Creating tactile content with sound

There is provided a system and method for creating tactile content by using an audio stream. The method includes capturing an audio stream using a microphone, processing the audio stream to generate an audio data stream, executing a haptic algorithm using the audio data stream to generate an activation pattern for a plurality of actuators, and activating the plurality of actuators according to the activation pattern. The activation pattern is generated from the audio data stream based on both a frequency of the audio stream and triggering sounds in the audio stream. The plurality of actuators include both voice coils and vibrating motors.

BACKGROUND

Entertainment technologies deliver rich multi-dimensional, high-resolution, and highly immersive visual and audio experiences to a user. Augmenting these entertainment technologies with high-resolution haptic feedback devices significantly enhances the experience of the user leading to a deeper sense of immersion and believability. However, current haptic feedback devices are only able to capture audio streams and vibrate all actuators arranged in a pre-defined configuration similarly. As such, current haptic feedback systems are not able to process the captured audio streams in order to create haptic feedback patterns for the actuators that give the user a deeper sense of immersion and believability. This leaves the current haptic feedback devices homogenous, static, and dull.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a haptic feedback system that utilizes a haptic algorithm to create tactile content with sound, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1presents a system for creating tactile content for a haptic device by utilizing an audio stream, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. System100ofFIG. 1includes control box101, audio stream120, power supply122, universal serial bus (USB)124, headphones126, haptic control knob128, slider switch130, and haptic device160. Control box101includes processor105, interface panel110, haptic driver115, and speaker control116. Haptic device160includes head pad161, back pad162, and seat pad163. Head pad161includes right speaker170and left speaker175. Back pad162includes voice coils180and vibrating motors185. Seat pad163also includes vibrating motors185.

It is noted that haptic device160is represented as a chair in the implementation ofFIG. 1. However, the present disclosure is not limited to haptic device160only including a chair. In other implementations, haptic device160can include any device for which actuators can be installed. For example, haptic device160may include, but is not limited to, clothing, other types of furniture, a mat for the floor, a controller, a seat built into a ride, or a blanket.

It is further noted that control box101is illustrated as being separate from haptic device160inFIG. 1. In such an implementation, control box101may be externally attached to haptic device160through a physical or wireless connection. In other implementations, control box101may be built directly into haptic device160. For example, control box101may be built directly into seat pad163, such as in the front right portion of seat pad163. This way a user of haptic device160can easily access control box101while still using haptic device160.

Haptic device160includes right speaker170, left speaker175, voice coils180, and vibrating motors185. Voice coils180and vibrating motors185are also collectively referred to as actuators. As illustrated in the implementation ofFIG. 1, head pad161includes right speaker170and left speaker175, back pad162includes six voice coils180and two vibrating motors180, and seat pad163includes four vibrating motors180. However, it is noted that the implementation ofFIG. 1is not limiting to this configuration for right speaker170, left speaker175, voice coils180, and vibrating motors185. In other implementations, head pad161, back pad162, and seat pad163may include any number of speakers, voice coils180, and vibrating motors185. For example, head pad161, back pad162, and seat pad163may each include two voice coils180and two vibrating motors185. Still in other implementations, haptic device160may include only one of voice coils180or vibrating motors185.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, each of right speaker170, left speaker175, voice coils180, and vibrating motors185are built into haptic device160. However, in other implementations, one of right speaker170, left speaker175, voice coils180, and vibrating motors185may be removable from haptic device160. In such an implementation, a user of haptic device160is able to move and arrange the speakers and actuators of haptic device160into a user preferred arrangement.

Voice coils180and vibrating motors185are two types of actuators that are used in haptic device160, however, other types of actuators may also be used. Voice coils180include voice coil motors that produce a high-frequency vibration sensation when activated. Vibrating motors185include direct current (DC) motors that produce a rumble-like sensation when activated. By using two types of actuators in haptic device160, such as voice coils180and vibrating motors185, haptic device160is able to produce customized types of sensations on the user. Furthermore, the actuators can be programmed with various vibrating patterns that are activated by audio stream120to give the user a more realistic experience, as explained in more detail below with regards toFIG. 2.

