Tactile Input Device with Inflatable Keys for Touchscreen Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current user input systems at provider locations, such as banks, face inefficiencies when customers need to perform transactions that require input on hardware not familiar to them, often necessitating visits to meet with representatives and using touchscreen interfaces without tactile feedback.
Innovation Solution
A tactile user input system comprising a smart table with a network interface and processing circuit, and a tactile input device with a touch screen and inflatable keys, allowing for dynamic layout adjustments based on user input configurations, enabling efficient and secure data entry without the need for constant visual attention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touchscreen interface is used at provider locations, then customers can perform transactions remotely without meeting representatives, but the interface lacks tactile feedback making it difficult for users to operate without visual attention
Solution Approach 1:
The touchscreen surface is segmented into multiple discrete tactile input areas with raised features, dividing the continuous touch surface into distinct operational zones that provide tactile feedback for different input functions
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the touchscreen surface are given different tactile properties through raised features of varying heights, shapes, and configurations, allowing each area to provide specific tactile feedback appropriate for its function while maintaining the overall touchscreen interface
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple input devices are provided at provider locations, then users with different input needs can be accommodated, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The touchscreen device integrates multiple input modalities into a single unified interface, combining touch-sensitive areas with raised tactile features that can serve different input functions (numeric input, alphabetical input, confirmation, cancellation) without requiring separate physical keyboards or input devices
Solution Approach 2:
The tactile features on the touchscreen surface are selectively activated or deactivated based on the current transaction context and user preferences, allowing the same physical surface to dynamically adapt its tactile configuration for different input scenarios without requiring multiple static input devices
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
Enhances user input efficiency by providing tactile feedback, allowing for various input layouts, secure encryption, and the ability to continue banking sessions remotely, reducing the need for multiple input devices and improving transaction speed and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The tactile overlay including a plurality of selectively inflatable keys configured to selectively generate a plurality of tactile user interfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a smart table comprising a display screen, a network interface, and a processing circuit, where the network interface is configured to facilitate data communication with a tactile input device, the processing circuit includes a processor and a memory and the processing circuit is configured to determine a location of the tactile input device on the smart table, and generate a user interface on the smart table based on the location of the tactile input device on the smart table such that the user interface of the smart table is aligned with and visible through a transparent screen of the tactile input device.