Haptic Interface for Touch Screen Using Closed-Loop Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch screen technologies lack effective haptic feedback mechanisms that can provide realistic and context-aware tactile sensations, particularly in low-visual situations, such as when using a mobile device while driving, where users need to interact with the screen without visual confirmation.
Innovation Solution
A haptic interface system for touch screens that incorporates actuators, a touch screen processor, and a haptics subsystem, which uses closed-loop control of touch location, velocity, and pressure to generate dynamic textures through a real-time texture generation engine and pressure gauge, allowing for simultaneous haptic actuation and pressure sensing, enabling precise and context-aware feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional touch screen technologies are used, then the device structure remains simple, but haptic feedback capability is insufficient or nonexistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the haptic actuator array directly with the touch screen structure, integrating multiple functions (touch sensing, haptic feedback generation, and visual display) into a unified system. The actuators are positioned behind the touch screen surface, allowing simultaneous touch input detection and haptic output delivery without requiring separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch screen system serves multiple functions: visual display, touch input detection, and haptic feedback generation. The same touch screen structure that detects user input also serves as the interface for delivering haptic feedback, eliminating the need for completely separate input and output mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If basic haptic feedback is provided, then the system remains simple, but the feedback is not context-aware or adaptive to user interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs closed-loop control where the touch screen processor continuously monitors touch location, velocity, and pressure, then dynamically adjusts haptic feedback in real-time. The processor receives touch input data, determines the appropriate haptic response based on context (such as sweep velocity and touch location), and activates specific actuators accordingly to provide adaptive feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic feedback system is dynamic and adaptive rather than static. The touch screen processor dynamically determines haptic feedback parameters based on real-time touch characteristics such as sweep velocity, touch location, and contact pressure. The system adjusts feedback characteristics on-the-fly to match user interactions, providing context-aware responses.
3Ease of operation
If visual confirmation is required for user interactions, then input accuracy may be improved, but usability in low-visual situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic actuators serve as an intermediary feedback mechanism that provides tactile confirmation of user interactions without requiring visual input. The system translates touch events into corresponding haptic sensations that convey information about the interaction outcome, replacing or supplementing visual feedback with tactile feedback for situations where vision is not available.
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 system provides enhanced usability and reduces errors by offering realistic haptic feedback that adapts to user interactions, improving interaction accuracy and usability in low-visual situations, such as during vehicle navigation.
Implementation Method 1
The system incorporates actuators, a touch screen processor, and a haptics subsystem
Implementation Method 2
pressure gauge, allowing for simultaneous haptic actuation and pressure sensing
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes identifying a position of a user's touch on a touch screen, a velocity of the user's touch across the touch screen, and a pressure of the user's touch on the touch screen. The method also includes generating at least one drive signal for driving one or more actuators associated with the touch screen and outputting the at least one drive signal. The at least one drive signal is configured to cause the one or more actuators to generate a desired haptic texture on the touch screen. The at least one drive signal is based on the position, the velocity, and the pressure. For example, a waveform of the at least one drive signal could be based on the position. Also, groups of pulses in the at least one drive signal could have a frequency and waveform based on the velocity or an amplitude based on the pressure.