Systems and methods for eliciting cutaneous sensations by electromagnetic radiation

A system for inducing a cutaneous sensation in association with an electronic display, comprising:

• an electromagnetic radiation emission system configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in a visible spectrum, the electromagnetic radiation suitable to excite neural tissue;
• an electronic display configured to display graphical information to the user;
• a detection system configured to detect a point of contact of at least one finger with the electronic display;
• and
• a controller configured to transmit a control signal to the electromagnetic radiation emission system to cause the electromagnetic radiation emission system to deliver electromagnetic radiation at the point of contact of the finger detected by the detection system, the electromagnetic radiation suitable to excite neural tissue in order to induce a sensation.

A system for inducing a cutaneous sensation in association with a touch screen electronic display, comprising:

• a touch screen electronic display configured to display graphical information to a user;
• a detection system associated with the touch screen electronic display to detect a point of contact of at least one finger with the touch screen electronic display and determine a location of the point of contact;
• a laser emission system configured to emit electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in one of a visible spectrum and an infrared spectrum, the electromagnetic radiation suitable to transcutaneously excite neural tissue to induce a cutaneous sensation to provide tactile feedback to the user;
• a controller configured to transmit a control signal to the laser emission system to cause the laser emission system to deliver electromagnetic radiation at the point of contact detected by the detection system, the electromagnetic radiation suitable to excite neural tissue in order to induce a sensation;
• wherein the controller is further configured to modulate the electronic radiation based upon at least one characteristic of an object displayed on the touch screen electronic display at the point of contact of the finger.