Hand-held haptic stylus

• US 20050248549A1
• Filed: 05/06/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc. (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc. (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Johnny Chung, Yerazunis, William S., Dietz, Paul H., Leigh, Darren L.
• Application Number:
  US10/840,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20050248549A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

Touch screen interfaces suffer from a visual-motor conflict when the user attempt to interact with a virtual object but experiences no physical sensations resulting from that interaction. This can result in uncertainly and decrease performance as well as overall satisfaction with the interface. We introduce a method and device that resolves these issues in stylus-based interfaces for both single and multi-user environments by providing individualized haptic and acoustic feedback. This is achieved by adding a mechanical actuator and acoustic generator to each stylus. These are controlled to respond appropriately to virtual objects and are capable of simulating a variety of physical sensations. Because the feedback is generated by the stylus rather than the screen or touch surface, the current invention can operate at the individual level even in the presence of multiple simultaneous users.

Claims

16-1. The hand-held stylus of claim 1, in which the physical feedback simulates a single click.

27. A method for generating physical feedback in a hand-held stylus, comprising the steps of:

pressing a tip, placed in a first end of the hand-held stylus, onto a surface;

measuring an amount of the force when the tip is pressed in contact with the surface; and

actuating an actuator, placed in a second end of the hand-held stylus, according to the measured amount of force to provide physical feedback to a user holding the hand-held stylus.