Patent Publication Number: US-2012035513-A1

Title: Systems and methods for haptic sound

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/433,858, filed on May 12, 2006, which claims the benefit of: U.S. provisional application 60/708,205, filed Aug. 15, 2005 entitled “Vibroblast: a low-power bass speaker system that vibrates the body”, U.S. provisional application 60/716,165, filed Sep. 12, 2005 entitled “ThoraPhone: method and means to deliver audio bass to the thorax and/or cervix of listener”, U.S. provisional application 60/737,526, filed Nov. 16, 2005 entitled “ThoraBlast: method and means to deliver bass to the listener”, and U.S. provisional application 60/755,422, filed Dec. 31, 2005 entitled “ThoraBlast: Super-immersive haptic sound technique and apparatus”, the specifications of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Today there are many multimedia systems that present audio and visual data to a user. As devices decrease in size and become more portable, screen size and sound quality decrease as well, adversely affecting the user&#39;s interaction with the data being presented. Existing methods for supplementing a user&#39;s experience have drawbacks which compromise the user&#39;s comfort and perception of the content being presented. For example, audio speakers intended for individual use, such as those found in headphones, are either too small to generate sound over a wide frequency range or so large as to be uncomfortable and cumbersome. Other devices attempt to compensate for speakers that are unable to generate low frequency sound by applying vibrations to the user. Many of these devices are uncomfortable or distracting to use, especially after prolonged use. For example, some devices apply vibrations to the head of the user, which can cause headaches, or to a location on the posterior side of the user, which unintentionally gives the impression the sound originates from behind the user. Furthermore, home theatre or personalized vibrating chair surround sound systems with large woofers are prohibitively expensive; and since the low frequency sound easily penetrates walls, the bass component of the sound is usually bothersome to user&#39;s neighbors, thus rendering the systems unsuitable for apartment complexes. 
     A need exists for systems and methods that improve the user&#39;s interaction with the content being presented. It is desirable that the system does not distract from the content being presented. It is also desirable that the system be easy to use, portable, inexpensive, and suitable for long term use. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are systems and methods for applying vibration to the body of a user to enhance the user&#39;s interaction with and perception of content being presented. Locations on the body for receiving vibrations are disclosed along with characteristics of locations. Illustrative embodiments of vibration systems are described, including vibrators for converting data to vibration and support structures for supporting and positioning the vibrators. Other devices that may be used in conjunction with the vibrators are described, including audio speakers, signal processors and media devices. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a vibration system comprises a vibrator capable of converting an electrical signal into vibration. The vibrator can be arranged on or about a human body on a pectoralis major muscle and spaced away from the sternum. The vibration system can include at least one of a support structure for arranging the vibrator, an audio speaker for generating sound, and a video display for generating a visual image. 
     The vibration system can include a second vibrator arranged on or about the body on a pectoralis major muscle and spaced away from the sternum. In one configuration, the support structure disposes the vibrators on a front-back coronal plane of the body and symmetrically across a left-right median plane of the body. 
     In one implementation of the invention, the support structure includes at least one curved harness, with each harness adapted to fit over a shoulder of the body. Each harness can have two ends configured to flex inwardly toward each other to push a vibrator against the body. The support structure can include an adjustable endpiece that is nested within a free end of each curved harness and is capable of sliding in and out of the free end. Each curved harness can have a harness joint within its midsection that is adapted to allow a free end of each curved harness to fold towards a point of attachment of two curved harnesses. A vibrator joint can join the vibrator to a free end of a curved harness. The vibrator joint can be adapted to adjust an angle between the vibrator and the free end. A vibrator can be positioned at a point of attachment of two curved harnesses and be adapted to convert a rear channel electrical audio signal of a surround sound system into a vibration. 
     In another implementation of the invention, the support structure includes a bent element that is adapted to fit on a front of a shoulder of the body and has an end adapted to attach to the vibrator. A vibrator joint can join the vibrator to the bent element and be adapted to adjust an angle between the vibrator and the bent element. The support structure can include a semi-circular element that is adapted to fit around the back of the neck of the body and has two ends each adapted to attach to a bent element. A bent element joint can join a bent element to the semi-circular element and be adapted to fold the bent element and the semi-circular element together in a common plane. The support structure can include a long element vertically centered on an upper back of the body, attached to a midpoint of the semi-circular element at an angle adapted to push a vibrator against the body. A midpoint joint can join the long element to the semi-circular element and be adapted to fold the two elements together in a common plane. 
     In another implementation of the invention, the support structure includes a stretchable band adapted to fit over a shoulder and fastener means adapted to fasten the stretchable band to a waistband. 
