Please note: The Research + Innovation office will be closed for the holidays from noon on December 24 through January 2nd, inclusive. 鉂勶笍 Veuillez noter que le bureau de la Recherche et de l'Innovation sera ferm茅 pour les vacances du 24听d茅cembre 脿 midi jusqu鈥檃u 2听janvier inclus.
News
Device which delivers multiple, non-auditory information alerts to a user
Published: 12 August 2020
Invention 2020-078
Device which delivers multiple, non-auditory information alerts to a user
听
A haptic vibration device capable of delivering multiple streams of information to a single actuator with applications in hospitals and power plants.
听
Market Need
In hospitals and factories, nurses or machine operators face a constant barrage of buzzes, alarms, and other loud forms of communication to alert them to danger or request their help. As these alarms are often on a loud-speaker, people who are unaffected by the communication must also pay attention as well. This often leads to distraction and in many cases 鈥渁larm fatigue鈥�. In high-consequence environments there need to be options other than universal alarms and loud-speaker communications.
听
Technology Summary
A common issue with personalized communication devices is that only one piece of information can be delivered, or the user has to look at a screen to view the information. With this haptic vibration technology, three continuous or discrete values can be delivered through a single wearable device. For example, a nurse in the operating room could receive continuous heart-beat values while also receiving two different vibrating alerts if specified vital levels leave a predefined range. Importantly, the types and number of vibrating signals have already been tested and revised in real-life situations. With minimal training, users were able to discern the different communications and react accordingly.
听
Advantages
- Non-auditory, which lowers the likelihood of 鈥渁larm fatigue鈥�
- Three different types of personalized information streams are delivered to one person
- A vibrotactile system helps a user differentiate between separate alerts