Electrostatic Tactile Knob Feedback for Blind Rotary Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panels lack the ability to provide an intuitive and user-friendly operation feeling through tactile sense, particularly for rotary knobs, limiting their usability in environments where visual feedback is not available, such as during driving or for visually impaired users.
Innovation Solution
A tactile presentation panel with a tactile presentation knob that includes a conductive member and a movement amount calculation circuit to calculate the rotation angle and speed, along with a tactile strength calculation circuit to apply appropriate tactile feedback, allowing for intuitive operation through varying frictional forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a touch panel with a smooth glass surface is used, then designability is improved and the surface is protected, but the ability to provide tactile feedback for blind operation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by making the frictional force dynamic and adjustable based on operation state. The control circuit varies the frictional force between the rotary knob and touch panel surface according to rotation speed and operation mode, enabling tactile feedback that adapts to user needs while maintaining the smooth glass surface design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements Parameter changes by modifying the frictional force parameter between the rotary knob and touch panel. The control circuit adjusts this frictional force based on detected rotation speed and operation mode, providing varying tactile feedback sensations without changing the physical structure of the smooth glass surface.
2Reliability
If a touch panel without movable portions is used, then robustness and longevity are improved, but tactile feedback for position checking is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies Mechanical vibration by generating vibrational tactile feedback through controlled friction between the rotary knob and touch panel. The variable frictional force creates vibration sensations that provide position checking feedback without requiring any movable portions in the touch panel structure itself.
3Ease of operation
If voice notification is used for operation feedback, then tactile feedback function is partially achieved, but functionality is limited by privacy and noise constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the frictional force between the rotary knob and touch panel as an intermediary to transmit operation feedback. This mechanical intermediary provides tactile feedback that works in all environments without being constrained by privacy or noise issues, unlike voice notification.
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 solution provides an operation feeling similar to a dial knob, enhancing user experience by enabling intuitive tactile feedback, making it user-friendly and suitable for blind operation.
Implementation Method 1
a tactile presentation panel that has a tactile presentation knob with a conductive member placed on an operation surface and presents a tactile sense to a user via the tactile presentation knob
Data Source
AI summary
Regarding a tactile presentation panel, a tactile presentation panel that has a tactile presentation knob having a conductive member placed on an operation surface and presents a tactile sense to a user via the tactile presentation knob includes a movement amount calculation circuit that calculates a movement amount of the tactile presentation knob from current coordinates on the tactile presentation panel of the tactile presentation knob and past coordinates of the tactile presentation knob, a tactile strength calculation circuit that calculates a tactile strength to be applied to the user based on the movement amount, and a tactile presentation circuit that sets a voltage signal waveform based on the tactile strength. The movement amount is at least one of a rotation angle and a rotation speed of the tactile presentation knob.