Electrode-Phased Tactile Panel for Precise Texture Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tactile presentation technologies using electrostatic forces struggle to provide precise and variable tactile stimuli to the human body, as they often rely on simplistic voltage applications that fail to accurately replicate complex textures and sensations.

Innovation Solution

A tactile presentation device employing a panel with multiple electrodes and a controller that supplies sinusoidal signals with the same frequency but different phases to specific regions, allowing for the precise control of tactile stimuli strength by adjusting the phase difference, enabling the simulation of various textures and sensations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If differential voltages are applied to electrodes to present tactile stimuli, then tactile stimuli can be presented to the human body, but the tactile stimuli lack precision and variability in replicating complex textures and sensations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile stimulus precisionVSAvoidtactile texture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tactile presentation region is divided into multiple electrode regions, with each electrode capable of receiving independent signal inputs. This segmentation allows different regions to present different tactile stimuli simultaneously, enabling precise control over tactile precision and variability for replicating complex textures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different electrodes or electrode regions are supplied with different signal characteristics (frequency, phase, amplitude) to create locally differentiated tactile sensations. This allows each region to be optimized for specific tactile qualities, improving both precision and texture complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If simple voltage applications are used to present tactile stimuli, then the device operation is simple, but the ability to accurately replicate complex textures and sensations is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operation simplicityVSAvoidtactile sensation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system controls multiple signal parameters (frequency, phase, amplitude) of trigonometric series signals supplied to different electrodes. By adjusting these parameters, the device can accurately replicate complex textures and sensations while maintaining relatively simple operation through automated controller management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple frequency component terms with different coefficients are supplied to adjacent regions, then complex tactile sensations can be generated, but variations due to user or environmental conditions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile sensation varietyVSAvoidtactile presentation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic trigonometric series signals with specific frequency components to generate tactile stimuli. The periodic nature of these signals provides consistent and repeatable tactile sensations, reducing variations due to user or environmental conditions while maintaining sensation variety through frequency modulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Adaptability or versatility

If trigonometric series signals with multiple frequency components are supplied to electrodes, then complex textures can be simulated, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetexture simulation capabilityVSAvoidsignal control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is designed to generate and manage multiple trigonometric series signals with different frequency components, phases, and amplitudes for different electrode regions. This multi-functional controller handles complex signal generation and coordination, enabling sophisticated texture simulation while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach allows for the effective presentation of tactile stimuli with adjustable strength and complexity, enhancing user experience by accurately replicating textures and sensations, while minimizing variations due to user or environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

tactile presentation technology to present tactile stimuli to a human body with electrostatic force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS10840905B2Tactile presentation device

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 WUHAN TIANMA MICRO ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A tactile presentation device includes a panel having a tactile presentation region including a plurality of electrodes, and a controller configured to control the panel. The controller is configured to supply a first sinusoidal signal and a second sinusoidal signal simultaneously to a first region in the tactile presentation region. The first sinusoidal signal and the second sinusoidal signal are supplied to different electrodes in the first region. The first sinusoidal signal and the second sinusoidal signal have the same frequency and different phases. The controller is configured to supply a reference signal having an amplitude smaller than the first sinusoidal signal and the second sinusoidal signal to a peripheral region surrounding the first region.