Haptic Grid Pressure Plate for Eyes-Free Multimedia Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices for multimedia devices require visual interaction with screens and are complex, with multiple buttons and capacitive sensors, making them less intuitive and potentially distracting, especially in applications like vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A pressure plate with a haptic grid of depressions on one side and a sensor on the other, allowing users to intuitively select functions without visual interaction, using a single position sensor to transmit button selection signals, and optionally allowing the plate to move vertically with a pressure button for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons and capacitive sensors are used for each function, then the multimedia device can be operated with multiple functions, but the device complexity increases and visual interaction is required
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual buttons and capacitive sensors are merged into a single pressure plate with a grid of tactile elements. One position sensor detects the finger position across the entire plate, eliminating the need for multiple separate sensing elements while maintaining full functionality for operating the multimedia device.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pressure plate with grid pattern serves multiple functions: it provides tactile guidance for function selection, detects finger position for navigation, and triggers button selections. This universal input element replaces multiple specialized buttons, reducing complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a touchscreen interface is used, then multiple functions can be accessed, but visual interaction is required which is distracting and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The tactile elements on the pressure plate provide self-service guidance to the user. The raised grid pattern naturally guides the finger to the correct position without requiring visual confirmation, enabling intuitive operation especially in situations where visual attention should be maintained elsewhere.
3Area of stationary object
If the pressure plate is made small for constrained spaces, then it can be installed in areas like steering wheels, but the tactile elements become harder to feel
Solution Approach 1:
The tactile elements are designed with specific local characteristics - raised grid patterns with optimized dimensions and spacing. These local quality enhancements ensure that even when the overall plate size is reduced for constrained installations, the tactile feedback remains sufficiently prominent and detectable by the user's finger.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an input device (6) for operating a multimedia device (4) depending on the position of a user's finger on a pressure plate (24) comprising:the pressure plate (24) which comprises a bottom side (50) and a top side (48) opposite the bottom side (50), on which the user can move their finger,a regular grid (15) made of tactile elements (26) which can be haptically sensed by the finger of the user and which are formed on the top side (48) of the pressure plate (24), anda sensor (62) arranged on the bottom side (50) of the pressure plate (24) which is set up to transmit a button selection signal (42) to the multimedia device (4) depending on the position of the finger on the top side (48).