Physical feedback channel for entertainment or gaming environments

Abstract

A physical feedback system for computer gaming environments including a computing device for executing an application software program, the computing device having an interface for transmitting feedback signals generated by the application software program, and a wearable receiver having means for receiving the feedback signals from the computing device and actuator means designed to enter physical feedback sensations to the body and/or head of a user using the skin of the user as an interface.

1 . A system comprising:
 a first wearable device including sensors configured to receive biological data from a first user and a channel configured to transmit signals representing the biological data;   a computing device configured to receive the signals and to execute an application software program, the computing device having an interface configured to transmit feedback signals generated by the application software program based on the received signals; and   a second wearable device including a receiver configured to receive the feedback signals from the computing device and an actuator configured to produce physical feedback sensations to a body and/or head of a second user using skin of the second user as an interface.   
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first wearable device and the second wearable device is integrated in a piece of garment. 
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein a display is integrated into the piece of garment, and the display is configured to react to the feedback signals from the computing device. 
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second wearable device includes a controller configured to control an array of actuators according to an operational pattern depending on any feedback signal received. 
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the application software is an entertainment or game-type software. 
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the feedback signals are generated depending on a user or application context. 
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the feedback signals are generated depending on at least one of a background scene, defined virtual objects, sounds, colors and a virtual actor generated by a game-type software. 
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the application software is designed to display scenes on the monitor, and different elements of the scenes displayed are respectively associated with a channel of the feedback signals and each channel is associated with a respective subgroup of the actuator. 
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to produce at least one of vibrational stimuli, tactile stimuli and heat stimuli. 
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first wearable device and the second wearable device each include means for manually adjusting operational parameters of the actuator. 
   
   
       11 . A method for providing physical feedback sensations to a body of a second user of an application software program, the method comprising:
 receiving biological data of a first user from sensors of a first wearable device;   transmitting signals representing the biological data to an application software program;   receiving the signals in the application software program;   generating feedback signals in the application software program based on the received signals;   transmitting the feedback signals to a second wearable device; and   producing, based on the received feedback signals, physical feedback sensations to a body and/or head of the second user using skin of the second user as an interface.   
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein an array of actuators is controlled according to an operational pattern depending on any feedback signal. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein signals representing biological data from the first user are transmitted to the computing device hosting the application software program for further processing. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the feedback signals are generated depending on at least one of a background scene, defined virtual objects, sounds, colors and a virtual actor generated by a game-type software. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the application software is divided into several logical parts, and each part is associated with a channel of the feedback signals and each channel is associated with a respective subgroup of an actuator. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one of producing vibrational stimuli, tactile stimuli and heat stimuli to a user. 
   
   
       17 . A computer readable storage medium in which a program is recorded, said program executing a method comprising:
 receiving biological data of a first user from sensors of a first wearable device;   transmitting signals representing the biological data to an application software program;   receiving the signals in the application software program;   generating feedback signals in the application software program based on the received signals;   transmitting the feedback signals to a second wearable device; and   producing, based on the received feedback signals, physical feedback sensations to a body and/or head of the second user using skin of the second user as an interface.   
   
   
       18 . A computer game console in which a program is executed, said program executing a method comprising:
 receiving biological data of a first user from sensors of a first wearable device;   transmitting signals representing the biological data to an application software program;   receiving the signals in the application software program;   generating feedback signals in the application software program based on the received signals;   transmitting the feedback signals to a second wearable device; and   producing, based on the received feedback signals, physical feedback sensations to a body and/or head of the second user using skin of the second user as an interface.   
   
   
       19 . A wearable game accessory including a controller in which a method is executed, said method comprising:
 receiving biological data of a first user from sensors of a first wearable device;   transmitting signals representing the biological data to an application software program;   receiving the signals in the application software program;   generating feedback signals in the application software program based on the received signals;   transmitting the feedback signals to a second wearable device; and   producing, based on the received feedback signals, physical feedback sensations to a body and/or head of the second user using skin of the second user as an interface.