     The vibration system can feature at least one of a pitch controller, a volume controller, a fade-in device, an amplitude-ceiling device, and a bass-enhancement device. The pitch controller can modulate a pitch characteristic of an electrical signal. The volume controller can raise and lower an amplitude characteristic of an electrical signal. The fade-in device can gradually raise an amplitude characteristic of an electrical signal. The amplitude-ceiling device can impose an upper limit on an amplitude characteristic of an electrical signal. The bass-enhancement device can sample a first electrical signal to create a sampled signal, modulate a pitch characteristic of the sampled signal to create a modulated sampled signal, and mix the modulated sampled signal with the first electrical signal. The vibration system can also feature a signal processing device capable of detecting that no electrical signal has been received for a preset amount of time, a power supply for powering a signal processing device, and an automatic shut-off device that can turn off the signal processing device in response to the signal processing device detecting that no electrical signal is being received for the preset amount of time. The vibration system can also feature a low frequency cross-over circuit capable of filtering through low frequency sound from an electrical signal and an amplifier capable of amplifying the electrical signal. 
     In another implementation of the invention, the vibrator includes at least one of an inertial transducer, an off-balance rotor, a tactile transducer, or a piezoelectric transducer. A surface of the vibrator can be made of at least one of synthetic rubber, foam cushion, polyurethane, speaker cover fabric, or silicone. A surface of the support structure can be made of at least one of synthetic rubber or speaker cover fabric. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a vibration system includes a vibrator capable of converting an electrical signal into a vibration and a support structure for arranging the vibrator. The support structure can arrange the vibrator at a location on or about a human body such that a first pattern of vibrations are generated on the body&#39;s surface, where the first pattern matches in relative amplitude a second pattern of surface vibrations generated when the body generates sound. The vibration system can include at least one of an audio speaker for generating sound and a video display for generating a visual image. The support structure can dispose a plurality of vibrators on a front-back coronal plane of the body and symmetrically across a left-right median plane of the body. The vibrator can be arranged on or about a side of a torso of the body. In one implementation of the invention, the support structure includes a stretchable band adapted to encircle a torso of the body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be appreciated more fully from the following further description thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front view of vibrator locations with respect to the body&#39;s underlying musculature; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a front view of vibrator locations with respect to the body&#39;s underlying skeletal system; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a front view of vibrator locations with respect to the body&#39;s external surface; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  depict, respectively, an oblique view and a side view of vibrator locations with respect to the body&#39;s anatomical planes; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a front view of an exemplary vibration system for experiencing audio and haptic data; 
         FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C depict, respectively, a front view, an oblique view, and a side view of an exemplary vibration device for applying vibrations to the user and capable of being used in the vibration system of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a side view of an exemplary harness and an exemplary adjustable endpiece both capable of being used in the vibration devices of  FIGS. 5-6C ; 
         FIG. 8  depicts an oblique view of an exemplary vibrator capable of being used in the vibration devices of  FIGS. 5-6C ,  9 - 12 B, and  16 ; 
         FIG. 9  depicts a front view of an exemplary vibration system for experiencing audio and haptic data; 
         FIG. 10A ,  10 B, and  10 C depict, respectively, a front view, a side view, and a top view of an exemplary vibration device for applying vibrations to the user and capable of being used in the vibration system of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  depicts a front view of an exemplary vibration device and exemplary audio speakers being applied to the user and capable of being used in the vibration system of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIGS. 12  depicts, a front view and of an exemplary vibration device for applying vibrations to the user; 
         FIG. 13  depicts a front view of vibrator locations with respect to the body&#39;s underlying musculature; 
         FIG. 14  depicts a front view of vibrator locations with respect to the body&#39;s underlying skeletal system; 
         FIG. 15  depicts a front view of vibrator locations with respect to the body&#39;s external surface; 
         FIG. 16  depicts a front view of an exemplary vibration device for applying vibrations to the user; 
         FIG. 17  depicts a natural surface vibration pattern that can be used to determine vibrator locations; 
         FIG. 18  depicts a vibrator-induced surface vibration pattern that can be used to evaluate vibrator locations; and 
         FIG. 19  depicts an exemplary block diagram of processing circuitry that can be used in a vibration system. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     To provide an overall understanding of the invention, certain illustrative embodiments will now be described. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1-4B , there are depicted vibrator location arrangements  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and  400  on a human body. In particular,  FIG. 1  depicts vibrator locations  102   a  and  102   b  with respect to the body&#39;s underlying musculature.  FIG. 2  depicts vibrator locations  202   a  and  202   b  with respect to the body&#39;s underlying skeletal system.  FIG. 3  depicts vibrator locations  302   a  and  302   b  with respect to the body&#39;s external surface.  FIGS. 4A and 4B  depict, respectively, an oblique view and a side view of vibrator location  402  with respect to the body&#39;s anatomical planes. 
     As depicted by  FIG. 1 , vibrator location arrangement  100  has vibrator locations  102   a  and  102   b  disposed symmetrically across the chest of the body. A first vibrator location  102   a  is located adjacent to a first pectoralis major muscle  104   a,  and similarly a second vibrator location  102   b  is located adjacent to a second pectoralis major muscle  104   b.  Both vibrator locations  102   a  and  102   b  are spaced away from the sternum  106 . 
