Method and Apparatus for Providing Haptic Feedback to Non-Input Locations

• US 20070232348A1
• Filed: 05/25/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Martin, Kenneth, Tierling, Kollin, Vassallo, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 8,073,501 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/550.100
• 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

Methods and Apparatus for providing haptic feedback to non-input locations are described. One described apparatus comprises a first surface, an input element distinct from the first surface, the input element operable to generate an input signal, and an actuator configured to provide haptic feedback to the first surface based at least in part on the input signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a feedback area;

an input element distinct from the feedback area, the input element operable to generate an input signal; and

an actuator configured to provide haptic feedback to the feedback area based at least in part on the input signal.

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;

generate an actuating signal based at least in part on the input signal, and send the actuating signal to the actuator.

3. 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.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the feedback area comprises a first surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the input element is coupled to a second surface, the second surface substantially opposite the first surface.

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

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a groove is formed in the first surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first surface comprises a plurality of channels.

9. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first surface comprises a second input element.

10. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the actuator is coupled to a second surface.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second surface comprises a dampening member.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second surface comprises a flexural member.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a handheld device.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the handheld device comprises a mobile phone, personal digital assistant, pocket personal computer, gamepad, or a camcorder.

15. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the input element and the first surface are configured to be grasped by a hand.

16. 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 element on a first surface of a first side of an input device, the input device having a plurality of sides; and

providing haptic feedback to a feedback area of the input device based at least in part on the input signal.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 16, further comprising instructions that cause a 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 is based at least in part on at least one of the plurality of distinct pressures.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 17, further comprising instructions that cause a 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 instructions that cause a processor to perform the step of providing haptic feedback comprise instructions that cause a processor to perform the step of sending an actuation signal to an actuator in communication with the feedback area.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the actuator is operative to communicate with a processor.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the actuator is configured to provide haptic feedback to the feedback area.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the feedback area is on a second surface of a second side of the input device

23. The computer readable medium of claim 22, wherein the second surface is substantially opposite the first surface.

24. 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.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising means for sending an actuation signal to an actuator in communication with the feedback area.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the actuator is operative to communicate with a processor.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the actuator is configured to provide haptic feedback to the feedback area.

28. The apparatus of claim 24, 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.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, 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.

30. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the haptic feedback is associated with the input signal.

31. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the means for receiving the input signal is operative to communicate with a processor.

32. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the input device is coupled to a second surface, the second surface substantially opposite the first surface.

33. A method comprising:

receiving an input signal from an input element, the input element distinct from a feedback area;

providing haptic feedback to the feedback area with an actuator, the haptic feedback based at least in part on the input signal.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising providing an actuator signal from the processor to the actuator.

35. The method of claim 33, further comprising providing an input signal from the input element to the processor.

36. The method of claim 33, further comprising coupling the actuator to the feedback area.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the feedback area comprises a first surface.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the input element is coupled to a second surface, the second surface substantially opposite the first surface.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising forming at least one groove in the first surface.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising forming a plurality of channels in the first surface.