Operation Input Device Vibration Direction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stationary machines with large operation panels face challenges in providing uniform vibration feedback to users due to varying touch positions and individual fingertip sensitivity, leading to inconsistent tactile sensations when the panel's angle or orientation changes.
Innovation Solution
An operation input device with a vibration controller that selects and drives the vibrating element in multiple directions based on the operation panel's state and user conditions, ensuring consistent vibration feedback regardless of the panel's position or orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single vibrating element is used to vibrate the operation panel, then the device structure is simple, but the vibration intensity varies depending on the touch position and panel orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vibration function into multiple independent vibrating elements (first vibrating element and second vibrating element) positioned at different locations on the operation panel. Each vibrating element can be controlled independently to provide vibration feedback at specific positions, ensuring consistent tactile sensation regardless of where the user touches the panel or how it is oriented.
2Device complexity
If the vibration direction is fixed in a single direction, then the control system is simple, but the tactile sensation changes when the panel angle or orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic vibration direction control where the vibration controller adjusts the vibration direction of each vibrating element based on the detected touch position and panel orientation. The system can switch between different vibration directions (first vibration direction and second vibration direction) to maintain optimal tactile feedback regardless of how the panel is positioned or oriented during use.
3Ease of operation
If vibration is provided at all positions on the operation panel, then the user can feel vibration response regardless of touch position, but the vibration intensity becomes inconsistent across different areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places vibrating elements at specific predetermined positions on the operation panel rather than attempting to vibrate the entire panel uniformly. Each vibrating element is optimized for its local position, and the vibration controller adjusts the vibration parameters for each element based on its specific location and the detected touch position, providing consistent tactile sensation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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 solution provides a consistent and effective tactile sensation of vibration response to users, enhancing operability by adapting vibration direction according to the panel's state and user preferences, thus improving user experience across different operation scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrating element 115 that vibrates the operation panel 117 in a vibration direction MX, MY, or MZ
Data Source
AI summary
A purpose of the present invention is to obtain a good tactile sensation of a vibration response even if a state or an operation situation of an operation panel changes, when the operation panel installed in a stationary machine, such as an image forming device, is vibrated as an operation response.The present invention is applied to an operation input device that notifies a user by causing a vibrating element to vibrate an operation panel attached to a device main body when an operation of the operation panel by the user is detected. Here, in order to drive the vibrating element, at least one of a plurality of vibration directions is selected to drive the vibrating element when an operation input from the operation panel is detected.