Touch Surface Haptic Feedback Using Proximity Pre-Triggering

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch sensors do not provide a natural tactile sensation when an object approaches or touches the surface, leading to an unnatural user experience due to time lags between object detection and feedback generation.

Innovation Solution

A tactile sensation providing apparatus and method that includes a proximity sensor to detect object approach and a controller to initiate vibration in a tactile sensation provider before object contact, ensuring immediate and natural tactile feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the tactile sensation provider is driven only after object contact is detected, then power consumption is reduced, but time lag occurs between object detection and tactile feedback

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime lag between object detection and tactile feedbackVSAvoidpower consumption of tactile sensation provider

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tactile sensation provider is driven in advance based on proximity sensor detection before the object actually contacts the touch sensor. This preliminary action eliminates the time lag between detection and feedback, providing natural tactile sensation immediately when the user approaches the screen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The proximity sensor acts as an intermediary detection mechanism that triggers the tactile sensation provider before actual contact occurs. This intermediary detection allows the system to prepare and deliver tactile feedback without waiting for physical contact, resolving the time lag issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If the tactile sensation provider is driven continuously to ensure immediate feedback, then time lag is eliminated, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse time of tactile feedbackVSAvoidpower consumption of tactile sensation provider

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous operation, the tactile sensation provider is activated in advance only when needed - specifically when the proximity sensor detects an approaching object. This on-demand preliminary activation maintains immediate feedback while avoiding unnecessary power consumption during non-use periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tactile sensation provider operates periodically based on proximity detection events rather than continuously. Each detection event triggers a controlled activation period, providing feedback only when necessary and allowing the system to conserve energy during intervals between interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the tactile sensation provider is driven after object contact, then power consumption is minimized, but user experience becomes unnatural due to delayed feedback

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption of tactile sensation providerVSAvoidnaturalness of tactile feedback

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection using the proximity sensor to anticipate user interaction before contact occurs. By triggering the tactile sensation provider in advance based on this preliminary detection, the system provides natural, immediate feedback that matches user expectations while maintaining energy efficiency through targeted activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The proximity sensor provides early feedback about approaching objects, allowing the system to prepare and deliver appropriate tactile feedback before contact. This feedback mechanism ensures natural user experience by aligning tactile response timing with user intent, while feedback-driven activation keeps power consumption minimized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 solution reduces time lag and provides a natural tactile sensation, enhancing user experience by allowing immediate feedback upon object approach and reducing power consumption and potential wear on vibration components.

Implementation Method 1

a proximity sensor configured to detect an approach of an object to the touch sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a tactile sensation provider configured to provide a tactile sensation on a touch surface of the touch sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10963089B2Tactile sensation providing apparatus and tactile sensation providing method

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

A tactile sensation providing apparatus includes a touch sensor, a tactile sensation provider that provides a tactile sensation on a touch surface of the touch sensor, a proximity sensor that detects the approach of an object to the touch sensor, and a controller that starts driving of the tactile sensation provider in accordance with detection by the proximity sensor.