     As depicted by  FIG. 2 , vibrator location arrangement  200  has vibrator locations  202   a  and  202   b  disposed symmetrically across the chest of the body. A first vibrator location  202   a  is located inferior to a first clavicle bone  208   a,  and similarly a second vibrator location  202   b  is located inferior to a second clavicle bone  208   b.  Both vibrator locations  202   a  and  202   b  are spaced away from the sternum  206 . 
     As depicted by  FIG. 3 , vibrator location arrangement  300  has vibrator locations  302   a  and  302   b  disposed symmetrically across a chest of the body. A first vibrator location  302   a  is located adjacent to a first pectoralis major muscle  304   a  and inferior to a first clavicle bone  308   a;  and similarly a second vibrator location  302   b  is located adjacent to a second pectoralis major muscle  304   b  and inferior to a second clavicle bone  308   b.  Both vibrator locations  302   a  and  302   b  are spaced away from a sternum  306 . 
     As depicted by  FIGS. 4A and 4B , vibrator location arrangement  400  includes vibrator location  402  disposed on a front-back coronal plane  410  of the body, inferior to a clavicle bone  408 , and spaced away from a sternum  406 . Vibrator location arrangements can also be symmetric across the left-right median plane  412 . In particular, a second vibrator location can be disposed opposite vibrator location  402  such that the two locations are symmetric with respect to the left-right median plane  412 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary vibration system  500  for experiencing audio and haptic data. The vibration system  500  is depicted on a human body  520  having vibrator locations  522   a  and  522   b.  The vibration system  500  includes a vibration device  502 , optional audio speakers  504   a  and  504   b,  and a processor  506 . The vibration device  502  is described below in reference to  FIGS. 6A-8 . The optional audio speakers  504   a  and  504   b  can be any suitable audio device, such as an earphone, headphone, or neckphone, and can be attached by wires  508   a  and  508   b  to the vibration device  502 . Alternatively, the audio speakers can be separate from the vibration device  502  or the user can opt to not have or use audio speakers in conjunction with the vibration device  502 . 
     The depicted processor  506  includes a housing  510  that encases the processing circuitry, such as the processing circuitry described below in reference to  FIG. 19 , and supports user control interfaces such as a button, switch, or dial  512 . The housing  510  can attach by wire  514  to the vibration device  502  and by wire  516  to any suitable data source  518  of audio or haptic data, such as a portable music device or video game console. The wires  514  and  516  may each have an audio jack, such as the audio jack  524  attached to the end of the wire  516 , for connecting to, respectively, the processor  506  and the data source  518 . Alternatively, the vibration device  502  can attach directly to a data source  518 . In another alternative embodiment, the vibration device  502 , the processor  506 , and the data source  518  can include, respectively, a wireless receiver, a wireless transceiver, and a wireless transmitter for communicating audio or haptic data. 
       FIGS. 6A-8  depict in more detail an illustrative embodiment of the vibration device  502 . In particular,  FIGS. 6A-6C  depict, respectively, a front view, an oblique view, and a side view of an exemplary vibration device  600  having two vibrators  602   a  and  602   b  positioned by a support structure  604 . The vibrators  602   a  and  602   b,  described below in reference to  FIG. 8 , can include any suitable mechanism capable of transforming an electrical signal into vibration, such as a transducer or an off-balance rotor. The vibrators  602   a  and  602   b  attach to a support structure  604  that includes two curved harnesses  606   a  and  606   b  joined at a point of attachment  608 . In particular, the vibrators  602   a  and  602   b  can attach to ends of the curved harnesses  606   a  and  606   b,  or alternatively to adjustable endpieces  614   a  and  614   b  nested within the ends of the curved harnesses  606   a  and  606   b,  via vibrator joints  618   a  and  618   b.  The curved harnesses  606   a  and  606   b  can have harness joints, respectively  616   a  and  616   b.  The point of attachment  608  can have an additional rear vibrator  610  or, alternatively, a rear cushion. The point of attachment  608  can also have an adductor joint  612 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts an exemplary curved harness  700  and adjustable endpiece  704  that can be used in the support structure  604 . The curved harness  700  has two ends  702   a  and  702   b  configured to flex inwardly toward each other, as indicated by arrows  710   a  and  710   b.  The end  702   a  has an adjustable endpiece  704  nested within the curved harness  700 . The adjustable endpiece  704  is capable of sliding in and out of the curved harness  700  to adjust a length of the curved harness  700 . Between the ends  702   a  and  702   b  is a harness midsection  706 , which can include a harness joint  708 . The curved harness  700  and the adjustable endpiece  704  can be made of any suitably light, tensile material such as plastic, include padding such as fabric padding along their surfaces that are adjacent to the user to provide a more comfortable fit, and have external surfaces sufficiently tacky to prevent slippage when the surface rests against skin or fabrics typically used in clothing. Examples of suitable materials for their external surfaces include synthetic rubber and fabric used to cover audio speakers. The curved harness  700  can be between 10 inches and 13 inches in length and ¼ inches and 1 inch in width, while the adjustable endpiece  704  can be between 2 inches and 4 inches in length and ⅛ inches and ¾ inches in width. 
