Abstract
The authors introduce a method for presenting tactile textures by using vibratory pin arrays, which is based on a surface-height map. The method utilizes a histogram transformation to obtain a sensation intensity map, which produces simulated tactile stimuli of real texture sample patches on display devices. Parameters of histogram transformation were determined by an experiment in which data from six candidates were gathered and compared. Five different wallpaper patches were examined on two displays, the Texture Display and the Optacon II. In the case of the Texture Display, subjects showed small variation in parameter selection; in addition, the evaluation of display presentation in the roughness-smoothness dimension exhibited a result close to that of the direct touch of textures. In the case of the Optacon II, a sensation scaling was performed first on the basis of vibration probability control. Although the control mode possessed severe restrictions derived from the original design of the Optacon II, the sample textures were perceived properly by the same method as that employed with the Texture Display.
