Haptic interface for touch screen embodiments

• US 20080060856A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Shahoian, Erik, Schena, Bruce, Rosenberg, Louis
• Granted Patent: US 8,188,981 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 178/18.03
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• 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 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• 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: H01H 2003/008 with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/052 piezoelectric

Abstract

A haptic feedback touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that provides position information to a computer based on a location of user contact. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position information, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user. The actuator can move the touchpad laterally, or a separate surface member can be actuated. A flat E-core actuator, piezoelectric actuator, or other types of actuators can be used to provide forces. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.

Claims

1. A thin actuator comprising:

a ferromagnetic member having an E configuration;

a coil wound around a central pole of the ferromagnetic member;

a floating cage disposed above the ferromagnetic member; and

a magnet positioned above the floating cage to form a gap between the magnet and the ferromagnetic member, wherein the magnet moves in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the central pole when the coil is energized with a current.

2. An actuator assembly capable of use in a thin housing, the actuator assembly comprising:

a first thin actuator further comprising;

a first ferromagnetic member having an E configuration, the first ferromagnetic member oriented in a first direction;

a first coil wound around a central pole of the first ferromagnetic member;

a first floating cage disposed above the first ferromagnetic member; and

a first magnet positioned above the floating cage to form a gap between the first magnet and the first ferromagnetic member, wherein the magnet moves in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the first central pole when the coil is energized with a current; and

a second thin actuator further comprising;

a second ferromagnetic member having an E configuration oriented in a second direction perpendicular to the first ferromagnetic member and in a parallel plane with the first ferromagnetic member;

a second coil wound around a central pole of the second ferromagnetic member;

a second floating cage disposed above the second ferromagnetic member; and

a second magnet positioned above the second floating cage to form a gap between the second magnet and the second ferromagnetic member, wherein the magnet moves in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the central pole of the second ferromagnetic when the coil is energized with a current.

3. An electronic communication device comprising:

a housing;

a touch screen coupled to the housing, the touch screen configured to display a graphical object therethrough; and

an actuator located within the housing and mounted to predetermined locations in the housing, the actuator configured to output a force when activated, wherein a first haptic effect associated with the force is imparted to the touch screen, wherein the force from the actuator imparts a plurality of haptic effects to the predetermined locations of the housing.

4. An electronic communication device comprising:

a housing;

a touch screen coupled to the housing, the touch screen configured to display a graphical object therethrough; and

an actuator coupled to the touch screen and configured to output a haptic effect in response to located within the housing and mounted to predetermined locations in the housing, the actuator configured to output a force when activated, wherein a first haptic effect associated with the force is imparted to the touch screen, wherein the force from the actuator imparts a plurality of haptic effects to the predetermined locations of the housing.

5. A portable mobile communication device comprising:

a housing having a front surface, a back surface, and two side surfaces between the front and back surfaces;

a first touch input element coupled to the housing and located on the front surface, the first touch input element configured to output graphical objects therethrough;

a first sensor coupled to the first touch input element and configured to send a first sensor signal in response to a user'"'"'s manipulation of the graphical objects via the first touch input element;

a second touch input element coupled to the housing and located on at least one of the side surfaces; and

a second sensor coupled to the second touch input element and configured to send a second sensor signal in response to a user'"'"'s manipulation of the graphical objects via the second touch input element.