System and method for low power haptic feedback

• US 20050012710A1
• Filed: 06/01/2004
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Hayward, Vincent
• Granted Patent: US 7,567,243 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction

Abstract

Systems and methods for low power consumption haptic feedback are described. In one described system, a device comprises a manipulandum and a haptic effect generator in communication with the manipulandum. The actuator is operable to provide a first haptic profile associated with a first mechanical configuration and a second haptic profile associated with a second mechanical configuration. The device also comprises an actuator in communication with the haptic effect generator, which is operable to switch the haptic effect generator between the first haptic profile and the second haptic profile.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a surface having

a first channel comprising a first plurality of surface features, the first plurality of surface features configured to provide a first haptic profile, and

a second channel substantially parallel to the first channel and comprising a second plurality of surface features, the second plurality of surface features configured to provide a second haptic profile; and

a follower configured to follow the first channel and the second channel; and

an actuator in communication with the follower and operable to move the follower between the first channel and the second channel.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises the surface of a cylinder.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first channel comprises a first cam and the second channel comprises a second cam.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first plurality of surface features comprises a protrusion.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first plurality of surface features comprises a stop.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first plurality of surface features comprises a depression.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the follower comprises one of a pin, a pawl, and a lever.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises one of a solenoid and a DC motor.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a manipulandum in communication with said surface.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the manipulandum comprises one of a knob, a slider, a push button, and a joystick.

11. A device comprising:

a first surface comprising a first plurality of surface features, the first plurality of surface features configured to provide a first haptic profile, and

a second surface substantially parallel to the first channel and configured to move with the first surface, the second surface comprising a second plurality of surface features, the second plurality of surface features configured to provide a second haptic profile; and

a follower configured to follow the first surface and the second surface; and

an actuator in communication with the follower and operable to move the follower between the first surface and the second surface.

12. A device comprising:

a manipulandum comprising a manipulandum surface, a portion of the manipulandum surface defining a hole;

a pin configured to move through the hole from a first position at or below the surface to a second position above the surface; and

an actuator in communication with the pin and operable to move the pin between the first position and the second position.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising a spring affixed to the pin.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the manipulandum surface defines a plurality of holes, and the pin comprises a plurality of pins.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the manipulandum comprises a button.

16. A device comprising:

a haptic effect generator operable to provide a first haptic profile associated with a first mechanical configuration and a second haptic profile associated with a second mechanical configuration; and

an actuator in communication with the haptic effect generator and operable to switch the haptic effect generator between the first haptic profile and the second haptic profile.

17. The device of claim 16, further comprising a manipulandum in communication with the haptic effect generator.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the manipulandum comprises one of a knob, a slider, a push button, and a joystick.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the haptic effect generator comprises:

a cylinder comprising at least two cams, each of the two cams having different mechanical configurations; and

a lever operable to engage at least one of the at least two cams.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the lever comprises a spring-loaded lever.

21. The device of claim 19, wherein the lever comprises a spring-loaded pin.

22. The device of claim 16, wherein the haptic effect generator comprises a brake.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the brake comprises a single part shoe brake.

24. The device of claim 22, further comprising a screw operable to vary a friction exerted by the brake.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the actuator comprises a DC motor operable to turn the screw.

26. The device of claim 16, wherein the haptic effect generator is operable to alter a surface of the manipulandum.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the haptic effect generator comprises a pin positioned below the surface of the manipulandum.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the haptic effect generator further comprises a slider operable to project the pin above the surface of the manipulandum.

29. The device of claim 27, wherein the actuator comprises a solenoid.

30. The device of claim 26, further comprising a membrane proximate to the surface of the manipulandum.

31. The device of claim 16, wherein the actuator comprises one of a solenoid, a DC motor, and a shape memory alloy (SMA).

32. The device of claim 16, further comprising a processor in communication with the actuator and operable to affect a switch between the first of the at least two haptic profiles and the second of the at least two haptic profiles.

33. A method comprising:

receiving an input signal associated with a haptic effect switch; and

generating an output signal operable to cause an actuator to switch a haptic effect generator from outputting a first haptic effect to outputting a second haptic effect, the haptic effect generator comprising a first mechanical configuration associated with the first haptic profile and a second mechanical configuration associated with the second haptic profile.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the input signal is further associated with a device state.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the actuator comprises a DC motor and the output signal comprises a positive pulse, wherein the level of the pulse is proportionally higher than a previous maximum pulse.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the actuator comprises a DC motor and the output signal comprises:

a negative pulse, proportional to the current level of friction; and

a positive pulse of a magnitude proportional to the desired level of friction.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the haptic effect generator comprises:

a first surface comprising a first plurality of surface features, the first plurality of surface features configured to provide a first haptic profile,

a second surface substantially parallel to the first channel and configured to move with the first surface, the second surface comprising a second plurality of surface features, the second plurality of surface features configured to provide a second haptic profile; and

a follower configured to follow the first surface and the second surface, and further comprising causing the actuator to move the follower from the first surface to the second surface.

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

program code for receiving an input signal associated with a haptic effect switch; and

program code for generating an output signal operable to cause an actuator to switch a haptic effect generator from outputting a first haptic effect to outputting a second haptic effect, the haptic effect generator comprising a first mechanical configuration associated with the first haptic profile and a second mechanical configuration associated with the second haptic profile.