       FIG. 8  depicts an exemplary vibrator  800  that can be used in the vibration device  600 . The vibrator  800  has a diaphragm  802  capable of vibrating in response to an electrical signal. The diaphragm  802  can be between 0.5 inches and 4 inches in diameter, with a preferred size dependent on the user&#39;s size. In particular, the diaphragm diameter can be approximately 20% of a lateral length measured from a first shoulder of the user to a second shoulder of the user. A thin cushion (not shown) can overlay the diaphragm  802  and be disposed between the diaphragm  802  and the user to soften the impact of the vibrations on the user. The thin cushion may be made of any suitable material that is sufficiently resilient and can provide padding, such as a silicone gel. An external surface of the diaphragm  802  can be any suitable material that is sufficiently tacky to prevent slippage when the external surface rests against skin or fabrics typically used in clothing. Examples of suitable materials include synthetic rubber, polyurethane, fabric used to cover audio speakers, and foam cushion used to cover headphone speakers. The surface material is typically between 1 mm and 5 mm in thickness. A cushion  804  can encircle the vibrator  800  to protect the edge of the diaphragm  802 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts an exemplary vibration system  900  for experiencing audio and haptic data according to one aspect of the invention. The vibration system  900  includes a vibration device  902 , optional audio speakers  904   a  and  904   b,  and a processor  906 . The vibration device  902  is described below in reference to  FIGS. 10A-11 . The optional audio speakers  904   a  and  904   b  can be any suitable audio device, such as an earphone, headphone, or neckphone, and can be attached by wires  908   a  and  908   b  to the vibration device  902  at joints  920   a  and  920   b.  Alternatively, the audio speakers can be separate from the vibration device  902  or the user can opt to not have or use audio speakers in conjunction with the vibration device  902 . 
     The depicted processor  906  includes a housing  910  that encases the processing circuitry, and supports user control interfaces such as a button, switch, or dial  912 . The housing attaches by wire  914  to the vibration device  902  and by wire  916  to any suitable source  918  of audio or haptic data, such as a portable music device or video game console. The wires  914  and  916  may each have an audio jack, such as the audio jack  924  attached to the end of the wire  916 , for connecting to, respectively, the processor  906  and the data source  918 . Alternatively, the vibration device  902  can attach directly to a data source  918 . In another alternative, the vibration device  902 , the processor  906 , and the data source  918  can include, respectively, a wireless receiver, a wireless transceiver, and a wireless transmitter for communicating audio or haptic data. 
       FIGS. 10A-11  depict in more detail an illustrative embodiment of the vibration device  902 . In particular,  FIGS. 10A-10C  depict, respectively, a front view, a side view, and a top view of an exemplary vibration device  1000  having two vibrators  1002   a  and  1002   b  positioned by a support structure  1004 . The vibrators  1002   a  and  1002   b,  described above in reference to  FIG. 8 , can include any suitable mechanism capable of transforming an electrical signal into vibration. The vibrators  1002   a  and  1002   b  attach via vibrator joints  1024   a  and  1024   b  to a support structure  1004  that includes bent elements  1006   a  and  1006   b  joined at bent element joints  1020   a  and  1020   b  to a semi-circular element  1008 . The semi-circular element  1008  attaches via a midpoint joint  1022  to a long element  1010  depending vertically from a midpoint of the semi-circular element  1008 . The support structure  1004  can be made of any suitably light, tensile material such as plastic and have a surface sufficiently tacky to prevent slippage when the surface rests against skin or fabrics typically used in clothing. Examples of suitable materials include synthetic rubber and fabric used to cover audio speakers. 
       FIG. 11  depicts a vibration device  1100  being worn by a user  1112 . A semi-circular element, which is not shown, is adapted to encircle a back of a neck of the user  1112  with a long element, also not shown, centered on an upper back of the user  1112 . The bent elements  1106   a  and  1106   b  are adapted to attach to vibrators  1102   a  and  1102   b  and feature bends  1114   a  and  1114   b  having an angle configured to fit on a front shoulder of the user  1112 . Accompanying audio speakers can be earbuds  1116   a  and  1116   b  attached by wires  1120   a  and  1120   b  to the vibration device  1100  and adapted to fit within ears  1118   a  and  1118   b  of the user  1112 . 
