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Information transmission with a multi-finger tactual display
H Z Tan1, N I Durlach, W M Rabinowitz
1Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA.
Scandinavian Audiology. Supplementum
|January 1, 1997
Summary
A new multi-finger display, the TACTUATOR, was developed to study hand sensation. It achieved an information transfer rate comparable to Tadoma for tactual speech communication.
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Sensory Perception
- Haptics
Background:
- The Tadoma method demonstrates effective tactual speech communication.
- The hand's kinesthetic and vibrotactile senses offer potential for information transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and assess a multi-finger positional display (TACTUATOR) for tactual sensory perception.
- To quantify information transmission capabilities using the TACTUATOR.
Main Methods:
- Absolute identification experiments were conducted using the TACTUATOR.
- Signals were varied by frequency, amplitude, and stimulation site of multicomponent waveforms.
- Information transfer (IT) was calculated for different stimulus durations.
Main Results:
- Information transfer of 5.6 to 6.5 bits was achieved with stimulus durations of 125 to 500 msec.
- An estimated information transfer rate of 12 bits/sec was calculated for continuous streams.
- This rate matches that of Tadoma users in tactual speech communication.
Conclusions:
- The TACTUATOR effectively transmits information through kinesthetic and vibrotactile perception.
- The developed device shows potential for enhancing tactual communication methods.
- The TACTUATOR's performance is comparable to established tactual speech communication systems.
Keywords:
Non-programmatic