A haptic keypad design with a novel interactive haptic feedback method

Abstract

This study creates a haptic keypad design with a novel interactive haptic feedback method. The design uses thin piezoelectric actuators to simulate actual rubber-dome keyboard typing experiences. Traditional haptic keyboard designs only consider functional requirements or functional structures. This study considers both user behaviours and keyboard behaviours to improve haptic feedback. The design uses minimum keystroke durations for buckling and restitution events for normal key presses, and minimum hold-down durations between buckling and restitution events for continuous key presses, to simulate actual rubber-dome keyboard typing experiences. Usability study results show that the design creates realistic haptic feedback that users rate equivalent to haptic feedback on traditional rubber-dome keyboards, and better than haptic feedback on other keypads, keyboards, or electronic devices that are currently on the market. The design can also be used to create new types of computers, tablets, or cell phones that create more realistic haptic feedback.