RT Journal Article
T1 Encoding of spatial patterns using electrotactile stimulation via a multi-pad electrode placed on the torso
A1 Jure, Fabricio A.
A1 Spaich, Erika G.
A1 Malešević, Jovana
A1 Kostić, Miloš
A1 Štrbac, Matija
A1 Došen, Strahinja
AB Background: Tactile stimulation can be used to convey information to a user in different scenarios while avoiding overloading other senses. Tactile messages can be transmitted as spatial patterns, potentially allowing for a high information throughput. The aim of the present study was to design and test different encoding schemes to determine the best approach for conveying spatial patterns. Methods: Encoding schemes with simultaneous (SIM) and sequential pad activation (SEQ) were evaluated, including four SEQ variants designed to potentially facilitate the recognition. In SEQ-col and SEQ-row, the column and row of the activated pad were signified using different frequencies, while SEQ-all and SEQ-all-fast included the activation of all pads where those belonging to the pattern were indicated by changes in frequency (ON pads). The success rate (SR) of the pattern identification and the response time were quantified in 15 participants who recognized 20 patterns delivered through a 3 × 2 pad matrix placed on the lateral torso. Results: SIM was not a feasible method to present the patterns (median, 15%; IQR, 5%). The SR improved with SEQ (median, 60%; IQR, 20%) and further increased with additional cues, particularly with SEQ-row (median, 78.3%; IQR, 23.3%) and SEQ-all (median, 96.7%; IQR, 5%). Importantly, the stimulation time of SEQ-all could be decreased without a substantial drop in accuracy (SEQ-all-fast: median, 89.2%; IQR, 19.2%). Conclusions: The spatiotemporal stimulation with sequential activation of all pads (SEQ-all) seems to be the method of choice when conveying tactile messages as spatial patterns. This is an important outcome for increasing the information bandwidth of communication through the tactile channel.
SN 0160-564X
YR 2022
FD 2022-10
LA eng
NO Jure , F A , Spaich , E G , Malešević , J , Kostić , M , Štrbac , M & Došen , S 2022 , ' Encoding of spatial patterns using electrotactile stimulation via a multi-pad electrode placed on the torso ' , Artificial Organs , vol. 46 , no. 10 , pp. 2044-2054 . https://doi.org/10.1111/aor.14341
NO Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors. Artificial Organs published by International Center for Artificial Organ and Transplantation (ICAOT) and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
NO The present study was supported by the project SIXTHSENSE funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 883315.
DS TECNALIA Publications
RD 2 sept 2024