Automotive Touchscreen Haptic Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of automotive dashboards due to numerous functions and the lack of tactile feedback in touchscreens can lead to driver distraction and attentional overload, as users may not receive clear confirmation of their actions, potentially causing mistakes and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A control device for automotive vehicles that measures pressure variations on a touch surface and generates sensory stimuli, including vibratory and audio cues, to provide feedback to users, with substitutional audio stimuli used when press durations are too short to ensure perception of haptic feedback, thereby simulating the feeling of a standard button press.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a touchscreen is used to replace physical buttons, then the number of functions can be increased and the interface can be virtualized, but the driver receives no direct tactile feedback from the interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary haptic feedback mechanism between the touchscreen and the driver's finger. A vibration motor or actuator is positioned beneath the touch surface to generate tactile sensations that simulate button press feedback, allowing the driver to perceive interaction confirmation without physical buttons
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical button press system with an electronic touchscreen system that uses electrical signals to detect touch and generates haptic feedback through vibration motors or piezoelectric actuators, substituting mechanical feedback with electronically controlled tactile sensations
2Loss of information
If haptic feedback is added to the touchscreen, then tactile feedback is provided to the user, but the driver's visual and auditory pathways may be overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies haptic feedback locally at the specific touch location on the touchscreen rather than providing global visual or auditory signals. The vibration is confined to the area under the user's finger, providing targeted tactile confirmation that does not overload other sensory pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements immediate haptic feedback that occurs simultaneously with or immediately after the touch input, providing real-time confirmation of the driver's action. This feedback loop closes the information gap without requiring additional visual or auditory processing
3Speed
If the user presses the touch surface very rapidly, then the interaction speed is increased, but the perception of the vibratory stimulus is hindered due to loss of contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent activates the haptic feedback mechanism slightly before the expected release of the touch, ensuring the vibration is already underway when the finger loses contact. This preliminary timing ensures the tactile stimulus is delivered even during rapid interactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the timing and duration of the haptic feedback based on the detected press duration and release speed. For rapid presses, the system extends the vibration duration or delays its termination to ensure the stimulus is perceived despite the brief contact time
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances user interaction by providing clear and intuitive feedback without visual or auditory overload, ensuring that drivers receive confirmation of their actions, reducing the risk of mistakes and improving driving safety.
Implementation Method 1
in which the pressure variation of a press of a user on a touch surface is measured
Implementation Method 2
the sensory stimulus includes at least one vibratory stimulus when the variation in the press pressure over a predetermined duration is comprised in a predefined range
Implementation Method 3
the sensory stimulus is replaced with a substitutional audio stimulus when the variation in the press pressure over the predetermined duration departs from the predefined range
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a control device for a motor vehicle which comprises measuring the variation in the pressure by a user pressing on a touch-sensitive surface (2) and generating a haptic feedback, characterised in that the haptic feedback comprises at least one vibratory feedback when the variation in the pressing pressure (dp1, dp2, dp2′) over a predetermined time (dt1, dt2) is within a predefined range, and in that the haptic feedback is replaced with a replacement acoustic feedback when the variation in the pressing pressure (dp1, dp2, dp2′) over the predetermined time (dt1, dt2) leaves the predefined range.