Patent Publication Number: US-10331211-B2

Title: Device and method for providing tactile sensation

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/KR2014/005140, filed on Jun. 12, 2014, which claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0024433 filed Feb. 28, 2014, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     Example embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for providing tactile information to a user. 
     Background Art 
     Technology for providing tactile information may refer to technology for feeding back information to a user via a hand of the user. 
     A conventional mobile terminal may feedback an alarm to the user through vibrating the entire mobile terminal. 
     However, when tactile information is feedback through vibrating the entire mobile terminal, a limit lies therein in that transmitting a localized vibration is difficult because a vibration is provided to an entire hand holding the mobile terminal. 
     Accordingly, technology for feeding back tactile information has been developed through transmitting a vibration stimulus to the user, using electricity. 
     However, due to a high voltage used in a conventional scheme for transmitting a vibration stimulus using electricity, the user may receive an extreme electric stimulus, and applying the conventional scheme to a small sized mobile terminal may be difficult. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Solutions 
     The foregoing and/or other aspects are achieved by providing an apparatus for providing tactile information, the apparatus including a plurality of electrodes disposed on a substrate, and a dielectric substance layer formed on the substrate and the plurality of electrodes, wherein the plurality of electrodes generates an electrostatic force that provides tactile information to a user making contact with the dielectric substance layer by applying an electric charge to the dielectric substance layer based on a driving voltage. 
     The plurality of electrodes may control an intensity, an amplitude, and a duration of a vibration by changing an electrostatic force based on a frequency, an amplitude, and an input duration of a driving voltage. 
     The plurality of electrodes may provide differing tactile information to the user based on a position at which the user makes contact with the dielectric substance layer by applying an electric charge to a dielectric substance layer based on a plurality of driving voltages corresponding to positions of electrodes. 
     The plurality of electrodes may be disposed in a form of an array on the substrate. 
     The dielectric substance layer may be composed of at least one selected from a group of strontium titanate (SrTiO 3 ), an SrTiO 3  compound, barium titanate (BaTiO 3 ), a BaTiO 3  compound, hafnium oxide (HfO 2 ), aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), and titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ). 
     The foregoing and/or other aspects are achieved by providing an apparatus for providing tactile information, the apparatus including a tactile information providing area and a sensing area, wherein the tactile information providing area includes a dielectric substance layer, and first electrodes to generate an electrostatic force that provides tactile information to a user making contact with a dielectric substance layer by applying an electric charge to the dielectric substance layer based on a driving voltage, and the sensing area includes a second electrode to output a current, a third electrode to receive the current output by the second electrode, and a blocking layer to block transmission of the current to the tactile information providing area, wherein the first electrodes apply the electric charge to the dielectric substance layer based on the driving voltage determined based on a position at which the user makes contact sensed by a difference between the current output by the second electrode and the current received by the third electrode. 
     The foregoing and/or other aspects are achieved by providing an apparatus for providing tactile information, the apparatus including a tactile information providing area and a sensing area, wherein the tactile information providing area includes a dielectric substance layer, and first electrodes to generate an electrostatic force that provides tactile information to a user making contact with a dielectric substance layer by applying an electric charge to the dielectric substance layer based on a driving voltage, and the sensing area includes a second electrode to output a current, a third electrode to receive the current output by the second electrode, an elastic layer, disposed between the second electrode and the third electrode, to change a distance between the second electrode and the third electrode through a transformation based on an external pressure, and a blocking layer to block transmission of the current to the tactile information providing area, wherein the first electrodes apply the electric charge to the dielectric substance layer based on the driving voltage determined based on at least one of a position at which the user makes contact sensed by the distance between the second electrode and the third electrode and a magnitude of the external pressure. 
     The apparatus providing the tactile information may further include a display to display at least one object, wherein the first electrodes provide the tactile information to the user by applying the electric charge to the dielectric substance layer based on a driving voltage determined based on at least one of the position at which the user makes contact, a position at which the object is displayed on the display, and information about the object. 
     The first electrodes may provide the tactile information to the user by applying the electric charge to the dielectric substance layer based on a driving voltage determined based on a texture of the object corresponding to the position at which the user makes contact on the display. 
     The first electrodes may provide the tactile information to the user by applying the electric charge to the dielectric substance layer based on a driving voltage determined based on a type of the object corresponding to the position at which the user makes contact on the display. 
     When the position at which the user makes contact corresponds to at least one predetermined position at which tactile information is provided, the first electrodes may provide the tactile information to the user by applying the electric charge to the dielectric substance layer. 
     The foregoing and/or other aspects are achieved by providing a method of providing tactile information, the method including sensing a position at which a user makes contact with a dielectric substance layer using a sensing area, providing a driving voltage to an electrode most adjacent to the sensed position of the user, and applying, by the electrode, an electric charge to the dielectric substance layer based on the driving voltage, and generating an electrostatic force that provides tactile information to the user making contact with the dielectric layer. 
