Finger-Wearable Micro-Displacement Tactile Feedback for Virtual Textures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies for realizing virtual tactile sensations, such as devices that drive vibration elements on displays, struggle to effectively reproduce fine and sophisticated tactile sensations like quick protrusions and frictional textures, and are often inconvenient to wear.

Innovation Solution

A virtual tactile device comprising a finger-wearable neuromorphic micro-displacement stimulation element that applies micro-displacement stimuli to the skin, selectively triggering action potentials in tactile receptors, providing tactile feedback including protruding pressure sensations and friction textures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If vibration elements are driven on a display substrate or wearable gloves are used, then virtual tactile sensations can be provided, but fine and sophisticated tactile sensations such as quick protrusions and frictional textures cannot be effectively reproduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile sensation precisionVSAvoidtactile sensation realism

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable device divides the finger into multiple contact points with multiple stimulation elements (first, second, and third stimulation elements positioned at different locations). Each stimulation element can be independently controlled to provide targeted tactile feedback, enabling precise reproduction of complex tactile sensations like frictional textures and quick protrusions that cannot be achieved with a single vibration element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stimulation elements can operate in multiple modes including vibration mode and protrusion mode, with variable vibration frequencies and intensities. The controller dynamically adjusts the operation of each stimulation element based on the virtual object interaction, enabling realistic tactile sensations such as quick protrusions and frictional textures that require dynamic response rather than simple continuous vibration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If wearable devices like gloves are used to provide tactile feedback, then virtual tactile sensations can be achieved, but the devices are inconvenient to wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile feedback capabilityVSAvoidwearability convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of covering the entire hand with a bulky glove, the invention places stimulation elements only at specific locations on the finger where tactile feedback is most needed. The wearable device consists of a band and discrete stimulation elements positioned at the first, second, and third locations, providing tactile feedback functionality while maintaining finger dexterity and comfort, making it much more convenient to wear than full-hand gloves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If simple vibration elements are used on display, then device complexity is reduced, but the response speed and protrusion quality are delayed and slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation element simplicityVSAvoidtactile response speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The stimulation elements are designed to operate in multiple dynamic modes including vibration mode and protrusion mode, with the ability to rapidly switch between states. The controller can independently control each stimulation element to provide quick protrusions and variable frequency vibrations, achieving fast tactile response that simple vibration elements cannot provide while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 device enables precise and refined tactile sensations by selectively stimulating specific tactile receptors, mimicking the neural firing patterns of Merkel, Meissner, and Pacinian corpuscles, thereby enhancing the realism of virtual tactile experiences.

Implementation Method 1

the micro-displacement stimulation element applies a micro-displacement stimulus to the finger skin, selectively triggering action potentials of multiple tactile receptors in the skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanotransduction:

Data Source

PatentUS20260016899A1Display terminal, virtual tactile device, and virtual tactile system including thereof

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST

AI summary

A virtual tactile device is provided, which includes a display terminal and a wearable device that receives information about a position, a shape, and a physical property of an object displayed on the display screen, and the user's finger position. In one example, the wearable device includes a micro-displacement stimulation element that is in close contact with the user's finger skin. When the finger wearing the wearable device contacts an object displayed on the display screen or moves on the screen of the display terminal, the micro-displacement stimulation element applies a micro-displacement stimulus to the finger skin, selectively triggering action potentials of multiple tactile receptors in the skin. In coordination with the display terminal's screen, the system can provide tactile feedback, including protruding pressure sensations, curvature, and friction textures.