Haptic peripheral having a haptically-enhanced user input element including a mechanical key and an integrated smart material actuator for providing haptic effects

• US 10,391,396 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2018
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Grant, Danny A., Rihn, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US15/964,132
• Publication Number:
  US 20180243648A1
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/56 the contact returning to its original state upon the next application of operating force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/85 characterised by tactile feedback features
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/052 piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/04 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/048 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/064 Limitation of actuating pressure

Abstract

A haptic peripheral includes a housing and a haptically-enhanced user input element. The haptically-enhanced user input element is configured to receive an input from a user, and includes a mechanical key having a keycap with a user contact surface configured to contact the user and a smart material actuator integrated onto the user contact surface of the keycap. The smart material actuator is configured to receive a control signal from a processor and is configured to deform at least a portion of the user contact surface relative to the keycap of the mechanical key in response to the control signal from the processor to thereby provide a haptic effect to a user of the haptic peripheral. The haptic peripheral may also include a braking actuator coupled to the mechanical key to hold the mechanical key in a depressed position to indicate an inactive status to a user. In addition, the haptic peripheral and the haptically-enhanced user input element may be modular.

Claims

1. A haptic peripheral comprising:

a housing; and

a haptically-enhanced user input element configured to receive an input, the haptically-enhanced user input element including

a mechanical key having a keycap, and

a smart material actuator integrated onto the keycap, wherein the smart material actuator is configured to receive a control signal from a processor and is configured to deform relative to the keycap of the mechanical key in response to the control signal from the processor to thereby provide a haptic effect to a user of the haptic peripheral, the haptic effect providing feedback relating to game state information.

2. The haptic peripheral of claim 1, wherein the smart material actuator is a piezoelectric material.

3. The haptic peripheral of claim 1, wherein the haptically-enhanced user input element is one of a plurality of keys of a keyboard.

4. The haptic peripheral of claim 3, wherein the haptically-enhanced user input element is modular and configured to selectively replace one of a plurality of keys of a keyboard.

5. The haptic peripheral of claim 1, wherein the haptic peripheral is a gaming controller and the haptically-enhanced user input element is a button or a trigger of the gaming controller.

6. The haptic peripheral of claim 1, wherein the haptic effect is transient and is output when the mechanical key is in a pressed down state, when the mechanical key is in a non-pressed down state, or when the mechanical key is being pressed down.

7. The haptic peripheral of claim 1, wherein the game state information is a movement rate or a state transition.

8. The haptic peripheral of claim 1, wherein the game state information is an alert relating to a sudden event.

9. The haptic peripheral of claim 1, wherein the game state information is a health status or a weapon recharge rate.

10. The haptic peripheral of claim 1, wherein the haptic effect includes a directional haptic effect and the game statement information corresponds to a directional event.

11. The haptic peripheral of claim 1, wherein the haptic effect programmatically changes a stiffness of the mechanical key during depression thereof.

12. The haptic peripheral of claim 1, wherein the haptic effect includes a first haptic waveform and a second haptic waveform different from the first haptic waveform.

13. The haptic peripheral of claim 1, wherein the haptic effect includes a first haptic waveform and a second haptic waveform, the first haptic waveform and the second haptic waveform being timed to occur at different times.

14. The haptic peripheral of claim 1, wherein the haptic effect includes a temporal sequence of a plurality of haptic effects.

15. A haptic peripheral comprising:

a housing; and

a haptically-enhanced user input element configured to receive an input, the haptically-enhanced user input element including

a mechanical key having a keycap, and

a smart material actuator integrated onto the keycap, wherein the smart material actuator is configured to receive a control signal from a processor and is configured to deform relative to the keycap of the mechanical key in response to the control signal from the processor to thereby provide a haptic effect to a user of the haptic peripheral, the haptic effect being transient and being output when the mechanical key is in a pressed down state, when the mechanical key is in a non-pressed down state, or when the mechanical key is being pressed down.

16. The haptic peripheral of claim 15, wherein the smart material actuator is a piezoelectric material.

17. The haptic peripheral of claim 15, wherein the haptically-enhanced user input element is one of a plurality of keys of a keyboard.

18. The haptic peripheral of claim 15, wherein the haptic peripheral is a gaming controller and the haptically-enhanced user input element is a button or a trigger of the gaming controller.

19. The haptic peripheral of claim 15, wherein the haptic effect provides feedback indicating a movement rate, a state transition, or an alert relating to a sudden event.

20. The haptic peripheral of claim 15, wherein the haptic effect includes a directional haptic effect that corresponds to a directional event.