Single-Actuator Tactile Position Control by Vibration Frequency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques find it difficult to adjust the perceived position of a tactile stimulus on the body using a single tactile stimulus unit, limiting their effectiveness in presenting realistic tactile sensations.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that controls the frequency and direction of vibrations output from a single tactile stimulus unit based on positional information, allowing the perceived position to be adjusted and moved without disturbing the natural tactile sense of the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tactile stimulus units are used to move the perceptual position, then the perceptual position can be adjusted on the body, but the device complexity, size, cost, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the vibration frequency parameter of the tactile stimulus unit based on the user's body position and movement state. By adjusting the frequency dynamically, the system achieves perceptual position adjustment without needing multiple physical stimulus units, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A single tactile stimulus unit is made to perform multiple functions: it can stimulate different perceptual positions on the body (wrist, palm, fingertip) by varying the vibration frequency. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple dedicated stimulus units, reducing device complexity while maintaining full adaptability
2Reliability
If multiple tactile stimulus units are arranged to present tactile stimuli at different positions, then realistic tactile sensations can be achieved, but the device size, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains realistic tactile sensations by dynamically changing vibration frequency parameters based on body characteristics and position. This allows a single lightweight unit to replace multiple heavier units, achieving the same sensory realism without the weight penalty
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of using multiple physical stimulus units with a control-based approach that uses frequency modulation. This substitution eliminates the need for additional mechanical components, significantly reducing device weight while preserving tactile realism
3Device complexity
If a single tactile stimulus unit is used, then device size, cost, and weight are reduced, but the ability to adjust perceptual position is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The single tactile stimulus unit compensates for its limited physical positions by changing its operational parameter (vibration frequency) dynamically. Based on detected body position and characteristics, the unit adjusts frequency to create the perceptual effect of stimulation at different locations, maintaining full adaptability with minimal hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines the single tactile stimulus unit with sophisticated control algorithms and body characteristic data to create a composite solution. The control system acts as a virtual layer that enables position adjustment capabilities without adding physical complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an information processing apparatus, a method for processing information, and a program capable of adjusting a perceptual position of a tactile stimulus even with one tactile stimulus unit. The information processing apparatus (20) includes an output control unit (120) that performs output control of a vibration on at least one tactile stimulus unit (130), in which the output control unit changes a frequency of the vibration to be output from the tactile stimulus unit depending on a position of the tactile stimulus unit and predetermined positional information.