System and Method for Providing Passive Haptic Feedback

• US 20080041671A1
• Filed: 10/24/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Shahoian, Enk, Jasso, Alex, Anastas, George
• Application Number:
  US11/923,180
• Publication Number:
  US 20080041671A1
• 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 first support configured to pivot about a first axis;

a second support configured to pivot about a second axis;

a scroll drum having a first drum end and a second drum end, the first drum end rotatably coupled to the first support and the second drum end rotatably coupled to the second support;

an electromagnet having a first magnet end and a second magnet end, the first magnet end coupled to the first support, and the second magnet end coupled to the second support, the electromagnet configured to cause the first and second supports to rotate about the first and second axes when the electromagnet is activated to cause at least one of the first and second supports to contact the scroll drum to output a haptic effect.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the scroll drum is configured to rotate about a drum axis.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first and second supports are configured to cause a resistance to the rotation of the scroll drum about the drum axis.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the supports are configured to provide a lever system to multiply the force provided by the electromagnet.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnet comprises a solenoid.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to sense a movement of the scroll drum.

7. A handheld device comprising the device of claim 1.

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

9. A method, comprising:

receiving a signal indicating a rotation of a scroll drum, the scroll drum rotatably coupled to a first support and a second support;

causing at least the first support to rotate about a first axis and to contact the scroll drum by energizing an electromagnet; and

resisting the rotation of the scroll drum to provide a haptic effect.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein causing at least the first support to rotate about a first axis and to contact the scroll drum further comprises causing the second support to rotate about a second axis and to contact the scroll drum.

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

program code for receiving a signal indicating a rotation of a scroll drum, the scroll drum rotatably coupled to a first support and a second support;

program code for causing at least the first support to rotate about a first axis and to contact the scroll drum by energizing an electromagnet; and

program code for resisting the rotation of the scroll drum to provide a haptic effect.