Touch Display with Pressure Threshold for Haptic Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing input systems in motor vehicles lack flexibility and interactivity, leading to increased operating errors due to the inability to differentiate between touch gestures and push gestures, and insufficient haptic feedback, which can result in unintentional activation of controls during vehicle vibrations.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that combine touch gestures and push gestures with haptic feedback, using a user programmable touch-sensitive display device with pressure force sensors and an actuator element to provide distinct feedback, ensuring that operator control element functions are initiated only after exceeding a specific force threshold, thereby reducing errors and enhancing user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a touch-sensitive display device is used without force threshold differentiation, then the interface is simple and flexible, but operating errors increase due to unintentional activation during vehicle vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol activation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing force threshold differentiation into the touch-sensitive display system. The system distinguishes between light touches (below threshold) and firm pushes (above threshold), transforming a single-mode interface into a multi-mode input system. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining interface flexibility through touch gestures while preventing unintentional activation through force threshold validation for push gestures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through haptic actuators that provide distinct tactile responses for different input types. When a user performs a push gesture exceeding the force threshold, the system activates haptic feedback to confirm the intentional action. This feedback mechanism helps users distinguish between successful push gestures and unintentional touches during vehicle vibrations, thereby improving control activation accuracy while preserving interface flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If haptic feedback is added to differentiate input types, then operating errors are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput differentiation accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the force sensing capability and haptic feedback functionality into the existing touch-sensitive display device structure. The force threshold detection is integrated with the touch sensor, and haptic actuators are incorporated within the display assembly. This merging approach enables input differentiation and error reduction while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by utilizing the existing structural framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If force threshold sensing is implemented, then push gestures can be reliably detected, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce threshold detection accuracyVSAvoidproduction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by selecting force sensing and haptic feedback technologies that can be integrated into standard touch-sensitive display manufacturing processes. The force threshold sensing utilizes existing pressure-sensitive sensor technologies commonly found in automotive displays, and the haptic actuators employ conventional electromagnetic or piezoelectric mechanisms. This multi-functional approach enables precise force threshold detection while maintaining ease of manufacture by leveraging established manufacturing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution provides a more interactive and error-reduced input method by clearly differentiating between touch and push gestures, offering distinct haptic feedback that mimics physical key presses, reducing the need for the driver to divert attention from the road and preventing unintentional control activations during vehicle vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure force sensor for sensing a contact pressure force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 2

an actuator element for outputting a haptic feedback item

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHaptic feedback generation:

Data Source

PatentUS10936108B2Method and apparatus for inputting data with two types of input and haptic feedback

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 VOLKSWAGEN AG

AI summary

A method and an apparatus, particularly in a motor vehicle, for input of data with haptic feedback. The method includes sensing a touch position on a user programmable touch-sensitive display device, selecting a function via the touch position, sensing of a contact pressure force on the user programmable touch-sensitive display device, initiating the selected function when a first force threshold is exceeded, and outputting a haptic feedback item. Also disclosed is an associated apparatus.