Separate Haptic Output Device for Wearable Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users interacting with user interfaces, such as those in automotive systems, face challenges in identifying button locations without visual reference, as existing haptic feedback systems require continuous contact with the interface to function effectively, potentially distracting the user.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a user interface, sensors, and a processor to determine haptic effects, with haptic output devices located separately from the interface, allowing for haptic feedback to be generated at locations the user is naturally in contact with, such as a wearable device or handheld electronic device, enabling feedback without requiring continuous contact with the interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If haptic feedback is generated at the user interface location, then the user can identify button locations through tactile cues, but the user must maintain continuous contact with the interface which causes distraction from primary tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic feedback function is extracted from the user interface and relocated to a separate output device (wearable device or handheld device). This allows the tactile feedback to be delivered independently from the visual interface, enabling users to receive haptic cues without maintaining contact with the interface, thus reducing distraction while preserving information delivery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the user interface requires multiple interactions to activate functions, then complex control tasks can be performed, but the user cannot identify button locations without visual reference
Solution Approach 1:
A wearable device or handheld device acts as an intermediary between the user interface and the user's sense of touch. This intermediary delivers tactile feedback corresponding to interface interactions, enabling users to locate and identify buttons through tactile cues without visual reference, while preserving the multi-step control functionality of the interface.
3Device complexity
If haptic output devices are integrated at the user interface, then the system structure remains simple, but the user must be in constant contact with the interface to receive feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into separate functional components: the user interface (visual display and input detection) and the haptic output device (tactile feedback generation). This segmentation allows the haptic feedback to be delivered independently at a location convenient for the user (wrist, hand, or pocket), eliminating the requirement for constant interface contact while maintaining system functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes a user interface configured to receive an input from a user of the system, a sensor configured to sense a position of a user input element relative to the user interface, and a processor configured to receive an input signal from the sensor based on the position of the user input element relative to the user interface, determine a haptic effect based on the input signal, and output a haptic effect generation signal based on the determined haptic effect. A haptic output device is configured to receive the haptic effect generation signal from the processor and generate the determined haptic effect to the user, the haptic output device being located separate from the user interface so that the determined haptic effect is generated away from the user interface.