Intensity-Based Tactile Feedback for Locked Mode Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for interacting with electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces are cumbersome and inefficient, particularly in providing haptic feedback in locked mode and capturing media, leading to accidental activations and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of intensity-based criteria and tactile output patterns to detect user inputs on touch-sensitive surfaces, generating haptic feedback only when necessary to confirm actions and avoid disrupting audio capture, thereby reducing input requirements and conserving power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If haptic feedback is provided for every user input in locked mode, then user interface efficiency is improved, but accidental activations increase and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing intensity thresholds and duration criteria for touch inputs. The system differentiates between intentional and accidental inputs by monitoring contact intensity parameters over time, only triggering haptic feedback when predefined intensity and duration thresholds are met, thus reducing accidental activations while maintaining interface efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where haptic output is provided selectively based on input validation. The feedback loop monitors touch intensity and duration, determines whether the input meets activation criteria, and conditionally provides haptic confirmation, creating a reliable feedback system that reduces false activations
2Loss of information
If haptic feedback is provided for every user input, then user action confirmation is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces energy consumption by changing the parameter thresholds for haptic activation. Instead of providing haptic feedback for all inputs, the system uses elevated intensity and duration thresholds to determine when haptic confirmation is necessary, significantly reducing the frequency of haptic outputs and associated energy consumption while maintaining adequate user confirmation
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by providing haptic feedback only for certain types of critical inputs in locked mode rather than all inputs. This selective approach provides sufficient confirmation for important actions while omitting unnecessary haptic outputs for less critical operations, reducing overall energy consumption
3Loss of information
If haptic feedback is provided during audio capture, then user action confirmation is improved, but audio quality is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing haptic feedback only in specific contexts and locations within the user interface. During audio capture, the system suppresses haptic outputs locally in the camera application context while maintaining them in other applications, ensuring audio quality is preserved where harmful vibrations would occur while maintaining user confirmation where appropriate
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts haptic feedback behavior based on the active application context. The haptic output generator is conditionally enabled or disabled depending on whether the camera application is active, creating a dynamic response that adapts to contextual requirements and prevents audio degradation during media capture
4Reliability
If multiple input sequences are required to access locked mode features, then accidental activation is reduced, but user interface efficiency is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the input parameters from multiple sequential steps to a single intensive touch event. By requiring high intensity and minimum duration in a single touch action, the system maintains reliable prevention of accidental activations while dramatically improving user interface efficiency and reducing the number of input sequences required
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device detects, on a touch-sensitive surface, a user input directed to a user interface element associated with a respective operation, for example in a user interface for a locked mode of operation of the device. A first portion of the user input includes an increase in intensity of the contact followed by a second portion of the user input that includes a decrease in intensity of the contact. In response to the user input, the device displays a transformation of the user interface element, wherein a degree of the transformation is determined based on an intensity of the user input. If the user input satisfies feed-forward criteria, including a requirement that a characteristic intensity of the contact increase above a feed-forward intensity threshold, the device generates a first tactile output without performing the respective operation. Otherwise, the device generates a second tactile output and performs the respective operation.