Input Device Vibration Feedback for Button Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices that transfer tactile sense to users often result in inconsistent user experiences due to varying frictional forces and retraction feelings, which can lead to discomfort and inaccuracies in selecting operation buttons, especially when used in dynamic environments like vehicle operations.
Innovation Solution
An input device comprising a detector to monitor the operation state of an operation body on an operation surface, a controller to execute input controls, and a drive portion that vibrates the surface to generate a predetermined vibration when the selection position of operation buttons changes, providing a consistent retraction feeling regardless of the operation body's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tactile sense transfer is implemented without vibration feedback, then device complexity is reduced, but user experience consistency and selection accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The drive portion generates mechanical vibrations on the operation surface to provide tactile feedback to the user. This vibration mechanism compensates for the lack of physical button feedback, ensuring consistent tactile sensation and selection accuracy across different operating conditions without requiring complex mechanical button structures.
2Reliability
If vibration is generated continuously to maintain consistent tactile feedback, then user experience consistency improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive portion generates vibrations periodically or intermittently based on detected operation states rather than continuously. This periodic vibration approach maintains tactile feedback consistency during critical interaction moments while significantly reducing overall energy consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector monitors operation body position and operation state, providing feedback to the controller which then activates the drive portion only when needed. This feedback-based control ensures vibrations are generated selectively during button selection transitions, maintaining user experience consistency while optimizing energy usage.
3Measurement precision
If vibration strength is increased to enhance retraction feeling, then tactile feedback clarity improves, but user comfort deteriorates due to excessive vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The controller adjusts vibration parameters (strength, frequency, duration) dynamically based on the detected operation state and button position. This parameter optimization ensures vibrations are strong enough to provide clear tactile feedback for button selection but not so strong as to cause user discomfort, achieving the right balance between feedback clarity and comfort.
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 configuration ensures a stable and comfortable operation feeling for users by consistently generating a retraction sensation during button changes, reducing the likelihood of errors and improving user experience across different environments and user interactions.
Implementation Method 1
a drive portion configured to vibrate the operation surface... The drive portion generates a predetermined vibration on the operation surface for a predetermined period
Data Source
AI summary
An input device includes: a detector configured to detect an operation state of an operation body on an operation surface; a controller configured to execute an input control with respect to a predetermined instrument in accordance with the operation state of the operation body; and a drive portion configured to vibrate the operation surface. A selection position of the operation buttons on a display is correlated to a coordinate position of the operation body on the operation surface. The drive portion generates a predetermined vibration on the operation surface for a predetermined period in response to determining that the selection position of the operation buttons on the display is changed from one operation button to another operation button.