Touch Surface for Simulating Materials

摘要

A system for simulating materials using touch surfaces includes a touch surface, an actuator and/or an temperature control device, and a control unit. The control unit controls the actuator or the temperature control device to cause at least a portion of the touch surface to simulate a material. Such control may include utilizing the actuator to vibrate the surface to simulate the tactile sensation of texture. Such control may also include utilizing the temperature control device (such as a Peltier device) to control the temperature of the surface in order to simulate the thermal conductivity of a material. In some cases, the temperature control may be performed utilizing a temperature sensor to adjust the temperature of the surface. In various cases, the vibration and/or temperature may be varied over time, such as in response to one or more touches detected using one or more touch sensors.

主权项

1. A method of simulating a material using a touch surface, comprising:
controlling a temperature of a portion of the touch surface using a temperature control device; vibrating the portion of the touch surface using an actuator; and compensating for heat produced by the actuator using the temperature control device when the heat from the actuator is interfering with the control of the temperature.