       FIG. 12  depicts a front view of another exemplary vibration device  1200  being worn by a user  1214 . The vibration device  1200  has two vibrators  1202   a  and  1202   b  supported by a loop of stretchable band  1206  that loops around the neck  1218  of the user. The stretchable band  1206  has two substantially symmetric front portions  1206   a  and  1206   b,  whose ends  1204   a  and  1204   b  meet at a point  1216  to form a V shaped structure adjacent to the chest of the user  1214 , and a back portion  1206   c  that curves around the back of the neck  1218  of the user. The vibrators  1202   a  and  1202   b,  described above in reference to  FIG. 8 , attach to front portions  1206   a  and  1206   b,  respectively, and can include any suitable mechanism capable of transforming an electrical signal into vibration. The ends  1204   a  and  1204   b  connect to a vertical stretchable band  1208  that depends from the point  1216  to approximately the waist of the user. The stretchable bands  1206  and  1208  may be made of any suitable material that is sufficiently flexible and stretchable, such as elastic fabric. Vertical stretchable band  1208  may have a fastener  1210 , attached to a free end  1208   a.  The fastener  1210  can be any suitable device capable of attaching to a waistband  1212  of clothing to hold the vibration device  1200  in place. 
       FIGS. 13-15  depict other vibrator location arrangements  1300 ,  1400 , and  1500  on a human body. In particular,  FIG. 13  depicts vibrator locations  1302   a  and  1302   b  with respect to the body&#39;s underlying musculature;  FIG. 14  depicts vibrator locations  1402   a  and  1402   b  with respect to the body&#39;s underlying skeletal system; and  FIG. 15  depicts vibrator locations  1502   a  and  1502   b  with respect to the body&#39;s external surface. 
     As depicted by  FIG. 13 , vibrator location arrangement  1300  has vibrator locations  1302   a  and  1302   b  disposed symmetrically across a torso of the body. A first vibrator location  1302   a  is located adjacent to a first abdominal external oblique muscle  1304   a;  and similarly a second vibrator location  1302   b  is located adjacent to a second abdominal external oblique muscle  1304   b.  Both vibrator locations  1302   a  and  1302   b  can be located on the front-back coronal plane  410 , depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
     As depicted by  FIG. 14 , vibrator location arrangement  1400  has vibrator locations  1402   a  and  1402   b  disposed symmetrically across a torso of the body. A first vibrator location  1402   a  is located adjacent to a region  1406   a  of a rib cage which includes the third through tenth rib, known as costae verae III-X; and similarly a second vibrator location  1402   b  is located adjacent to a region  1406   b  of a rib cage which includes the third through tenth rib. Both vibrator locations  1402   a  and  1402   b  can be located on the front-back coronal plane  410 , depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
     As depicted by  FIG. 15 , vibrator location arrangement  1500  has vibrator locations  1502   a  and  1502   b  disposed symmetrically across a torso of the body. A first vibrator location  1502   a  is located adjacent to a first abdominal external oblique muscle  1504   a;  and similarly a second vibrator location  1502   b  is located adjacent to a second abdominal external oblique muscle  1504   b.  Both vibrator locations  1502   a  and  1502   b  can be located on the front-back coronal plane  410 , depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
     Vibrator location arrangements  1300 ,  1400 , and  1500  may be implemented by the exemplary vibration device  1600  depicted in  FIG. 16 . Vibration device  1600  includes a chest vibration device  1602 , which is similar to vibration devices  902 ,  1000 , and  1100  described above and depicted in  FIGS. 9-11 , and a torso vibration device  1604 . Alternatively, the user can opt to use the torso vibration device  1604  without the chest vibration device  1602 . The torso vibration device  1604  includes a right vibrator  1606   a  and a left vibrator  1606   b  both attached to a stretchable band  1608  which encircles a torso  1620  of the human body. The vibrators  1606   a  and  1606   b  can include any suitable mechanism capable of transforming an electrical signal into vibration. The stretchable band  1608  can be made of any suitable material that is sufficiently flexible and stretchable, such as elastic fabric. The surface of the stretchable band  1608  is preferably adapted to reduce slippage when disposed on clothing or skin to prevent the torso vibration device  1604  from moving with respect to the torso  1620 . 
     Other vibrator arrangements may also enhance a user&#39;s interaction with audio or visual content being presented. According to another aspect of the invention, one characteristic of a vibrator arrangement uses a pattern of vibrations measured on a human body&#39;s surface, called a surface vibration pattern. A natural surface vibration pattern occurs when the user generates sound, such as when the user is laughing or shouting.  FIG. 17  depicts an exemplary natural surface vibration pattern  1700  of a user. In particular,  FIG. 17  depicts pictorially the mechanical vibrations recorded at a variety of surface locations on the body&#39;s torso. A stethoscope was placed in contact with each surface location and coupled at its opposing end to a microphone, whose electronic signal output was recorded when the user was generating sound. Each waveform depicted in  FIG. 17  represents the output recorded at that location and is sized according to the same scale to demonstrate the relative amplitudes of the surface locations. Other tests may also be suitable for measuring the surface vibrations on the body. In this example, the amplitudes are largest at symmetric pectoralis major muscle locations  1702   a  and  1702   b,  smaller at symmetric upper trapezius muscle locations  1704   a  and  1704   b  and a sternum location  1706 , and smallest at a xyphoid process location  1708 , underarm locations  1710   a  and  1710   b,  and sides of the ribcage locations  1712   a  and  1712   b.    
