Haptic Feedback for Character String Retrieval on Small Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile terminals with small display screens face usability issues when retrieving character strings from large-sized files, as operators must carefully observe the screen to spot highlighted keywords, which can be missed due to limited screen size and the need for re-inputting keywords, leading to increased effort and eye fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A character string retrieval apparatus that includes a display unit, an operation unit, and a tactile sensation providing unit, where the control unit shifts the retrieval result and provides a tactile sensation to the operator's finger when the retrieved character string is displayed, allowing the operator to recognize its presence without needing to carefully observe the screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the retrieved character string is highlighted on the display screen, then the operator can easily spot the keyword, but the operator must carefully observe the small screen to recognize the retrieved keyword, leading to eye fatigue and potential missed detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tactile intermediary (vibration or haptic feedback) between the display system and the operator. When the retrieved character string is highlighted on the small display screen, the tactile feedback mechanism provides additional sensory information through vibration or haptic sensation, allowing the operator to recognize the retrieved keyword through multiple senses rather than relying solely on visual observation of the small screen, thereby reducing eye fatigue and improving recognition reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a tactile dimension to the traditionally visual retrieval feedback system. Instead of relying only on visual highlighting on the display screen, the system incorporates tactile feedback (vibration or haptic sensation) as another dimension of information delivery, enabling the operator to detect retrieved keywords through touch sensation in addition to visual observation, thus compensating for the limitations of small screen size
2Reliability
If the operator re-inputs the keyword to jump to the position including the keyword, then the retrieved keyword can be displayed, but the input device on mobile terminals is limiting and requires more operations, increasing operator effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to automatically navigate to and display the retrieved keyword position without requiring the operator to re-input the keyword. The system uses the previously input keyword to automatically jump to the matching position in the text, eliminating the need for redundant manual input operations while ensuring the retrieved keyword is reliably displayed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system monitors the display state and automatically responds by navigating to the retrieved keyword position. When the system detects that the retrieved keyword should be displayed, it automatically jumps to the correct position and provides tactile feedback, creating a closed-loop system that reduces manual intervention and operational effort
3Area of stationary object
If the display screen size is increased to show the retrieved keyword more easily, then the operator can recognize the keyword without careful observation, but mobile terminals have limited screen size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tactile intermediary (vibration or haptic feedback) that bridges the gap between the limited display screen area and the operator's recognition needs. The tactile feedback provides additional sensory information that compensates for the small screen size, allowing the operator to recognize retrieved keywords through touch sensation rather than requiring a larger visual display area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a tactile dimension to compensate for the limited visual dimension (screen size). By incorporating haptic or vibrational feedback, the system creates an additional sensory channel for information delivery, effectively expanding the information delivery capacity beyond the physical constraints of the small display screen
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 apparatus enables operators to unfailingly recognize the retrieved character string on the display, reducing eye fatigue and improving usability by providing a tactile sensation when the character string is displayed, allowing for easier recognition and navigation within the retrieval results.
Implementation Method 1
a tactile sensation providing unit configured to vibrate the operation unit; and a control unit configured to, based on the input operation detected by the operation unit, control to shift an area of the retrieval result of the character string displayed on the display unit, wherein the control unit, in displaying a retrieved character string on the display unit, controls the tactile sensation providing unit such that a tactile sensation is provided to a pressing object pressing the operation unit
Data Source
AI summary
In order to enable an operator to unfailingly recognize a retrieved character string displayed on a display unit as a result of retrieval from a target such as text, a character string retrieval apparatus 1 for retrieving the character string from the target includes a display unit 20 for displaying a retrieval result of the character string, an operation unit 30 for detecting an input operation, a tactile sensation providing unit 40 for vibrating the operation unit 30, and a control unit 10 for shifting an area of the retrieval result of the character string displayed on the display unit 20, based on the input operation detected by the operation unit 30, and, when displaying the retrieved character string on the display unit 20, for controlling the tactile sensation providing unit 40 such that a tactile sensation is provided to an object pressing the operation unit 30.