Tactile Feedback Device Dual-Chip Pressing Load Signal Exchange

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional touch sensors detect position information but not pressing load, and existing tactile sensation providing systems do not effectively utilize detected pressing load for application processing, as the information is only used for tactile sensation control and not considered for application processing by other chips.

Innovation Solution

A tactile sensation providing apparatus with dual chips, where the host unit and haptic unit exchange signals indicating the pressing load detected by the piezoelectric element, allowing the host unit to perform application processing based on the pressing load, including controlling user interface changes and operations associated with pressing load corresponding areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tactile sensation providing chip is added to detect pressing load for tactile feedback, then tactile sensation feedback is enabled, but device complexity increases due to dual chips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile sensation feedbackVSAvoiddual chips
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the tactile sensation providing chip and the entire apparatus control chip into a single integrated chip. This integration eliminates the need for dual separate chips, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to detect pressing load and provide tactile feedback. The integrated chip contains both the tactile sensation providing unit with piezoelectric elements and the control unit for application processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated chip performs multiple functions: it detects pressing load through piezoelectric elements, generates tactile feedback vibrations, and processes application logic based on pressing load values. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized chips, resolving the contradiction between providing reliable tactile feedback and maintaining simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If pressing load detection is implemented for tactile sensation control, then tactile feedback is achieved, but loss of information occurs as pressing load data is not available for application processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile sensation feedbackVSAvoidpressing load information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives the detected pressing load value from the tactile sensation providing unit and uses this information to control application processing. This feedback mechanism ensures that pressing load information is not lost but actively utilized for determining whether to execute specific applications or change user interface states, while simultaneously using the same information for tactile feedback generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated chip structure allows the pressing load detection capability to serve dual purposes: generating tactile feedback and providing information for application processing. This eliminates the information loss that would occur with separate chips, as the same detection data is reused for both tactile feedback control and application logic decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If continuous pressing load detection is performed, then accurate tactile feedback is provided, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile sensation feedback accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The detection unit detects the pressing load value periodically rather than continuously. This periodic detection approach maintains accurate tactile feedback by updating the pressing load information at appropriate intervals, while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous detection. The control unit uses these periodic detection results to control both tactile feedback and application processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 application processing based on detected pressing load, providing appropriate tactile feedback and enabling operations corresponding to pressing loads, reducing unnecessary detection and power consumption by coordinating between dual chips.

Implementation Method 1

a force detection signal based on an external force being extracted from the detecting electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

vibrates the touch sensor when the input apparatus detects an input applying a predetermined pressing load or greater

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2600226B1Tactile feedback device, and tactile feedback device control method
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP2600226B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2600226B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP2600226B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Dual chips exchange a signal indicating a pressing load detected for providing the tactile sensation such that application processing based on the load is performed. A tactile sensation providing apparatus includes a touch sensor, a load detection unit for detecting the load on the sensor for providing the tactile sensation, a tactile sensation providing unit for vibrating a touch face of the sensor, a tactile sensation provision control unit for controlling drive of the providing unit, and a main control unit for controlling performing an operation corresponding to the load. The main control unit transmits, to the provision control unit, a load detection instruction in activation or the application and a load stop instruction in closing the application. The provision control unit starts detecting the load upon receiving the detection instruction and stops detecting the load upon receiving the stop instruction.