Haptic Cell Array for Tangible Touch Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current user interfaces, such as touchscreens, lack physical realism and depth in user interface interactions and gestures, requiring constant visual attention and failing to provide a tangible and efficient interaction experience, especially in visually occupied scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A user interface device utilizing an array of haptic cells that provide deformation-based haptic feedback, simulating the mechanical impedance and stiffness of virtual objects, allowing for programmable kinesthetic and vibrotactile effects to enhance the realism and fidelity of interactions, by using a processor to control haptic output devices and sensors to detect user inputs and generate appropriate haptic effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional touchscreen interfaces are used, then visual information display is achieved, but physical realism and tactile feedback are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The touchscreen is divided into an array of independent haptic cells, each capable of providing localized haptic feedback. This segmentation allows different regions of the screen to provide different tactile sensations, restoring haptic information while maintaining a manageable structure through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines visual display functionality with haptic feedback capability into a single integrated touchscreen interface. By merging these functions, the system delivers both visual and tactile information through one device, reducing overall system complexity while enhancing information delivery.
2Ease of operation
If visual attention is required for interaction, then precise control is achieved, but user safety and efficiency in visually occupied scenarios deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic cells provide tactile feedback that guides user interaction independently of visual input. The system uses haptic patterns to indicate selectable elements, confirm selections, and guide navigation, allowing users to interact with the interface through touch alone, thereby eliminating the need for constant visual attention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If haptic feedback is added to touchscreen, then user experience is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic cells serve multiple functions: they provide tactile feedback for visual elements, enable independent haptic interaction, and can be controlled through software without requiring separate hardware systems. This multi-functionality enhances adaptability while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical haptic mechanisms with electronically controlled haptic cells that can be actuated through standard touchscreen control circuits. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining diverse interaction capabilities through software-controlled haptic patterns.
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 enhances the realism and efficiency of user interface interactions by providing a tangible and intuitive experience, allowing for richer haptic feedback and increased perceived resolution, enabling interactions without constant visual attention and expanding the range of haptic information that can be delivered.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of haptic cells is configured to provide a haptic effect in response to an input... The haptic output device is configured to provide deformation-based haptic feedback... simulating the mechanical impedance and stiffness of virtual objects
Implementation Method 2
A sensor array is integrated into the flexible layer... The sensor array is configured to detect a touch input on the flexible layer
Implementation Method 3
A processor is configured to generate control signals... the haptic output device is configured to provide deformation-based haptic feedback in response to the control signals
Implementation Method 4
allowing for programmable kinesthetic and vibrotactile effects... provide a haptic effect in response to an input independent of the other haptic cells
Data Source
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AI summary
A user interface device includes a flexible layer comprising a touch surface configured to receive a touch by a user, a plurality of haptic cells covered by the flexible layer, each haptic cell comprising a haptic output device, a sensor configured to sense an amount and/or rate of deformation of the flexible layer when a user touches the touch surface, and a processor configured to receive an output signal from the sensor, generate a haptic control signal based on the output signal from the sensor, and output the haptic control signal to at least one haptic output device of the plurality of haptic cells to cause the haptic output device to deform an associated haptic cell in response to the sensed deformation of the flexible layer.