Adaptive Stylus Haptics for Grip and Posture Variation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing haptic styluses provide inconsistent haptic feedback due to varying user grip and pressure, which can be exacerbated by the stylus being pressed against a touch-sensitive computing device or held loosely, leading to distracting or uncomfortable user experiences.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses sensors on both the touch-sensitive input device and computing device to determine a haptic perception factor, adjusting haptic actuation based on grip, pressure, posture, and environmental factors to provide consistent feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If haptic feedback is provided through a stylus with fixed actuation parameters, then the haptic output can be generated consistently by the stylus, but the user experience deteriorates due to dampening effects caused by varying grip styles and device postures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaptic output consistencyVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts haptic actuation parameters based on real-time sensor data about grip style and device posture. The controller modifies vibration intensity, frequency, and duration adaptively to compensate for dampening effects, transforming a static haptic system into a dynamic one that responds to changing user conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback loop where sensors detect grip style and device posture, the controller processes this information to determine appropriate haptic parameters, and the haptic actuator delivers adjusted feedback. This closed-loop system ensures the haptic output remains effective despite variations in user interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If haptic actuation parameters are adjusted to compensate for dampening, then user experience improves, but the system complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses existing sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, touch sensors) already present in the stylus and computing device for their primary functions, repurposing them to detect grip style and device posture. This multi-functional approach avoids adding dedicated sensors solely for haptic adjustment, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The haptic control system is merged with the existing device control architecture, combining haptic parameter adjustment with overall device operation management. The controller integrates haptic feedback logic with existing touch input processing, creating a unified system that reduces complexity compared to separate independent systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are used to detect grip and posture, then haptic perception accuracy improves, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaptic perception accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves high measurement precision by repurposing existing multi-functional sensors already included in the stylus and computing device. Accelerometers and gyroscopes detect both device orientation and grip characteristics, while touch sensors serve dual purposes for screen interaction and grip detection, eliminating the need for additional specialized sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts multiple parameters (acceleration, orientation, touch pressure) from existing sensors and processes them differently to derive both grip style and device posture information. By changing how existing sensor data is processed and combined, the system achieves high measurement precision without adding hardware complexity or cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4348399B1Providing haptic feedback through touch-sensitive input devices
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP4348399B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4348399B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4348399B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A method for providing haptic feedback. Haptic feedback may be provided to a user through a touch-sensitive input device configured to provide input to a touch-sensitive computing device. The method includes determining a haptic perception factor based at least in part on one or more of a set of input device inputs received from sensors of the touch-sensitive input device and a set of computing device inputs received from sensors of the touch-sensitive computing device. A haptic response profile is determined based at least in part on the haptic perception factor. Haptic devices of the touch-sensitive input device are then actuated based at least in part on the determined haptic response profile.