     The foregoing and/or other aspects are achieved by providing an apparatus for providing tactile information, the apparatus including a dielectric substance layer, electrodes to generate an electrostatic force that provides tactile information to a user making contact with the dielectric substance layer by applying an electric charge to the dielectric substance layer based on a driving voltage, and ground areas, disposed amongst the electrodes, to ground the electric charge applied to the dielectric substance layer by the electrodes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration of an apparatus for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example of an apparatus for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides tactile information according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information is bonded onto a display according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides tactile information differing based on a position of a finger of a user according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides tactile information differing based on a position of a finger of a user according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides tactile information to one of a plurality of fingers making contact according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides two items of tactile information to a single finger of a user according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides tactile information indicating a boundary of a button to a user according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides tactile information differing based on a position of a finger of a user according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example of a driving voltage controller according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a configuration of an apparatus for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a configuration of a tactile information providing area according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an example of an apparatus for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates another example of an apparatus for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides, to a user, a texture based on a position of a contact according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides, to a user, tactile information of making contact with a link according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing, to a user, tactile information provides tactile information of the user making contact with a predetermined icon to according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates an operation of an apparatus for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an operation of an apparatus for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a configuration of an apparatus for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides tactile information according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 23  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides differing tactile information based on a finger position of a user according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a structure in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides differing tactile information based on a finger position of a user according to example embodiments. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration of an apparatus  100  for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  100  for providing the tactile information includes a substrate  110 , a plurality of electrodes  120 , a driving voltage controller  130 , a dielectric substance layer  140 , and a ground area  102 . 
     The apparatus  100  for providing the tactile information is bonded onto a display, and provides tactile information to a user making contact with the display, based on information displayed on the display. Also, the apparatus  100  for providing the tactile information is bonded onto an object, for example, a desk, and informs a user of a predetermined position of the bonded object via the tactile information. The apparatus  100  for providing the tactile information is bonded onto an opaque apparatus for a touch input, and informs a user of a button or an input device of the bonded opaque apparatus for the touch input via the tactile information. 
     The substrate  110  is bonded onto a display or a surface of an object for providing tactile information to a user. For example, the substrate  110  bonded onto the display may be formed by a transparent object with a high transmittance, and may not prevent a user from recognizing content of the display due to the substrate  110 . 
     The substrate  110  bonded onto a surface of an object  101  such as a desk, an opaque touch screen, and a device are formed in a material corresponding to a color and a texture of the surface of the object or the device onto which the substrate  110  is bonded. 
     The plurality of electrodes  120  is disposed on the substrate  110 , and applies an electric charge to the dielectric substance layer  140  based on a driving voltage input. The plurality of electrodes  120  generates an electrostatic force that provides the tactile information to the user making contact with the dielectric substance layer  140  by applying the electric charge to the dielectric substance layer  140 . The plurality of electrodes  120  controls an intensity, an amplitude, and a duration of a vibration in the tactile information by changing the electric charge applied to the dielectric substance layer  140  based on a frequency, an amplitude, and an input duration of a driving voltage. 
     A process of generating the electrostatic force will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     For example, the plurality of electrodes  120  may be formed in a transparent material such as indium tin oxide (ITO), graphene, a carbon nanotube (CNT), and a silver nano wire, and may not prevent the user from recognizing content of the display due to the plurality of electrodes  120 . 
     The plurality of electrodes  120  is disposed in a form of an array on the substrate  110 , and operates independently. 
     The driving voltage controller  130  independently controls a driving voltage that is applied to a plurality of electrodes. For example, the driving voltage controller  130  inputs the driving voltage to the plurality of electrodes  120  in a form of a modulated voltage. 
     The driving voltage controller  130  controls the driving voltage input to the plurality of electrodes  120  differently based on positions of the plurality of electrodes  120 . The plurality of electrodes  120  generates electrostatic forces differing based on the positions of the plurality of electrodes  120  by applying an electric charge to the dielectric substance layer  140  based on the driving voltage controlled by the driving voltage controller  130 . 
     The tactile information provided to the user is determined based on an electrostatic force generated by the plurality of electrodes  120  closest to a position at which the user contacts the dielectric substance layer  140  because the tactile information provided to the user corresponds to the electrostatic force. 
     The user is provided with tactile information differing based on the position at which the user contacts the dielectric substance layer  140  by controlling the driving voltage input to the plurality of electrodes  120  by the driving voltage controller  130 . 
     A process of the user being provided with the tactile information differing based on the position at which the user contacts the dielectric substance layer  140  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 5 through 10 . 
     The dielectric substance layer  140  is formed on the plurality of electrodes  120 , and refers to a configuration with which the user makes contact. 
     The dielectric substance layer  140  includes one of a compound having a high permittivity and an organic material having a high permittivity. For example, the compound having the high permittivity may be composed of at least one selected from a group of strontium titanate (SrTiO 3 ), an SrTiO 3  compound, barium titanate (BaTiO 3 ), a BaTiO 3  compound, hafnium oxide (HfO 2 ), aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), and zirconium dioxide (ZrO 2 ). 