Also illustrated inFIG. 1is control box101. Control box101includes processor105, interface panel110, and haptic driver115. Control box101will be explained in greater detail below with regards toFIG. 2.

Also illustrated inFIG. 1are audio stream120, power supply122, USB124, and headphones126. Audio stream120may include any noise that is capable of being captured by control box101. For example, audio stream120may include music or action sounds from a video game being played by a user of haptic device160. For another example, audio stream120may include music or a narrative from a television show or a movie being watched by a user of haptic device160.

Power supply122is the power source that is used to activate control box101of haptic device160. Power supply122might include a power cord that plugs into a power outlet, or power supply122might consist of batteries. USB124includes a universal serial bus that can be plugged into interface panel110. USB124is then able to update a haptic algorithm of haptic device160or upload predefined patterns into haptic device160, as described in more detail below inFIG. 2. Headphones126may include any type of headphones used by a user of haptic device160that can be plugged into control box101using interface panel110.

In the implementation ofFIG. 1, control box101captures audio stream120, such as through a microphone installed in control box101. Control box101then processes audio stream120and executes a haptic algorithm to generate an activation pattern for the actuators of haptic device160, such as for voice coils180and vibrating motors185. Control box101then uses haptic driver115to activate the actuators of haptic device160according to the generated activation pattern. Control box101may also use speaker control116to play music or action sounds out of right speaker170and left speaker175of haptic device160. This process of using audio stream120to activate actuators of haptic device160is described in greater detail below with regards toFIG. 2.

Electronic board202of control box201includes processor205and memory206. Processor205may be configured to access memory206to store received input or to execute commands, processes, or programs stored in memory206, such as haptic algorithm250. Processor205may correspond to a processing device, such as a microprocessor or similar hardware processing device, or a plurality of hardware devices. However, in other implementations processor205refers to a general processor capable of performing the functions required of control box201. Memory206is a sufficient memory capable of storing commands, processes, and programs for execution by processor205. Memory206may be instituted as ROM, RAM, flash memory, or any sufficient memory capable of storing a set of commands. In other implementations, memory206may correspond to a plurality memory types or modules. Memory206may also be protected to prevent outside manipulation of memory206or specific portions of memory206.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, memory206includes haptic algorithm250. Haptic algorithm250utilizes audio data stream258, which has been processed from audio stream220, and maps activation pattern259for the actuators of a haptic device, such as voice coils180and vibrating motors185of haptic device160fromFIG. 1. For example, audio stream data258may be divided into different frequency band energy levels using sound filter255. Haptic algorithm250then uses the different frequency band energy levels of audio stream data258to map activation pattern259for the actuators of the haptic device. For another example, haptic algorithm250may alternatively utilize audio stream data258to search for a particular triggering sound from audio stream220. Haptic algorithm250may then activate a predefined pattern from predefined patterns253for the actuators when the particular triggering sound is recognized, as described in more detail below.

In order to map activation patters for actuators of a haptic device, haptic algorithm250includes both direct mapping251and special effects mapping252. Direct mapping251generates activation patterns for the actuators according to the different frequency band energy levels of audio stream data258. For example, a high frequency band energy may cause the voice coils in the back pad to activate, while a medium frequency band energy may cause the vibrating motors in the back pad to activate. Furthermore, a low frequency band energy may cause the vibrating motors in the seat pad to activate. Direct mapping251will be described in more detail below in regards toFIG. 3.

Special effects mapping252generates activation patterns based on predefined patterns. As illustrated inFIG. 2, special effects mapping252includes predefined patters253. Predefined patterns253includes predefined tactile activation patterns that have previously been loaded and stored in memory206. The predefined tactile activation patterns of predefined patterns253are then activated when a triggering sound is received by control box201, or by triggers from USB224inserted in USB interface242. For example, predefined patterns253may include an activation pattern that triggers the actuators in the back pad to pulsate three times each time audio stream220includes the sound of a gun shot. As such, if audio stream220includes the sound of a gun shot, predefined patterns253will select the activation pattern that includes pulsating the actuators in the back pad three times.

