System and method for providing passive haptic feedback

• US 20040040800A1
• Filed: 12/08/2002
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Jasso, Alex, Shahoian, Erik J., Anastas, George
• Application Number:
  US10/314,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20040040800A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 188/161
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing passive haptic feedback are described. Embodiments of the present invention comprise an actuator for bringing a manipulandum and braking surface into contact and thereby providing a resistance. The manipulandum includes scroll wheels, scroll drums, linear sliders and similar user input devices. The actuator may be, for example, electromagnetic or piezo-electric. An embodiment of the present invention may include a processor in communication with the actuator for providing the haptic effects.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a manipulandum;

a brake surface;

an actuator configured to bring said manipulandum and said brake surface into contact.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said actuator comprises an electromagnetic actuator.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said actuator comprises a piezo-electric actuator.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said piezo-electric actuator comprises:

a base;

a piezo-ceramic material having an outside edge surrounding a central portion and connected to said base at said outside edge; and

a lever having a first end, a second end, and a flexure between said ends, said first end connected to said piezo-ceramic material at said central portion and said second end connected to said braking surface.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said actuator comprises an actuator in communication with one of said manipulandum and said brake surface.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said manipulandum comprises a scroll wheel.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said manipulandum comprises a scroll drum.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said manipulandum comprises a linear slider.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said brake surface comprises a disk.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said brake surface comprises a conical braking surface.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said brake surface comprises a rectangular surface.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said brake surface comprises a rounded edge for contacting said manipulandum.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said brake surface is attracted to said manipulandum upon actuation of said electromagnetic actuator.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said brake surface is repelled towards said manipulandum upon actuation of said electromagnetic actuator.

15. The device of claim 1, further comprising a position sensor in communication with said manipulandum.

16. The device of claim 1, further comprising a controller in communication with said electromagnetic actuator.

17. The device of claim 16, further comprising a position sensor in communication with said controller.

18. The device of claim 1, further comprising a spring in communication with said manipulandum and said braking surface and configured to exert a force to separate said manipulandum and said braking surface.

19. The device of claim 1, further comprising a lever in communication with said electromagnetic actuator and with one of said manipulandum and said brake surface.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein said lever comprises a flexure.

21. A computer-readable medium on which is encoded computer program code for handling computerized requests comprising:

program code for determining when a haptic effect is provided;

program code for generating a signal to provide said haptic effect, wherein said effect is provided by causing an actuator to bring a manipulandum and a brake surface into contact; and

program code for sending said signal to said actuator.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, further comprising computer code for receiving an input signal.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein said input signal comprises position sensor data.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein said actuator comprises an electromagnetic actuator.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein said actuator comprises a piezo-electric actuator.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein said actuator comprises an actuator in communication with one of said manipulandum and said brake surface.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein said manipulandum comprises a scroll wheel.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein said manipulandum comprises a scroll drum.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein said manipulandum comprises a linear slider.