     The ground area  102 , disposed on a display onto which the apparatus  100  for providing the tactile information is bonded or on one end of an object  101 , grounds an electric charge applied to the dielectric substance layer  140 . For example, when a portion of a skin of the user making contact with the dielectric substance layer  140  contacts the ground area  102 , an electrostatic force may increase in response to the electric charge applied to the dielectric substance layer  140  moving to the skin of the user, and therefore a higher level of tactile information may be provided to the user. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example of the apparatus  100  for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
     In the apparatus  100  for providing the tactile information, a plurality of electrodes  220  is disposed, in a form of an array, on a substrate  210  formed in a transparent material as shown in  FIG. 2 . Also, a transparent dielectric substance layer  230  is formed on the substrate  210  on which the plurality of electrodes  220  is disposed. 
     When a user  240  contacts the dielectric substance layer  230  adjacent to the plurality of electrodes  220  to which a driving voltage is input, an electrostatic force between the plurality of electrodes  220  and the user  240  is generated, and tactile information is provided to the user  240 . 
     The apparatus  100  for providing the tactile information inputs differing driving voltages to the plurality of electrodes  220  disposed in the form of the array, and provides tactile information differing based on positions of the plurality of electrodes  220  to users making contact with the dielectric substance layer  230 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example in which an apparatus  100  for providing tactile information provides tactile information according to example embodiments. 
     The apparatus  100  for providing the tactile information inputs a driving voltage  321  to at least one electrode  320  of electrodes disposed on a substrate  310 . A user  340  contacts a dielectric substance layer  330  formed on the electrode  320 . 
     The electrode  320  applies an electric charge to the dielectric substance layer  330  disposed between the electrode  320  and a skin  341  of the user  340 . The electric charge applied to the dielectric substance layer  330  is discharged via the skin  341  of the user  340  making contact with a ground area  350 . 
     When the apparatus  100  for providing the tactile information changes the driving voltage  321  input to the electrode  320 , an electrostatic force may be generated and tactile information may be provided to the user  340 . The apparatus  100  for providing the tactile information inputs the driving voltage  321  in a form of a modulated voltage. Also, a type of the tactile information provided to the user  340  by the apparatus  100  for providing the tactile information is a vibration based on the driving voltage  321 . 
     For example, the electrostatic force F E (t) generated in the apparatus  100  for providing the tactile information is calculated based on Equation 1. 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         
                           
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     In Equation 1, d 1  denotes a thickness of the dielectric substance layer  330  disposed between the electrode  320  and the user  340 , ε 1  denotes a permittivity of the dielectric substance layer  330 , d 2  denotes a thickness of a stratum corneum of the skin  341 , and ε 2  denotes a permittivity of the skin  341 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example in which an apparatus  400  for providing tactile information is bonded onto a display according to example embodiments. 
     The apparatus  400  for providing the tactile information is bonded onto the display of a mobile device as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     A substrate and a dielectric substance layer  410  of the apparatus  400  for providing the tactile information may be formed in a transparent material having a transparency to a degree at which a user may identify content of the display as shown in  FIG. 4 , and may not prevent the user from recognizing the content of the display due to the apparatus  400  for providing the tactile information. 
     The apparatus  400  for providing the tactile information includes a plurality of electrodes  411  of a position and a size corresponding to a position and a size of an icon or a number plate displayed by the display. 
     When the user allows a finger or another body portion to make contact with the apparatus  400  for providing the tactile information in order to select the icon or the number plate, the apparatus  400  for providing the tactile information generates an electrostatic force on the finger or the other body portion of the user making contact using the plurality of electrodes  411 . 
     The user provided with the tactile information generated by the electrostatic force recognizes that the user selects the icon or the number plate when the tactile information is provided to the user through the generated electrostatic force. 
     The apparatus  400  for providing the tactile information enables the user to recognize that the user selects the icon or the number plate without viewing the finger of the user by providing the tactile information to the user selecting the icon or the number plate. 
     The plurality of electrodes  411  operates independently, thereby providing differing forms of tactile information to the user. 
     An operation of providing the differing forms of tactile information to the user based on positions of the plurality of electrodes  411  will be discussed in detail with reference to  FIGS. 5 through 7 . 
     The apparatus  400  for providing the tactile information changes a type of tactile information provided to the user, based on a type of command to be input to the display, for example, zooming in or zooming out of an image displayed on the display. The user compares the type of tactile information sensed by the user and the command input by the user, and determines whether an input device of the display or the apparatus  400  for providing the tactile information precisely recognizes the command input by the user. 
     Also, the apparatus  400  for providing the tactile information changes the type of tactile information provided to the user based on whether the finger of the user making contact with the apparatus  400  for providing the tactile information moves. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides tactile information differing based on a position of a finger of a user according to example embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the apparatus for providing the tactile information inputs differing driving voltages to an electrode  510  and an electrode  520 , respectively. 
     The electrode  510  generates an electrostatic force based on a driving voltage input, and provides tactile information  511  to an index finger of a user. The electrode  520  generates an electrostatic force based on a driving voltage input, and provides tactile information  521  to a middle finger of the user. 
