Designing Distinguishable Mid-Air Ultrasound Tactons with Temporal Parameters

TL;DR

This study explores how to design distinguishable mid-air ultrasound Tactons by analyzing temporal parameters, providing guidelines to improve contactless tactile interfaces based on user perception and vibrotactile knowledge transfer.

Contribution

It identifies key temporal parameters for ultrasound Tactons that enhance distinguishability and demonstrates the transferability of vibrotactile design principles to ultrasound Tacton design.

Findings

Rhythm and low envelope frequency improve Tacton distinguishability

Strong correlation between ultrasound and vibrotactile similarity ratings

Established discrimination thresholds for amplitude-modulated frequencies

Abstract

Mid-air ultrasound technology offers new design opportunities for contactless tactile patterns (i.e., Tactons) in user applications. Yet, few guidelines exist for making ultrasound Tactons easy to distinguish for users. In this paper, we investigated the distinguishability of temporal parameters of ultrasound Tactons in five studies (n=72 participants). Study 1 established the discrimination thresholds for amplitude-modulated (AM) frequencies. In Studies 2-5, we investigated distinguishable ultrasound Tactons by creating four Tacton sets based on mechanical vibrations in the literature and collected similarity ratings for the ultrasound Tactons. We identified a subset of temporal parameters, such as rhythm and low envelope frequency, that could create distinguishable ultrasound Tactons. Also, a strong correlation (mean Spearman's $\rho$=0.75) existed between similarity ratings for ultrasound Tactons and similarities of mechanical Tactons from the literature, suggesting vibrotactile designers can transfer their knowledge to ultrasound design. We present design guidelines and future directions for creating distinguishable mid-air ultrasound Tactons.