Haptic interface for touch screen embodiments

• US 20080062143A1
• 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 8,059,104 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• 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 method of conserving battery power in an electronic device capable of outputting haptic effects, the method comprising:

tracking a battery level in an electronic device; and

adjusting a magnitude of a haptic effect output by an actuator coupled to the electronic device upon tracking the battery level below a predetermined level.

2. A method of outputting haptic effects using sound comprising:

processing a sound to be output from a speaker of an electronic device, wherein the sound has a first range of frequencies in a first audio range and a second set of frequencies in a second audio range;

separating the first range and second range of frequencies from one another;

outputting a haptic effect from the first range of frequencies, wherein the haptic effect is output from an actuator coupled to a touch screen of the electronic device;

outputting the sound via the speaker using the second range of frequencies.

3. A mobile communication device comprising:

a housing;

a touch screen coupled to the housing;

a sensor coupled to the touch screen, wherein the sensor is configured to measure a force of a user'"'"'s digit imparted on the touch screen and output a sensor signal associated with the measured force;

a processor coupled to the sensor wherein the processor outputs an activating signal upon the sensor signal indicating the user'"'"'s input at a predetermined region, wherein the activating signal varies based on the sensor signal; and

an actuator coupled to the touch screen, wherein the actuator outputs a pulse force upon receiving the activating signal, wherein the pulse force is altered based on the measured force to simulate a physical button.

4. A method of outputting haptic feedback comprising:

sensing movement of a user'"'"'s digit along a touch screen, wherein the movement is sensed with a sensor coupled to the touch screen;

comparing the sensed movement with a predetermined gesture; and

outputting a haptic feedback to the touch screen via an actuator coupled to the touch screen, wherein the actuator outputs the haptic feedback when the sensed movement is recognized as the predetermined gesture.

5. A touch screen comprising:

a sensor coupled to the touch screen, wherein the sensor is configured to measure movement of a user'"'"'s digit along the touch screen and output a sensor signal associated with the measured force;

a processor coupled to the sensor wherein the processor outputs an activating signal based on the sensor signal; and

an actuator coupled to the processor, wherein the actuator outputs a haptic effect upon receiving the activating signal, wherein the haptic effect varies in frequency or magnitude as a function of velocity of the user'"'"'s digit across the touch screen.