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ToneForge Haptics is the tactile counterpart to everything you’ve already built. It completes the sensory loop by turning sound and visual behavior into physical feedback, without breaking determinism or production discipline.

Below is a complete, standalone PRD for ToneForge Haptics, written to integrate cleanly with Sequencer, State, Context, Mixer, Visualizer, Runtime, and Intelligence.

📳 ToneForge Haptics

Product Requirements Document (PRD)

1. Product Overview

Product Name

ToneForge Haptics

Description

ToneForge Haptics is the procedural tactile feedback generation module of the ToneForge ecosystem. It converts sound and visual behavior into deterministic, expressive haptic patterns for controllers, mobile devices, wearables, and other feedback‑capable hardware.

ToneForge Haptics does not generate sound or visuals.
It defines how the system feels physically.

2. Role in the ToneForge Ecosystem

ToneForge Haptics operates alongside Visualizer and Mixer as a sensory output layer:

State / Context
      ↓
   Sequencer
      ↓
   Runtime
      ↓
 Mixer / Visualizer / Haptics

Its purpose is to:

  • reinforce sound and visual intent
  • provide tactile clarity under load
  • enhance immersion without overload
  • unify multi‑sensory feedback
  • support accessibility and comfort

3. Design Goals

Primary Goals

  • Deterministic haptic behavior
  • Audio‑ and behavior‑driven patterns
  • Cross‑device abstraction
  • Low‑latency runtime execution
  • Explicit, inspectable configuration

Non‑Goals

  • Device‑specific driver management
  • Manual waveform editing
  • Cinematic vibration authoring
  • AI‑driven improvisation

4. Core Concepts

4.1 Haptic Event

A haptic event represents a tactile response to a sound or behavior.

Examples:

  • footstep pulse
  • impact thump
  • UI confirmation tick
  • sustained rumble

Haptic events are behavior‑aligned, not raw waveforms.

4.2 Haptic Pattern

A haptic pattern defines:

  • intensity curve
  • duration
  • rhythm
  • decay
{
  "pattern": "impact_heavy",
  "intensity": 0.8,
  "duration": 120,
  "decay": "fast"
}

Patterns are deterministic and reusable.

4.3 Device Abstraction

ToneForge Haptics targets capability classes, not specific hardware:

  • simple vibration
  • dual‑motor controllers
  • linear actuators
  • wearable feedback

Device‑specific translation happens at the integration layer.

5. Integration with Other Modules

5.1 ToneForge Sequencer

Sequencer drives:

  • haptic timing
  • rhythmic repetition
  • pattern switching

Example:

  • footsteps → rhythmic pulses
  • sprinting → faster, sharper feedback

5.2 ToneForge State

State influences:

  • haptic intensity
  • pattern selection
  • feedback suppression

Example:

  • stealth state → reduced haptics
  • combat state → stronger feedback

5.3 ToneForge Context

Context influences:

  • surface feel (soft vs hard)
  • environmental dampening
  • accessibility overrides

Example:

  • water context → softer, longer pulses

5.4 ToneForge Mixer

Mixer coordinates:

  • haptic intensity with audio loudness
  • overload prevention
  • priority‑based suppression

This prevents sensory fatigue.

5.5 ToneForge Visualizer

Visualizer and Haptics remain perceptually aligned:

  • visual bursts ↔ tactile pulses
  • sustained visuals ↔ low‑frequency rumble

5.6 ToneForge Intelligence

Intelligence may:

  • detect overuse of haptics
  • suggest intensity reductions
  • recommend pattern consolidation

Haptics never auto‑adjust without approval.

6. Haptic Definition Schema

{
  "name": "footstep_gravel",
  "pattern": "pulse",
  "intensity": 0.4,
  "duration": 60
}

7. Runtime API

haptics.trigger("impact_heavy", {
  intensity: 0.9
});

Haptic triggers are:

  • non‑blocking
  • frame‑safe
  • deterministic

8. Accessibility & Comfort

ToneForge Haptics supports:

  • global intensity scaling
  • pattern simplification
  • complete disablement
  • accessibility‑aware presets

Comfort is a first‑class concern.

9. Determinism & Safety

ToneForge Haptics guarantees:

  • no hidden randomness
  • bounded intensity
  • explicit timing
  • reproducible behavior

Haptic output is always inspectable.

10. Performance Targets

  • Minimal CPU overhead
  • Low‑latency triggering
  • Scales to many concurrent events
  • Safe for mobile and low‑power devices

11. Use Cases

  • Footstep feedback
  • Weapon recoil
  • UI confirmation
  • Environmental effects
  • Accessibility reinforcement
  • XR and immersive experiences

12. Debugging & Tooling

Optional tooling includes:

  • live haptic visualization
  • intensity meters
  • pattern previews
  • overload detection

This makes tactile behavior observable.

13. Future Extensions

  • Advanced actuator support
  • Network‑synchronized haptics
  • User‑customizable haptic profiles
  • Cross‑modal fatigue analysis
  • Marketplace‑ready haptic patterns

14. Why ToneForge Haptics Matters

Without a haptics layer:

  • feedback relies solely on sound and visuals
  • accessibility suffers
  • immersion is incomplete

ToneForge Haptics ensures:

  • clarity
  • physical presence
  • sensory balance

It turns sound behavior into felt experience.

15. Summary

ToneForge Haptics is the tactile expression layer of the ToneForge ecosystem.
It transforms sound and visual behavior into deterministic, expressive physical feedback—completing the multi‑sensory loop while preserving control, comfort, and production safety.

If you want next, the strongest follow‑ups are:

  • a Haptics + Accessibility deep dive
  • example haptic pattern libraries
  • or a comparison to traditional controller vibration systems