Besides just utilizing action sounds as the triggering sounds of special effects mapping252, frequency band energy levels may also activate a predefined pattern from predefined patterns253. For example, one predefined pattern may be programmed to vibrate the actuators in a circular pattern each time a high frequency band energy is detected to play for five straight seconds. If audio data stream258then includes a high frequency band energy that plays for five seconds, the predefined pattern would activate causing the actuators to vibrate in a circular pattern.

It is noted that predefined patterns253is not just limited to activation patterns that pulsate the actuators and vibrating the actuators in a circular pattern, as discussed above. Activation patters for predefined patters253can include activating the actuators to follow any number of predefined patterns, such as, but not limited to, circular patterns, straight line patterns, expanding lines patterns, and moving up and down patterns. Furthermore, activation patterns of predefined patterns253can also include activating the actuators with various levels of intensity. For example, some triggering sounds may cause the actuators to vibrate with a higher strength while other triggering sounds may cause the actuators to vibrate with a lower strength.

Also illustrated inFIG. 2, interface panel210includes inputs211, outputs212, and controls213. Inputs211includes both audio stream220received by microphone240, and USB224received by USB interface242. As described above with regards toFIG. 1, audio stream220may include any noise capable to being captured by a haptic device, such as music or action noises from a video game or movie. For example, a user of the haptic device may be playing an action packed football video game that involves hard tackling. Audio stream220may then include background music, a narrative by the announcers, a whistle blown by a referee, or action noises of the hard tackle that is played out from the video game.

USB interface242includes an interface for a USB, such as USB224. USB interface242may be used to both receive updates to the haptic device and to generate activation patterns for the actuators. For example, a user of the haptic device may plug USB224into USB interface242to update predefined patterns253with new patterns. These new patterns may be available for the haptic device each time a new video game or movie is released, thus, giving the user of the haptic device a more personalized experience with the newly released video game or movie. For a second example, a user may plug USB224into USB interface242to update haptic algorithm250so that audio stream220will generate different activation patterns259. For a third example, a user may plug USB224into USB interface242to directly activate a predefined pattern from predefined patterns253.

Outputs212includes audio stream out234and status LEDs246. Audio stream out234may include music or action sounds output by control box201. For example, audio stream out234may correspond to audio stream220, except that audio stream out234is being output by the haptic device. Furthermore, audio stream out234may be output using electronic device capable of interfacing with interface panel210. For example, audio stream out234may be output using headphones126fromFIG. 1. Status LEDs246may include a single LED or a series of LEDs that light up when the haptic device is turned on. Status LEDs246are thus utilized to notify the user if the haptic device is on or off.

Controls213include haptic control knob228, slider switch230, and sound control knob232. Haptic control knob228controls a perceived strength of the actuators, such as voice coils180and vibrating motors185fromFIG. 1. For example, a linear range for haptic control knob228may include (0 to 1), which is scaled by a function that uniformly increases the perceived strength of haptic feedback for the actuators. A user of the haptic device may then increase the perceived strength of the actuators by turning haptic control knob228to an increased value, or close to one. The actuators of the haptic device would then vibrate at a higher strength, thus, increasing the strength of the vibration on the user. Furthermore, a user of the haptic device may also decrease the perceived strength of the actuators by turning haptic control knob226to a decreased value, or close to zero. The actuators of the haptic device would then vibrate at a lower strength, thus, decreasing the strength of the vibration on the user.

