Thin profile user interface device and method providing localized haptic response
First Claim
1. A user interface device capable of providing a localized haptic response in communication with a controller, comprising:
- a force-sensing layer including one or more force-sensing sensors;
one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers each aligned to a corresponding one of the force sensing sensor, wherein when one or more of the force-sensing sensors detect a force, the controller activates the corresponding ones of the EMP transducers to provide the localized haptic response to the force, wherein each EMP transducer comprises a plurality of EMP active layers provided between electrodes, with each EMP active layer having a thickness less than 30 microns;
a cushion attached to each EMP transducer between the EMP transducer and the corresponding force-sensing sensor to which the EMP transducer is aligned, wherein the cushion is attached to a side of each EMP transducer facing the corresponding force-sensing sensor, wherein the cushion is provided a thickness that is less than the distance between each EMP transducer and the corresponding force sensing sensor, and wherein the cushion has a hardness between 20 A-30 A to reduce an attenuation of the localized haptic response when the EMP transducer through the cushion is pushed against the corresponding force-sensing sensor; and
a covering layer covering the force-sensing layer and the EMP transducers, wherein the EMP transducers are directly attached to an underside of the covering layer such that the localized haptic response is transmitted to the covering layer without going through an intervening passive layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuators are used to create haptic effects on a user interface deface, such as a keyboard. The keys of the keyboard may be embossed in a top layer to provide better key definition and to house the EMP actuator. Specifically, an EMP actuator is housed inside an embossed graphic layer that covers a key of the keyboard. Such a keyboard has a significant user interface value. For example, the embossed key provides the tactile effect of the presence of a key with edges, while allowing for the localized control of haptic vibrations. For such applications, an EMP transducer provides high strains, vibrations or both under control of an electric field. Furthermore, the EMP transducer can generate strong vibrations. When the frequency of the vibrations falls within the acoustic range, the EMP transducer can generate audible sound, thereby functioning as an audio speaker.
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Citations
66 Claims
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1. A user interface device capable of providing a localized haptic response in communication with a controller, comprising:
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a force-sensing layer including one or more force-sensing sensors; one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers each aligned to a corresponding one of the force sensing sensor, wherein when one or more of the force-sensing sensors detect a force, the controller activates the corresponding ones of the EMP transducers to provide the localized haptic response to the force, wherein each EMP transducer comprises a plurality of EMP active layers provided between electrodes, with each EMP active layer having a thickness less than 30 microns; a cushion attached to each EMP transducer between the EMP transducer and the corresponding force-sensing sensor to which the EMP transducer is aligned, wherein the cushion is attached to a side of each EMP transducer facing the corresponding force-sensing sensor, wherein the cushion is provided a thickness that is less than the distance between each EMP transducer and the corresponding force sensing sensor, and wherein the cushion has a hardness between 20 A-30 A to reduce an attenuation of the localized haptic response when the EMP transducer through the cushion is pushed against the corresponding force-sensing sensor; and a covering layer covering the force-sensing layer and the EMP transducers, wherein the EMP transducers are directly attached to an underside of the covering layer such that the localized haptic response is transmitted to the covering layer without going through an intervening passive layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method in a user interface device capable of providing a localized haptic response and which is in communication with a controller, the method comprising:
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including in a force-sensing layer one or more force-sensing sensors; aligning one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers each to a corresponding one of the force sensing sensor, wherein each EMP transducer comprises a plurality of EMP active layers provided between electrodes, with each EMP active layer having a thickness less than 30 microns; providing a covering layer that covers both the force-sensing layer and the EMP transducers, wherein the EMP transducers are directly attached to an underside of the covering layer such that activating one of the transducers creates the localized haptic response that is transmitted to the covering layer without passing through an intervening passive layer; attaching a cushion to each EMP transducer between the EMP transducer and the corresponding force-sensing sensor to which the EMP transducer is aligned, wherein the cushion is attached only to a side of each EMP transducer facing the corresponding force-sensing sensor, wherein the cushion is provided a thickness that is less than the distance between each EMP transducer and the corresponding force sensing sensor, and wherein the cushion has a hardness between 20 A-30 A to reduce an attenuation of the localized haptic response when the EMP transducer through the cushion is pushed against the corresponding force-sensing sensor; and upon the one or more of the force-sensing sensors detecting a force, activating the corresponding ones of EMP transducers to provide the localized haptic response to the force. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 66)
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45. A portable computing device comprising:
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a tablet computer having a first side and a second side, and a controller; a protective covering provided to cover the first side of the tablet computer, the protective covering having a first configuration in which the protective covering is flat against the first side of the tablet computer and a second configuration in which the protective covering is folded to serve as a stand for propping up the tablet computer; and a keyboard having a first side and a second side provided to cover the second side of the tablet computer, the keyboard having (i) a first configuration wherein, when the tablet computer is propped by the protective covering serving as the stand, the first side of the keyboard is opened up for data input, and (ii) a second configuration wherein the keyboard rests flat against the second side of the tablet computer and provides the second side of the keyboard for data input, wherein each side of the keyboard comprises; a force-sensing layer including one or more force-sensing sensors; one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers each aligned to a corresponding one of the force sensing sensor to provide a localized haptic response when activated, wherein each EMP transducer comprises a plurality of EMP active layers provided between electrodes, with each EMP active layer having a thickness less than 30 microns; a cushion attached to each EMP transducer between the EMP transducer and the corresponding force-sensing sensor to which the EMP transducer is aligned, wherein the cushion is attached only to a side of each EMP transducer facing the corresponding force-sensing sensor, wherein the cushion is provided a thickness that is less than the distance between each EMP transducer and the corresponding force sensing sensor, wherein the cushion has a hardness between 20 A-30 A to reduce an attenuation of the localized haptic response when the EMP transducer through the cushion is pushed against the corresponding force-sensing sensor, and wherein when one or more of the force-sensing sensors detects a force, the controller activates the corresponding ones of EMP transducers to provide the localized haptic response to the force; and a covering layer covering the force-sensing layer and the EMP transducers, wherein the EMP transducers are directly attached to an underside of the covering layer such that the localized haptic response is transmitted to the covering layer without going through an intervening passive layer. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 65)
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57. A keyboard, comprising a substrate having a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides of the substrate wherein, embedded at each of said first and second surfaces:
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a force-sensing layer including one or more force-sensing sensors; one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers each aligned to a corresponding one of the force sensing sensor, wherein when one or more of the force-sensing sensors detect a force, the controller activates the corresponding ones of the EMP transducers to provide a localized haptic response to the force, wherein each EMP transducer comprises a plurality of EMP active layers provided between electrodes, with each EMP active layer having a thickness less than 30 microns; a cushion attached to each EMP transducer between the EMP transducer and the corresponding force-sensing sensor to which the EMP transducer is aligned, wherein the cushion is attached only to a side of each EMP transducer facing the corresponding force-sensing sensor, wherein the cushion is provided a thickness that is less than the distance between each EMP transducer and the corresponding force sensing sensor, and wherein the cushion has a hardness between 20 A-30 A to reduce an attenuation of the localized haptic response when the EMP transducer through the cushion is pushed against the corresponding force-sensing sensor; and a covering layer covering the force-sensing layer and the EMP transducers, wherein the EMP transducers are directly attached to an underside of the covering layer such that the localized haptic response is transmitted to the covering layer without going through an intervening passive layer. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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Specification