Most teenagers can’t say they earned a patent by 16. Then again, Jack Falcone, a Martinsville resident, isn’t like most teens.
The Immaculata High School student has a knack for the extraordinary, driven by a desire to make the world better.
In July, Falcone was granted a U.S. patent for the Sound Glove, a wearable haptic feedback system designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. The idea was born from his passion for music and combines that love with his drive to help others.
The Sound Glove processes audio input in real time to generate haptic outputs based on the musical notes and rhythm of a composition.
“It’s a glove that the user puts on their hand, and within the inner layers of the glove there are motors that vibrate, like a massage gun,” says Falcone, an accomplished musician who plays the piano, organ, accordion and keyboard. “On the palm, there’s a device that takes in vibrations from the air and then sends that into a CPU, which is also inside. Through a line of code that I wrote, notes are converted to vibrations in the glove.”
The code works similarly to Braille, the tactile writing system for the visually impaired.
“It’s different sets of vibrations,” Falcone says. “A C could be a very fast and hard vibration, while a D could be very soft, or notes could be different speeds. The CPU tells each motor what to do, and the user learns which vibration matches each note.”
Falcone’s idea dates back several years.
“I think I was 12 or 13 when I came up with the idea and first tried to get a patent,” he says.
That spark was ignited at a Saint James School science fair, where students were challenged to identify a problem in the world and design a solution. With the guidance of Ellen Corcoran, who ran the school’s technology department, Falcone used a 3D printer to create the first version of his Sound Glove.
“While I was presenting it, multiple people told me I should get this patented,” Falcone says. “So I spoke to one of my dad’s friends, who referred us to a patent attorney. From there, I just kept pushing forward, adding more to it until I finally got patented.”
At age 14, he submitted his first patent application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It was denied. But after revising his design, Falcone resubmitted the application. This summer, it was approved — despite three other competing applications under review, two from medical device companies and one from Georgia Tech.
Falcone is already setting his sights on the future. He is exploring engineering-focused universities with programs that allow students to pursue dual degrees in business, computer science, engineering and health sciences, with the possibility of continuing into graduate and medical school. His goal is to innovate at the intersection of technology and medicine.
For now, he plans to continue perfecting the Sound Glove and eventually see it manufactured and sold.
Falcone’s accomplishments extend well beyond the patent. A gifted pianist, he has performed with multiple symphonies and was part of the prestigious Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts, including its selective jazz ensemble led by acclaimed musician Julius Tolentino. He was recently honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his community service, which includes performing at nursing homes and creating 3D-printed emblems for veterans and residents.
“When I play for nursing homes, I’ve noticed many residents have lost their hearing over time,” Falcone says. “Some can’t hear what I’m playing, but when I play hits from the 1920s, they’ll tap their foot or finger and try to say ‘more.’ That joy inspires me. I want to create something that helps them feel the music.”
Falcone also excels in another field that requires precision: fencing. He is currently ranked No. 1 in New Jersey for men’s foil in his age category and No. 15 overall in the state.
Whether through music, invention or sport, Falcone’s focus, discipline and creativity set him apart.
“I want to keep innovating and creating things that make people’s lives better,” he says.