Variable Frequency Vibration Device for Haptic Texture Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication devices lack the ability to simulate the tactile experience of physical objects during online shopping, limiting users' ability to 'touch' and feel products before purchase, which is only possible in physical retail settings.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a variable frequency vibration device to simulate the tactile texture of objects by associating each object with a unique frequency pattern, allowing mobile devices to provide haptic feedback that mimics the feel of various materials like fabric, leather, or metal, enabling users to experience the texture through touch inputs on a display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mobile communication device is used for online shopping, then convenience and accessibility are improved, but the ability to tactilely experience products is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A haptic feedback device serves as an intermediary between the user and the virtual product representation. The device translates visual product information into tactile sensations through controlled vibrations, allowing users to 'feel' product textures remotely. The system includes a haptic feedback controller that receives product texture data and generates corresponding vibration patterns through a haptic actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical mechanical interaction with products by using controlled mechanical vibrations generated by a haptic actuator. Instead of directly touching physical objects, users interact with virtual representations that trigger programmed vibration patterns simulating different textures through electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuation.
2Loss of information
If a variable frequency vibration device is used to simulate tactile textures, then the sense of touch is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic feedback controller serves multiple functions: it manages communication with the haptic actuator, processes product texture data, generates appropriate vibration patterns, and coordinates with the display system. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving comprehensive haptic feedback capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls tactile simulation by varying key parameters of the vibration device including frequency, amplitude, and duration of vibrations. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on product texture data, the system can simulate different material properties without requiring physically different components for each texture type.
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 the online shopping experience by allowing users to feel the texture of merchandise remotely, increasing customer engagement and attraction to online retail stores, and can be applied beyond shopping to other environments like museums, providing a sense of touch for virtual visits.
Implementation Method 1
controls a frequency and a duration of a vibration generated by a variable frequency vibration device simulating a tactile texture of the identified object
Data Source
AI summary
Controlling haptic feedback in a mobile communication device is provided. Metadata associated with a set of objects within requested content is parsed to identify each object within the requested content having an associated frequency pattern included in the metadata. The requested content is displayed in a display device. A touch input is received on the display device at a location of an identified object that has an associated frequency pattern within the requested content. A frequency and a duration of a vibration generated by a variable frequency vibration device simulating a tactile texture of the identified object touched within the requested content is controlled using the associated frequency pattern of the identified object.