Texture Engine Haptic Feedback for Handheld Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current handheld devices lack effective haptic feedback systems that can simulate textures, limiting their ability to provide immersive and interactive user experiences, especially in simulating complex surfaces and enhancing usability for visually impaired users.

Innovation Solution

A texture engine system that includes a processor, actuator, and touch-sensitive interface, which receives display signals and user interactions to generate haptic effects simulating various textures by transmitting haptic signals to actuators, such as piezoelectric or electro-magnetic devices, to create vibrations that mimic the feel of different surfaces on the device's interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If haptic feedback systems are added to handheld devices, then user interaction and usability are enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interactionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The haptic feedback system uses existing display interface components to serve dual purposes: visual display and haptic texture generation. The display interface acts as both the visual output device and the haptic actuator, eliminating the need for separate dedicated haptic components and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the display interface's own structural characteristics (pixel arrangement, electrode configuration) to generate haptic effects without requiring external specialized components. The display structure itself provides the mechanical basis for haptic feedback through electrostatic or electromagnetic forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple actuators are used to simulate complex textures, then texture simulation accuracy is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetexture simulation accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display interface is divided into multiple independently controllable regions or pixels, each capable of generating haptic effects. By selectively activating specific segments (pixels/regions), the system can simulate complex textures with high precision while maintaining control over power consumption and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system varies haptic parameters (amplitude, frequency, duration, spatial distribution) of the actuators to simulate different textures. By dynamically adjusting these parameters rather than adding more physical actuators, the system achieves high texture simulation accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If haptic feedback is provided continuously, then user interaction quality is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction qualityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Haptic feedback is provided periodically or event-driven rather than continuously. The system activates haptic effects at specific interaction moments (touch events, transitions, selections) and remains inactive otherwise, maintaining high interaction quality while significantly reducing average power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies haptic feedback selectively to specific regions or moments of interaction rather than uniformly across the entire interface continuously. By providing haptic feedback only where and when needed (partial action), the system maintains user interaction quality while minimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 the simulation of diverse textures, enhancing user interaction and usability by providing tactile feedback without visual distraction, improving device usability and accessibility for visually impaired individuals and reducing user error.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting haptic signals to actuators, such as piezoelectric or electro-magnetic devices, to create vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

transmitting haptic signals to actuators, such as piezoelectric or electro-magnetic devices, to create vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic effect: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

create vibrations that mimic the feel of different surfaces on the device's interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10198077B2Systems and methods for a texture engine

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 IMMERSION CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods for a texture engine are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: a processor configured to receive a display signal including a plurality of pixels, determine a haptic effect comprising a texture, and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to an actuator in communication with the processor, the actuator configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.