Touchscreen Digital Tactile Pixels for Simultaneous Input and Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touchscreens are limited to providing either mechanical input or visible output, failing to offer both simultaneously, which restricts their functionality and usability, particularly for users who require both input and feedback.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device incorporating a touchscreen with an array of digital tactile pixels that can change their position in response to processor instructions, allowing for both touch input and tactile feedback, enabling the device to provide a mechanical output in conjunction with the visible output on the screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touchscreen is configured to receive mechanical input, then input functionality is provided, but mechanical output feedback is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a touchscreen display with an array of tactile pixels (electronic skin) into a single integrated device. The tactile pixels are positioned to correspond with display pixels, creating a unified interface that provides both visual and tactile feedback simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between input capability and mechanical output feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The touchscreen device is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a display device and a tactile feedback device. The same device structure supports both visual output and mechanical output through the integration of the tactile pixel array, enabling universal functionality without requiring separate components
2Loss of information
If a touchscreen provides visible output, then information display is improved, but tactile feedback capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the visual display function with the tactile feedback function in a single device. The tactile pixel array is integrated with the touchscreen display, allowing the device to simultaneously provide visual information and tactile feedback without compromising either function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a tactile dimension to the traditional two-dimensional visual display. By incorporating an array of tactile pixels that can be actuated to provide mechanical feedback, the device transitions from purely visual information delivery to a multi-sensory interface that engages both sight and touch
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 users to receive tactile feedback corresponding to on-screen actions, enhancing usability and interaction, particularly for tasks like gaming, navigation, and data entry, by dynamically changing the tactile feel of the device in response to screen events, thus providing a more immersive and interactive experience.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the tactile pixels includes an actuatable portion coupled to an actuator. The actuator is configured to actuate the actuatable portion between first and second positions in response to instructions from the processor.
Implementation Method 2
The sensor is configured to generate signals when pressure is applied to the actuatable portion. The signals may act as inputs to as inputs to one or more programs stored in a memory and executed by the processor.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1E
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A hand-held electronic device is disclosed. The device may comprise a case having one or more major surfaces; a touch screen disposed on one of the major surfaces; a processor operably coupled to the touch screen; and one or more tactile pixels disposed proximate the touch screen. Each of the tactile pixels includes an actuatable portion coupled to an actuator and a sensor. The actuator and sensor are coupled to the processor. The actuator is configured to actuate in response to instructions from the processor and the sensor is configured to generate signals as inputs to one or more programs executed by the processor when pressure is applied to the actuatable portion. The actuatable portion is actuatable by the actuator between first and second positions. A tactile feel of the actuatable portion is different in the first and second positions.