Tactile Input Device Pin Array Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current visualization systems lack the ability to provide direct manipulation of 3D objects and fail to communicate material properties, such as 'softness' or 'hardness', to users, especially hindering visually impaired individuals and limiting designers' interaction with computer-generated surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A tactile input/output device with an array of displaceable pins driven by micro-actuators and a rack-and-pinion assembly, combined with traditional input devices, allows users to physically interact and modify 3D surfaces, providing sensory feedback and enforcing constraints, enabling intuitive manipulation and editing of computer-generated surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional computer display systems are used to represent 3D objects, then 2D visualization is achieved, but direct manipulation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D display screens to a 3D tactile surface that users can physically manipulate. The display surface itself becomes three-dimensional, allowing users to directly touch and manipulate 3D representations of data while maintaining visual feedback through the same surface.
2Loss of information
If visual indicators are used to represent constraints, then constraint information is provided, but the scene becomes cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using visual indicators to represent constraints, the patent creates physical copies of constrained regions as raised tactile features on the display surface. These physical representations allow users to feel constraint boundaries directly without adding visual clutter to the screen.
3Loss of information
If passive probing devices are used to explore surface shape, then tactile feedback is provided, but user input capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a display surface that serves dual functions: it provides tactile feedback about surface shape when users explore it passively, and it accepts user input when users actively manipulate it. The same 3D surface acts as both output display and input device.
4Loss of information
If static pin arrays are used for tactile output, then fixed location feedback is provided, but dynamic manipulation capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static pin arrays with a dynamic 3D surface where the topography can change in response to user manipulation. The surface features can be created, modified, and moved, allowing the display to adapt to user actions while maintaining tactile feedback capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a tactile input/output device for representing and manipulating computer-generated surfaces. Also disclosed are a novel system and method for implementing the forgoing aspects. In essence, there is provided an intuitive concept of manipulating and editing a computer-generated surface, by employing a combination of traditional input and output devices (keyboard, mouse, display, etc.) and a novel device that enables users to touch, edit and modify a physical representation of the surface. The tactile device includes an array of displaceable pins, which are driven by a control system having a plurality of micro-actuators operating in combination with a rack-and-pinion assembly.