Tactile Presentation Knob Adjusting Friction via Electrostatic Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panels, such as projected capacitive touch panels, lack tactile feedback, making it difficult for users to operate devices intuitively, especially in blind conditions, and fail to provide a realistic dial knob operation experience due to limited tactile sense and constant friction resistance.
Innovation Solution
A tactile presentation control apparatus with a tactile presentation knob that adjusts frictional force based on the operation state, using electrostatic capacitance to generate a tactile sense by controlling the electrostatic force between the knob and the operation surface, allowing for intuitive and user-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a touch panel with a smooth protective glass surface is used, then designability and robustness are improved, but tactile feedback capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tactile presentation knob as an intermediary component between the user and the touch panel. This knob provides mechanical tactile feedback (protrusions, resistance, click sensations) while the underlying touch panel maintains its smooth glass surface for robustness and designability. The knob acts as a mediator that translates electronic touch signals into tactile sensations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical switches with a touch panel, but then adds a tactile presentation knob that simulates mechanical feedback. This hybrid approach combines the benefits of electronic touch panels (robustness, design flexibility) with the tactile advantages of mechanical interfaces through electrostatic force simulation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional touch panel is used, then designability is improved, but blind operation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tactile presentation knob serves as an intermediary that provides tactile guidance for blind operation. It includes protrusions that indicate selectable items, resistance variations that guide rotation, and click sensations that confirm selection, all while the underlying touch panel maintains its design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses tactile variations (analogous to color changes in visual interfaces) to provide feedback. The knob provides different tactile sensations (protrusions, resistance, click feelings) that correspond to different operational states, enabling blind users to understand the interface state without visual input.
3Ease of operation
If electrostatic force is applied to increase frictional force, then tactile feedback is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electrostatic force periodically or intermittently rather than continuously. The tactile presentation knob receives voltage signals that generate electrostatic frictional force only when tactile feedback is needed (during rotation or selection), reducing overall power consumption while maintaining effective tactile feedback when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter dynamically based on operational state. The electrostatic frictional force is adjusted according to the rotation amount and operational context, applying higher force when tactile feedback is needed and lower or zero force when not needed, optimizing the balance between tactile feedback quality and power consumption.
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 intuitive and user-friendly operation by providing a realistic dial knob experience with adjustable tactile feedback, enhancing operability, especially for visually impaired users, by varying the frictional force during rotation.
Implementation Method 1
presents a tactile sense to a user via the tactile presentation knob... performs control to present, as the tactile sense determined by the tactile determination unit, a frictional force between the tactile presentation knob and the operation surface... controlling the electrostatic force between the knob and the operation surface
Implementation Method 2
a frictional force between the tactile presentation knob and the operation surface... varying the frictional force during rotation
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a tactile presentation control apparatus that can provide an operation feeling of a dial knob that allows intuitive operation by a tactile sense of the user, and is user-friendly. A tactile presentation control apparatus according to the present disclosure that has a tactile presentation knob placed on an operation surface and presents a tactile sense to a user via the tactile presentation knob. The tactile presentation control apparatus includes a tactile determination unit that determines the tactile sense according to a state of an apparatus operated with the tactile presentation knob, and a tactile control unit that performs control to present, as the tactile sense determined by the tactile determination unit, a frictional force between the tactile presentation knob and the operation surface in a state where the tactile presentation knob and the operation surface have contact with each other.