Multisensory Feedback Interface for Tactile and Temperature Cues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feedback systems struggle to effectively convey changes in temperature and tactile sensations to users in different environments, such as virtual environments, limiting the immersive experience.
Innovation Solution
A feedback system comprising deformable interfaces and temperature changing units, controlled by actuator and temperature control units, which simulate tactile sensations and temperature changes based on estimated perceptions from a different environment, allowing for synchronized feedback to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If only air pressure generation devices are used for tactile feedback, then tactile sensation can be fed back to the user, but temperature changes in different environments cannot be conveyed to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback system integrates multiple feedback mechanisms (air pressure generation devices for tactile sensation and temperature changing units for thermal feedback) into a single unified system. This allows the system to perform multiple functions - conveying both tactile and temperature information from different environments to the user, thereby resolving the limitation of being unable to convey temperature changes while maintaining the existing tactile feedback capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the feedback system includes multiple types of actuators for different sensations, then both tactile and temperature feedback can be provided, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple feedback functions (tactile and temperature) into an integrated feedback system where air pressure generation devices and temperature changing units work together under unified control. The control unit coordinates both types of actuators to provide synchronized feedback corresponding to environmental changes in the different environment, thereby achieving multi-sensation feedback while managing system complexity through integrated control architecture
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 a more immersive experience by accurately simulating environmental interactions, including tactile sensations and temperature changes, enhancing user engagement in virtual environments.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable interface configured to be able to pressurize a part of a user
Implementation Method 2
a temperature changing unit configured to be able to change a temperature perceived by the part of the user
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes one or more deformable interfaces which are able to pressurize a part of a user operating, in an actual environment, an operation target moving in a different environment and of which shapes are changeable; and one or more temperature changing units which are able to change a temperature perceived by the part of the user. A feedback system includes the electronic device; an actuator control unit configured to control an operation of an actuator that changes the shape of the deformable interface based on a change in a tactile sensation estimated to be obtained by the operation target; and a temperature control unit configured to control the temperature of the temperature changing unit capable of changing a temperature perceived by the part of the user based on a change in temperature estimated to be perceived by the operation target.