Input Device Feedback Modification via Acoustic and Haptic Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

The reduction in size of electronic devices often leads to a decrease in the size of internal components of input devices, resulting in a diminished tactile response and undesirable sound feedback, which affects the user experience.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating sound-generating devices that produce additional acoustic and haptic stimuli to interact with the existing feedback from input devices, modifying the user-perceived feedback by combining or overlaying sounds and tactile responses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the size of electronic device is reduced, then the overall device dimension decreases, but the tactile response and sound feedback of input device deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall device sizeVSAvoidtactile response quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of speakers or haptic actuators that generate supplemental acoustic and tactile feedback. These intermediaries compensate for the diminished feedback from reduced-size input device components, resolving the contradiction by adding a separate feedback generation path that does not depend on the physical size of the input device components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces reliance on mechanical feedback from physical components with electronically generated acoustic and haptic feedback. Instead of depending on the mechanical interaction of reduced-size components to produce adequate feedback, the system uses speakers to generate sound waves and haptic actuators to create tactile sensations, substituting mechanical feedback with field-based feedback mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Length of stationary object

If internal components of input device are reduced in size, then the device thickness decreases, but the feedback perceptibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidfeedback perceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs intermediary devices (speakers and haptic actuators) positioned within or near the input device to generate supplemental feedback. These intermediaries compensate for the reduced feedback from miniaturized components, ensuring that feedback perceptibility is maintained despite the reduced thickness and component size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions feedback generation from a purely mechanical dimension to include acoustic and haptic dimensions. By adding feedback through multiple sensory dimensions (sound waves and vibrations) rather than relying solely on mechanical tactile feedback, the system maintains feedback perceptibility even when physical component dimensions are reduced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If mechanical components are eliminated, then manufacturing complexity decreases, but the sound feedback quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical component countVSAvoidsound feedback quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes mechanical sound generation mechanisms with electronically controlled speakers. Instead of relying on the mechanical interaction of components to produce sound feedback, the system uses electroacoustic transducers to generate desired sound waves, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sound-generating structures while maintaining or improving sound feedback quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameters of feedback generation from mechanical properties (mass, stiffness, damping of mechanical parts) to electrical and acoustic parameters (electrical signals, sound wave frequency, amplitude, and timbre). This parameter transformation allows for precise control of feedback characteristics through electronic means rather than mechanical design constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances the user experience by improving the perceptibility of feedback, either by amplifying desirable responses or masking undesirable ones, thus maintaining a consistent and preferred level of feedback despite size constraints.

Implementation Method 1

The sound-generating device is configured to produce a second pressure wave around a time the user input is received. The second pressure wave superimposes on the first pressure wave to produce a third pressure wave that modifies the feedback or the user-perceived feedback of the input device.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic wave superposition: Sound

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHaptic feedback: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10649529B1Modification of user-perceived feedback of an input device using acoustic or haptic output

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 APPLE INC

AI summary

A feedback or a user-perceived feedback of an input device is modified using one or more output devices. The output devices include one or more speakers and/or one or more actuators. The output (e.g., acoustic and/or haptic) produced using the output device may enhance, amplify, mask, obscure, or cancel an inherent sound or tactile feedback produced by the input device.