Slider switch230controls a mode of haptic algorithm250. For example, in a movie mode, haptic algorithm250may activate all of the actuators in the haptic device with the same level of intensity while in a game mode, haptic algorithm250may cause the actuators in the seat pad be more dominating, thus, actuators in the seat pad may be activated at a higher intensity level then the actuators in the back pad. A user of the haptic device can then use slider switch230to change the mode of haptic algorithm250from the game mode to the movie mode when the user switches from playing a game to watching a movie. This gives the user the ability to customize how the actuators of the haptic device respond according to the type of entertainment the haptic device is being used for.

It is noted that the example above only discusses using slider switch230to change between a game mode and a movie mode, however, this example is not limiting. Slider switch230can also be used to change between other types of modes, such as, but not limited to, a music mode or a television mode. Furthermore, other modes might not be specific towards a type of entertainment. For example, modes might be specific towards frequency band energy levels. In such an example, a first mode might cause the actuators in the back pad of the haptic device to vibrate when a high frequency band energy is detected, while a second mode might cause the actuators in the back pad of the haptic device to vibrate when a low frequency band energy is detected.

Sound control knob232controls a sound level for both audio stream out234and the speakers built into the haptic device, such as right speaker170and left speaker175of haptic device160fromFIG. 1. Sound control knob232can be used to both decrease the level of sound and increase the level of sound.

Also illustrated inFIG. 2is haptic drivers215. Haptic drivers215include chair speaker driver217, voice coils driver218, and vibrating motors driver219. Chair speaker driver217is used to activate the speakers of the haptic device, such as right speaker170and left speaker175of haptic device160fromFIG. 1. Chair speaker driver217may cause the speakers to play music, sound effects, or any other sound needed to enhance the experience of the user. Voice coils driver218activates the voice coils of the haptic device, such as voice coils180of haptic device160fromFIG. 1. Vibrating motors driver219activates the vibrating motors of the haptic device, such as vibrating motors185of haptic device160fromFIG. 1.

As illustrated in the implementation ofFIG. 2, control box201captures audio stream220using microphone240of interface panel210. Audio stream220is then sampled by converter258, which may consist of an analog-to-digital converter. After audio stream220has been converted into digital audio by converter258, the digital audio is processed into audio data stream256by dividing the digital audio into frequency band energy levels using sound filter255or a fast Fourier transform (FFT). Haptic algorithm250then utilizes audio data stream256to generate activation pattern259. Haptic algorithm includes both direct mapping251and special effects mapping252. Next, activation pattern259is utilized to activate haptic drivers215.

FIG. 3presents an example of a direct mapping scheme for a haptic device, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. Direct mapping300ofFIG. 3includes haptic device360. Haptic device360includes head pad361, back pad362, and seat pad363. Head pad361includes right speaker370and left speaker375. Back pad362includes voice coils380a-fand vibrating motors385a-b. Seat pad363includes vibrating motors385c-f. Also illustrated inFIG. 3are high frequency band energy, medium frequency band energy, and low frequency band energy. It should be noted, that haptic device360, head pad361, back pad362, seat pad363, right speaker370, left speaker375, voice coils380a-f, and vibrating motors385a-fcorrespond respectively to haptic device160, head pad161, back bad162, seat pad163, right speaker170, left speaker175, voice coils180, and vibrating motors185fromFIG. 1.

As stated above, a captured audio stream is converted into digital audio. The digital audio is then processed by dividing the digital audio into different frequency band energy levels using filters or a FFT. The processed audio data stream can then be utilized by a haptic algorithm to generate an activation pattern according to a direct mapping scheme.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the digital audio is processed into three different frequency band energy levels. The three frequency band energy levels include a high frequency band energy, a medium frequency band energy, and a low frequency band energy. The three different frequency band energy levels are then utilized to activate various actuators. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 3, a high frequency band energy activates voice coils380a-fon back pad362, a medium frequency band energy activates vibrating motors385a-bon back pad362, and a low frequency band energy activates vibrating motors385c-fon seat pad363.