     The tactile information  511  and the tactile information  512  may differ in a frequency or an intensity of a vibration as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The user recognizes that a vibration sensed by the index finger differs from a vibration sensed by the middle finger, and recognize that different buttons are pressed by the index finger and the middle finger, respectively. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides tactile information differing based on a position of a finger of a user according to example embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the apparatus for providing the tactile information inputs differing driving voltages to an electrode  610  and an electrode  620 . 
     The electrode  610  generates an electrostatic force based on a driving voltage input, and provides tactile information  611  to a thumb of the user. The electrode  620  generates an electrostatic force based on a driving voltage input, and provides tactile information  621  to an index finger of the user. 
     The tactile information  611  and the tactile information  621  may differ in a frequency or an intensity of a vibration as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The user recognizes that a vibration sensed by the thumb differs from a vibration sensed by the index finger, and recognizes that different buttons are pressed by the thumb and the index finger, respectively. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides tactile information to one of a plurality of fingers making contact according to example embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the apparatus for providing the tactile information does not input a driving voltage to an electrode  710 , and inputs differing driving voltages to an electrode  720 . 
     The electrode  720  generates an electrostatic force based on the driving voltages input, and provide tactile information  721  to an index finger of a user. 
     When at least two fingers contact the apparatus for providing the tactile information, or at least two portions on a skin of the user contact the apparatus for providing the tactile information, tactile information may be provided to a desired object from among the at least two fingers or the at least two portions on the skin making contact. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides two items of tactile information to a single finger of a user according to example embodiments. 
     The user presses a plurality of buttons simultaneously as shown in  FIG. 8 . The apparatus for providing the tactile information inputs differing driving voltages to an electrode  810  and an electrode  820 . 
     The electrode  810  generates an electrostatic force based on a driving voltage input, and provides tactile information  811  onto a left portion of a finger of the user. Also, the electrode  820  generates an electrostatic force based on a driving voltage input, and provides tactile information  821  onto a right portion of the finger of the user. 
     The tactile information  811  and the tactile information  821  may differ in a frequency or an intensity of a vibration as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     The user recognizes two types of vibrations on the finger, and recognizes that the user presses two buttons simultaneously. 
     The apparatus for providing the tactile information controls the driving voltage input to the electrode  810  and the electrode  820  to allow the intensity of the vibration to be proportional to an area making contact with the finger of the user, and indicates a button recognized as an input by a mobile device from among the two buttons pressed by the user. 
     The apparatus for providing the tactile information controls the driving voltage input to the electrode  810  and the electrode  820  to allow an electrode of a button recognized by a mobile device from among buttons making contact with the user to provide tactile information. When the user senses tactile information different from the button selected by the user, the user may recognize that a wrong button is selected, and re-input another button. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides tactile information indicating a boundary of a button to a user according to example embodiments. 
     The apparatus for providing the tactile information includes a form in which an electrode  910  is disposed between a button and another button as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     The electrode  910  provides tactile information  911  that gives the user a sense of boundaries of a button based on a driving voltage. 
     When the user feels the sense of boundaries of the button while moving a finger, the user may recognize that the finger crosses over to the other button in a vicinity. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides tactile information differing based on a position of a finger of a user according to example embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the apparatus for providing the tactile information includes a form in which a first electrode  1021 , a second electrode  1022 , a third electrode  1023 , through a k-th electrode  1024  are disposed on a substrate  1010 , and a dielectric substance layer  1030  is formed on the first electrode  1021  through the k-th electrode  1024 . 
     For example, a finger  1041  of the user contacts the dielectric substance layer  1030  formed on the first electrode  1021 , and another finger  1042  of the user contacts the dielectric substance layer  1030  formed on the k-th electrode  1024 . 
     The apparatus for providing the tactile information inputs differing driving voltages to the first electrode  1021  and the k-th electrode  1024 , respectively, and does not input a driving voltage to the second electrode  1022  and the third electrode  1023  as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     The user senses differing tactile information in the finger  1041  and the finger  1042 , respectively. An electric charge applied to the dielectric substance layer  1030  between the first electrode  1021  and the finger  1041  is discharged to a ground area  1050  via the finger  1041 . An electric charge applied to the dielectric substance layer  1030  between the k-th electrode  1024  and the finger  1042  by the k-th electrode  1024  is discharged to the ground area  1050  via the finger  1042 . 
     When the finger  1041  and the finger  1042  move to a position of the second electrode  1022  or the third electrode  1023 , tactile information may not be provided to the user because the driving voltages are not input to the second electrode  1022  and the third electrode  1023 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an example of a driving voltage controller  1110  according to example embodiments. 
     The driving voltage controller  1110  includes a plurality of switches corresponding to a first driving voltage  1111 , and a plurality of switches corresponding to a second driving voltage  1112  as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     The plurality of switches is connected to a plurality of electrodes  1120  of an apparatus  1130  for providing tactile information. 
     When an electrode to which the first driving voltage  1111  is to be input is present, the driving voltage controller  1110  closes a switch connected to the electrode from among the plurality of switches corresponding to the first driving voltage  1111 , and inputs the first driving voltage  1111  to the electrode. The electrode provides a vibration having an intensity and an amplitude corresponding to the first driving voltage  1111  to the user. 
