Ultrasonic Haptic Input Device Gesture Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing haptic feedback device causes users to unintentionally pass by target regions due to reduced friction when sliding their fingers quickly, making it difficult to accurately input gestures on a touchpad.
Innovation Solution
An input device with a touch sensor, a vibrator activated in the ultrasonic band, and a controller that activates the vibrator for specific gestures, deactivating it before the finger reaches the target region to increase friction and guide the user to the correct input position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vibrator is activated to provide haptic feedback during gesture input, then the user can feel friction guidance toward the target region, but the reduced friction caused by vibration allows users to unintentionally pass by target regions when sliding quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The controller activates the vibrator before the finger reaches the target region, creating friction guidance in advance. The vibration is deactivated just before the finger reaches the target, ensuring the user feels guidance without unintentionally passing the target due to reduced friction. This timing control resolves the contradiction by applying haptic feedback only when needed for guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the vibrator's drive voltage based on real-time detection of finger moving speed and touch load. When the finger moves quickly, the controller reduces drive voltage to minimize friction reduction. When touch load increases, the controller adjusts voltage accordingly. This dynamic adjustment ensures haptic feedback enhances guidance without causing unintended gestures.
2Measurement precision
If the vibrator is deactivated before the finger reaches the target region to increase friction, then gesture input accuracy improves, but the user may not receive sufficient haptic feedback guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The controller activates the vibrator before the finger reaches the target region, creating friction guidance in advance. The vibration is deactivated just before the finger reaches the target, ensuring the user feels guidance without unintentionally passing the target due to reduced friction. This timing control resolves the contradiction by applying haptic feedback only when needed for guidance.
3Measurement precision
If the controller adjusts vibrator drive voltage based on moving speed and touch load, then gesture input accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor simultaneously detects both the gesture input and the touch load applied by the user's finger. The controller uses this self-provided touch load information to dynamically adjust the vibrator drive voltage, eliminating the need for separate sensors. This self-service approach improves accuracy while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor serves multiple functions: detecting gesture input, measuring touch load, and providing data for vibrator control. By making the touch sensor multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate sensors for load detection, thereby improving gesture input accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 solution allows users to easily make intended inputs by increasing friction at the correct position, enhancing accuracy and preventing unintended gestures by dynamically adjusting the vibrator's drive voltage based on moving speed and touch load.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrator that is activated in an ultrasonic band to provide haptic feedback on the operation screen
Data Source
AI summary
An input device includes: a touch sensor that detects a touch position touched by an operating body on an operation screen; a vibrator that is activated in an ultrasonic band to provide haptic feedback on the operation screen; and a controller that is electrically connected to the touch sensor and the vibrator. The controller receives an input made to the touch sensor through a gesture in a predetermined direction from an initial position, activates the vibrator when the touch sensor receives a shorter-in-length gesture in the predetermined direction from the initial position, and deactivates the vibrator when the touch sensor receives a longer-in-length gesture in the predetermined direction from the initial position.