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This paper presents a module for monitoring the contact force between a probe for measuring vibration perception on the wrist and the skin. The module was designed for an original measuring stand for the automatic testing of the vibrotactile discrimination thresholds using the psychophysical adaptive method of 1 up-2 down with two or three interval forced choices (2IFC, 3IFC). Measurement methods were implemented in LabVIEW software. The inspiration for the project was the need to check the possibility of building a vibrating interface for transmitting information through vibrations delivered to the wrist via a bracelet. The test procedure on the wrist is not standardized; however, during its development, the recommendations of the Polish Norm-International Organization for Standardization PN-ISO 13091-1, 2006 were adopted. This standard contains methods for measuring vibration sensation thresholds on the fingertips for the assessment of neural dysfunction. The key to the repeatability of measurements seems to be the ability to continuously control the pressure of the measuring probe on the skin. This article compares two solutions for measuring the contact force along with an analysis of their accuracy and the impact of vibrations on the measured values. Moreover, the results of measurements of vibrotactile amplitude and frequency discrimination thresholds obtained on the ventral wrist at five frequencies (25, 32, 63, 125 and 250 Hz) are presented.

Development of devices for the visually impaired people equipped with a vibrating interface was the motivation of the research presented in the paper. Knowledge about discriminative ability of touch is crucial when designing devices which use tactile interfaces. The paper presents results of psychophysical studies on determining the vibrotactile frequency discrimination threshold on the wrist of blind and partially sighted people. The transformed adaptive method 1 up/2 down was used in the presented research. Thresholds were obtained on the ventral wrist at 5 frequencies: 25, 31.5, 63, 125 and 250 Hz. Results were examined to find factors which could influence the threshold value. Additionally, the guidelines for devices with vibrating interfaces supporting spatial orientation of the blind and partially sighted people was developed based on results and analysis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]