Providing enhanced haptic feedback effects

• US 20070285216A1
• Filed: 04/16/2007
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Goldenberg, Alex, Braun, Adam, Tierling, Kollin
• Granted Patent: US 7,821,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/407.100
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0276 with simultaneous generation, e.g. with modulation, harmonics
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/013 Force feedback applied to a game
• 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

Abstract

Method and apparatus for providing tactile sensations. For one embodiment a first frequency at which to output a tactile sensation is received. A second frequency higher than the first frequency is determined. The second frequency is based on a frequency at which an inertial actuator outputs a second tactile sensation. A waveform having the first frequency and a waveform having the second frequency is combined to produce a signal configured to cause a composite tactile sensation at the second frequency, the composite tactile sensation conveying the first frequency.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a first frequency at which to output a tactile sensation;

determining a second frequency higher than the first frequency, the second frequency based on a frequency at which an inertial actuator outputs a second tactile sensation; and

combining a waveform having the first frequency and a waveform having the second frequency to produce a signal configured to cause a composite tactile sensation at the second frequency, the composite tactile sensation conveying the first frequency.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein combining includes providing multiple bursts of a signal at the second frequency at approximately the first frequency to control the inertial actuator to output the composite tactile sensation.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the inertial actuator includes an inertial mass that is oscillated bi-directionally, and wherein the bursts each control at least three changes of direction of the inertial mass at the second frequency.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the second frequency is high enough so as to cause a user to feel each of said bursts as a single pulse.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the second frequency is approximately equal to a resonance frequency of the inertial actuator.

27. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second frequency is high enough so as to cause a user to feel each of said bursts as a single pulse.

28. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second frequency is approximately equal to a resonance frequency of the inertial actuator.

6. A method for providing haptic sensations using an actuator in an interface device, the method comprising:

receiving a first frequency at which to output a tactile sensation to said interface device;

determining a second frequency higher than the first frequency, the second frequency approximately equal to a resonance frequency of an actuator system of said interface device; and

combining a waveform having the first frequency and a waveform having the second frequency to produce a signal configured to cause a composite tactile sensation at the second frequency, the composite tactile sensation conveying the first frequency.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said combining includes outputting bursts having said second frequency at a rate corresponding to said first frequency.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said burst includes at least three changes of direction of an inertial mass of said actuator.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said combining includes creating a waveform having said second frequency, said waveform having an amplitude that varies according to said first frequency.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein said mechanical actuator is coupled to a flexure, wherein said actuator system provides an inertial mass that moves bi-directionally to output said first frequency tactile sensations.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein said determining said second frequency includes retrieving a second frequency value from a memory.

12. The method of claim 6 wherein said first frequency is combined with said second frequency to produce the signal only when said first frequency is lower than a predetermined threshold frequency.

13. A processor-readable medium comprising code representing instructions to cause a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving a first frequency at which to output a tactile sensation to said interface device;

determining a second frequency higher than the first frequency, the second frequency approximately equal to a resonance frequency of a mechanical actuator system of said interface device; and

combining a waveform having the first frequency and a waveform having the second frequency to produce a signal configured to cause a composite tactile sensation at the second frequency, the composite tactile sensation conveying the first frequency.

14. The processor-readable medium of claim 13 wherein said combining includes outputting bursts having said second frequency at a rate corresponding to said first frequency.

15. The processor-readable medium of claim 14 wherein said burst includes at least three changes of direction of an inertial mass of said inertial actuator.

16. The processor-readable medium of claim 13 wherein said combining includes creating a waveform having said second frequency, said waveform having an amplitude that varies according to said first frequency.

17. The processor-readable medium of claim 13 wherein said mechanical actuator is coupled to a flexure, wherein said mechanical actuator provides an inertial mass that moves bi-directionally to output said first frequency tactile sensations.

18. The processor-readable medium of claim 13 wherein said determining said second frequency includes retrieving a second frequency value from a memory.

19. The processor-readable medium of claim 13 wherein said first frequency is combined with said second frequency to produce the signal only when said first frequency is lower than a predetermined threshold frequency.

20. A haptic feedback interface device for providing a tactile sensation, the interface device comprising:

a sensor operative to detect motion of a user manipulandum, said sensor providing sensor data representative of said motion;

an actuator device operative to output tactile sensations on said user manipulandum or a housing of said interface device, wherein said actuator device includes an inertial mass that is oscillated to provide said tactile sensation; and

a controller providing a signal to said actuator device to cause said actuator device to output said tactile sensation to said user, at least a portion of said signal having a first frequency approximately equal to a resonance frequency of the actuator device and wherein said tactile sensation conveys a second frequency lower than the first frequency, the second frequency commanded to said tactile device.

21. The haptic feedback interface device of claim 20 wherein said signal provided by said controller includes first frequency bursts that are output at said second frequency.

22. The haptic feedback interface device of claim 20 wherein said entire signal provided by said controller has said first frequency, and wherein said first frequency signal varies in amplitude according to said second frequency.

23. The haptic feedback interface device of claim 22 wherein said signal provided by said controller is based on using a resonant filter by providing an envelope based on a signal having said second frequency and modulating a signal having said first frequency using said envelope.

24. An apparatus for providing tactile sensations using an actuator, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a first frequency at which to output a tactile sensation;

means for determining a second frequency higher than the first frequency, the second frequency based on a frequency at which an inertial actuator outputs a second tactile sensation; and

means for combining a waveform having the first frequency and a waveform having the second frequency to produce a signal configured to cause a composite tactile sensation at the second frequency, the composite tactile sensation conveying the first frequency.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein combining includes providing multiple bursts of a signal at the second frequency at approximately the first frequency to control the inertail actuator to output the composite tactile sensation.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the inertial actuator includes an inertial mass that is oscillated bi-directionally, and wherein the bursts each control at least three changes of direction of the inertial mass at the second frequency.