Haptic Icon

A short, structured vibrotactile or force pattern designed to carry meaning in the same way a graphical icon or audio earcon does, allowing users to recognize a category of information — an alert, material, identity, or state — through touch alone. The concept generalizes tactons (tactile icons) to richer haptic modalities including variable-friction, electrostatic, or mid-air ultrasonic displays. In accessibility, haptic icons provide a non-visual shortcut for conveying complex information to blind users and to anyone whose visual attention is otherwise occupied, supporting wearable notifications, touchscreen navigation, and material identification in image-access systems.