Variable Surface Friction Haptic Feedback via Magnetic Loop Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for providing haptic feedback on touch-sensitive display screens require integration of electrostatic actuators into the device construction, limiting versatility and increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A system using a magnetic loop actuator external to the electronic device, which applies an electromagnetic field to a transparent film on the screen to vary surface friction, allowing haptic feedback without special device construction, comprising a driver module, triggering module, and separable electrical connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrostatic actuator is integrated into the device construction to provide haptic feedback, then haptic feedback capability is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent film is introduced as an intermediary layer between the user's finger and the display screen. This film can be magnetized by an external magnetic loop actuator to create variable friction effects, enabling haptic feedback without integrating actuators into the device itself. The film acts as a mediator that transfers magnetic field effects to tactile sensations on the screen surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical electrostatic actuator integrated into the device with an external magnetic loop actuator that uses electromagnetic fields to manipulate the transparent film. This substitution eliminates the need for complex integrated mechanical systems while achieving the same haptic feedback function through electromagnetic-mechanical coupling of the film material.
2Reliability
If an electrostatic actuator is integrated into the device construction to provide haptic feedback, then haptic feedback capability is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent film serves as a cost-effective intermediary that enables haptic feedback functionality. Instead of manufacturing expensive devices with integrated electrostatic actuators, the film can be applied to standard displays and controlled by external, reusable magnetic actuators, significantly reducing per-unit manufacturing costs while maintaining haptic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent film can be used with any touch-sensitive display screen, making the haptic feedback system universally applicable across different devices. The external magnetic loop actuator can serve multiple devices sequentially, eliminating the need for each device to have its own integrated actuator system, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs.
3Reliability
If an electrostatic actuator is integrated into the device construction, then haptic feedback is provided, but versatility across different devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent film acts as a universal intermediary that can be applied to any touch-sensitive display regardless of the underlying device architecture. Combined with external magnetic loop actuators, this approach allows haptic feedback to be added to existing devices without modification, enhancing versatility across different device types and manufacturers.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic feedback system is segmented into separate components: the transparent film that can be applied to any display, and external magnetic loop actuators that can be positioned close to the screen. This segmentation allows the system to be adapted to different devices without requiring integration into each device's proprietary construction, thereby improving versatility.
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
Enables versatile and cost-effective haptic feedback on a wide range of devices by separating the magnetic loop actuator from the electronic device, allowing for variable surface friction without the need for specialized construction, enhancing user interaction with touch-sensitive displays.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic loop actuator for applying the electromagnetic field to the film to vary the surface friction of the touchable surface
Implementation Method 2
The touch-sensitive display screen has a touchable surface coated with a transparent film which is able to provide a variable surface friction to the touchable surface in response to an externally applied electromagnetic field
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a haptic feedback device comprising a touch-sensitive display screen (1) and a magnetic loop actuator (2). The touch-sensitive display screen (1) has a touchable surface coated with a transparent film which is able to provide a variable surface friction to the touchable surface in response to an externally applied electromagnetic field. The magnetic loop actuator (2) is for applying the electromagnetic field to the film to vary the surface friction of the touchable surface. The magnetic loop actuator (2) is spatially separated from the touch-sensitive display screen (1). In a preferred embodiment, the haptic feedback device further comprises a driver module (12) to drive the magnetic loop actuator (2) to generate the electromagnetic field, a triggering module (17) to trigger the driver module (12), and an application (18) to receive a user input from the touch-sensitive display screen (1), to determine a haptic output to the user in response thereto, and to output a control signal to the triggering module (17) to vary the surface friction of the touchable surface according to the haptic output thus determined. The touch-sensitive display screen (1) and the magnetic loop actuator (2) may be installed as separate components in an electronic device (4) or the magnetic loop actuator (2) may be maintained external to an electronic device (4) comprising such a touch-sensitive display screen (1). In this way, the surface friction of the touch-sensitive display screen (1) may be varied to provide haptic feedback to a user without requiring a special construction of the touch-sensitive display screen (1).