A tactile synthesis method using multiple frequency vibrations for representing virtual touch

Abstract

This paper presents a useful tactile display method that can control multiple tactile sensations such as roughness, pressure, and friction sensations using simple vibratory stimulations. Our concepts are based on two points: frequency range selection for making selective stimulation on different tactile receptors types and timing control of the stimulation in response to hand movements. The selective stimulations were realized by selecting reactive frequencies of vibratory stimulation based on temporal response characteristics of tactile receptors. For representing roughness sensation, vibrating frequencies were modulated in response to hand velocity considered as a temporal coding perception of FA I type receptor. Two reactive frequencies were also selected for representing pressure sensation and friction sensation corresponding to SA I and FA II type receptors respectively. A wearable tactile display using ICPF (ionic conducting polymer gel film) actuators verified our proposed methods. Finally, we conducted a total texture feeling display combined with our methods for roughness, pressure, and friction sensations in a parameterized manner. Comparison with real clothes showed that some combinations of multiple tactile sensations could express texture feels of the expected materials.