Input device haptics and pressure sensing

• US 10,359,848 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2016
• Issued: 07/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Winter, Andrew E., Cox, Brian Rush, Ginn, Launnie K E, Whitt, David Otto, Fitz-Coy, Aric A., Picciotto, Carl E., Yun, Gahn Gavyn, Nelson, John Jacob
• Primary Examiner(s): Lubit, Ryan A
• Application Number:
  US15/269,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20170102770A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface

Abstract

Input device haptics and pressure sensing techniques are described. An input device includes an outer surface, a pressure sensor and haptic feedback mechanism, and a pressure sensing and haptic feedback module. The outer surface is configured to receive an application of pressure by an object. The pressure sensor and haptic feedback mechanism has one or more piezos configured to detect and quantify an amount of the application of the pressure to the outer surface by the object, the one or more piezos configured to output a signal indicating the quantified amount of the pressure. The pressure sensing and haptic feedback module is configured to receive the signal from the one or more piezos indicating the quantified amount of the pressure and control the haptic feedback of the pressure sensor and haptic feedback mechanism.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

an outer surface configured to receive an application of a pressure by an object;

one or more pressure sensing and haptic feedback mechanisms comprising a piezo, the piezo configured to;

sense an amount of the pressure applied to the outer surface by the object;

generate a pressure signal corresponding to the amount of the pressure; and

produce a haptic effect at the outer surface when energized; and

a pressure sensing and haptic feedback module configured to;

store a voltage value from the piezo, the voltage value based on deflection of the piezo from the pressure by the object on the outer surface;

discharge, after storing the voltage value, a capacitance of the piezo based on pressure on the piezo occurring for a defined amount of time; and

apply, in association with discharging the capacitance of the piezo, the voltage value as a pressure reading for the piezo.

2. The input device as described in claim 1, further comprising:

a spacer coupled to the outer surface; and

a backer coupled to the spacer and connected to the piezo such that the backer deflects in response to a pulling motion of the piezo due to energizing of the piezo.

3. The input device as described in claim 1, wherein the one or more pressure sensing and haptic feedback mechanisms include at least one other piezo, and wherein the input device is configured to measure the pressure signal from the piezo and measure a different pressure signal from the at least one other piezo to calculate a location of the object on the outer surface.

4. The input device as described in claim 1, wherein the pressure sensing and haptic feedback module is configured to successively transmit signals to discharge the piezo on a periodic basis.

5. The input device as described in claim 1, wherein a press and hold gesture of the object on the outer surface causes the pressure signal to exceed a pressure threshold.

6. The input device as described in claim 1, wherein a press and hold gesture of the object on the outer surface causes the pressure signal to exceed a pressure threshold, and wherein when the press and hold gesture is released, the pressure signal is applied such that zero pressure is sensed by the piezo.

7. The input device as described in claim 1, wherein a press and hold gesture of the object on the outer surface causes the pressure signal to exceed a pressure threshold, and wherein the pressure sensing and haptic feedback module is configured to transmit the pressure signal to discharge the piezo in response to detecting the pressure signal for the defined amount of time.

8. The input device as described in claim 1, further comprising a keyboard and a trackpad, and wherein the outer surface represents a portion of the trackpad.

9. The input device as described in claim 1, further comprising a magnetic coupling device that is usable to connect the input device to a computing device.

10. A trackpad system comprising:

an outer surface configured to receive an application of a pressure by an object and detect movement of the object in relation to the outer surface, the detected movement usable to provide input to a computing device;

one or more pressure sensing and haptic feedback mechanisms comprising a piezo, the piezo configured to;

sense an amount of the pressure applied to the outer surface by the object;

generate a pressure signal corresponding to the amount of the pressure; and

produce a haptic effect at the outer surface when energized; and

a pressure sensing and haptic feedback module configured to;

store a voltage value from the piezo, the voltage value based on deflection of the piezo from the pressure by the object on the outer surface;

discharge, after storing the voltage value, a capacitance of the piezo based on pressure on the piezo occurring for a defined amount of time; and

apply, in association with discharging the capacitance of the piezo, the voltage value as a pressure reading for the piezo.

11. The trackpad system as described in claim 10, further comprising:

a spacer coupled to the outer surface; and

a backer coupled to the spacer and connected to the piezo such that the backer deflects in response to a pulling motion of the piezo due to energizing of the piezo.

12. The trackpad system as described in claim 10, wherein the pressure sensing and haptic feedback module is configured to successively transmit signals to discharge the piezo on a periodic basis.

13. The trackpad system as described in claim 10, wherein a press and hold gesture of the object on the outer surface causes pressure signal to exceed a pressure threshold.

14. The trackpad system as described in claim 10, wherein a press and hold gesture of the object on the outer surface causes the pressure signal to exceed a pressure threshold, and wherein when the press and hold gesture is released, the pressure signal is applied such that zero pressure is sensed by the piezo.

15. The trackpad system as described in claim 10, wherein a press and hold gesture of the object on the outer surface causes the pressure signal to exceed a pressure threshold, and wherein the pressure sensing and haptic feedback module is configured to transmit the pressure signal to discharge the piezo in response to detecting the pressure signal for the defined amount of time.

16. A method comprising:

controlling one or more piezos to;

sense an amount of a pressure applied by an object to an outer surface of an input device in which the one or more piezos are disposed;

generate a pressure signal corresponding to the amount of the pressure;

produce a haptic effect at the outer surface responsive to the one or more piezos being energized; and

controlling a pressure sensing and haptic feedback module to;

store a voltage value from the piezo, the voltage value based on deflection of the piezo from the pressure by the object on the outer surface;

discharge, after storing the voltage value, a capacitance of the piezo based on pressure on the piezo occurring for a defined amount of time; and

apply, in association with discharging the capacitance of the piezo, the voltage value as a pressure reading for the piezo.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, further comprising controlling the pressure sensing and haptic feedback module to successively transmit signals to discharge the piezo on a periodic basis.

18. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein a press and hold gesture of the object on the outer surface causes pressure signal to exceed a pressure threshold, and wherein when the press and hold gesture is released, the method further comprises controlling the pressure sensing and haptic feedback module to apply the pressure signal such that zero pressure is sensed by the piezo.

19. The method as recited in claim 16, further comprising controlling the pressure sensing and haptic feedback module to transmit a signal to discharge the piezo in response to detecting the pressure signal for the defined amount of time.

20. The method as recited in claim 16, further comprising measuring the pressure signal and at least one other pressure signal from the one or more piezos to calculate a location of the object on the outer surface.