Multi-function interfaces have become increasingly pervasive and are
frequently used in contexts which pose multiple demands on a single sensory
modality. Assuming some degree of modularity in attentional processing and that
using a different sensory channel for communication can reduce interference with
critical visual tasks, one possibility is to divert some information through the touch
sense.
The goal of this Thesis is to advance our knowledge of relevant human
capabilities and embed this knowledge into haptic communication design tools
and procedures, in the interest of creating haptically supported interfaces that
decrease rather than add to their users’ sensory and cognitive load. In short, we
wanted to create tools and methods that would allow the creation of haptic
signals (accomplished via display of either forces or vibrations) extending beyond
the one bit of communication offered by current pagers and cellular phone
buzzers.
In our quest to create information-rich haptic signals we need to learn how
to create signals that are differentiable. We also need to study ways to assign
meanings to these signals and make sure that they can be perceived clearly
when presented one after another even in environments where their recipient
might be involved with other tasks. These needs frame the specific research
goals of this thesis.
Most of the results described here were obtained through the study of
tactile (in the skin) rather than proprioceptive (force feedback) stimuli. We begin
by presenting several methods to create, validate and contrast tactile stimulus
dissimilarity data and investigate the design of a waveform intended to be a
tactile perceptual intermediate between a square waveform and a triangle
waveform. Next, we explore methods to create and test tactile signal-meaning
associations and document a surprising ability of participants to exhibit high
recall of quickly learned associations at two weeks in a first examination of
longitudinal recall of tactile stimuli. We then present methods to measure tactile
stimulus masking and identify crucial perceptual thresholds relating to stimulus
temporal spacing in an exploration into the masking effects of common-onset
vibrotactile stimuli. Finally, we present methods to test haptic and multimodal
perception in simulated scenarios including a method to simulate and control
cognitive workload; and provide evidence that the commonly-used device of
multimodal signal reinforcement can adversely impact performance in an ongoing
primary task.
The research presented in this Thesis has implications for the design of
signals to be used in displays that are emerging in embedded computing
environments such as cars, games, cellular phones, and medical devices.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BVAU.2429/2740 |
| Date | 05 1900 |
| Creators | Enriquez, Mario Javier |
| Publisher | University of British Columbia |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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