Haptic Feedback Manager for Touch Input Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computing devices face challenges in comprehensively incorporating haptic feedback across different applications and services that do not have the ability to invoke haptic mechanisms, limiting the usability of haptic feedback in various scenarios.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a system and method that enables haptic feedback on touch input devices by determining whether an application or operating system supports haptic feedback, allowing haptic feedback to be generated even if it is not directly supported, through the use of a haptic module that recognizes user input and attributes of gestures to produce predefined haptic feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If haptic feedback is implemented only in applications that directly support it, then the implementation is simple and reliable, but the versatility and comprehensiveness of haptic feedback coverage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaptic feedback coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component (haptic feedback manager or system-level interface) that sits between applications and the haptic mechanism. This intermediary translates generic user input events into haptic feedback commands, enabling applications that do not directly support haptic feedback to still benefit from it. The intermediary handles the complexity of haptic control while applications maintain their原有 simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal haptic feedback system that can serve multiple types of applications regardless of their native haptic support. By implementing a system-level haptic interface that monitors and responds to user inputs across all applications, the solution enables haptic feedback coverage throughout the entire system, making the haptic mechanism universally applicable rather than application-specific.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If haptic feedback is provided for all user inputs regardless of application support, then the user experience consistency is improved, but the difficulty of integrating with legacy systems increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experience consistencyVSAvoidintegration ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediary haptic feedback manager acts as a bridge between legacy systems and the haptic mechanism. It intercepts user input events at the system level and generates appropriate haptic feedback without requiring modifications to legacy applications. This approach maintains user experience consistency while preserving compatibility with existing systems that were not designed with haptic support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements preliminary action by establishing a system-level haptic feedback framework before applications need to use it. The haptic feedback manager is pre-configured to monitor user inputs and trigger haptic responses, so when legacy applications run, they automatically benefit from haptic feedback without requiring any preliminary integration work on their part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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

This approach enables haptic feedback to be provided across various systems and functionalities, ensuring a consistent user experience by generating haptic feedback even in scenarios where specific applications or operating systems do not directly support it, enhancing user interaction and feedback perception.

Implementation Method 1

a touchscreen may employ a tactile device (e.g., a piezo-electric device) to provide a localized vibration when a user presses a virtual button

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3405854B1Haptic feedback for a touch input device
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3405854B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3405854B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3405854B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques for haptic feedback for a touch input device are described. Generally, haptic feedback is provided for different user interactions with a touch input device, such as interactions with applications, services, and so forth. According to various embodiments, how haptic feedback is initiated depends on whether different functionalities directly support haptic feedback. For instance, techniques described herein enable haptic feedback to be provided whether or not a particular functionality directly supports haptic feedback.