Planar Touch Input Device Haptic Feedback Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch input devices for computers lack haptic feedback, which limits user interaction and prevents them from taking advantage of haptic-enabled software, making interactions in graphical environments less natural and informative.
Innovation Solution
A haptic feedback planar touch input device that provides tactile sensations to users through actuators such as piezo-electric, voice coil, or pager motors, allowing for enhanced interaction and control in graphical environments by outputting forces based on user interactions and environmental states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If haptic feedback actuators are added to touch input devices, then user interaction quality and tactile information are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical button structures with a planar touch surface that uses actuators to generate haptic feedback. This substitution eliminates the need for physical button mechanisms while maintaining tactile interaction quality through simulated haptic sensations generated by the actuators coupled to the touch surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The planar touch surface serves multiple functions: it detects user input through touch sensing technologies and simultaneously provides haptic feedback through integrated actuators. This multi-functionality consolidates what would traditionally require separate input and feedback mechanisms into a single unified interface.
2Loss of information
If haptic feedback actuators are added to touch input devices, then tactile feedback and user information are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses actuators to generate haptic sensations that copy or simulate the tactile feel of physical buttons and mechanical feedback. This allows the system to reproduce realistic tactile information without requiring actual mechanical button structures, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining information quality.
3Volume of moving object
If compact touch input devices are used in portable computers, then device portability is improved, but haptic feedback capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical button structures with compact planar touch surfaces that integrate actuators directly coupled to the touch surface. This substitution enables haptic feedback functionality in a compact form factor suitable for portable computers, maintaining tactile capability while reducing overall device volume.
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
The haptic feedback enhances user interaction by providing tactile cues for tasks like cursor targeting and control, allowing portable devices to utilize existing haptic software, while being compact, inexpensive, and low-power, making them suitable for various devices.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator can include a piezo-electric actuator
Implementation Method 2
The actuator can include a voice coil actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A planar touch control is used to provide input to a computer and haptic feedback is provided thereto. A touch control includes a touch input device with a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor associated with the computer based on a location of user implemented contact on the touch surface. The computer can position or modify a cursor or image in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user via the touch surface.