It is noted that the implementation ofFIG. 3is only one example of a direct mapping scheme. In other implementations, the direct mapping scheme may include more or less frequency band energy levels. Furthermore, in other implementations, the frequency band levels may be mapped differently on haptic device360. For example, a high frequency band energy may activate vibrating motors385c-fon seat pad363while a low frequency band energy may activate voice coils380a-fon back pad362.

FIG. 4shows a flowchart illustrating a method for creating tactile content by utilizing an audio stream, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. The approach and technique indicated by flowchart400are sufficient to describe at least one implementation of the present disclosure, however, other implementations of the disclosure may utilize approaches and techniques different from those shown in flowchart400. Furthermore, while flowchart400is described with respect toFIGS. 1,2, and3, the disclosed inventive concepts are not intended to be limited by specific features shown and described with respect toFIGS. 1,2, and3. Furthermore, with respect to the method illustrated inFIG. 4, it is noted that certain details and features have been left out of flowchart400in order not to obscure the discussion of inventive features in the present application.

Referring now to flowchart400ofFIG. 4, flowchart400includes capturing an audio stream using a microphone (410). For example, processor205of control box201can activate microphone240to capture audio stream220. As explained above, audio stream220can include any noise capable of being captured by microphone240of control box201. While capturing audio stream220, processor205may also utilize converter258to convert audio stream220. For example, converter258may be an analog-to-digital converter that converts audio stream220into digital audio.

Flowchart400also includes processing the audio stream into an audio data stream (420). For example, processor205of control box201may process audio stream220into audio data stream256. Audio stream220is processed into audio data stream256by dividing audio stream220into different frequency band energy levels using sound filter255or a FFT. The frequency band energy levels of audio data stream256may include, but are not limited to, a high frequency band energy, a medium frequency band energy, and a low frequency band energy.

Flowchart400also includes executing an algorithm using the audio data stream to generate an activation pattern for the plurality of actuators (430). For example, processor205of control box201may access haptic algorithm250stored in memory206. Processor205may then execute haptic algorithm250using audio data stream256to generate activation pattern259for a plurality of actuators, such as voice coils180and vibrating motors185ofFIG. 1. As will be discussed in more detail below in (440-470) of flowchart400, haptic algorithm250may include two different mapping schemes for generating activation pattern259, such as direct mapping251and special effects mapping252.

If a direct mapping scheme is executed, then flowchart400includes generating an activation pattern according to a direct mapping scheme (440). For example, processor205of control box201may utilize the different frequency band energy levels of audio data stream256to generate activation pattern259according to direct mapping251. As illustrated inFIG. 3, activation pattern259for direct mapping251may include activating voice coils380a-fof back pad362for a high frequency band energy, activating vibrating motors385a-bof back pad362for a medium frequency band energy, and activating vibrating motors385c-fof seat pad363for a low frequency band energy. Furthermore, if a direct map scheme is activated, flowchart400includes smoothing and scaling of band energy (450). For example, processor205of control box201may smooth and scale the different frequency band energy levels using filters, so that the parameters of the actuators are optimized for a pleasurable range of vibrotactile perception.

If a special effects mapping scheme is executed, then flowchart400includes generating an activation pattern according to special effects mapping scheme (460). For example, processor205of control box201may utilize audio data stream256to generate activation pattern259according to predefined patterns253of special effects mapping252. As discussed above, predefined patterns253includes predefined tactile activation patterns that have previously been loaded and stored in memory206.

When special effects mapping252is activated, flowchart400further includes performing the steps of special effects mapping252, which include an event detector, a decision block, selecting the predefined pattern, and the surround haptic algorithm (470). The event trigger detects triggers from both audio stream220and USB interface242. For example, audio stream220may include a triggering sound, such as an action noise or a frequency pattern. After audio stream220is processed into audio data stream256, processor205of control box201executes special effects mapping252to detect that triggering sound from audio data stream256, which starts the generation of activation pattern259.

