Causing haptic feedback:
- Pager motors for their tiny size and feisty output
Directional input:
- will determine the sound sensor used
- doesn’t need to be extremely accurate, since our ears aren’t and the purpose is to give the experience that a hearing person would have
- possibly controlled by a collar of sound sensors
Sensitivity control:
- Potentiometer controlled by the wearer
- option? programmable rotary controls from Methode Electronics, Inc
- Since most sound sensing options have a range well out of human hearing, there will need to be some coding to help narrow it.
Wi-fi input:
- Option: Xbee
- Option: Digi XBee
Sound sensors: info on sound sensors
- Option 1: Breakout Board for ADMP401 MEMS Microphone
- Option 2: Electret Microphone Amplifier – MAX4466 with Adjustable Gain
- Option 3: Electret Microphone with leads
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Other people doing similar and/or fun things with haptic responses:
- VibeAttire– requires direct digital plungin
- Sensebridge’s NorthPaw– haptic feedback for navigation
- Patent for Haptic response apparatus for an electronic device– haptic response when using a touch screen
- Concert Hands– a product for learning to play the piano
- The people behind ARAIG – multi-sensory output vest for gamers. While the kickstarter failed, I’m sure/ hope that they stick with it.
Related articles
- VIA (Visual Impairment Aid) Haptic & Sound Feedback (instructables.com)
- Ford is Changing the Game with Haptic Feedback Technology (permianfordblog.com)
- Advantages of Piezoelectric Actuators in Haptic Feedback (virtual-strategy.com)
- Disney Creates New Mid-Air Haptic Technology (tech.slashdot.org)
Cacophonous Creations 
Don’t use a potentiometer unless there’s no way to avoid it. They are expensive, unreliable, inaccurate, and wear out over time. You’ve got a uc, so rotary encoder is definitely the way to go.
I’d definitely like to avoid it, but haven’t found a way to yet. Any suggestions for how the person wearing the garment could change the sensitivity without using one?
You may choose to narrow the filter range with an old-school RC analog filter rather than trying to digital filter afterward. Either way works, but RC may be easier here: it doesn’t have to be a very sharp filter to work well.
Sorry, I wasn’t clear on that part. I’m going for a way for digital input. ex: plugging in iPod, computer, sound system
Consider Bluetooth as your wireless option. Would let you use an off-the-shelf head-end.
The XBee works with bluetooth 🙂
Try the VPM2 vibration motor (http://www.robotshop.com/solarbotics-vpm2-vibrating-motor-1.html is one place that sells them). It’s sealed, so less chance of stuff getting stuck in the motor.
I hear you can find these pretty inexpensively on ebay?
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