Touch Sensor Haptics With Press-and-Release Click Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch sensors lack a realistic click sensation, leading to feelings of strangeness and potential erroneous inputs, especially when the threshold for input is low or during continuous operations, as existing tactile feedback methods do not accurately replicate the experience of pushing a physical button switch.
Innovation Solution
An input apparatus with a load detection unit and a tactile sensation providing unit that vibrates the touch sensor, providing a click sensation when the pressure load meets a first standard and a release sensation when it meets a second standard lower than the first, mimicking the experience of operating a push-button switch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual or auditory feedback is used to confirm input operations, then input confirmation is provided, but the feedback may not be confirmed in noisy environments or silent mode, and visual feedback may be blocked by a finger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual and auditory feedback systems with a mechanical vibration feedback system. The touch sensor surface itself vibrates to provide tactile confirmation of input operations, eliminating dependence on visual displays that can be blocked or auditory signals that can be masked by environmental noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vibration generation unit as an intermediary between the touch sensor and the user's finger. This intermediary converts electrical signals into mechanical vibrations that directly stimulate the user's tactile sense, providing reliable feedback regardless of environmental conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the touch sensor threshold is set low to facilitate easy input, then input ease is improved, but tactile sensation becomes unrealistic and erroneous inputs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements immediate tactile feedback through vibration when the touch sensor detects input operations. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain a low detection threshold for ease of use while providing real-time confirmation to the user, preventing erroneous inputs by allowing users to verify their actions before they are finalized.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses mechanical vibration of the touch sensor surface to provide tactile feedback that simulates the sensation of pressing a physical button. This vibration occurs at specific thresholds, creating a realistic clicking sensation that helps users distinguish between intentional inputs and accidental touches.
3Ease of operation
If vibration is provided only when pressure load reaches the input threshold, then tactile sensation is provided, but the release sensation is missing causing feeling of strangeness during continuous operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic vibration feedback that occurs in two distinct phases: when the pressure load reaches the input threshold (pressing phase) and when the pressure load decreases below the threshold (release phase). This periodic action mimics the natural rhythm of physical button pressing and releasing, eliminating the feeling of strangeness during continuous operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the tactile feedback into two distinct components: a pressing sensation vibration triggered when the pressure threshold is reached, and a release sensation vibration triggered when the pressure decreases. This segmentation allows each phase of the button-pressing action to be independently confirmed, creating a more realistic and satisfying user experience.
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 apparatus provides a realistic click sensation, reducing feelings of strangeness and preventing erroneous inputs by accurately simulating the tactile feedback of a push-button switch, allowing for smooth continuous input operations.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element which generates an output signal in response to a load
Implementation Method 2
a vibration unit which vibrates the touch sensor in a predetermined vibration pattern when being driven by a drive signal
Data Source
AI summary
An input apparatus has a touch sensor for receiving an input, a load detection unit for detecting a pressure load on a touch face of the touch sensor, a tactile sensation providing unit for vibrating the touch face, and a control unit, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a first standard for providing a tactile sensation, for controlling drive of the tactile sensation providing unit such that a click sensation is provided to a pressing object (pressing means) pressing the touch face. The control unit, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a second standard lower than the first standard after the click sensation is provided in pressing, controls drive of the tactile sensation providing unit such that a release sensation corresponding to the click sensation is provided. Thereby, a realistic click sensation similar to that obtained when a push-button switch is operated is provided to an operator when the operator operates the touch sensor, allowing the operator to perform a continuous input operation without having a feeling of strangeness.