System and Method for Providing Passive Haptic Feedback

• US 20080035435A1
• Filed: 10/24/2007
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Shahoian, Erik, Jasso, Alex, Anastas, George
• Application Number:
  US11/923,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20080035435A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 188/161
• 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

Systems and methods for providing passive haptic feedback are described. Embodiments of the present invention comprise an actuator for bringing a manipulandum and braking surface into contact and thereby providing a resistance. The manipulandum includes scroll wheels, scroll drums, linear sliders and similar user input devices. The actuator may be, for example, electromagnetic or piezo-electric. An embodiment of the present invention may include a processor in communication with the actuator for providing the haptic effects.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a scroll drum having a substantially cylindrical shape and an inner surface; and

an actuator configured to output a haptic effect, the actuator comprising;

an electromagnet disposed within the scroll drum, and

a braking surface disposed within the scroll drum and between the electromagnet and the inner surface.

2. The input device of claim 1, further comprising a first shaft and a second shaft, the first shaft coupled to the scroll drum and configured to rotate with the scroll drum, and the second shaft coupled to the actuator and configured to be non-rotatable.

3. The input device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnet is configured to force the braking surfaces into contact with the inner surface when current flows through the actuator.

4. The input device of claim 1, wherein the braking surfaces comprise a curved surface complementary to the shape of the inner surface.

5. A handheld device comprising the input device of claim 1 and a processor.

6. The handheld device of claim 5, wherein the processor is configured to generate an actuator signal, the actuator signal configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect on the scroll drum.

7. The handheld device of claim 5, wherein the handheld device comprises a PDA or a cell phone.

8. A method comprising:

sensing a movement of a scroll drum;

transmitting an actuator signal to an actuator having an electromagnet, the actuator disposed within the scroll drum; and

causing a braking surface to contact the scroll drum to output a haptic effect, the braking surface disposed within the scroll drum, and between the electromagnet and the scroll drum.

9. A computer-readable medium comprising program code, the program code comprising:

program code for sensing a movement of a scroll drum;

program code for transmitting an actuator signal to an actuator having an electromagnet, the actuator disposed within the scroll drum; and

program code for causing a braking surface to contact the scroll drum to output a haptic effect, the braking surface disposed within the scroll drum, and between the electromagnet and the scroll drum.