Touch Surface Vibration Timing for Clear Press and Release Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing input devices provide inconsistent tactile feedback when a load exceeds or falls below a predetermined reference, leading to discomfort due to repetitive vibrations and unclear release detection, especially when finger movement causes alternating load states.

Innovation Solution

An input device with a touch sensor, load detector, vibration applying section, and controller that uses a timer to determine appropriate tactile sensations by measuring elapsed time between load exceeding and falling below a reference, ensuring synchronized vibrations with press and release actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vibration is generated when load exceeds predetermined reference, then tactile feedback is provided for press detection, but continuous vibration occurs when finger shakes causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepress detection accuracyVSAvoidoperator comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of load magnitude before triggering vibration. By checking whether the load exceeds a predetermined reference value before activating vibration, the system avoids unnecessary vibrations during finger shaking while maintaining reliable press detection when genuine pressure is applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses load detection feedback to control vibration activation. The vibration applying section is activated only when the detector confirms that the load on the touch surface exceeds the predetermined reference, creating a feedback loop that prevents false vibration triggers during finger shaking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If vibration is provided only when load exceeds reference, then press feedback is clear, but release feedback is missing causing strange sensation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepress feedback clarityVSAvoidrelease sensation consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies vibration periodically at two distinct phases: when the load exceeds the predetermined reference (press) and when it falls below the reference (release). This periodic vibration pattern at critical transition points provides clear tactile feedback for both press and release actions, mimicking mechanical push button behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of only detecting press states, the system inverts the detection logic to also trigger vibration when the load falls below the reference value. This inverted detection approach ensures that release actions also generate tactile feedback, creating consistent sensation for both press and release operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If vibration is continuously applied during alternating load states, then release detection is enhanced, but operator comfort decreases due to repetitive vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease detection accuracyVSAvoidoperator comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures the elapsed time from when the load first exceeded the reference before triggering vibration on release. By requiring this preliminary time condition to be satisfied, the system ensures that only sustained release actions trigger vibration, filtering out transient fluctuations during finger shaking while maintaining accurate release detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic sampling of the load condition combined with elapsed time measurement to determine when to trigger release vibration. This periodic detection approach with time-based filtering provides accurate release detection while avoiding continuous or repetitive vibrations that would cause discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Provides consistent tactile feedback mimicking mechanical push buttons, reducing discomfort by avoiding repetitive vibrations and aligning tactile sensations with user intent, thus enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration applying section that vibrates the touch surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12510967B2Input device applying vibrations to a touch surface during pressing and releasing operations

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD

AI summary

An input device includes a touch sensor, a detector that detects a load of a press on a touch surface of the touch sensor, a vibration applying section that vibrates the touch surface, a controller that issues an instruction for vibrating the touch surface to the vibration applying section when determining that the load detected by the detector exceeds a predetermined press reference, and a timer section that measures an elapsed time after it is determined that the load exceeds the predetermined press reference. The controller further determines whether to instruct the vibration applying section to vibrate the touch surface based on the elapsed time until it is determined that the load falls below a predetermined release reference.