     When an electrode to which the second driving voltage  1112  is to be input is present, the driving voltage controller  1120  closes a switch connected to the electrode from among the plurality of switches corresponding to the second driving voltage  1112 , and inputs the second driving voltage  1112  to the electrode. The electrode provides a vibration having an intensity and an amplitude corresponding to the second driving voltage  1112  to the user. 
     The driving voltage controller  1110  controls a type and an intensity of tactile information provided by the plurality of electrodes  1120  to the user by connecting the plurality of switches corresponding to the plurality of driving voltages and controlling the plurality of switches based on the driving voltages to be input to the plurality of electrodes  1120 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a configuration of an apparatus  1200  for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
     The apparatus  1200  of  FIG. 12  may detect a contact of a user and provide tactile information to the user making the contact. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the apparatus  1200  for providing the tactile information includes a sensing area  1210 , a ground area  1220 , and a tactile information providing area  1230 . 
     The sensing area  1210  detects a contact of the user using an electrode disposed on a display. For example, the sensing area  1210  refers to a tactile information sensor. 
     The ground area  1220  is bonded onto at least one of one end of the display onto which the apparatus  1220  for providing the tactile information is bonded and one end of an object, and discharges an electric charge applied to a dielectric substance layer between the user and an electrode of the tactile information providing area  1230  via a skin of the user. 
     The tactile information providing area  1230  is bonded onto a top surface of the sensing area  1210 , and provides tactile information to the user using an electrostatic force between the user making contact with the dielectric substance layer and an electrode disposed on the top surface of the sensing area  1210 . 
     A configuration of the tactile information providing area  1230  will be discussed with reference to  FIG. 13 . 
     A bonding relationship between the sensing area  1210  and the tactile information providing area  1230  and a configuration of the sensing area  1210  will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a configuration of a tactile information providing area  1230  according to example embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the tactile information providing area  1230  includes a plurality of electrodes  1310 , a driving voltage controller  1320 , and a dielectric substance layer  1330 . 
     The plurality of electrodes  1310  is disposed on the sensing area  1210 , and operates in response to a driving voltage input. When the plurality of electrodes  1310  operates, an electrostatic force between a user making contact with the dielectric substance layer  1330  and the plurality of electrodes  1310  is generated, and tactile information is provided to the user. 
     For example, the plurality of electrodes  1310  may be formed in a transparent material, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), graphene, a carbon nanotube (CNT), and a silver nano wire, and may not prevent the user from recognizing content of a display due to the plurality of electrodes  1310 . 
     The plurality of electrodes  1310  is disposed, in a form of an array, on the sensing area  1210 , and the plurality of electrodes  1310  operates independently. 
     The driving voltage controller  1320  independently controls a driving voltage that applied to the plurality of electrodes  1310 . For example, the driving voltage controller  1320  inputs the driving voltage in a form of a modulated voltage. 
     The driving voltage controller  1320  enables the plurality of electrodes  1310  to generate differing electrostatic forces by differently controlling driving voltages input to the plurality of electrodes  1310 . The tactile information provided to the user is determined based on an electrostatic force generated by an electrode closest to a position at which the user making contact with the dielectric substance layer  1330  from among the plurality of electrodes  1310  because the tactile information provided to the user corresponds to the electrostatic force. 
     The driving voltage controller  1320  provides tactile information differing based on the position at which the user makes contact with the dielectric substance layer  1330  by controlling a voltage of the driving voltage input to the plurality of electrodes  1310 . 
     The dielectric substance layer  1330  is formed on the plurality of electrodes  1310 , and refers to a configuration with which the user makes contact. 
     The dielectric substance layer  1330  may include one of a compound having a high permittivity and an organic material having a high permittivity. For example, the compound having the high permittivity may be composed of at least one selected from a group of strontium titanate (SrTiO 3 ), an SrTiO 3  compound, barium titanate (BaTiO 3 ), a BaTiO 3  compound, hafnium oxide (HfO 2 ), aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), and zirconium dioxide (ZrO 2 ). 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an example of an apparatus for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
     A sensing area  1420  of the apparatus for providing the tactile information includes a second electrode  1421 , a third electrode  1422 , and a blocking layer  1423 . The second electrode  1421  corresponds to a positive electrode that outputs a current, and the third electrode  1422  corresponds to a negative electrode that receives the current output from the second electrode  1421 . 
     The second electrode  1421  and the third electrode  1422  are formed on a display  1410 , and the blocking layer  1423  is formed on the second electrode  1421  and the third electrode  1422 . 
     The sensing area  1420  measures a change in a current flowing from the second electrode  1421  to the third electrode  1422 . When the current that the third electrode  1422  receives changes, the sensing area  1420  senses a position at which a user makes contact based on a position of the third electrode  1422  that receives the changed current. For example, the sensing area  1420  detects that a finger of the user contacts a dielectric substance layer  1432  disposed between the second electrode  1421  that outputs the current and the third electrode  1422  that receives the changed current. 
