Flexible Computing Device Haptic Feedback via Bend Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rigid computing devices, such as smartphones and tablets, lack haptic feedback that simulates the physical affordances of content, which are essential for understanding material and structural properties, leading to a diminished user experience compared to physical documents.

Innovation Solution

A flexible computing device with a bend sensor, pulse generator, and electromechanical device that produces vibrations by modulating pulses based on the device's flexing, simulating physical affordances through active and passive haptic feedback, including varying amplitude and frequency of vibrations to mimic the feel of bending a rubber band.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If rigid computing devices are used, then device structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but haptic feedback capability is lost and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice manufacturingVSAvoiduser interaction experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible substrate that can be bent and deformed to generate haptic feedback. This flexible shell approach allows the device to simulate physical document characteristics like page curvature and texture without requiring complex rigid mechanical structures, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while dramatically improving user interaction experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses vibration motors or actuators mounted on the flexible substrate to generate mechanical vibrations that simulate the tactile sensations of handling physical documents. This mechanical vibration approach provides rich haptic feedback while keeping the device structure relatively simple and manufacturing straightforward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Ease of operation

If flexible substrate is used to enable bending, then haptic feedback capability is improved, but device structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic feedback capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible substrate as the core structural element that enables both the flexibility for bending interactions and the haptic feedback generation. This single component serves multiple functions, reducing overall device structural complexity despite the advanced capabilities provided.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the structural base for the display, the medium for user interaction through bending, and the source of haptic feedback through its deformation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If haptic technologies focus on surface features, then manufacturing is simpler, but internal structure simulation is lost and user understanding of material properties is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic technology implementationVSAvoidmaterial and structural property information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs mechanical vibrations generated by vibration motors or actuators to simulate the internal structural properties of materials. By controlling the frequency, amplitude, and pattern of vibrations, the system can convey information about material density, elasticity, and internal structure, going beyond simple surface texture simulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts haptic parameters such as vibration frequency, amplitude, and duration to represent different material properties and structural characteristics. This parameter modulation allows the system to convey rich information about internal structure and material composition without requiring physically complex internal structures in the device itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 interaction by providing haptic sensations that emulate the experience of navigating physical documents, improving navigation and interaction with digital content by simulating dry friction, elasticity, and internal structure, thereby enriching the tactile and kinesthetic experience.

Implementation Method 1

a bend sensor to sense flexing of the flexible computing device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexing detection:

Implementation Method 2

an electromechanical device that produces vibrations in the device from the modulated pulses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromechanical conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS9983673B2Haptic rendering for a flexible computing device

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 VERTEGAAL ROEL

AI summary

A flexible computing device with bend input and active haptic feedback that provides vibro-tactile sensations such as friction and resistance to a user. The sensations include vibrations that simulate a physical affordance of content displayed on the flexible computing device. In one embodiment the device is a smartphone.