System and method for providing rotational haptic feedback

• US 20040178989A1
• Filed: 10/20/2003
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Jasso, Alexander, Shahoian, Erik J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,125,453 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing haptic cues to a touch-sensitive input device having a rotary degree of freedom are described. One system described comprises a touch sensitive input device is configured to move in a rotary degree of freedom. The system further comprises an actuator configured to produce a rotational force on the touch-sensitive input device. In one such system, the actuator comprises an electromagnetic core configured to produce force on a magnet affixed to the touch-sensitive input device. In another such system, a motor provides the rotational force.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a touch-sensitive input device configured to move in a rotary degree of freedom; and

an actuator configured to produce a rotational force on the touch-sensitive input device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the touch-sensitive input device comprises a touchpad.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the touchpad comprises a generally circular touchpad.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for limiting the rotary degree of freedom.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the touch-sensitive input device further comprises a magnet, and wherein the actuator comprises a magnetic core.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the magnetic core comprises an E-core.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises:

a motor; and

a drive belt driven by said motor and configured to produce the rotational force on the touch-sensitive input device.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the motor further comprises a pair of end stops to limit the rotation of the motor.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises:

a motor; and

an eccentric rotating mass configured to impart a vibration on the touch-sensitive input device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises:

a motor; and

a flexure driven by said motor and configured to produce the rotational force on the touch-sensitive input device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the flexure comprises brass.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein the actuator is grounded to the housing.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to receive an output signal from the touch-sensitive input device and generate an input signal operable to cause the actuator to produce the rotational force.

14. A method comprising:

receiving an input signal; and

generating an output signal configured to cause a rotational force on a touch-sensitive input device in response to the input signal.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein generating the rotational force comprises generating a rotational force within a limited range of motion.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the rotational force is configured to impart a pop sensation on the touch-sensitive input device.

17. A computer-readable medium on which is encoded processor-executable program code, the computer-readable medium comprising:

program code for receiving an input signal; and

program code for generating an output signal configured to cause a rotational force on a touch-sensitive input device in response to the input signal.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the program code for generating the rotational force comprises program code for generating a rotational force within a limited range of motion.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the rotational force is configured to impart a pop sensation on the touch-sensitive input device.