Haptic Technology for Diverse Industries

Publication ID: 24-11857201_0002_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Haptic Technology for Diverse Industries,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857201_0002_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857201_0002_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,201.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

This inventive concept leverages the core technology of haptic control and navigation systems to address various challenges in agriculture, athletics, music, robotics, and virtual reality, enabling new applications and use cases beyond surgical systems.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent, 'Surgical system with automated alignment,' provided a haptic control solution for surgical tools. However, its scope was limited to the medical field. This inventive concept addresses the problem of restricted application by adapting the core technology to tackle distinct challenges in other industries, such as optimizing agricultural harvesting, enhancing athletic performance, and improving musical technique.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new inventive concept involves integrating haptic devices with navigation systems to provide real-time tactile feedback in various contexts. In agriculture, this enables farmers to precisely track crop boundaries and optimize harvesting. In athletics, it allows for real-time feedback on form and technique. In music, it enhances musicians' technique and expression. In robotics, it enables remote operators to receive tactile feedback during inspections. In virtual reality therapy, it simulates real-world experiences for patients. The haptic devices and navigation systems work in tandem to provide accurate and timely feedback, improving overall performance and efficiency.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel applications of haptic technology, expanding its scope beyond surgical systems. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the core technology to address distinct challenges in various industries, demonstrating a non-obvious extension of the original patent's concepts.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of this inventive concept could include using different types of haptic devices, such as exoskeletons or wearable devices, or integrating the technology with other sensors, like computer vision or lidar. Variations could also involve applying the concept to other industries, such as gaming, education, or manufacturing.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

This inventive concept has significant commercial potential across multiple industries, including agriculture, athletics, music, robotics, and virtual reality. The target markets include companies and organizations seeking to improve efficiency, performance, and safety in their respective fields.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B17/15
A A61 A61B17/142
A A61 A61B17/1615
A A61 A61B17/1703
A A61 A61B34/20
A A61 A61B34/30
A A61 A61B34/76
A A61 A61B17/157
A A61 A61B34/25
A A61 A61B90/03
A A61 A61B2017/00128
A A61 A61B2034/105
A A61 A61B2034/2055

Field of Art

Haptic control systems and robotic navigation technologies, with expertise in surgical robotics, sensor integration, and human-machine interaction interfaces across medical, industrial, and interactive domains

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A multidisciplinary engineer with advanced degrees in robotics, mechanical engineering, or biomedical engineering, possessing comprehensive knowledge of sensor technologies, control systems, and adaptive feedback mechanisms

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the core technological principles of haptic navigation and tactile feedback systems disclosed in the surgical patent are fundamentally transferable across diverse technological domains. The source patent's core innovations of sensor-driven robotic control and adaptive feedback can be readily adapted to alternative contexts by applying standard engineering design principles. The variations presented in the PTD represent predictable extensions of existing technological frameworks, utilizing well-established techniques of sensor integration and navigation systems.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Robotic device with sensor for detecting user presence and enabling automatic movement
PTD Variation
Agricultural harvesting system using navigation sensors to track tool proximity to crop boundaries
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable application of existing sensor tracking technology to optimize precision in a different industrial context, representing a routine design adaptation
Source Patent Element
Haptic control system providing tactile feedback during surgical procedures
PTD Variation
Athletic training system providing real-time movement feedback through haptic devices
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of translating biomechanical tracking and feedback mechanisms across human performance domains, representing an obvious technological extension
Source Patent Element
Controller with processor and memory for managing robotic device interactions
PTD Variation
Virtual reality therapy system using navigation tracking to simulate tactile experiences
Obviousness Reasoning
Standard implementation of computational control frameworks to create immersive sensory experiences, utilizing well-understood interaction design principles
Source Patent Element
Surgical tool with automated alignment and virtual plane offset mechanisms
PTD Variation
Remote robotic inspection system providing operator tactile feedback during manipulation
Obviousness Reasoning
Straightforward translation of precision control and feedback mechanisms from surgical to industrial robotic contexts, representing a predictable technological adaptation
Source Patent Element
Haptic device configured to provide force and vibration feedback
PTD Variation
Musical performance enhancement system tracking musician movements and providing technique feedback
Obviousness Reasoning
Obvious application of sensor tracking and tactile feedback technologies to performance optimization, utilizing known human-machine interaction design principles
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the technological teachings of US Patent 11857201, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the variations disclosed herein to be obvious extensions of existing haptic control and navigation technologies. The presented technical variations represent predictable combinations of known sensor tracking, feedback mechanisms, and control system design principles, thereby rendering potential claims covering such implementations obvious and unpatentable under standard obviousness analysis.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,201
TitleSurgical system with automated alignment
Assignee(s)MAKO Surgical Corp.