Transparent Wrinkling Layer Haptic Feedback in Touch Screens
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Touch screen devices pose user distraction risks due to the need for visual interaction, excluding visually impaired individuals and those in low-light environments from effectively using smart devices.
Innovation Solution
Integration of haptic technology using a transparent substrate with a wrinkling layer that changes from smooth to rough upon voltage application, providing tactile feedback through electrostatic forces, allowing users to interact via touch in low-light conditions and for visually impaired users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual interaction with touch screen is used, then user interface functionality is achieved, but user distraction and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual interaction (optical system) with tactile interaction (mechanical system). The electroactive polymer layer generates surface wrinkles through electrostatic forces when voltage is applied, creating tactile feedback that allows users to interact with the device through touch rather than sight, thereby reducing distraction while maintaining usability
Solution Approach 2:
The electroactive polymer layer acts as an intermediary between the user's finger and the touch screen. It translates electrical signals into tactile sensations through controlled surface wrinkling, providing haptic feedback that enables blind or low-vision users to navigate the interface without visual input
2Illumination intensity
If transparent touch screen is used, then visibility and aesthetics are maintained, but tactile feedback for visually impaired users is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the surface properties dynamic by using an electroactive polymer layer that can change its surface morphology on demand. The surface transitions from smooth to wrinkled state through applied voltage, providing tactile feedback only when needed for specific interactions, thus maintaining transparency while enabling tactile accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The electroactive polymer layer creates localized surface wrinkles at specific touch locations rather than uniformly across the entire screen. This localized tactile feedback preserves the overall transparency and smooth appearance of the display while providing necessary tactile cues at the point of user interaction
3Ease of operation
If haptic feedback through surface wrinkling is implemented, then tactile feedback is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electroactive polymer layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a dielectric layer in the capacitive touch sensor, provides haptic feedback through surface wrinkling, and maintains optical transparency. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated haptic components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the haptic feedback mechanism with the existing capacitive touch screen structure. The electroactive polymer layer is integrated into the touch screen stack, combining the display function, touch sensing function, and haptic feedback function into a single unified structure rather than adding separate systems
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
Enhances user experience by enabling tactile interaction, reducing distraction and inclusivity for diverse user groups, including those visually impaired and those in low-light environments, through programmable roughness and friction features sensed capacitively.
Implementation Method 1
the voltage generates an electrostatic force that mutually attracts the top and bottom electrodes to exert a compressive force upon the transparent wrinkling layer
Implementation Method 2
There is a capacitive sensing circuit which senses changes in the capacitance of the transparent portion when the user's finger approaches a minimum distance to the surface
Data Source
AI summary
Consistent with an example embodiment, a user (touch screen) interface has haptic feedback. The user interface comprises, a substrate, a transparent bottom electrode on top of the substrate, a transparent wrinkling layer on top of the transparent bottom electrode, a transparent top electrode on top of the transparent wrinkling layer; and a transparent protective surface on top of the transparent top electrode. The transparent wrinkling layer changes from a smooth surface to a roughened surface upon application of a voltage between the top electrode and the bottom electrode; the voltage generates an electrostatic force mutually attracting the top and bottom electrodes to exert a compressive force upon the transparent wrinkling layer sufficient to generate a degree of surface wrinkling that is perceptible to the touch.