     The blocking layer  1423  blocks transmission of the current output from the second electrode  1421  to the tactile information providing area  1430 . For example, the blocking layer  1423  may be formed by a polymer or glass. 
     The tactile information providing area  1430  of the apparatus for providing the tactile information includes a first electrode  1431  and the dielectric substance layer  1432  as shown in  FIG. 14 . The first electrode  1431  is disposed on the blocking layer  1423  of the sensing area  1420 , and the dielectric substance layer  1432  is formed on the first electrode  1431 . 
     When the sensing area  1420  detects a contact of the user, the tactile information providing area  1430  inputs a driving voltage to the first electrode  1431 . In this example, an electrostatic force is generated between the first electrode  1431  and the user making contact with the dielectric substance layer  1432 , and tactile information is provided to the user. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates another example of an apparatus for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
     In particular,  FIG. 15  is an example of the apparatus for providing the tactile information including a sensing area  1520  to detect a contact of a user and measure a pressure of the contact. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , the sensing area  1520  of the apparatus for providing the tactile information includes a second electrode  1521 , an elastic layer  1522 , a third electrode  1523 , and a blocking layer  1524 . 
     The second electrode  1521  is disposed on the display  1510 , and the elastic layer  1522  is formed between the second electrode  1521  and the third electrode  1523 . Also, the blocking layer  1524  is formed on the third electrode  1523 . 
     The elastic layer  1522 , disposed between the second electrode  1521  and the third electrode  1523 , changes a distance between the second electrode  1521  and the third electrode  1523  through a transformation based on an external pressure. For example, the elastic layer  1522  may be formed in a transparent elastic material, for example, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or EcoFlex. 
     The sensing area  1520  detects the distance between the second electrode  1522  and the third electrode  1523 . For example, the sensing area  1520  detects the distance between the second electrode  1522  and the third electrode  1523  based on a change in a current flowing from the second electrode  1521  and the third electrode  1523 . 
     A decrease in the distance between the second electrode  1521  and the third electrode  1523  may indicate that the elastic layer  1522  is compressed by a pressure applied from the user making contact with a dielectric substance layer  1532 . 
     When the distance between the second electrode  1521  and the third electrode  1523  decreases, the sensing area  1520  senses a position of the decreased distance between the second electrode  1521  and the third electrode  1523  to be the position at which the user makes contact. 
     The distance between the second electrode  1521  and the third electrode  1523  is inversely proportional to a pressure input to the apparatus for providing the tactile information by the user. Accordingly, the sensing area  1520  senses a magnitude of the pressure applied to the dielectric substance layer  1532  by the user based on a difference between a thickness of the elastic layer  1522  and the changed distance between the second electrode  1521  and the third electrode  1523 . 
     The blocking layer  1523  blocks transmission of the current output from the second electrode  1521  to the tactile information providing area  1530 . For example, the blocking layer  1523  may be formed by polymer or glass. 
     The tactile information providing area  1530  of the apparatus for providing the tactile information includes a first electrode  1531  and the dielectric substance layer  1532  as shown in  FIG. 14 . The first electrode  1531  is disposed on the blocking layer  1524 , and the dielectric substance layer  1532  is formed on the first electrode  1531 . 
     When the sensing area  1520  detects a contact of the user, the tactile information providing area  1530  inputs a driving voltage to the first electrode  1531 . In this example, an electrostatic force between the first electrode  1531  and the user making contact with the dielectric substance layer  1532  is generated, and tactile information is provided to the user. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides, to a user, a texture based on a position of a contact according to example embodiments. 
     The apparatus for providing the tactile information determines tactile information provided to a user based on a texture of an object displayed on a position at which the user makes contact from among images displayed by a display. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 16 , when images having differing textures are displayed on the display, the apparatus for providing the tactile information provides the tactile information differing based on an area of the images. 
     The apparatus for providing the tactile information controls an intensity, an amplitude, and a duration of a vibration in the tactile information provided to the user by controlling a frequency, an amplitude, and an input duration of a driving voltage input to an electrode corresponding to the area of the images. 
     For example, the apparatus for providing the tactile information provides tactile information that gives a user a sense of making contact with rock by controlling a frequency, an amplitude, and an input duration of a driving voltage input to an electrode  1610  of an area displaying the rock. The apparatus for providing the tactile information provides tactile information that gives a user a sense of making contact with grass by controlling a frequency, an amplitude, and an input duration of a driving voltage input to an electrode  1620  of an area displaying the grass. 
     The apparatus for providing the tactile information provides tactile information that gives a sense of making contact with sand to the user by controlling a frequency, an amplitude, and an input duration of a driving voltage input to an electrode  1630  of an area displaying the sand. 
     The apparatus for providing the tactile information enables the user making contact with an area of an image to feel an actual sense of a texture of an object displayed in the area of the image by providing tactile information differing based on the area of the image to the user. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides tactile information of making contact with a link  1710  to a user according to example embodiments. 
     The apparatus for providing the tactile information provides tactile information in an area in which predetermined information is displayed from among information displayed by a display. 
