Textured Linear Trackpad Tactile Feedback Wearable Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trackpads lack tactile feedback, making it difficult for users to determine the location of their finger without looking away from the screen, especially in wearable computing systems where the trackpad is positioned on the side of the head.

Innovation Solution

A textured linear trackpad with a raised or indented pattern provides haptic feedback to indicate the finger's position, center, and relative distance from the center, allowing users to accurately navigate without visual confirmation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a conventional smooth trackpad surface is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the user cannot determine finger location without visual confirmation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile feedback informationVSAvoidtrackpad structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trackpad surface is divided into multiple regions with different tactile properties. Raised features are positioned at specific locations (such as edges or center) to provide localized tactile cues that indicate finger position, while other areas remain smooth for normal interaction. This allows the surface to convey spatial information without requiring a completely textured surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses raised or indented features with curved or rounded profiles on the trackpad surface. These curved tactile features are more detectable by the finger than sharp edges, providing subtle haptic feedback that guides users without being intrusive. The curvature allows for gradual tactile transitions that improve detectability while maintaining surface smoothness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If no tactile features are added to the trackpad, then the manufacturing process remains simple, but users experience orientation difficulties in wearable systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinger location detectionVSAvoidtrackpad fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The trackpad surface introduces subtle variations in physical parameters such as height, curvature, or material properties at specific locations. These parameter changes create detectable tactile differences that help users orient their fingers without requiring complex mechanical structures. The variations are minimal enough to maintain manufacturing simplicity while providing sufficient tactile contrast.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the trackpad is positioned on the side of the head in wearable systems, then the device form factor is optimized, but users cannot accurately locate their finger without visual confirmation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewearable device configurationVSAvoidfinger position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The raised or indented features on the trackpad provide immediate tactile feedback when the user's finger approaches or contacts them. This feedback loop allows users to sense their finger position in real-time without visual confirmation, enabling accurate positioning even when the trackpad is located on the side of the head in wearable configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8766940B1Textured linear trackpad

Publication Date: 2014.07.01 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

A computing device includes a trackpad, which includes a touch-sensitive surface having a touch-detectable pattern. The touch-detectable pattern includes a first feature, and a second feature having first and second side features. The first and second side features start in proximity of the first feature and are positioned on opposite sides of the first feature.