Tactile Feedback Controller Using Dynamic Threshold Vectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with tactile sensation providing functions often cause discomfort due to inaccurate detection of press and release events, leading to inappropriate tactile feedback.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device equipped with a tactile sensation providing unit and a controller that adjusts the tactile feedback based on the temporal change of data and threshold vectors, where the controller calculates a vector indicating the temporal amount of change and polarity of the data, and controls the tactile sensation providing unit using press and release threshold vectors, which are dynamically adjusted based on the data and position of contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tactile sensation providing function is implemented in electronic devices, then user interaction feedback is improved, but detection accuracy of press and release events deteriorates leading to inappropriate tactile feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the threshold values adaptive rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the first and second threshold values based on the relationship between press detection values and previously set thresholds. This allows the system to adapt to varying press patterns and prevent misdetection of release events, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining the tactile sensation providing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of threshold values from static to dynamic. By modifying the threshold values based on the detected press magnitude and temporal patterns, the system accurately distinguishes between intentional presses and accidental touches. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by enabling precise detection of press and release events while preserving the tactile feedback functionality.
2Device complexity
If fixed threshold values are used for press detection, then device complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to inability to adapt to different press patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from fixed to adaptive threshold values. The controller automatically adjusts the first and second threshold values based on the detected press magnitude and temporal characteristics. This dynamic adaptation improves detection accuracy without requiring complex manual configuration or multiple hardware components, thus maintaining relatively simple device architecture while achieving precise press and release event detection.
3Speed
If the tactile sensation providing unit is activated frequently, then user feedback responsiveness is improved, but operator discomfort increases due to inappropriate tactile feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using the detected press magnitude and temporal patterns to adjust threshold values for subsequent detections. This feedback mechanism ensures that tactile feedback is provided only for intentional press events and not for accidental touches or sustained presses. By adapting the thresholds based on previous detections, the system maintains responsive tactile feedback while preventing operator discomfort from inappropriate activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamics to adjust the sensitivity of the tactile feedback system in real-time. By dynamically changing the threshold values based on the relationship between current and previous press detection values, the system responds appropriately to different press patterns. This prevents over-responsive feedback that causes discomfort while maintaining the responsiveness needed for intentional user interactions.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a tactile sensation providing unit 30 configured to provide a tactile sensation to a contact object being in contact with a panel 10 and a controller 50 configured to control the tactile sensation providing unit 30 based on an amount of change of data based on press to the panel 10.