Electronic device with an input device having a haptic engine

• US 10,585,480 B1
• Filed: 12/01/2016
• Issued: 03/10/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Bushnell, Tyler S., Kallman, Benjamin J., Pelletier, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Singh, Hirdepal
• Application Number:
  US15/366,674
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 3404071
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts

Abstract

An electronic device is configured to provide haptic feedback to a user based on an input action associated with an input device. The electronic device includes a haptic engine operably connected to a processing device. The haptic engine includes an electromagnetic actuator that detects an input action associated with the input device. The electromagnetic actuator also produces a haptic output in response to the detection of the input action.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

an input device having an input surface and configured to receive a translational input; and

a haptic engine mechanically coupled to the input device, the haptic engine comprising;

a magnet assembly configured to move in response to the translational input; and

a coil assembly configured to;

generate an input device signal in response to movement of the magnet assembly caused by the translational input; and

receive a haptic output signal to generate a haptic output along the input surface.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the haptic engine further comprises;

a shaft coupled to the input device; and

a frame coupled to the shaft and configured to move in response to the translational input;

the magnet assembly is coupled to the frame; and

the coil assembly at least partially surrounds the magnet assembly.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising a housing at least partially surrounding the frame, wherein the coil assembly is attached to the housing.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the haptic engine further comprises a compliant element positioned between the frame and the housing and configured to compress in response to the translational input.

5. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the haptic engine is configured to operate in at least two modes, the at least two modes comprising:

a first mode in which the shaft engages the input device, wherein the haptic output is provided to the input surface when the haptic engine is operating in the first mode; and

a second mode in which the shaft is not engaged with the input device.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein:

the electronic device further comprises a housing forming at least a portion of an exterior surface of the electronic device; and

the haptic output is provided to the exterior surface when the haptic engine is operating in the second mode.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the input device comprises an input button in an electronic watch and the translational input comprises a translational movement of the input button.

8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein:

the electronic watch further comprises;

a display configured to display a user interface screen associated with an application program; and

a processing device operably connected to the haptic engine and to the display;

in response to the input device signal, the processing device causes the haptic output signal to be transmitted to the haptic engine causing the haptic engine to produce the haptic output; and

in response to the input device signal, the display displays a change in the user interface screen.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the input device comprises a crown in an electronic watch;

the translational input comprises a translational movement of the crown; and

the crown is further configured to receive a rotational input.

10. An electronic device, comprising:

an input device having an input surface and configured to receive a translational input;

an enclosure defining an opening;

a shaft coupled to the input device and extending through the opening;

a haptic engine positioned within the enclosure and mechanically coupled to the input device via the shaft and configured to;

generate an input device signal in response to the translational input; and

produce a haptic output along the input surface;

a display configured to display a change in a user interface screen associated with an application program of the electronic device in response to the input device signal; and

a processing device operably connected to the haptic engine and the display, the processing device configured to cause a haptic output signal to be transmitted to the haptic engine in response to the input device signal to cause the haptic engine linear actuator to produce the haptic output.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, further comprising a force sensor disposed at least partially around an interior perimeter of the input device and positioned between the input device and the enclosure of the electronic device.

12. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the electronic device comprises an electronic watch and the input device includes a crown.

13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the electronic device comprises an electronic watch and the input device includes an input button.

14. An electronic watch, comprising:

an input button;

an electromagnetic actuator mechanically coupled to the input button, the electromagnetic actuator comprising;

a magnet assembly; and

a coil assembly adjacent the magnet assembly; and

a processing device operably coupled to the electromagnetic actuator, wherein

the electromagnetic actuator is configured to detect an input action provided to the input button based on a first movement between the magnet assembly and the coil assembly, the first movement inducing an input device signal; and

the processing device is configured to cause a haptic output signal to be transmitted to the electromagnetic actuator, in response to the input device signal, the haptic output signal causing a second movement between the magnet assembly and the coil assembly to produce a haptic output.

15. The electronic watch of claim 14, wherein the coil assembly is fixed and the magnet assembly moves in response to the input action.

16. The electronic watch of claim 14, wherein the magnet assembly is fixed and the coil assembly moves in response to the input action.

17. The electronic watch of claim 14, wherein:

the electronic watch further comprises;

a frame at least partially surrounding the magnet and coil assemblies; and

a shaft configured to mechanically couple the frame to the input button; and

the magnet assembly is attached to the frame.

18. The electronic watch of claim 17, further comprising a biasing mechanism configured to select an operating mode of the electromagnetic actuator by moving the frame.

19. The electronic watch of claim 18, wherein the operating mode comprises:

a first mode in which the shaft engages the input button; and

a second mode in which the shaft is not engaged with the input button.

20. The electronic watch of claim 19, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises:

a magnet attached to the shaft; and

an electromagnet included in an enclosure of the electronic watch and configured to produce an attracting or repelling force with respect to the magnet.

21. An electronic device comprising:

an input device having an input surface and configured to receive a translational input; and

a haptic engine mechanically coupled to the input device, the haptic engine comprising;

a magnet assembly; and

a coil assembly configured to;

move relative to the magnet assembly in response to the translational input;

generate an input device signal in response to movement of the coil assembly caused by the translational input; and

receive a haptic output signal to generate a haptic output along the input surface.