Systems and Methods for Haptic Feedback Effects for Control Knobs

• US 20080055241A1
• Filed: 10/29/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Martin, Kenneth, Braun, Adam, Goldenberg, Alex, Vassallo, Steven
• Application Number:
  US11/927,273
• Publication Number:
  US 20080055241A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects

Abstract

Systems and methods for haptic feedback effects for control knobs are described. One method comprises the steps of receiving a sensor signal associated with a motion of a manipulandum in a degree of freedom, and determining a direction of the motion of the manipulandum in the degree of freedom based on the sensor signal. The method further comprises outputting a first force signal if the determination indicates that the manipulandum moves in a first direction in the degree of freedom, and outputting a second force signal if the determination indicates that the manipulandum moves in a second direction in the degree of freedom.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a sensor signal associated with a motion of a manipulandum in a degree of freedom;

determining a direction of the motion of the manipulandum in the degree of freedom based on the sensor signal;

outputting a first force signal if the determination indicates that the manipulandum moves in a first direction in the degree of freedom; and

outputting a second force signal if the determination indicates that the manipulandum moves in a second direction in the degree of freedom.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

causing a graphical interface to be displayed, the graphical interface comprising a first feature, a second feature, and a border between the first feature and the second; and

correlating the motion of the manipulandum with a motion of a cursor displayed in the graphical interface, and wherein;

the first force signal is output when the cursor moves towards the border, and

the second force signal is output when the cursor moves away from the border.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second features comprises one of a screen, a menu, an object, or a visual function displayed in the graphical interface.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first force signal is associated with a resistive force, and the second force signal is associated with an assistive force.

5. A method as recited in claim 4 wherein the resistive force is characterized by a first force function magnitude that increases as the position of the manipulandum approaches the predetermined position, and the assistive force is characterized by a second force function magnitude that decreases as the position of manipulandum retreats from the predetermined position.

6. A computer-readable medium on which is encoded processor-executable program code, the computer-readable medium comprising:

program code to receive a sensor signal associated with a motion of a manipulandum in a degree of freedom;

program code to determine a direction of the motion of the manipulandum in the degree of freedom based on the sensor signal;

program code to output a first force signal if the determination indicates that the manipulandum moves in a first direction in the degree of freedom; and

program code to output a second force signal if the determination indicates that the manipulandum moves in a second direction in the degree of freedom.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, further comprising:

program code to cause a graphical interface to be displayed, the graphical interface comprising a first feature, a second feature, and a border between the first feature and the second feature; and

program code to correlate the motion of the manipulandum with a motion of a cursor displayed in the graphical interface, and wherein;

the first force signal is output when the cursor moves towards the border, and

the second force signal is output when the cursor moves away from the border.

8. A system comprising:

a manipulandum configured to move in a degree of freedom;

a sensor coupled to the manipulandum and configured to output a sensor signal associated with a motion of the manipulandum in the degree of freedom;

a processor configured to;

receive the sensor signal;

determining a direction of the motion of the manipulandum in the degree of freedom based on the sensor signal;

outputting a first force signal if the determination indicates that the manipulandum moves in a first direction in the degree of freedom; and

outputting a second force signal if the determination indicates that the manipulandum moves in a second direction in the degree of freedom.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the manipulandum is a knob.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising an actuator configured to provide haptic feedback based at least in part on the first force signal and the second force signal.