Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatuses for controlling an operation of a vibrational output system and/or an operation of an input sensor system, wherein the controller is for use in a device comprising the vibrational output system and the input sensor system. A controller comprises an input configured to receive an indication of activation or de-activation of an output of the vibrational output system; and an adjustment module configured to adjust the operation of the vibrational output system and/or the operation of the input sensor system based on the indication to reduce an interference expected to be caused by the output of the vibrational output system on the input sensory system.

There is provided an electromagnetic acoustic transducer comprising a waveguide having a surface, and a plurality of spaced elements arranged in an array on the surface of the waveguide. Each element of the plurality of elements comprises a magnet and a coil wound around the magnet. A direction of magnetization of the plurality of elements alternating from one of the plurality of elements to a next one of the plurality of elements.

A damper member may include a gel-like member and a first film joined to a first surface of the gel-like member in a thickness direction, in which a side surface of the gel-like member located between a second surface opposite to the first surface of the gel-like member in the thickness direction and the first surface is opened.

A system and method for enhancing sensory function of an individual are disclosed. The system comprises a generalized brain-skin interface (GBSI), configured to enable the individual to experience senses. The system further comprises a sensor, a processor, and an epidermal neuro-oscillating patch (ENOP). The sensor is configured to receive environmental data surrounding the individual. The processor in communication with the sensor is configured to receive environmental data from the sensor and convert it into an analog vibration pattern. The epidermal neuro-oscillating patch (ENOP) is removably fastened to the skin of the individual, configured to produce a sequence of vibrations based on the analog vibration pattern received from the processor and directly transmit it to the skin for stimulating the nerves of the individual, thereby effectively training the brain of the individual to learn and equate the sequence of vibrations for experiencing senses of the physical environment of the individual.

A vibration actuator includes: a movable part including a coil or a magnet; a fixing part including the other one of the coil or the magnet; and an elastic supporting part supporting the movable part such that the movable part is movable to the fixing part. The movable part reciprocates with respect to the fixing part in a vibrating direction by interaction between the coil and the magnet. The magnet is disposed to be radially inwardly spaced apart from the coil. The elastic supporting part is fixed at its one end to the fixing part and at its other end to the movable part. The elastic supporting part has a structure for cantilevering the movable part. The coil in a state of being fixed to a resin coil holder is integrated in the movable part or the fixing part.

Provided is a control device controlling an electromagnetic actuator that drives an operation device, supported in an elastically vibratable manner by an elastic support part, in one direction of a vibration direction of the operation device to vibrate the operation device. The control device includes a circuit that applies a main driving signal to a coil of the electromagnetic actuator to start vibration of the operation device in response to a touch operation on the operation device, then applies a sub-driving signal to the coil to adjust an attenuation period of the vibration. The sub-driving signal has a variable voltage varying with an offset voltage, as a center value, offset from a zero voltage, and a waveform that indicates a variation in the variable voltage is a sine function curve or a cosine function curve.

Provided is a control device controlling an electromagnetic actuator that drives an operation device, supported in an elastically vibratable manner by an elastic support part, in one direction of a vibration direction of the operation device to vibrate. The control device includes a circuit that applies a main driving signal to a coil of the electromagnetic actuator to start vibration of the operation device in response to a touch operation on the operation device, then applies a sub-driving signal to the coil to adjust an attenuation period of the vibration. The sub-driving signal has a variable voltage varying with an offset voltage, as a center value, offset from a zero voltage, and a waveform that indicates a variation in the variable voltage is a sine function curve or a cosine function curve. The circuit applies the sub-driving signal while changing the offset voltage for each cycle.

Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatuses for controlling an operation of a vibrational output system and/or an operation of an input sensor system, wherein the controller is for use in a device comprising the vibrational output system and the input sensor system. A controller comprises an input configured to receive an indication of activation or de-activation of an output of the vibrational output system; and an adjustment module configured to adjust the operation of the vibrational output system and/or the operation of the input sensor system based on the indication to reduce an interference expected to be caused by the output of the vibrational output system on the input sensory system.

This disclosure is related to marine seismic sources, for example marine seismic sources known in the art as benders. Some embodiments of this disclosure use Lorentz forces to produce seismic energy. For example, magnets and wire coils may be attached to one or more plates of a marine seismic source, and the Lorentz interaction between them may cause deformation of the plates to produce seismic energy. Such marine seismic sources may be components of a marine seismic survey system, and may be used in a method of marine seismic surveying. Methods of making marine seismic sources are also disclosed.

A vibration generating device that can make a relatively heavy vibration member produce sufficient vibration. A vibration generating device has: a vibration member; multiple actuators that are connected to the vibration member; and a stationary element that supports the vibration member via the multiple actuators. Each of the multiple actuators comprises: a supporting body to which the vibration member is fixed; a movable element; a first elastic member that is connected to the supporting body and the movable element; and a magnetic drive circuit (a first magnetic drive circuit and a second magnetic drive circuit) that makes the movable element move linearly back and forth relative to the supporting body. The multiple actuators are supported by the stationary element via a second elastic member. The first elastic member and the second elastic member comprise a gelatinous silicone gel or the like.