Tactile Output Position-Based Information Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices rely heavily on visual displays for information delivery, which can be inconvenient, especially in activities like driving or biking, and consume power, leading to frequent battery charging.
Innovation Solution
Implementing tactile output methods that use position-based tactile outputs to convey information without requiring the user to look at the device, allowing for discreet and efficient communication, reducing cognitive burden and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual display is used to provide information, then information delivery is achieved, but power consumption increases and requires frequent battery charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual display system with a tactile output system that uses mechanical vibrations to convey information. The processor generates tactile outputs based on location data, substituting the need for visual displays and thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining information delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the output modality from visual to tactile by adjusting the physical state of the output device. The tactile output device produces vibrations with varying characteristics (amplitude, frequency, duration) corresponding to different locations, enabling information delivery through parameter changes in the tactile domain rather than visual domain.
2Loss of information
If visual display is activated to show information, then user receives information, but user must look at device which is inconvenient during activities like driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes visual information delivery with tactile feedback through vibration-based outputs. Users receive location information through tactile sensations on the device without needing to visually observe it, making the system convenient for use during driving or other activities where visual attention is occupied.
Solution Approach 2:
The tactile output device acts as an intermediary between the location data and the user. Instead of directly presenting visual information that requires user attention, the system uses tactile vibrations as an intermediary medium to convey location information passively, eliminating the need for the user to look at the device.
3Loss of information
If visual display is used to provide information, then information is made available to user, but information becomes available to other people in proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces public visual display with private tactile feedback. Tactile outputs are delivered directly to the user through the device housing, creating a private communication channel that does not expose information to others in proximity while maintaining effective information delivery to the intended user.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces using tactile output. At a device, determine a first position of the device relative to a point of reference. After determining the first position, output, via one or more tactile output devices, a first tactile output, where the first tactile output is generated based on a first value of a characteristic that is selected in accordance with the first position. After outputting the first tactile output, detect a change in position of the device to a second position relative to the point of reference. In response to detecting the change in the position of the device, output a second tactile output that is different from the first tactile output, where the second tactile output is generated based on a second value of the characteristic that is selected in accordance with the second position of the device relative to the point of reference.