Patent ID: 8704649
Filing Date: 2014-04-22
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A vibrotactile device comprising: a vibrating contact panel constructed in a three-dimensional shape, the vibrating contact panel including a plurality of pieces forming an outer surface of the vibrating contact panel configured to contact a hand of a user and an inner surface; a plurality of vibratory modules attached to the inner surface of the vibrating contact panel, wherein the plurality of vibratory modules vibrate with different intensities according to the amount of supplied power and wherein each of the plurality of vibratory modules is attached to one of the plurality of pieces of the vibrating contact panel; a plurality of vibration isolating links, each of the plurality of vibration isolation links coupled to an end of a corresponding one of the plurality of vibratory modules, wherein the plurality of vibration isolation links support the plurality of vibratory modules and isolate the vibration from the plurality of vibratory modules; supporting members connected between the plurality of vibration isolating links to maintain an arrangement of the plurality of vibration isolating links; and a vibratory controller configured to evaluate an aimed point of coordinates on the outer surface of the vibrating contact panel at which vibration is to be generated, calculate a distance between the aimed point of the coordinates and each of the plurality of vibratory modules, and control the amount of supplied power distributed to each of the plurality of vibratory modules based on the calculated distance; wherein each of the plurality of pieces of the vibratory contact panel are configured to vibrate at an intensity caused by a vibratory module coupled to the piece of the vibratory contact panel.