     A vibrator location arrangement can induce a surface vibration pattern similar to the natural surface vibration pattern. This similarity in surface vibration patterns is preferably with respect to relative amplitudes across a variety of surface locations on the body. An exemplary vibrator-induced surface vibration pattern  1800 , depicted in  FIG. 18 , has relative amplitudes across a set of surface locations that are similar to those of the natural surface vibration pattern  1700  depicted in  FIG. 17 . The amplitudes depicted in  FIG. 18  were found in a similar manner to those of  FIG. 17 , except the microphone output was recorded when the user was using an exemplary vibration device instead of when the user was generating sound. In particular, the average amplitudes depicted in  FIG. 18 , like those of  FIG. 17 , are largest at symmetric pectoralis major muscle locations  1802   a  and  1802   b,  smaller at symmetric upper trapezius muscle locations  1804   a  and  1804   b  and a sternum location  1806 , and smallest at a xyphoid process location  1808 , underarm locations  1810   a  and  1810   b,  and sides of the ribcage locations  1812   a  and  1812   b.  The vibrators used to generate the vibrations of  FIG. 18  were arranged in locations  1814   a  and  1814   b,  similar to vibrator location arrangements  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and  400 . Additional testing may be performed to determine other possible vibrator location arrangements that may create an immersive experience for the user. 
     Vibrator location arrangements can be symmetric with respect to the body&#39;s front-back coronal plane  410  and left-right median plane  412 , depicted in  FIG. 4 . An arrangement of locations that is symmetric with respect to a plane may include locations that are on the plane, such as vibrator location  402 , depicted in  FIG. 4 , which lies on the front-back coronal plane  410 . Vibrator location arrangements symmetric with respect to the left-right median plane  412  include vibrator location arrangements  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  1300 ,  1400 , and  1500 , depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  and  13 - 15 . 
     Vibrator location arrangements can space vibrators away from a sternum of the body, as depicted in vibrator location arrangements  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  1300 ,  1400 , and  1500  of  FIGS. 1-3  and  13 - 15 . Prolonged vibration of the sternum can irritate and inflame cartilage that connects the sternum to the ribs, creating a painful condition known as costochondritis. 
     A vibration system as described above may receive electrical signals containing audio, haptic, and other data from a variety of media and devices. Example media include music, movies, television programs, video games, and virtual reality environments. Example devices that can provide data and be used in conjunction with a vibration device include portable music players, portable video players, portable video game consoles, televisions, computers, and home entertainment systems. Exemplary vibration systems may connect to exemplary devices via an audio jack coupled to a wire, as depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 9 , or may contain a wireless receiver for wirelessly receiving signals from a device equipped with a wireless transmitter. 
     Using a vibration device in conjunction with a media device can enhance the user&#39;s interaction with the media by creating tactile sensations that synchronize with the data being presented by the media device. For example, soundtracks that accompany movies typically have, in addition to music and dialogue, sounds that accompany the action in the movie, such as a door slamming or an explosion. The vibration device, by transforming these sounds into vibrations, allows the user to simultaneously feel this action in addition to seeing and hearing it, which can create a more immersive experience for the user. This immersive effect can be especially desirable when the visual data is poor, for example portable devices with small video screens or computer monitors with relatively low resolution. As another example, the user&#39;s perception of music may be enhanced by the vibration device, which can create a tactile sensation synchronized with the music by using the same data source as the audio speakers. This enhancement can be especially desirable for experiencing the low frequency component, also known as bass. 
     The vibration device can include processing circuitry capable of processing electrical signals for enhancing the content perceived by the user or allowing the user to modify the content. Processing circuitry may be housed externally to the vibration device, as depicted in the embodiments of  FIGS. 5 and 9 , or internally within the vibration device. 
     Exemplary functions of processing circuitry include pitch control, volume control, fade-in, amplitude-ceiling, auto shut-off, channel separation, phase-delay, and bass enhancement, whose implementations are well-known to one skilled in the art. Pitch control allows a user to increase or decrease the overall frequency of an electrical signal. Volume control allows a user to increase or decrease the overall amplitude of an electrical signal. Fade-in gradually increases the amplitude of the beginning of an electrical signal to lessen the initial impact of vibrations on a user. Amplitude-ceiling creates an upper bound on the magnitude of the amplitude of the electrical signal to prevent the user from experiencing excessively intense vibrations. Auto shut-off turns off the processing circuitry to conserve power without receiving input from the user and when an electrical signal has not been received for a preset amount of time. Channel separation separates a stereo or multichannel signal into its component channels. Phase-delay delays a signal sent to a second vibrator with respect to a signal sent to a first vibrator to give the user the impression the sound originated from a location closer to the first vibrator than the second vibrator. Bass enhancement increases the amplitude of the bass component of an electrical audio signal relative to the rest of the signal. 
