Haptic feedback from audio stimuli
A wearable device generates haptic feedback around a 360 degree range for indicating an audio stimuli. The user/wearer receives the haptic feedback for indicating a direction from which the audio stimuli emanated. A helmet housing the device includes vibratory elements arranged in a circular frame responsive to microphones around an outer perimeter of the helmet. The frame fits snugly over a user's head, and upon detection of a distal sound by the microphones, computes and activates vibratory element corresponding to the source of the sound. The vibratory elements are arranged in a circular array, and a signal processor is particularly tuned for detecting a sharp sound such as gunfire or munition explosion. Successive sounds are followed by the haptic feedback as the user turns their head. In a tactical environment, the frame may be mounted inside a helmet and the microphones placed around the outer helmet perimeter.
1 . A wearable device for generating haptic feedback in response to an external stimuli, comprising:
a circular frame adapted for engaging a head of a user;
a plurality of sensing elements disposed on a perimeter of the circular frame;
a plurality of feedback elements disposed on the circular frame;
a sensory processor in communication with the plurality of sensing elements, the sensory processor configured to compute an angle of arrival of an audio input based on a sensed audio signal received by the plurality of sensing elements;
a directional processor configured for actuating at least one of the feedback elements responsive to the computed angle of arrival, the directional processor configured to actuate a first feedback element at a greater intensity than a second feedback element based on the angle of arrival; and
an accelerometer on the frame, the directional processor responsive to the accelerometer and configured to actuate the second feedback element at a greater intensity than the first feedback element based on a rotational signal from the accelerometer.
2 . The device of claim 1 further comprising angular response logic, the angular response logic configured to:
identify the angle of arrival;
determine an angle of orientation of each sensing element of the plurality of sensing elements based on a location around the circular frame; and
actuate the feedback element based on the angle of orientation having a greatest correspondence with the angle of arrival.
3 . The device of claim 2 wherein the angular response logic is configured to:
compute an intensity for each sensing element, based on a correspondence to the angle of arrival; and
actuating each feedback element with an intensity relative to a respective angle of orientation of the feedback element to the angle of arrival.
4 . The device of claim 2 further comprising:
a circular array of sensing elements disposed around the perimeter; and
an accelerometer, the accelerometer coupled to the directional processor for detecting a change in the angle of orientation resulting from rotation of the circular array, the feedback element configured to actuate the feedback element having an angle of orientation with a greatest correspondence to the angle of arrival after the change in the angle of orientation.
5 . The device of claim 2 wherein the angular response logic is further configured to:
actuate a feedback element having a greatest correspondence to the angle of arrival with a greater intensity; and
actuate a feedback element with a lesser correspondence to the angle of arrival at a lower intensity than the greater intensity.
6 . The device of claim 1 wherein the circular frame is sized for engagement with a user's head and the feedback element is configured to emanate a vibratory sensation at the position of the feedback element on the frame.
7 . The device of claim 1 wherein the sensing elements of the plurality of sensing elements are microphones configured for receiving an audio signal emanating from a distal location defining the angle of arrival.
8 . The device of claim 7 wherein the microphones define a beamforming array around the circular frame, a microphone of the beamforming array located closest to the distal location receiving the audio signal before others of the plurality of sensing elements.
9 . A wearable device for generating haptic feedback in response to an external stimuli, comprising:
a circular frame adapted for engaging a head of a user;
a plurality of sensing elements disposed on a perimeter of the circular frame;
a plurality of feedback elements disposed on the circular frame;
a sensory processor in communication with the plurality of sensing elements, the sensory processor configured to compute an angle of arrival of an audio input based on a sensed audio signal received by the plurality of sensing elements;
a directional processor configured for actuating at least one of the feedback elements responsive to the computed angle of arrival; and
angular response logic is configured to reduce an intensity of the of the feedback based on a time duration from arrival of the audio input.
10 . The device of claim 1 wherein the circular frame includes an outer shell defined by a helmet, and an inner frame including a circular band sized for engaging a head of a user.
11 . A wearable device for generating haptic feedback in response to an external stimuli, comprising:
a circular frame adapted for engaging a head of a user;
a plurality of sensing elements disposed on a perimeter of the circular frame;
a plurality of feedback elements disposed on the circular frame;
a sensory processor in communication with the plurality of sensing elements, the sensory processor configured to compute an angle of arrival of an audio input based on a sensed audio signal received by the plurality of sensing elements;
a directional processor configured for actuating at least one of the feedback elements responsive to the computed angle of arrival; and
saturation logic, the saturation logic having a threshold signal maximum, the signal processor deactivating the feedback elements if a number of sensed audio signals exceeds the threshold signal maximum.
12 . A method for generating haptic feedback in response to a received signal, comprising:
disposing a plurality of sensing elements on a perimeter of a circular frame;
disposing a plurality of feedback elements on the circular frame, the circular frame adapted for engaging a user;
receiving an external signal emanating from a distal source;
computing an angle of arrival based on receipt of the external signal by the plurality of sensing elements;
actuating a first feedback element at a greater intensity than a second feedback element based on the angle of arrival; and
actuating the second feedback element at a greater intensity than the first feedback element based on a rotational signal from an accelerometer.
13 . The method of claim 12 further comprising
determining an angle of orientation of each sensing element of the plurality of sensing elements based on a location around the circular frame; and
actuating the feedback element based on the angle of orientation having a greatest correspondence with the angle of arrival.
14 . The method of claim 13 further comprising
computing an intensity for each sensing element, the intensity based on a correspondence of the angle of orientation to the angle of arrival; and
actuating each feedback element with the respective intensity.
15 . The method of claim 12 further comprising
detecting a change in an angle of orientation resulting from rotation of the circular array; and
actuating the feedback element having an angle of orientation with a greatest correspondence to the angle of arrival after the change in the angle of orientation.
16 . The method of claim 12 wherein the sensing elements of the plurality of sensing elements are microphones configured for receiving an audio signal emanating from a distal location defining the angle of arrival.
17 . A computer program embodying program code on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that, when executed by a processor, performs steps for generating haptic feedback in response to a received signal, the method comprising:
disposing a plurality of sensing elements a perimeter of a frame, the frame adapted for rotation;
disposing a plurality of feedback elements on the circular frame, the frame adapted for engaging a user;
receiving an external signal emanating from a distal source;
computing an angle of arrival based on receipt of the external signal by the plurality of sensing elements; and
actuating a first feedback element at a greater intensity than a second feedback element based on the angle of arrival; and
actuating the second feedback element at a greater intensity than the first feedback element based on a rotational signal from an accelerometer.