Control schemes for haptic feedback interface devices

• US 20080055244A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Cruz-Hernandez, Juan, Grant, Danny, Gomez, Daniel, Goldenberg, Alex
• Granted Patent: US 8,519,947 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

A method is disclosed that includes outputting haptic feedback based on a movement of an object in a first direction from a first position to a second position. The haptic feedback is discontinued when the object is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction subsequent to the movement in the first direction. The haptic feedback is output again when the object moves past the second position in the first direction.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a signal associated with a movement of an object from a first position associated with a detent to a second position associated with the detent, the detent having a center position;

outputting a resistive force on the object based on the signal, the resistive force operative to simulate the detent;

receiving an indication of no movement of the object for a predetermined amount of time; and

defining the second position associated with the detent as the center position of the detent when the object is not moved for more than the predetermined time.

2. A method of outputting a detent haptic effect, comprising:

selecting a rotatable knob having an active actuator and a resistive actuator coupled thereto;

sensing movement of a rotatable knob in a first direction;

outputting an assistive haptic effect from the assistive actuator to the rotatable knob as the rotatable knob is rotated in the first direction;

outputting a resistive haptic effect from the resistive actuator to the rotatable knob when the sensed movement is at a first position, wherein the resistive haptic effect is superimposed onto the assistive haptic effect to output a collective haptic effect.

3. A hybrid-haptic device, comprising:

a rotatable knob having an active actuator and a resistive actuator coupled thereto;

a sensor coupled to the rotatable knob in a first direction;

a processor coupled to the sensor, wherein the processor is configured to output a first activating signal to the resistive actuator to output a resistive haptic effect to the knob upon the sensor indicating the knob at a first position, the processor outputting an assistive haptic effect from the assistive actuator to the knob upon the sensor indicating the knob at a second position.

4. A hybrid-haptic device, comprising:

a rotatable knob having an active actuator and a resistive actuator coupled thereto;

a sensor coupled to the rotatable knob in a first direction;

a processor coupled to the sensor, wherein the processor is configured to output a first activating signal to the resistive actuator to output a resistive haptic effect to the knob upon the sensor indicating the knob at a first position, the processor outputting an assistive haptic effect from the assistive actuator to the knob upon the sensor indicating the knob at a second position.

5. A rotatable knob, comprising:

a sensor configured to sense movement of the rotatable knob in a first and second direction, wherein the knob is moveable to a plurality of positions;

an actuator coupled to the knob, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect upon receiving an activating signal; and

a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to output the activating signal to the actuator upon the sensor indicating the knob moving from a first position to a second position, wherein the actuator outputs a constant resistive haptic feedback.