Touch Screen Resonance Calibration for Haptic Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices, such as touch screens, often fail to provide accurate haptic feedback due to variations in resonant frequencies caused by manufacturing inconsistencies, leading to suboptimal haptic effects.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a processor, actuator, and sensor that determines the resonant frequency of a touch screen by analyzing the surface's vibration response to an actuator signal, allowing for individual calibration and storage of the resonant frequency for enhanced haptic feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional touch screens are used without resonance calibration, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but haptic feedback quality deteriorates due to manufacturing variations in resonant frequency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaptic feedback qualityVSAvoidcalibration system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary resonance frequency calibration during the manufacturing process by automatically measuring the touch screen's resonant frequency and storing it in memory. This preliminary action ensures that the correct resonance frequency is captured before the device reaches the customer, eliminating the need for manual calibration and ensuring consistent haptic feedback quality across all devices despite manufacturing variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration system uses the device's own components (actuator, sensor, processor) to automatically measure and determine the resonant frequency of the touch screen without requiring external equipment or manual intervention. The system self-calibrates by analyzing the response of its own components, making the calibration process integrated and self-sufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If resonance frequency calibration is performed for each touch screen, then haptic feedback quality is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresonant frequency accuracyVSAvoidfrequency measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the sensor that detects the response of the touch screen when actuated. By analyzing the frequency response and identifying the resonant peak through the feedback signal, the system can accurately determine the resonant frequency. The feedback mechanism allows the system to iteratively refine the frequency measurement and confirm accuracy by observing the characteristic resonance response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If individual resonant frequency calibration is implemented, then haptic feedback quality is improved, but manufacturing time and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaptic feedback qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration is performed as a preliminary automated step during the manufacturing process, capturing the resonant frequency data before devices are packaged and shipped. By performing this measurement early in the production line using automated equipment, the calibration is completed efficiently without requiring additional manual steps later, thus minimizing impact on overall manufacturing throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration process is fully automated and self-executing, requiring no manual intervention for each device. The system automatically measures, processes, and stores the resonant frequency data, eliminating the need for skilled technicians to perform calibration individually. This automation significantly reduces the time required per device while maintaining calibration quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 method enables precise determination and storage of resonant frequencies, ensuring high-quality haptic feedback by accounting for variations in touch screen construction, improving user interface experiences.

Implementation Method 1

determines a resonant frequency of the surface by analyzing a response of the surface to the force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP2277097B1Systems and methods for resonance detection
Publication Date: 2018.08.15 IMMERSION CORP
  • EP2277097B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2277097B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2277097B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for resonance detection are disclosed. For example, one method for resonance detection includes the step of transmitting an actuator signal to an actuator coupled to a surface of a device. The actuator signal is configured to cause the actuator to output a force to the surface. The method further includes the steps of receiving a response of the surface to the force; determining a resonant frequency of the surface based at least in part on the response; and outputting a signal indicative of the resonant frequency.