Single Vibrator Frequency Modulation for Haptic Location Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems require two vibrators to allow users to perceive or identify the location of a vibration source, which is inefficient and limits the ability to use a single device for various vibration perception tasks.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system with a single vibrator that vibrates at different frequencies to differentiate between portions of an operation device, allowing users to perceive the location of an operation object or character through controlled vibrations based on frequency and amplitude, using a vibration controller to manage these vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two vibrators are used to allow users to perceive or identify the location of a vibration source, then the user can identify the location of the vibration source, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the vibration frequency parameter of a single vibrator to achieve different vibration patterns. By vibrating at a first frequency, the first portion of the operation device vibrates more strongly; by vibrating at a second frequency, the second portion vibrates more strongly. This allows location identification with a single vibrator through frequency modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the vibration characteristics dynamic by adjusting the frequency in real-time based on the location of the operation object. The vibration controller dynamically changes the vibration frequency between first and second frequencies depending on whether the operation object is at the first location or second location, enabling adaptive location feedback.
2Device complexity
If a single vibrator is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to allow users to perceive or identify the location of a vibration source is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses frequency parameter changes to enable a single vibrator to produce differentiated vibration patterns. The vibration controller adjusts the vibration frequency between first and second frequencies to indicate different locations, allowing the single vibrator to provide location identification functionality that would traditionally require multiple vibrators.
Solution Approach 2:
The single vibrator is designed to perform multiple functions by operating at different frequencies. It can indicate the first location when vibrating at the first frequency and indicate the second location when vibrating at the second frequency, making the single vibrator a universal location indicator for multiple positions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different portions of the operation device vibrate at different frequencies, then the user can perceive various vibrations and identify location, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration controller manages the complexity by simply adjusting the vibration frequency parameter between two predefined values (first and second frequencies). This straightforward parameter control enables the operation device to provide versatile vibration feedback for different locations without requiring complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses vibration feedback to communicate location information to the user. The vibration controller provides tactile feedback by causing different portions of the operation device to vibrate at different frequencies, allowing the user to perceive and identify the location of the operation object through tactile sensation.
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 perceive and identify the location of an operation object or character using a single device by varying the vibration frequency and amplitude, enhancing user interaction and feedback in applications like game systems.
Implementation Method 1
when the vibrator vibrates at the first frequency, the first portion may vibrate more strongly than the other portion, due to resonance
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an example system in which an operation device includes a vibrator configured to vibrate at a specified frequency. When the vibrator vibrates at a first frequency, an upper portion of the operation device vibrates strongly. When the vibrator vibrates at a second frequency, a lower portion of the operation device vibrates strongly. When a cursor is located at an upper portion in a list, the vibrator is vibrated at the first frequency, whereby the upper portion of the operation device is caused to vibrate strongly. When the cursor is located at a lower portion in the list, the vibrator is vibrated at the second frequency, whereby the lower portion of the operation device is caused to vibrate strongly.