Tactile Mouse Actuators for Multi-Property Surface Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional manually operable input/output devices, such as computer mice, lack the ability to provide highly flexible tactile feedback, limiting their capability to simulate complex surface structures and properties like microscopic and macroscopic roughness, friction, hardness, and thermal conductivity, which are essential for realistic user interaction in virtual environments.
Innovation Solution
A manually operable tactile input/output device equipped with multiple actuators that simulate tactile feedback across various dimensions, including microscopic and macroscopic roughness, friction, hardness, and thermal conductivity, using mechanisms like voice coil arrangements, servomotors, and Peltier elements to recreate the sensations of surface interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional actuators are used for tactile feedback, then the device structure remains simple, but the tactile feedback flexibility and surface simulation capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tactile feedback system is segmented into multiple independent actuators (voice coil actuator for vertical force, lateral friction actuators for horizontal resistance, Peltier element for thermal feedback) that can be controlled independently to simulate different surface properties, thereby achieving high adaptability without requiring a single complex actuator
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it acts as the user interface for tactile feedback, houses the actuators, and transmits the tactile forces to the user's hand. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, balancing versatility with complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple actuators are added to simulate complex surface structures, then the tactile simulation capability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple actuators (voice coil, lateral friction mechanisms, Peltier element) are merged into a single housing structure that is manually operated by the user. This integration allows complex surface simulation capabilities to be achieved while maintaining a compact and manageable device form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary structure that houses and coordinates multiple actuators, translating their individual outputs into a unified tactile experience for the user. This mediator role simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a common interface for controlling diverse actuator types
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive tactile feedback across multiple dimensions is provided, then the user immersion in virtual environments improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tactile feedback is provided in a periodic manner synchronized with the user's manual operation of the device and the corresponding virtual interactions. Actuators are activated only when needed to provide relevant tactile information, rather than operating continuously, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining comprehensive tactile coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The tactile feedback characteristics are dynamically adjusted based on the virtual environment context and user interaction state. The system modulates the intensity and type of feedback from multiple actuators in real-time, optimizing energy usage by applying feedback only when and where it is most beneficial for user immersion
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 a comprehensive and realistic tactile simulation of virtual surfaces, enhancing user interaction by providing a rich tactile experience that mimics real-world surface properties, improving immersion in virtual environments and applications like gaming, e-commerce, and teleoperation.
Implementation Method 1
a first actuator (30) is arranged to form as a tactile perceptible feedback a position, orientation, movement, in particular a vibration
Implementation Method 2
a fifth actuator (70) of the type Peltier arrangement is arranged to form as a tactile perceptible feedback a thermal conductivity and/or thermal conductivity distribution
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a manually operable tactile input/output device for a data processing system, in particular a tactile computer mouse, which is configured with a housing and a plurality of actuators in operative connection with the housing and in which the actuators are arranged and jointly controlled in the housing to cause at least temporarily a tactile perception by a user in manual contact with the housing, by which simultaneously at least two and in particular all five tactile perception dimensions of microscopic roughness, macroscopic roughness, friction, hardness and heat are simulated. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to an operating method for a manually operable tactile input/output device and a data processing system.