Systems and methods for induced electrostatic haptic effects

• US 10,031,582 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2014
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Modarres, Ali, Cruz-Hernandez, Juan Manuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kumar
• Assistant Examiner(s): Truong, Nguyen H
• Application Number:
  US14/297,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20150355710A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,510 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0404 Matrix technologies
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/003 Details of a display terminal, the details relating to the control arrangement of the display terminal and to the interfaces thereto specific for a CRT G09G1/165; for a flat panel G09G3/2092

Abstract

One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine an ESF-based haptic effect and transmit a haptic signal associated with the ESF-based haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. Further, the illustrative system includes an inducing electrode configured to receive the ESF signal and induce an electric charge on an induced electrode, wherein the inducing electrode does not contact the induced electrode, and wherein the induced electrode is configured to output the ESF-based haptic effect to a surface.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an inducing electrode positioned on a first device, the first device being positionable at a position along a road;

a power source in communication with the inducing electrode; and

a processor in communication with the power source and configured to;

determine an electrostatic force (ESF)-based haptic effect, and

cause the power source to transmit a signal configured to cause the inducing electrode to generate an inductive coupling with an induced electrode positioned on a second device that is remote from and movable relative to the first device, the inductive coupling configured to cause the induced electrode to output the ESF-based haptic effect to a surface of the second device,

wherein the second device is a component of a vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a visual display positioned on the second device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first device is positioned at a toll station.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the inducing electrode is coupled beneath a first insulator, the first insulator comprising a solid material or a liquid material.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the component of the vehicle is a gear shifter.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the ESF-based haptic effect is configured to vary a perceived coefficient of friction on the surface.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein component of the vehicle is a steering wheel.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the haptic effect is configured to provide an alert related to a toll.

9. A method comprising:

determining, by a first device positionable at a position along a road, an electrostatic force (ESF)-based haptic effect; and

generating, by the first device, an inductive coupling between an inducing electrode positioned on the first device and an induced electrode positioned on a second device that is remote from and moveable relative to the first device, the inductive coupling configured to cause the induced electrode to output the ESF-based haptic effect to a surface of the second device,

wherein the second device is a component of a vehicle.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the ESF-based haptic effect is configured to vary a perceived coefficient of friction on the surface.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the induced electrode is coupled to a touch surface, and the induced electrode and the touch surface are disposed within a visual display.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the second device is a steering wheel.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the second device is a gear shifter.

19. The method of claim 9, wherein the second device is positioned at a toll station.

25. The method of claim 9, wherein the second device is a steering wheel or a gear shifter, the position along the road is a toll station, and the ESF-based haptic effect is configured to provide an alert related to a toll.

14. A non-transient computer readable medium comprising program code, which when executed by a processor is configured to cause the processor to:

determine an electrostatic force (ESF)-based haptic effect; and

transmit a signal configured to cause an inducing electrode positioned on a first device to generate an inductive coupling with an induced electrode positioned on a second device that is remote from and moveable relative to the first device, the inductive coupling configured to cause the induced electrode to output the ESF-based haptic effect to a surface of the second device,

wherein the first device is positionable at a position along a road; and

wherein the second device is a component of a vehicle.

15. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the induced electrode is coupled to a first insulator disposed within a visual display of the second device.

16. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the second device is a steering wheel.

17. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the second device is a gear shifter.

18. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the ESF-based haptic effect is configured to vary a perceived coefficient of friction on the surface.

20. A device comprising:

a surface positioned to be contacted by a user; and

a first electrode coupled to the surface and positioned to output a haptic effect to the surface in response to an inductive coupling between the first electrode and a second electrode that is positionable at a position along a road, the second electrode being remote from and movable relative to the device;

wherein the surface is part of a component of a vehicle.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the second electrode is positioned at a toll station.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the second electrode is positioned on a remote device, and wherein the haptic effect is determined by the remote device and configured to convey information determined by the remote device.

23. The device of claim 20, wherein the surface is a touch-sensitive surface and the first electrode is positioned beneath the touch-sensitive surface and internal to the device.

24. The device of claim 20, wherein the first electrode is electrically disconnected from electrical components of the device.