Next, the decision block categorizes and selects a pattern to play. For example, processor205of control box201executes special effects mapping252to search through predefined patterns253for the predefined pattern that corresponds to the triggering sound from audio data stream256. Next, the predefined pattern is selected. Finally, the surround haptic algorithm plays the pattern. For example, processor205of control box201executes special effects mapping252of haptic algorithm250to generate activation pattern259. Activation pattern259corresponds to the selected predefined pattern from predefined patterns252.

Flowchart400also includes creating an actuator driver code for the activation pattern (480). For example, processor205of control box201utilizes activation pattern259to create actuator driver code256. Actuator driver code256sets the frequency, intensity, and location for activating the plurality of actuators according to activation pattern259.

Flowchart400also includes activating the plurality of actuators according to the activation pattern using the actuator driver code (490). For example, processor205of control box201may activate the plurality of actuators, such as voice coils180and vibrating motors185fromFIG. 1, using actuator driver code256. Processor205can activate the plurality of actuators by utilizing voice coil driver217and vibrating motor driver218of haptic drivers215. When activated, the plurality of actuators will follow activation pattern259, thus giving the user a deeper sense of immersion and believability when using the haptic device.

FIG. 5presents a cross-section view of a pad that can be used for a haptic device, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 5, pad500includes pad front cover565situated over soft foam566, soft foam566situated over hard foam567, and hard foam567situated over pad rear cover568. To attach the different layers of pad500together, an adhesive may be used, such as glue (not shown).

In a preferred implementation of the present disclosure, soft foam566is approximately 0.5 inch thick and hard foam567is approximately 0.25 inch thick. This is so that a user of the haptic device is comfortable while sitting on the haptic device. Furthermore, by having a layer of soft foam566that is approximately 0.5 inch thick, there is room for the placement of the actuators in the layer of soft foam566. Hard foam567is then used to secure the actuators in place, as described in more detail in regards toFIG. 6.

FIG. 6presents a cross-section view of mounting a vibrating motor in a pad, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. With regards toFIG. 6, it should be noted that pad600corresponds to pad500fromFIG. 5, except pad600now includes vibrating motor685inserted within pad600. As such, pad front cover665, soft foam666, hard foam667, and pad rear cover668ofFIG. 6correspond respectively to pad front cover565, soft foam566, hard foam567, and pad rear cover568ofFIG. 5. Furthermore, vibrating motor685corresponds to one of vibrating motors185ofFIG. 1, and one of vibrating motors385a-fofFIG. 3.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, vibrating motor685has now been inserted within pad600. To insert vibrating motor685, a section of soft foam666is removed from pad600. Next, attaching glue669is situated over hard foam667in the removed area of soft foam666. Vibrating motor685is then situated above attaching glue669within the removed section of soft foam666. Finally, pad front cover665is situated over vibrating motor685. By mounting vibrating motor685within pad600as illustrated inFIG. 6, vibrating motor685is secured in place by hard foam667. Furthermore, the user of the haptic device will still be comfortable since soft foam666surrounds vibrating motor685and pad front cover665covers the top of vibrating motor685.

FIG. 7presents a system of mounting voice coils onto an acrylic plate for constructing a haptic device, according to one implementation of the present disclosure.FIG. 7includes voice coils780a-f, acrylic plate781, acrylic covers782a-f, and air holes783a-f. With regards toFIG. 7, it should be noted that voice coils780a-fcorrespond respectively to voice coils180fromFIG. 1and voice coils380a-ffromFIG. 3.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, each of voice coils785a-fis mounted in acrylic plate781using an adhesive, such as glue (not shown). In a preferred implementation, the spacing between each of voice coils780a-dis approximately 2.5 inches, the spacing between voice coil780eand voice coil780fis approximately 2.5 inches, the spacing between voice coil780band voice coil780eis approximately 3 inches, and the spacing between voice coil780cand voice coil780fis approximately 3 inches.

