Differential Haptic Feedback for Spatial UI Interactions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current user interfaces in portable electronic devices lack effective tactile feedback for spatial interactions between user interface elements, especially when these interactions are obscured by fingers or other elements, leading to a less intuitive and immersive user experience.

Innovation Solution

The provision of differential haptic feedback based on the spatial interaction between user interface elements, using technologies such as touch screens, haptic actuators, piezo-transducers, and electro-active polymers, to provide location-specific and global feedback, allowing users to perceive interactions through touch, regardless of visual obstructions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If visual display is used to show spatial interactions between user interface elements, then information about interactions is provided, but the information becomes obscured when fingers or other elements block the view

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation about spatial interactionVSAvoidvisual obstruction by finger

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces haptic feedback as an intermediary channel to convey spatial interaction information between UI elements. Instead of relying solely on visual display which can be blocked by fingers, the system uses tactile feedback through the touchscreen surface to communicate overlap and contact relationships, providing an alternative information pathway that is not subject to visual obstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the visual mechanical display system with a haptic feedback system. By substituting visual information delivery with tactile feedback mechanisms, the system eliminates the vulnerability to visual blocking while maintaining effective communication of spatial relationships between UI elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If continuous haptic feedback is provided to indicate spatial interactions, then user awareness of interactions is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser awareness of spatial interactionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements haptic feedback that is triggered periodically or event-driven based on spatial interaction events rather than continuously. The system provides tactile feedback when UI elements overlap or contact, and ceases when interactions end, creating a periodic action pattern that maintains user awareness while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback to activate haptic feedback only when spatial interactions occur. This event-driven approach ensures that energy is consumed only when necessary to communicate interaction state changes, optimizing the balance between user awareness and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If differential haptic feedback is provided only in the spatial interaction region, then localized information is conveyed, but global context is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocalization of spatial interactionVSAvoidglobal interaction context

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments haptic feedback into two distinct types: localized feedback at the spatial interaction region to provide precise location information, and global feedback across the entire display to convey overall interaction context. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously provide both detailed local information and comprehensive global context without compromising either.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different haptic feedback qualities to different regions: localized differential feedback with specific tactile characteristics at the interaction region, and different global feedback characteristics across the rest of the display. This local quality differentiation enables simultaneous communication of both precise location and overall context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enhances user experience by providing tactile information about spatial interactions, improving the accuracy and intuitiveness of user interactions, and reducing energy consumption by only providing feedback during active interactions.

Implementation Method 1

The haptic feedback may be provided using one or more of: a touch screen, an array of haptic actuators; piezo-transducers, electro-active polymers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The haptic feedback may be provided using one or more of: a touch screen, an array of haptic actuators; piezo-transducers, electro-active polymers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-active polymer actuation: Electroactive Polymer

Data Source

PatentUS9202350B2User interfaces and associated methods

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

An apparatus and method for enabling the provision of differential haptic feedback to a user based on a particular degree of spatial interaction between a plurality of different user interface elements of a graphical user interface.