Tactile Presentation Device Floating Electrode Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tactile presentation devices often inadvertently present tactile sensations outside the intended target area due to unnecessary electrostatic vibrations during the transition between tactile presentation frames.
Innovation Solution
The device includes a support substrate with insulated first and second electrodes, driven by an electrode driving circuit that connects the electrodes to different AC voltage signal sources to generate a specific beat vibration within the target area, and maintains a shorter 'dead time' floating state to minimize unwanted tactile sensations outside the target area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrodes are continuously connected to AC voltage signal sources during frame transitions, then tactile presentation is maintained, but unnecessary tactile senses are generated outside the target area
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode driving circuit periodically switches electrodes between connected and floating states synchronized with frame transitions. During the floating state (dead time), electrodes are disconnected from AC voltage sources, preventing beat vibration generation. This periodic on-off action eliminates unnecessary tactile senses during transitions while maintaining tactile presentation during active frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode driving circuit proactively transitions electrodes to the floating state before the next frame's target area is fully established, preventing the generation of unnecessary tactile senses at the boundaries of the target area. This preliminary disconnection avoids the harmful effect of beat vibration in non-target regions during frame transitions.
2Measurement precision
If the dead time is extended to reduce unnecessary tactile senses, then localization precision improves, but frame update speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode driving circuit dynamically adjusts the dead time parameter based on frame transition requirements. By optimizing the duration of the floating state to the minimum necessary period, the circuit achieves sufficient localization precision while minimizing the impact on frame update speed. This parameter optimization balances precision and productivity.
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
This configuration effectively reduces unnecessary tactile sensations outside the target area by controlling the duration of the electrodes' floating state, ensuring that tactile sensations are presented only within the designated area, enhancing the localization of tactile feedback.
Implementation Method 1
electrostatic force caused by the beat vibration is generated between the skin and the surface of the target area
Implementation Method 2
turn each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes into a floating state
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit of a tactile presentation device is configured to: connect first electrodes at least partially included in a target area to an AC voltage signal source and connect second electrodes at least partially included in the target area to another AC voltage signal source to present tactile senses in the target area; and in transition from a frame to the next frame, turn each of multiple first electrodes including the first electrodes and multiple second electrodes including the second electrodes into a floating state and subsequently connect each of the multiple first electrodes and the multiple second electrodes to a voltage signal source. A time to keep the floating state is set shorter than a first period for unnecessary tactile senses presented outside the target area to be weaker than unnecessary tactile senses presented outside the target area in the first period.