Tactile Panel Standing Wave Control for Selective Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panels provide uniform tactile feedback regardless of the touched area, lacking the ability to selectively present tactile stimuli to specific regions, which can lead to confusion when multiple objects are displayed on the interface.
Innovation Solution
A tactile presentation device with a panel featuring vibrators and absorber end regions, controlled by a driving controller to generate standing waves with phase differences, allowing precise control over where tactile stimuli are presented and where they are not, using a combination of carrier and modulating waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vibrators are disposed on the panel to generate tactile stimuli, then tactile feedback capability is improved, but vibration waves reflect at the panel ends causing unwanted tactile sensations in regions where none should be presented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful reflected vibration waves into beneficial absorbed energy by introducing absorber end regions at the panel ends. These regions are specifically designed to absorb the reflected vibration waves, preventing them from returning to the touchable region and causing unwanted tactile sensations. This transforms the harmful reflection effect into a beneficial absorption effect, solving the problem of unwanted tactile feedback while maintaining the tactile presentation capability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the entire outer end of the panel is made into an absorber end region to prevent vibration reflection, then unwanted tactile sensations are eliminated, but the area available for tactile presentation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating absorber end regions only at specific locations (the entire outer ends of the panel) while maintaining the touchable region in the central area. This localized approach ensures that vibration absorption is applied precisely where needed (at the boundaries) without unnecessarily reducing the overall touchable area. The absorber end regions are positioned to minimize impact on the usable touch presentation space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vibrators are used to provide tactile feedback at different locations, then selective tactile presentation capability is improved, but control complexity increases due to phase coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling dynamic control of the phase differences between multiple vibrators through the driving controller. This allows the system to adaptively adjust the phase relationships in real-time based on which objects are being touched, providing selective tactile feedback to specific touch points. The dynamic phase control enables versatile tactile presentation while the automated control system manages the complexity of coordinating multiple vibrators.
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 precise and dynamic control of tactile feedback, allowing selective presentation of stimuli to specific touch points, enhancing user interaction by distinguishing between different interface elements.
Implementation Method 1
the driving controller is configured to supply driving signals to the plurality of vibrators to generate a standing wave on the touchable region
Implementation Method 2
at least a part of the entire outer end of the panel is an absorber end region
Data Source
AI summary
A tactile presentation device includes a panel including a region touchable by a user, vibrators disposed outside the touchable region, and a driving controller to supply driving signals to the vibrators. At least a part of the entire outer end of the panel is an absorber end region. Each point closest to one of the vibrators on the entire outer end of the panel is included in the absorber end region. The driving controller supplies driving signals to the vibrators to generate a standing wave on the touchable region. Each of the driving signals is a synthetic wave of a carrier and a modulating wave at a frequency lower than a frequency of the carrier. The driving controller is configured to control location of a node of the standing wave in the touchable region with phase differences among carriers of the driving signals for the vibrators.