Method and apparatus for providing haptic feedback to off-activating area

• US 20040110527A1
• Filed: 12/08/2002
• Published: 06/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Martin, Kenneth M., Tierling, Kollin, Vassallo, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 7,769,417 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/047 Vibrating means for incoming calls

Abstract

The present invention comprises products and processes for providing haptic feedback at a location other than an input device. For example, when an input device disposed in a hand-held device is activated, instead of providing haptic feedback at the input device itself or to the entire device, haptic feedback is provided to a different area of the device (such as, for example, the side of the device opposite the side on which the input device resides).

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first surface;

an input element distinct from the first surface; and

an actuator configured to provide haptic feedback to the first surface, the actuator in communication with the input element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a processor in communication with the input element and the actuator, wherein the processor is configured to receive an input signal from the input element and to send an actuating signal to the actuator.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the haptic feedback correlates with the input signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is coupled to the first surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is coupled to a second surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second surface comprises a dampening member.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second surface comprises a flexural member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a groove is formed in the first surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of walls, the plurality of walls defining a volume, wherein the actuator is disposed in the volume.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first surface comprises a second input element.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of channels is formed in the first surface.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hand-held device.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input element and the first surface are configured to be grasped by a hand.

14. A computer readable medium having instructions, the instructions including instructions that cause a processor to perform the steps of:

receiving an input signal from an input device; and

providing haptic feedback to a feedback area, the feedback area distinct from the input device.

15. The computer readable medium according to claim 14, wherein the haptic feedback correlates with the input signal.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein said providing haptic feedback comprises sending an actuation signal to an actuator in communication with the feedback area.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 14, further comprising stored instructions, the stored instructions including instructions, that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:

detecting a plurality of distinct pressures; and

producing a plurality of distinct haptic sensations, wherein each of the plurality of distinct haptic sensations correlates with at least one of the plurality of distinct pressures.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 17, further comprising stored instructions, the stored instructions including instructions, that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the step of varying at least one of the frequency, waveform, and magnitude of the haptic sensation.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the actuator is operative to communicate with a processor.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the actuator is configured to provide haptic feedback to the feedback area.

21. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving an input signal from an input device; and

means for providing haptic feedback to a feedback area, the feedback area distinct from the input device.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the haptic feedback correlates with the input signal.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising means for sending an actuation signal to an actuator in communication with the feedback area.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein means for receiving the input signal comprises means for detecting a plurality of distinct pressures and means for providing haptic feedback comprises means for producing a plurality of distinct haptic sensations.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein means for producing the plurality of distinct haptic sensations comprises means for varying at least one of the frequency, waveform, and magnitude of the haptic sensation.

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the haptic feedback is associated with the input signal.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the actuator is operative to communicate with a processor.

28. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for receiving the input signal is operative to communicate with a processor.

29. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the actuator is configured to provide haptic feedback to the feedback area.

30. A method comprising:

forming a volume by a plurality of walls;

coupling a first surface with the plurality of walls;

providing an input element distinct from the first surface;

disposing an actuator in the volume, the actuator configured to provide haptic feedback to the first surface; and

communicating the actuator with the first surface.

31. The method of claim 30 further comprising communicating the actuator with a processor.

32. The method of claim 30 further comprising communicating the input element with a processor.

33. The method of claim 30 further comprising coupling the actuator to a second surface.

34. The method of claim 30 further comprising forming at least one groove in the first surface.

35. The method of claim 30 further comprising forming a plurality of channels in the first surface.