Mobile Multi-actuator Tactile Displays

Abstract

Abstract. The potential of using the sense of touch to communicate information in mobile devices is receiving more attention because of the limitations of graphical displays in such situations. However, most applications only use a single actuator to present vibrotactile information. In an effort to create richer tactile feedback and mobile applications that make use of the entire hand and multiple fingers as opposed to a single fingertip, this paper presents the results of two experiments investigating the perception and application of multiactuator tactile displays situated on a mobile device. The results of these experiments show that an identification rate of over 87% can be achieved when two dimensions of information are encoded in Tactons using rhythm and location. They also show that location produces 100% recognition rates when using actuators situated on the mobile device at the lower thumb, upper thumb, index finger and ring finger. This work demonstrates that it is possible to communicate information through four locations using multiple actuators situated on a mobile device when non-visual information is required.

Investigating Tactile Stimulation in Symbiotic Systems

“…Interestingly, the vibration of the same set of actuators, yet activated in the reverse order, which characterized Stimulus #1, was the least chosen stimulus. This finding suggests that besides the basic parameters characterizing a tactile stimulus, i.e., the intensity, the rhythm and the area on the body on which the tactile stimuli are applied [4], developers should also take into account the feeling that a given stimulation produces on the user. As emerged from the interviews, participants' choices were mainly motivated by the pleasantness of the stimuli.…”

“…Tactile displays have proved to be an effective and powerful means for communicating information to users, even when they are already engaged in another activity (e.g., working) users can reliably comprehend messages enclosed in the tactile mode [3,4]. Given the size of the actuators, tactile displays are usually implemented as wearable computers [5], i.e., fully functional and self-contained electronic devices to be worn and allowing the user to have constant access to information [6].…”

Applying “Out of Body” Vibrotactile Illusion to Two-Finger Interaction for Perception of Object Dynamics

“…These have been mostly used with mobile devices or hand-held game controllers to provide supplementary feedback for various interaction events (e.g., alarm, touch/key input, and virtual collision). Researchers have searched for ways to simulate other types of information by controlling the vibrating signal (e.g., texture simulation) [6] and by combining it with other modalities [7]. Nevertheless, vibrating motors are still inherently limited in terms of their ability to convey true haptic force, i.e., rigid contact as well as directional or inertial effects.…”

“…However, while this method is able to recreate static surface textures, e.g., protrusions and bumps, the devices lack features to provide more dynamic feedback. A number of researchers have applied tactile illusion techniques to human interfaces [3,4,7,10,11] e.g. to minimize the number of tactile actuators (instead of using a comparable tactile array) [7] or to design vibrotactile feedback method that do not require direct contact to the fingers/hands.…”

“…A number of researchers have applied tactile illusion techniques to human interfaces [3,4,7,10,11] e.g. to minimize the number of tactile actuators (instead of using a comparable tactile array) [7] or to design vibrotactile feedback method that do not require direct contact to the fingers/hands. However, most of the prior tactile interactions have focused only on the providing feedback to indicate an existence of an object, the perception of texture patterns, and the outer shape of the object rather than its dynamics.…”