NailTactors: eyes-free spatial output using a nail-mounted tactor array

This paper investigates the feasibility of using a nail-mounted array of tactors, NailTactors, as an eyes-free output device. By rim-attached eccentric-rotating-mass (ERM) vibrators to artificial nails, miniature high-resolution tactile displays were realized as an eyes-free output device. To understand how to deliver rich signals to users for valid signal perception, three user studies were conducted. The results suggest that users can not only recognized absolute and relative directional cues, but also recognized numerical characters in EdgeWrite format with an overall 89% recognition rate. Experiments also identified the optimal placement of ERM actuators for maximizing information transfer.

[1]  Jun Rekimoto,et al.  Traxion: a tactile interaction device with virtual force sensation , 2013, SIGGRAPH '14.

[2]  Ivan Poupyrev,et al.  Touché: enhancing touch interaction on humans, screens, liquids, and everyday objects , 2012, CHI.

[3]  Wen-Huang Cheng,et al.  FingerPad: private and subtle interaction using fingertips , 2013, UIST.

[4]  James D. Hollan,et al.  Tapping and rubbing: exploring new dimensions of tactile feedback with voice coil motors , 2008, UIST '08.

[5]  Buntarou Shizuki,et al.  Touch & activate: adding interactivity to existing objects using active acoustic sensing , 2013, UIST.

[6]  Joseph A. Paradiso,et al.  NailO: Fingernails as an Input Surface , 2015, CHI.

[7]  Hideyuki Ando,et al.  SmartFinger: nail-mounted tactile display , 2002, SIGGRAPH '02.

[8]  Hugo Fuks,et al.  Beauty tech nails: interactive technology at your fingertips , 2014, TEI '14.

[9]  Yongfeng Huang,et al.  Designing an effective vibration-based notification interface for mobile phones , 2013, CSCW.

[10]  Pedro Lopes,et al.  Gesture output: eyes-free output using a force feedback touch surface , 2013, CHI.

[11]  Ali Israr,et al.  Tactile brush: drawing on skin with a tactile grid display , 2011, CHI.

[12]  Thijs Roumen,et al.  NotiRing: A Comparative Study of Notification Channels for Wearable Interactive Rings , 2015, CHI.

[13]  Brad A. Myers,et al.  EdgeWrite: a stylus-based text entry method designed for high accuracy and stability of motion , 2003, UIST '03.

[14]  Li-Wei Chan,et al.  NailDisplay: bringing an always available visual display to fingertips , 2013, CHI.

[15]  Geehyuk Lee,et al.  Investigating the Information Transfer Efficiency of a 3x3 Watch-back Tactile Display , 2015, CHI.

[16]  Patrick Baudisch,et al.  Skin Drag Displays: Dragging a Physical Tactor across the User's Skin Produces a Stronger Tactile Stimulus than Vibrotactile , 2015, CHI.

[17]  Barbara Leporini,et al.  Vibrotactile feedback to aid blind users of mobile guides , 2009, J. Vis. Lang. Comput..

[18]  Jan O. Borchers,et al.  FingerFlux: near-surface haptic feedback on tabletops , 2011, UIST.

[19]  D. S. Alles,et al.  Information Transmission by Phantom Sensations , 1970 .