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SonyGranted patentAudio & voiceInterest 6/10

Sony patents mat that vibrates your finger to mimic sound

Sony describes a system where a flat speaker mat uses a sensor to detect when an object or finger is resting on it. It then drives a small motor to create specific vibrations, allowing the user to physically feel the sound or texture of the object.

Why it mattersThis technology could make audio experiences more tactile, allowing users to feel low-frequency sounds or textures through their fingertips rather than just hearing them.

In the filing’s own words

An information processing system includes the following units. A signal generation unit 303 generates a vibration signal on the basis of vibration measured by a microphone 110 provided at a mat speaker 10 and a result of detection of an object placed on the mat speaker 10. A signal output unit 392 vibrates a vibrator 120 on the basis of the vibration signal generated by the signal generation unit 303.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An information processing system comprising: a signal generation unit that generates a vibration signal based on vibration measured by a vibration sensor provided at a mat and a result of detection of an object placed on the mat; and a signal output unit that vibrates a vibration mechanism including an eccentric motor at the mat based on the vibration signal generated by the signal generation unit, wherein the eccentric motor is configured to vibrate a finger of a user when the finger is placed on the mat.

Facts

Company
Sony (SONY GROUP CORPORATION)
Official title
Information processing system, control method, and control program
Patent number
US12754610B2
Application number
18698942
Filed
Oct 4, 2022
Granted
Oct 6, 2026
Inventors
9
Claims
14

Classified under

G06F 3/016 Physics & computingG06V 20/64 Physics & computing
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.