Piezoelectric Haptic Feedback for Virtual Key Boundaries

The patent applies mechanical vibration by using piezoelectric elements to generate vibrations on the touch display panel surface. When users touch virtual keys, the system detects the touch position and activates the piezoelectric element to produce localized vibrations, simulating the tactile feedback of physical keys. This resolves the contradiction by providing haptic feedback in a thin-device configuration where physical mechanical switches are eliminated.

The patent replaces the mechanical keypress system with an electro-mechanical system. Instead of physical buttons being pressed, the system uses piezoelectric elements that convert electrical signals into mechanical vibrations. This substitution allows the removal of physical mechanical components while maintaining the essential haptic feedback function, enabling thin-device design.

The patent segments the touch display panel into multiple regions corresponding to different virtual keys. Each region is independently controlled by its own piezoelectric element or vibration zone. When a user touches a specific virtual key, only the corresponding segmented region vibrates, creating localized haptic feedback that helps users distinguish key boundaries and understand the layout of virtual controls.

The patent implements local quality by providing different vibration characteristics to different regions of the display panel. Each virtual key region can have customized vibration patterns, amplitude, and frequency tailored to that specific key's function and position. This localized approach creates realistic haptic feedback that varies across the panel, allowing users to distinguish between different virtual keys through tactile sensation.