the user; and wherein the left and right haptic actuators provide haptic feedback to the user via the neurocranium upon activation by the haptic processor.
The haptic feedback apparatus of claim 8, wherein the haptic processor is integral with the XR headset.
The haptic feedback apparatus of claim 8, the haptic feedback apparatus further comprising an audio processor configured to receive an audio signal, extract a low frequency portion of the audio signal, and provide the extracted low frequency portion of the audio signal to the haptic processor as the input signal; wherein the haptic processor activates the left and right haptic actuators based on the extracted low frequency portion of the audio signal.
The haptic feedback apparatus of claim 8, wherein the left and right haptic actuators are located on the XR headset to abut locations adjacent to left and right sides of an occipital bone of the neurocranium when the XR headset is worn by the user.
The haptic feedback apparatus of claim 8, wherein the left and right haptic actuators are located on the headset to abut locations adjacent to left and right temporal bones of the neurocranium, respectively, when the XR headset is worn by the user.
The haptic feedback apparatus of claim 8, the apparatus further comprising: one or more external haptic actuators that are external to the XR headset and abut the user; and a communications processor configured to coordinate the haptic feedback provided by the left and right haptic actuators with haptic feedback provided by the one or more external haptic actuators.
A method for providing haptic feedback, the method comprising: receiving an input signal corresponding to content that is provided to a user; processing the input signal to generate actuation signals for haptic actuators of a headpiece worn by the user, wherein at least some of the haptic actuators abut left and right sides of a neurocranium of the user; and causing the haptic actuators to activate according to the actuation signals and in coordination with the content to provide the haptic feedback to the user.
The method of claim 14, wherein the content comprises one or more of audio content or video content that is provided to the user via an extended reality (XR) headset.
The method of claim 14, wherein the input signal is an audio signal from the content and processing the input signal comprises extracting a low frequency portion of the audio signal to generate the actuation signals.
The method of claim 16, wherein the audio signal is a multi-channel audio signal and the low frequency portion comprises a low frequency effects channel of the multi-channel audio signal.
The method of claim 16, wherein the audio signal is a multi-channel audio signal and extracting the low frequency portion comprises extracting a left low frequency portion and a right low frequency portion from left and right channels of the multi-channel audio signal.
The method of claim 14, wherein processing the input signal comprises filtering, from the actuation signals, a frequency range corresponding to an interference range of a spatial orientation device.
The method of claim 14, wherein processing the input signal to generate the actuation signals comprises generating the actuation signals to cause a flow of haptic feedback intensity among the haptic actuators.

Description

HAPTIC FEEDBACK HEADPIECE BACKGROUND Haptics is an under-utilized sensory modality in many consumer electronic products. Its main deployment is on haptic devices such as hand-held computing devices (e.g., mobile phones or hand-held game devices) and hand-held controllers that contain haptic actuators. This is in part because the human hand has the highest tactile perceptual acuity. Although other body locations such as feet, head, and neck may support a good perception of tactile stimuli, these locations are not effectively utilized by haptic devices. Such devices may cause fatigue or discomfort to a user, or interfere with audio devices in proximity to the haptic devices, etc. It is with respect to these and other general considerations that embodiments have been described. Also, although relatively specific problems have been discussed, it should be understood that the embodiments should not be limited to solving the specific problems identified in the background. SUMMARY Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to providing haptic feedback. In one aspect, a haptic feedback apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises: a headpiece that conforms to a neurocranium of a user, the headpiece comprising left and right haptic actuators; a haptic processor configured to process an input signal and activate the left and right haptic actuators according to the input signal. The left and right haptic actuators are located on the headpiece to abut the neurocranium of the user when the headpiece is worn by the user. The left and right haptic actuators provide haptic feedback to the user via the neurocranium upon activation by the haptic processor. In another aspect, a haptic feedback apparatus is provided. The haptic feedback apparatus comprises an extended reality (XR) headset having a visual display, a left haptic actuator, and a right haptic actuator. The XR headset conforms to a skull of a user. The apparatus also comprises a haptic processor configured to process an input signal and activate the left and right haptic actuators according to the input signal. The left and right haptic actuators are located on the XR headset to abut a neurocranium of the user when the XR headset is worn by the user. The left and right haptic actuators provide haptic feedback to the user via the neurocranium upon activation by the haptic processor. In yet another aspect, a method for providing haptic feedback is provided. The method comprises: receiving an input signal corresponding to content that is provided to a user; processing the input signal to generate actuation signals for haptic actuators of a headpiece worn by the user, wherein at least some of the haptic actuators abut left and right sides of a neurocranium of the user; and causing the haptic actuators to activate according to the actuation signals and in coordination with the content to provide the haptic feedback to the user. This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples are described with reference to the following Figures. Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of an example of a haptic feedback system, according to an example embodiment. Figs. 2A, 2B, and 2C show diagrams of example locations for haptic actuators for a headpiece, according to an example embodiment. Figs. 3A, 3B, and 3C show diagrams of an example headpiece and headset for a user, according to an example embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of an example method for providing haptic feedback, according to an example embodiment. Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating example physical components of a computing device with which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. Figs. 6 and 7 are simplified block diagrams of a mobile computing device with which aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrations specific embodiments or examples. These aspects may be combined, other aspects may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the present disclosure. Embodiments may be practiced as methods, systems, or devices. Accordingly, embodiments may take the form of a hardware implementation, an entirely software implementation, or an implementation combining software and hardware aspects. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. The present disclosure describes various examples of a headpiece having haptic ac