Mobile Terminal Tactile Feedback via Vibrator Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile terminals with vibration motors are limited in their usage range and fail to provide adequate feedback when users interact with touch input devices, as they cannot confirm if input information has been properly completed.
Innovation Solution
A mobile terminal design featuring a touch input device, a separate vibrator module, and a controller that generates vibrations in response to external contacts, allowing for tactile feedback on touch detection areas and varying vibration intensity and duration for different functions like calls, messages, and games.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a vibration motor is used only in vibration mode, then the mobile terminal can provide tactile information without audible sound, but the usage range of the vibration motor is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration motor is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides tactile feedback for touch input device operations and simultaneously serves as an alert mechanism for incoming calls and messages. This multi-functionality expands the usage range without requiring additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the vibration motor's alert function with the touch input device feedback function into a single component system, eliminating the need for separate vibration and alert mechanisms while reducing overall component count.
2Ease of operation
If a touch input device is added to provide fresh UI, then the user interface is enhanced, but users cannot get feedback to confirm input completion
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration motor provides tactile feedback to users when they interact with the touch input device, confirming that their input has been registered and processed successfully. This feedback mechanism addresses the information loss problem by giving users confirmation of input completion.
3Ease of operation
If vibration intensity and duration are varied for different functions, then user experience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration motor's intensity and duration are dynamically adjusted based on the specific function being performed (e.g., different vibration patterns for touch feedback versus alert notifications). This dynamic adaptation enhances user experience by providing context-appropriate tactile feedback without requiring complex additional hardware.
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 user interface by providing effective tactile feedback during touch input operations, increasing vibration intensity and reducing component count, thereby lowering fabrication costs and improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrator coupled to the terminal body and is configured to allow tactile detection by a user, wherein the controller causes the vibrator to vibrate in response to detecting the external contact on the touch detection area
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile terminal for use in a wireless communication and method therein is provided. The mobile terminal includes a terminal body configured to house a mobile communication module to engage in the wireless communication, a touch input device disposed in the terminal body, the touch input device including a touch detection area configured to recognize an external contact, a vibrator coupled to the terminal body and is configured to allow tactile detection by a user, and a controller to control the touch input device and the vibrator, wherein the controller causes the vibrator to vibrate in response to detecting the external contact on the touch detection area and other mobile terminal functions that require a tactile alert.