Electrostatic Tactile Presentation with Continuous Contact Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tactile presentation devices interrupt the tactile sense felt by users due to alternating operation periods for contact detection and sense presentation, leading to an inconsistent user experience.

Innovation Solution

A tactile presentation device with a control mechanism that allows electrodes to be sequentially switched between contact detection and tactile sense presentation, ensuring simultaneous and uninterrupted tactile feedback by alternating the use of electrodes for detection and presentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electrodes are used alternately for contact detection and tactile sense presentation in time periods, then both detection and presentation functions can be realized, but the tactile sense felt by users is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual function capabilityVSAvoidtactile sense continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact face is divided into multiple electrode regions that can be independently controlled. By segmenting the electrodes into detection regions and presentation regions, the system can perform contact detection in one region while maintaining tactile sense presentation in other regions, thereby avoiding interruption of the overall tactile experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from temporal alternation (time-based switching) to spatial distribution (position-based differentiation). Instead of switching electrodes between detection and presentation modes in time, the system assigns different functions to different spatial regions of the contact face simultaneously, eliminating temporal interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If all electrodes are used for contact detection, then accurate contact position detection is achieved, but tactile sense presentation is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact position detection accuracyVSAvoidtactile sense presentation duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the contact face are assigned different functional qualities: some regions are optimized for detection with appropriate electrode configurations, while other regions are optimized for tactile sense presentation. This local differentiation allows each region to excel at its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode system is segmented into detection-specific regions and presentation-specific regions. Detection regions use electrode configurations optimized for measuring contact position, while presentation regions use configurations optimized for generating tactile feedback, allowing both functions to operate simultaneously without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If electrodes are sequentially switched between detection and presentation, then continuous tactile feedback is maintained, but response time for detection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile sense continuityVSAvoiddetection response time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system eliminates temporal sequencing by introducing spatial parallelism. Multiple electrodes perform detection and presentation functions simultaneously in different spatial locations, converting a time-based sequential process into a space-based parallel process, thereby maintaining continuous tactile feedback without increasing detection response time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

By distributing detection and presentation functions across different spatial regions rather than alternating them in time, the system ensures that tactile sense presentation continues uninterrupted while detection occurs simultaneously in other regions, maintaining continuous useful action without temporal gaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The device provides continuous tactile sense perception by minimizing interruptions during contact detection, allowing for seamless integration of tactile feedback across the entire contact surface.

Implementation Method 1

Technologies for presenting a tactile sense to a surface of a touch panel using an electrostatic force have been developed.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS12405670B2Tactile presentation device and control method

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 TIANMA MICRO ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A tactile presentation device comprising: a contact face; a plurality of electrodes arranged along the contact face; a first control unit controlling operations of the electrodes for detecting contact or approach of an object toward the 5 contact face; a second control unit controlling operations of the electrodes for presenting a tactile sense to the contact face; and a third control unit causing a part of the plurality of the electrodes to be controlled by the first control unit, sequentially changing the electrode to be controlled by 10 the first control unit to another electrode among the plurality of the electrodes, and causing electrodes other than the electrode that is controlled by the first control unit to be controlled by the second control unit.