Investigating the Semantic Perceptual Space of Synthetic Textures on an Ultrasonic based Haptic Tablet

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the semantic perceptual space of synthetic tactile textures rendered via an ultrasonic based haptic tablet and the parameters influencing this space. Through a closed card sorting task, 30 participants had to explore 32 tactile-only textures and describe each texture using adjectives. A factorial analysis of mixed data was conducted. Results suggest a 2 dimensional space with tactile textures belonging to a continuum of rough to smooth adjectives. Influence of waveform and amplitude is shown to play an important role in perceiving a texture as smooth or rough, and spatial period is a possible modulator of different degrees of roughness or smoothness. Finally, we discuss how these findings can be used by designers on tactile feedback devices.

Building a Navigable Fine Texture Design Space

“…Will the limited range of variable features on a haptic screen result in changes to the most salient perceptual axes? With this in mind, Dariosecq et al recently compared verbal descriptions of artificial textures to those used for real ones in earlier perceptual space studies [21]. Their artificial textures consisted of sinusoidal and square variations in friction on an ultrasonic friction modulation screen.…”

FeelPen: A Haptic Stylus Displaying Multimodal Texture Feels on Touchscreens

“…Several studies revealed a two-dimensional space, one used superimposed dual-frequency vibrations on a handheld device [53], while another provided amplitudemodulated vibrotactile stimuli on a voice-coil actuator [54]. Others varied waveform, amplitude, and spatial period [34], [38], [55], or fundamental and overtone spatial frequencies and amplitudes [56] on friction-modulation displays.…”

“…In the study of Friesen et al, the lower frequency signals were identified as "bumpy" [36]. Dariosecq et al found that spatial period, which is related to frequency, acted as a modulator of different degrees of roughness [55]. A study conducted by Vardar et al showed that the perceived roughness of virtual textures generated via electrostatic forces follows an inverted U-shaped curve as a function of groove width at the macro-textural scale [38].…”

Effect of Physical Challenging Activity on Tactile Texture Recognition for Mobile Surface

“…Kalantari et al [15] determined the size of the smallest perceived texture. Dariosecq et al [9] investigated the semantic perceptual space of tactile textures rendered and the parameters influencing this space. Researchers have also proposed different applications to strengthen the interaction [16,20]; or to enhance the expressiveness of touched objects [20,35]; or to offer accessible interaction design for people with impairment [13].…”

“…Previous research demonstrated the ability for users to accurately recognize textures even when using different finger speeds [30]; or when perceiving simultaneous but different textures [29]; or when the size of the tactile texture is small [15,32]. Researchers have also investigated the semantic of perceived textures [9] and proposed different applications to strengthen the interaction [16,20]; or to enhance the expressiveness of touched objects [20,35]; or to offer accessible interaction design for people with impairment [13].…”