Device and Method for Providing Resistive and Vibrotactile Effects

• US 20080024440A1
• Filed: 10/09/2007
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Shahoian, Erik, Jasso, Alexander, Olien, Neil, Anastas, George, Yu, Raymond
• Application Number:
  US11/869,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20080024440A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/25 using haptic output
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/14 Operating parts, e.g. turn knob
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/05 electromechanical
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/02 Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing resistive and vibrotactile feedback from a single actuator are described. One described system comprises a manipulandum, and a resistive haptic actuator configured to generate a resistive haptic force in order to generate a vibrotactile haptic effect.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a manipulandum; and

a resistive haptic actuator coupled to the manipulandum, the resistive haptic actuator configured to generate a resistive haptic force in order to provide a vibrotactile effect.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a processor in communication with the resistive haptic actuator, the processor configured to provide a signal to the resistive haptic actuator, the signal configured to cause the resistive haptic actuator to generate the resistive force in order to provide the vibrotactile effect.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor in communication with the processor and operable to sense a motion of the manipulandum.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the resistive actuator is configured to provide the vibrotactile effect on the manipulandum.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a housing for the manipulandum and wherein the resistive actuator is configured to provide the vibrotactile effect on the housing.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the vibrotactile effect comprises one of a jolt, a shake, a buzz, and a pop.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the resistive haptic actuator comprises an electromagnetic brake.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the manipulandum comprises one of a knob, a slider, and a scroll wheel.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a spring having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the resistive haptic actuator.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a mass attached to second end of the spring.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the second end of the spring is attached to a ground.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the spring comprises a first spring and further comprising a second spring having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second spring is attached to the resistive haptic actuator.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a mass attached to the resistive haptic actuator.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the resistive haptic actuator comprises an indentation and the mass comprises a corresponding projection.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the resistive haptic actuator comprises an electromagnetic core.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the electromagnetic core comprises one of a pot core, an E core, and a Terfinol core.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the electromagnetic core comprises four sides and is configured to contact the manipulandum on a first side of the electromagnetic core.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the first side of the electromagnetic core comprises a plurality of projections.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the first side of the electromagnetic core comprises the top of a pot core.

20. The device of claim 17, further comprising a spring having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the spring is attached to a second side of the electromagnetic core opposite the first side of the electromagnetic core.