Musinger: Communication of Music over a Distance with Wearable Haptic Display and Touch Sensitive Surface

TL;DR

A novel method involving a touch-sensitive recorder and a wearable haptic display that captures musical interactions via Force Sensitive Resistor and converts these into tactile sensations is introduced, demonstrating effective transmission and perception of musical information.

Abstract

This study explores the integration of auditory and tactile experiences in musical haptics, focusing on enhancing sensory dimensions of music through touch. Addressing the gap in translating auditory signals to meaningful tactile feedback, our research introduces a novel method involving a touch-sensitive recorder and a wearable haptic display that captures musical interactions via force sensors and converts these into tactile sensations. Previous studies have shown the potential of haptic feedback to enhance musical expressivity, yet challenges remain in conveying complex musical nuances. Our method aims to expand music accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments and deepen digital musical interactions. Experimental results reveal high accuracy ($98\%$ without noise, 93% with white noise) in melody recognition through tactile feedback, demonstrating effective transmission and perception of musical information. The findings highlight the potential of haptic technology to bridge sensory gaps, offering significant implications for music therapy, education, and remote musical collaboration, advancing the field of musical haptics and multi-sensory technology applications.

Figures (5)

• Figure 1: Wearable haptic display generating rhythm sensation on the user's forearm. The independent contact-points are generated by three inverse five-bar linkage mechanisms.
• Figure 2: Musinger architecture.
• Figure 3: 3D model of the haptic interface based on the inverted five-bar linkage mechanism. (a) isometric view, (b) lateral view, and (c) front view.
• Figure 4: Experimental setup (Wearable haptic display). The user is wearing the haptic device on the right forearm and telling the patterns perceived.
• Figure 5: Experimental setup (Touch-sensitive recorder). The user is performing the haptic patterns with their fingers interacting with the three touch sensors located on the table.