     Examples of multichannel signals that can be separated by processing circuitry include stereo sound, surround sound, and multichannel haptic data. Stereo sound typically uses two channels. Channel separation circuitry can separate a stereo sound two-channel electrical audio signal into a left channel signal and a right channel signal intended to be experienced by the user from, respectively, a left-hand side and a right-hand side. Multichannel electrical audio signals, such as those used in 5.1 and 6.1 surround sound, can similarly be separated, and typically contain rear channel signals intended to be experienced by the user from the rear. Channel separation circuitry can also separate multichannel haptic data, such as those used with video games or virtual reality environments, that similarly contain data intended to be experienced by the user from a specific direction. 
     Multiple implementations of bass enhancement are possible. An exemplary processing circuitry  1900  for bass enhancement is depicted in  FIG. 19 . An electrical signal is received at an input  1902  for transmitting to a vibration device  1904  and audio speakers  1906 . A low frequency cross-over circuit  1908  can filter through only the bass component of the received electrical signal, whose overall amplitude is increased by an amplifier  1910  before reaching a vibration device  1904 . 
     Another bass enhancement implementation increases the bass component without filtering out the rest of a signal. Processing circuitry can sample a received electrical signal to create a sampled signal, modulate the pitch of the sampled signal to create a modulated sampled signal, and mix the modulated sampled signal with the received electrical signal to create a signal for the vibration device. The modulation of the pitch preferably lowers the pitch of the sampled signal to increase the bass component of the signal received by the vibration device. The user may also control the degree of bass enhancement by lowering the overall frequency of a signal using pitch control. 
     Processing circuitry can send different signals, each based on an electrical signal received from a source of data, to different destinations. The different destinations can include audio speakers and vibrators that are differentiated by their position relative to the body. For example, the electrical signals generated by channel separation can be transmitted to speakers or vibrators having appropriate positions relative to the body. In particular, signals intended to be experienced from the left can be sent to speakers or vibrators left of the left-right median plane, signals intended to be experienced from the right can be sent to speakers or vibrators right of the left-right median plane, signals intended to be experienced from the rear can be sent to speakers or vibrators rear of the front-back coronal plane, and signals intended to be experienced from the front can be sent to speakers or vibrators anterior of the front-back coronal plane. Exemplary vibration device  600 , depicted in  FIG. 6 , can include a rear vibrator  610  for receiving a rear channel generated by channel separation processing circuitry. Exemplary torso vibration device  1604 , depicted in  FIG. 16 , can include a left vibrator  1606   b  and a right vibrator  1606   a  for receiving, respectively, a left channel and a right channel generated by channel separation processing circuitry. 
     Processing circuitry can also combine multiple functions and can apply different sets of functions to electrical signals depending on their destinations. Preferably, signals sent to vibrators have undergone bass enhancement. For example, the embodiment  1900  depicted in  FIG. 19  applies a bass enhancement implementation  1908  and  1910  to an electrical signal destined for a vibration device  1904 , and applies a direct coupling between the input  1902  and an electrical signal destined for audio speakers  1906 . Different speakers and vibrators may also each have individual controllers to allow the user more flexibility in controlling the immersive experience. 
     Once the electrical signals have been processed, the modified electrical signals can be transmitted to a vibration device, exemplified by vibration devices  502 ,  902 ,  1200 , and  1600  depicted in, respectively,  FIGS. 5 ,  9 ,  12 , and  16 . The vibration devices have vibrators capable of transforming received electrical signals into mechanical movement. The mechanical movement can take the form of a vibration whose amplitude and frequency match those of the received electrical signal. In a preferred embodiment, the vibrator has a flat or concave surface, called a diaphragm, that vibrates to create the matching mechanical movement. Examples of mechanisms capable of generating vibration in response to an electrical signal include an inertial transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a tactile transducer, and a motor with an off-balance rotor. 
     The support structure of the vibration device can serve multiple purposes for insuring the vibration device imparts an immersive experience to the user. The support structure can dispose vibrators in vibrator location arrangements and insure the vibrators can transfer vibration to the user. Other support structure qualities include a comfortable fit, ease of use, and an inconspicuous presence when worn. 