     For example, the apparatus for providing the tactile information provides tactile information to the link  1710  connected to a document. The link  1710  refers to a predetermined link, or any link included in the display. The document differs from another document including information provided by the display. 
     In this example, the user slides a plurality of fingers on the apparatus for providing the tactile information, and identifies a position at which tactile information is provided. The user displays the document connected to the link  1710  on the display by pressing the identified position or selecting the identified position using another device. 
     The apparatus for providing the tactile information enables the user to select desired information based on tactile information by determining whether to provide tactile information and a type of the tactile information provided, based on a type of information displayed in an image. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing, to a user, tactile information provides tactile information of the user making contact with a predetermined icon to according to example embodiments. 
     The apparatus for providing the tactile information maps tactile information to a predetermined icon from among icons displayed by a display. The predetermined icon refers to an icon selected by the user, or an icon selected by the user in excess of a predetermined number of times. When the predetermined icon is the icon selected by the user in excess of the predetermined number of times, the tactile information mapped to the predetermined icon is determined based on the number of times the user selects the predetermined icon. 
     The apparatus for providing the tactile information maps differing tactile information to icons displayed by the display, or to a keypad. 
     The apparatus for providing the tactile information determines whether the user contacts an icon, and when the user is determined to contact the icon, provides the tactile information mapped to the icon to the user. 
     Accordingly, the user identifies and selects a desired icon through the tactile information provided to a finger without viewing at the display. 
     For example, the apparatus for providing the tactile information maps tactile information to a keypad corresponding to each letter of “f” and “j” for which a protrusion is formed on a keyboard. The user disposes index fingers of both hands at a position of the keypad to which the tactile information is provided, and types without viewing at the keypad in a manner similar to using the keyboard. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates an operation of an apparatus for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
     In operation  1910 , the driving voltage controller  130  receives an input of a position at which tactile information is provided to a user, and a type of the tactile information provided to the user. 
     In operation  1920 , the driving voltage controller  130  identifies the electrodes  120  corresponding to the position input in operation  1910 . 
     In operation  1930 , the driving voltage controller  130  provides a driving voltage corresponding to the type of tactile information input in operation  1910  to the electrodes  120  identified in operation  1920 . 
     In operation  1940 , the electrodes  120  apply an electric charge to the dielectric substance layer  140  adjacent to the electrodes  120  using the driving voltage provided in operation  1930 . When the driving voltage controller  130  changes the driving voltage input to the electrodes  120 , an electrostatic force is generated between the electrodes  120  and the user, and tactile information is provided to the user. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates an operation of an apparatus for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
     In operation  2010 , the sensing area  1210  detects that a user makes contact with the dielectric substance layer  1330 . 
     In operation  2020 , the tactile information providing area  1230  selects tactile information provided to the user based on a position at which the user makes contact detected in operation  2010 . For example, in  FIG. 18 , when the position at which the user makes contact corresponds to an icon, the tactile information providing area  1230  selects tactile information indicating the icon to be tactile information provided to the user. 
     In operation  2030 , the tactile information providing area  1230  provides a driving voltage to the electrodes  1310  corresponding to the position at which the user makes contact detected in operation  2010 . The driving voltage provided to the electrodes  1310  by the tactile information providing area  1230  refers to a driving voltage corresponding to the tactile information selected in operation  1210 . 
     In operation  2040 , the electrodes  1310  apply an electric charge to the dielectric substance layer  1230  adjacent to the electrodes  1210  using the driving voltage provided in operation  2030 . When the driving voltage controller  1220  changes the driving voltage input to the electrodes  1210 , an electrostatic force is generated between the electrodes  1310  and the user, and tactile information is provided to the user. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates a configuration of an apparatus  2100  for providing tactile information according to example embodiments. 
       FIG. 21  is an example of the apparatus  2100  for providing the tactile information in which a ground area to discharge an electric charge to a dielectric substance layer is disposed amongst electrodes. 
     Referring to  FIG. 21 , the apparatus  2100  for providing the tactile information includes a substrate  2110 , electrodes  2120 , a driving voltage controller  2130 , a dielectric substance layer  2140 , and a ground area  2150 . 
     For conciseness and ease of description, details pertaining to descriptions of the substrate  2110 , the electrodes  2120 , the driving voltage controller  2130 , and the dielectric substance layer  2140  that may be applied to the substrate  110 , the electrodes  120 , the driving voltage controller  130 , and the dielectric substance layer  140  previously discussed with reference to  FIG. 1  are omitted. 
     The ground area  2150 , disposed amongst the electrodes  2120 , grounds and discharges an electric charge applied to the dielectric substance layer  2130  by the electrodes  2120 . 
     The apparatus  2100  for providing the tactile information disposes the ground area  2150  amongst the electrodes  2120 , and discharges the electric charge applied to the dielectric substance layer  2130  absent an additional ground area making contact with a skin of a user. An electric charge is re-applied, by the electrodes  2120 , to the dielectric substance layer  2130  to which the electric charge is discharged, and an electrostatic force that provides tactile information to the user is generated. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates an example in which an apparatus  2100  for providing tactile information provides tactile information according to example embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 22 , the apparatus  2100  for providing the tactile information inputs a driving voltage  2221  to at least one electrode  2220  from among electrodes disposed on a substrate  2210 . A user  2250  contacts a dielectric substance layer  2240  formed on the electrode  2220 . 