Also illustrated inFIG. 7is acrylic covers782a-fand air holes783a-f. Acrylic covers782a-fare approximately 0.07 inch thick and have a diameter of approximately 0.865 inch. As illustrated inFIG. 7, each of acrylic covers782a-fare situated respectively over each of voice coils780a-f. Acrylic covers782a-fmay be attached to voice coils780a-fusing an adhesive, such as glue. Furthermore, each of acrylic covers782a-fincludes an air hole, such as air holes783a-f, so that the air build up over voice coils780a-fcan be released. Air holes783a-feach have a diameter of approximately 0.15 inch.

FIG. 8presents a cross-section view of mounting voice coils in a pad by using an acrylic plate, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. With regards toFIG. 8, it should be noted that pad800corresponds to pad500fromFIG. 5, except pad800now includes voice coils880inserted within pad800. As such, pad front cover865, soft foam866, hard foam867, and pad rear cover868ofFIG. 8correspond respectively to pad front cover565, soft foam566, hard foam567, and pad rear cover568ofFIG. 5. Furthermore, voice coils880correspond to voice coils180ofFIG. 1, voice coils380a-fofFIG. 3, and voice coils780a-fofFIG. 7. Also, it should be noted that even thoughFIG. 8only labels one of voice coils880, acrylic covers882, and air holes883for clarity,FIG. 8illustrates four voice coils880, four acrylic covers882, and four air holes883.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, a section of soft foam866has been removed from pad800so that acrylic plate881, with attached voice coils880, could be mounted within pad800. Voice coils880are mounted so that a bottom of voice coils880are in contact with hard foam867. This helps secure voice coils880and acrylic plate881in place. Furthermore,FIG. 8illustrates how acrylic covers882are placed over voice coils880and attached using an adhesive, such as attaching glue869. Air holes883are situated in the middle of each of acrylic covers882so that built up air can be released from voice coils880.

FIG. 9presents an example for the general dimensions of a haptic chair, according to one implementation of the present disclosure.FIG. 9includes haptic device960. With respect toFIG. 9, it should be noted that haptic device960corresponds to haptic device160ofFIG. 1and haptic device360ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 10presents an example of the general dimensions for placing actuators in a haptic chair, according to one implementation of the present disclosure.FIG. 10includes haptic device1060. Haptic device1060includes head pad1061, back pad1062, and seat pad1063, each of which is illustrated with clashed lines. Back pad1062includes acrylic plate1081, vibrating motor1085a, and vibrating motor1085b. Seat pad1063includes vibrating motors1085c-f. With respect toFIG. 10, it should be noted that haptic device1060, head pad1061, back pad1062, seat pad1063, and vibrating motors1085a-fcorrespond respectively to haptic device160, head pad161, back pad162, seat pad163, and vibrating motors185a-fofFIG. 1, and haptic device360, head pad361, back pad362, seat363, and vibrating motors385a-fofFIG. 3. It should further be noted that acrylic plate1081corresponds to acrylic plate781ofFIG. 7and acrylic plate881ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 11presents an example of the general dimensions for placing a control box in a haptic chair, according to one implementation of the present disclosure.FIG. 11includes haptic device1160. Haptic device1160includes seat pad1163, which is represented using dashed lines. Seat pad1163includes control box1101. With respect toFIG. 11, it should be noted that haptic device1160and seat pad1163correspond respectively to haptic device160and seat pad163ofFIG. 1, haptic device360and seat pad363ofFIG. 3, haptic device960and seat pad963ofFIG. 9, and haptic device1060and seat pad1163ofFIG. 10. It should further be noted that control box1101corresponds to control box101ofFIG. 1and control box201ofFIG. 2.

As illustrated inFIG. 11, haptic device1160includes a haptic chair. Control box1101is mounted in the front right corner of seat pad1163so that a user of haptic device1160can easily access control box1101. However, the implementation ofFIG. 11is not limiting. In other implementations, control box1101may be mounted anywhere within haptic device1160. For example, control box1101may be mounted in the left side of seat pad163of haptic device1160, or control box1101may be mounted in the back pad of haptic device1160.