Tactition is the sense of pressure perception. This definition is the one that differs the most from the Aristotelian model, as it specifically excludes the perception of pain and temperature (classified separately). Even within the limited field of "pressure" there is still disagreement as to how many distinct senses there actually are. In the skin, for example, there are different receptors responsible for the detection of light against heavy pressure, as well as brief against sustained pressure. Adding to the complexity is the fact that there are also distinct receptors that detect pressure in the visceral organs, such as that caused by a full stomach, and endocrinal receptors that cause the feeling of "tension", such as that associated with anxiety or excessive caffeine consumption.
People who are blind or have low vision use a special white cane to feel obstacles, as well as the curbs when crossing a street, etc.; thus it "lengthens" one arm.
The tactile display 10 comprises a panel 12 carrying tactile output means 14 comprising a plurality of tactile output elements collectively referred to by the reference numeral 16, arranged in a 2-dimensional array.
Accordingly, the tactile display 10 of the main display 40 comprises a panel 12 carrying tactile output means 14 in turn comprising a plurality of tactile output elements 16, that is, elements 16.1, 16.2, and so forth, arranged in a 2-dimensional array, as already described.
The interface 62 provides output drive signals to the tactile output elements 16 and 46 of the main and supplemental displays 40 and 42, respectively, to move the elements to one of their plurality of discrete, predetermined positions indicative of the values of the properties of the associated screen pixel or pixel zone.