     The electrode  2220  applies an electric charge to the dielectric substance layer  2240  with which the user  2250  makes contact. When the electrode  2220  changes the electric charge applied based on the driving voltage  2221 , an electrostatic force is generated, and tactile information is provided to the user  2250 . 
     In a state of an electric charge being applied to the dielectric substance layer  2240 , a change in the electric charge may be nominal although the electrode  2220  re-applies an electric charge in an attempt to re-provide tactile information to the user. When the change in the electric charge of the dielectric substance layer  2240  is nominal, a magnitude of an electrostatic force generated may be low. Accordingly, the electric charge applied to the dielectric substance layer  2240  is discharged prior to tactile information being re-provided to the user. 
     A distance between a ground area  2260  and the electrode  2220  is shorter than a distance between the electrode  2220  and a finger of the user  2250  and a distance between the finger of the user  2250  and the ground area  2260 . The electric charge applied to the dielectric substance layer  2240  by the electrode  2220  is applied to the finger of the user  2250 , and an electrostatic force is generated. The electric charge applied to the finger of the user  2250  and the dielectric substance layer  2250  is discharged via the ground area  2260 . The ground area  2260  enables the electric charge to be re-applied to the dielectric substance layer  2240  by the electrode  2220  by grounding and discharging the electric charge applied to the dielectric substance layer  2240 . 
       FIG. 23  illustrates an example in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides differing tactile information based on a finger position of a user according to example embodiments. 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , in the apparatus for providing the tactile information, a plurality of electrodes is disposed on a substrate  2310 , a ground area  2330  is disposed amongst the plurality of electrodes, and a dielectric substance layer  2340  is formed on the ground area  2330 . 
     For example, a finger  2351  of the user contacts the dielectric substance layer  2340  formed on an electrode  2321  from among the plurality of electrodes, and a finger  2352  and a finger  2353  of the user contact the dielectric substance layer  2340  formed on an electrode  2323  and an electrode  2324 , respectively. 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , the apparatus for providing the tactile information may input a driving voltage  2325  differing from a driving voltage  2322  input to the electrode  2321  to an electrode  2324 . The apparatus for providing the tactile information may not input a driving voltage to the electrode  2323 . 
     The user senses differing tactile information in each of the finger  2351  and the finger  2353 . Electric charges applied to the dielectric substance layer  1030  by the electrode  2321  and the electrode  2324  are discharged to the ground area  2330 . The user may not sense tactile information on the finger  2352  from among the fingers making contact with the dielectric substance layer  2340  because a driving voltage is not input to the electrode  2323 . 
       FIG. 24  illustrates a structure in which an apparatus for providing tactile information provides differing tactile information based on a finger position of a user according to example embodiments. 
     A driving voltage controller  2410  of the apparatus for providing the tactile information generates a plurality of driving voltages based on a type of tactile information provided to the user, and transmits the plurality of generated driving voltages to a demultiplexer (DEMUX)  2420 . 
     The driving voltage controller  2410  selects an electrode at a position at which tactile information is provided to the user, and transmits information about the selected electrode to the DEMUX  2420 . The driving voltage controller  2410  selects the electrode based on a position at which the user makes contact in a sensing area or a predetermined position. 
     The DEMUX  2420  provides the received driving voltages to an electrode corresponding to received information. An internal configuration of the DEMUX  2420  is identical to the driving voltage controller  1110  of  FIG. 11 . 
     For example, the DEMUX  2420  may provide a driving voltage to an electrode  2432 , and may not transmit a driving voltage to an electrode  2431 . When a finger moves to a position of the electrode  2432 , or the finger contacts the position of the electrode  2432 , the user may be provided with tactile information. Conversely, when the finger moves to the position of the electrode  2431 , or the finger contacts the position of the electrode  2431 , the user may not be provided with the tactile information. 
     Accordingly, when the user is provided with the tactile information, the user determines that the finger of the user is disposed at the position of the electrode  2432  without viewing at the position of the finger. 
     The DEMUX  2420  provides, to the electrode  2433 , a driving voltage differing from the electrode  2432 . When the finger moves to the position of the electrode  2433 , or the finger contacts the position of the electrode  2433 , the user is provided with tactile information differing from the electrode  2432 . Electric charges applied to a dielectric substance layer are discharged absent an additional ground area making contact with a skin of the user because electric charges applied to the dielectric substance layer by the electrode  2431  and the electrode  2433  based on a driving voltage are discharged to a ground area disposed amongst the electrodes. 
     The method according to the above-described embodiments may be recorded in non-transitory computer-readable media including program instructions to implement various operations embodied by a computer. The media may also include, alone or in combination with the program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD ROM discs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as optical discs; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter. The described hardware devices may be configured to act as one or more software modules in order to perform the operations of the above-described embodiments, or vice versa. 
     While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects in each example are to be considered as being applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. 
     Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included in the disclosure.