     The support structure of the vibration device can be configured to position vibrators according to vibrator location arrangements, such as those described above and in reference to  FIGS. 1-4  and  13 - 15 . For example, the support structure of the vibration device  502  depicted in  FIG. 5  positions vibrators in vibrator locations  522   a  and  522   b.  Similarly, the support structure  604  depicted in  FIGS. 6A-6C  can position the vibrators  602   a  and  602   b  according to vibrator location arrangements  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and  400  depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 . The user can also adjust the positioning of the vibrators by using the adductor joint  612  to adjust the harnesses  606   a  and  606   b  laterally and the adjustable endpieces  612   a  and  612   b  to adjust the length of the harnesses  606   a  and  606   b.  The support structure  1004  depicted in  FIG. 10  and the suspenders  1204  depicted in FIG.  12  can position vibrators, respectively,  1002   a  and  1002   b,  and  1202   a  and  1202   b,  also according to vibrator location arrangements  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and  400  depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 . The stretchable band  1608  of the torso vibration device  1604  depicted in  FIG. 16  can position vibrators  1606   a  and  1606   b  according to vibrator location arrangements  1300 ,  1400 , and  1500 . 
     The support structure can also be configured to align a diaphragm  802  of a vibrator  800 , depicted in  FIG. 8 , substantially parallel to a surface of the user at the vibrator location to insure that as much as possible of the diaphragm  802  is in contact with the user. For example, the support structure  604  depicted in  FIGS. 6A-6C  has vibrator joints  618   a  and  618   b  capable of adjusting the angle at which the vibrators  602   a  and  602   b  are oriented. The user can adjust the vibrators  602   a  and  602   b  to an angle that orients the diaphragms of the vibrators  602   a  and  602   b  substantially parallel to the surface of the chest of the user  520  at vibrator locations  522   a  and  522   b  depicted in  FIG. 5 . Similarly, the support structure  100  depicted in  FIGS. 10A-10C  has vibrator joints  1020   a  and  1020   b  capable of adjusting the angle at which the vibrators  1002   a  and  1002   b  are oriented. 
     The support structure can also be configured to push the vibrators against the body to insure the user can sense the vibrations of the vibrators. Support structures that include tensile elements can have rigidity sufficient to push the vibrators against the body. For example, the support structure  604  depicted in  FIGS. 6A-6C  has curved harnesses  606   a  and  606   b  configured to flex inwardly, which pushes the vibrators  602   a  and  602   b  against the body. In another example, the support structure  1004  depicted in  FIG. 10  includes a long element  1010  attached to a semi-circular element  1008 . The angle between the long element  1010  and a plane of the semi-circular element  1008  is preferably sufficiently acute to push the vibrators  1002   a  and  1002   b  against the body. Other embodiments contain non-tensile support structures configured to push the vibrators. For example, support structures that include stretchable bands, such as the suspenders  1204  depicted in  FIG. 12  and the stretchable band  1608  depicted in  FIG. 16 , can be made of an elastic material. The elasticity of the stretchable bands pushes the vibrators  1202   a,    1202   b,    1606   a,  and  1606   b  against the body. 
     The support structures described herein can be configured to fit snugly without being too compressive on the body, are straightforward to put on over the shoulders or around the torso, and can be worn underneath clothing without significantly altering the profile of the clothing. 
     Embodiments of the vibration device may also be foldable to facilitate storage and portability of the device. Vibration device support structures that can be made of fabric, such as the suspenders  1204  depicted in  FIG. 12  and the stretchable band  1608  of the torso vibration device  1604  depicted in  FIG. 16 , can easily fold into a myriad of shapes. Vibration devices made of a more rigid material can have joints or hinges for facilitating folding. 
     For example, exemplary vibration device  600  depicted in  FIGS. 6A-6C  can have joints  612 ,  616   a,  and  616   b  adapted for folding up the vibration device  600 . In particular, the adductor joint  612  can adduct the two harnesses  616   a  and  616   b  together; and the harness joints  616   a  and  616   b  can allow the vibrators  602   a  and  602   b,  respectively, to fold towards the point of attachment  608 . The joints  612 ,  616   a,  and  616   b  preferably have one degree of freedom and can be spring-loaded. 
     Similarly, exemplary vibration device  1000  depicted in  FIGS. 10A-10C  can have joints  1020   a,    1020   b,  and  1022  adapted for folding the vibration device  1000  into substantially the same plane as the semi-circular element  1008 . In particular, the bent element joints  1020   a  and  1020   b  can allow the bent elements  1006   a  and  1006   b  to fold upward and inward; and the midpoint joint  1022  can allow the long element  1010  to fold upward and inward. The joints  1020   a,    1020   b,  and  1022  preferably have one degree of freedom and can be spring-loaded. 
     The foregoing embodiments are merely examples of various configurations of components of vibration systems described and disclosed herein and are not to be understood as limiting in any way. Additional configurations can be readily deduced from the foregoing, including combinations thereof, and such configurations and continuations are included within the scope of the invention. Variations, modifications, and other implementations of what is described may be employed without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. More specifically, any of the method, system and device features described above or incorporated by reference may be combined with any other suitable method, system, or device features disclosed herein or incorporated by reference, and is within the scope of the contemplated inventions.