Piezoelectric Tactile Feedback for Visual Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Digital cameras and similar devices face challenges in operation, especially in active or dangerous situations where visual focus is compromised, and users with visual impairments struggle to perceive images, necessitating alternative methods for information conveyance.
Innovation Solution
A touch operation device incorporating a piezoelectric element with a touch detection unit and a control circuit that provides tactile feedback through vibration, allowing users to operate the device without visual reference and enabling sensory stimulation based on image positional relations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a display unit is used to show images, then visual information is conveyed to the user, but users with visual impairments or operating in dangerous situations cannot effectively perceive or operate the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual display system with a tactile feedback system using piezoelectric elements. These elements convert electrical signals into mechanical vibrations and bending movements, providing tactile information about image content and operational status without requiring visual perception. This substitution enables both visually impaired users and those in dangerous situations to operate the device reliably through touch.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric elements act as an intermediary between the digital image data and the user's tactile sense. By converting image information into tactile patterns (vibrations, bending), the system mediates the transmission of visual content to users who cannot perceive it visually, enabling effective operation without direct visual reference.
2Ease of operation
If tactile feedback is added to the display unit, then accessibility for visually impaired users is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they detect touch operations, generate tactile feedback vibrations, and provide bending sensations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive tactile interaction capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the touch detection function and tactile feedback generation function into a single integrated unit using piezoelectric elements. By combining these functions in one component rather than using separate sensors and actuators, the system achieves tactile interaction capabilities with minimal additional complexity.
3Productivity
If piezoelectric elements are used for tactile feedback, then operational efficiency without visual reference is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin piezoelectric films or sheets that can be flexibly integrated into the display unit structure. These flexible piezoelectric components are easier to manufacture and assemble compared to rigid piezoelectric ceramics, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the tactile feedback functionality needed for efficient operation without visual reference.
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 users to operate the device effectively without visual reliance, enhances accessibility for visually impaired individuals by providing tactile feedback, and improves operational efficiency in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element having a piezoelectric property and flexibility; a piezoelectric body control circuit which selectively applies a signal to a part of the piezoelectric element corresponding to the touch operation detected by the touch detection unit and then bends the part of the piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus including an imaging unit, an index determining unit, a predetermined image detecting unit, and a notification unit. The imaging unit has a preset imaging range and which images a target within the imaging range. The index determining unit determines whether an image of a particular index image has intruded into the imaging range. The predetermined image detecting unit detects a predetermined image part within the imaging range. The notification unit notifies that the index determining unit determines that the index image overlaps the predetermined image part. The predetermined image detecting unit is configured to determine a change direction of a changed part of image information and a no-change direction, and the notification unit notifies in accordance with the relation between a change direction of the index image and a change direction of image information.