US Patent 9652946 Hands-free, wearable vibration devices and method

A wearable haptic device includes (a) substrate having provided thereon a fastener (e.g., adhesive) for attachment to a user; (b) one or more EMP transducers attached to the substrate, such that a mechanical response in each EMP transducer may provide a haptic response of sufficient magnitude to be felt by the user; and (c) control circuit controlling the vibration frequency, the time of operation and the duration for each activation of the EMP transducer. The wearable haptic device may include a wireless communication circuit (e.g., Bluetooth transceiver) for receiving message from an external device (e.g., smartphone). The control circuit interprets message received and according to the interpreted message provides an electrical stimulus to cause the mechanical response of the EMP transducer. The EMP transducer may also serve as a sensor, such that a mechanical stimulus on the EMP transducer provides an electrical response that is detected by the control circuit.