Systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation

• US 10,445,994 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2018
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Ramsay, Erin B., da Costa, Henrique D., Olien, Neil, Lacroix, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Syed, Nabil H
• Application Number:
  US15/938,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20180350204A1
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1689 Teleoperation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40619 Haptic, combination of tactile and proprioceptive sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems

Abstract

Systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: an actuator; and a control-circuit in communication with the actuator, the control circuit configured to: receive a haptic signal including a first bit indicating a power state; and transmit a power signal based on the haptic signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate at an actuation state at a fixed power.

Claims

1. A control circuit operable to communicate with an actuator, the control circuit configured to:

receive a first 2-bit haptic signal comprising a first bit indicating a power state of the actuator and a second bit indicating a first actuation state, wherein the power state includes an on state or an off state, and wherein the first actuation state is a first direction of force; and

transmit a first power signal based on the first 2-bit haptic signal, the first power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate in the first actuation state.

2. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to generate a haptic effect.

3. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the first power signal is configured to cause the actuator to operate at a fixed power and wherein the fixed power is substantially the maximum power of the actuator.

4. The control circuit of claim 1, further comprising a housing configured to contain the control circuit and the actuator, wherein the housing comprises a mobile device housing.

5. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the second bit comprises a periodic state.

6. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to determine whether the power state is on.

7. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises one or more of:

a piezoelectric actuator, an electric motor, an electro-magnetic actuator, a voice coil, or a linear resonant actuator.

8. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the first power signal is an AC signal and the control circuit is further configured to:

receive a second 2-bit haptic signal; and

transmit a second power signal based on the second 2-bit haptic signal, wherein the second power signal is an AC signal 180 degrees out of phase with the first power signal.

9. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the first power signal is a DC signal and the control circuit is further configured to:

receive a second 2-bit haptic signal; and

transmit a second power signal based on the second 2-bit haptic signal, wherein the second power signal is a DC signal having a polarity that is reverse of the polarity of the first power signal.

10. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the control circuit comprises an integrated circuit.

11. The control circuit of claim 10, wherein the integrated circuit comprises an H-bridge.

12. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the control circuit further comprises a timer circuit that maintains the first power signal for a predetermined length of time.

13. A method comprising:

receiving a first 2-bit haptic signal comprising a first bit indicating a power state of an actuator and a second bit indicting first actuation state, wherein the power state includes an on state or an off state, and wherein the first actuation state is a first direction of force; and

transmitting a first power signal based on the first 2-bit haptic signal, the first power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate in the first actuation state.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first power signal is an AC signal and further comprising:

receiving a second 2-bit haptic signal; and

transmitting a second power signal based on the second 2-bit haptic signal, wherein the second power signal is an AC signal 180 degrees out of phase with the first power signal.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first power signal is an DC signal and further comprising:

receiving a second 2-bit haptic signal; and

transmitting a second power signal based on the second 2-bit haptic signal, wherein the second power signal is a DC signal having a polarity that is reverse of the polarity of the first power signal.