Haptic interface for touch screen embodiments

• US 20080062145A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Shahoian, Erik, Schena, Bruce, Rosenberg, Louis
• Application Number:
  US11/981,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20080062145A1
• 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 outputting a periodic haptic effect on a touch screen comprising:

processing an sensor signal from a sensor coupled to a touch screen;

outputting an activating signal to an actuator coupled to the touch screen to output at least a portion of a periodic haptic effect having a waveform characteristic, wherein the activating signal includes an envelope configured to shape the waveform characteristic with a predetermined magnitude of the haptic effect over time.

2. A method of enhancing a haptic effect felt by a user comprising:

sensing movement of a user'"'"'s finger in contact with a touch screen of an electronic device, wherein the sensed movement is from a first position to a second position in a first direction; and

outputting a haptic effect to the touch screen wherein the haptic effect is a directional force in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

3. An actuator assembly for use with a touch screen in an electronic device, the actuator assembly comprising:

a diaphragm coupled to the touch screen; and

an actuator coupled to the diaphragm, the actuator including a circular body having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface is proximal to the touch screen and having a mass positioned at the center of the upper surface; and

means for powering the actuator, wherein the actuator moves in a direction perpendicular to the touch screen to output a haptic effect to be felt by a user in contact with the housing.

4. An communication device comprising:

a housing;

a touch input device coupled to the housing and configured to receive a user'"'"'s input to manipulate a graphical object;

a displacement member positioned above the touch input device, the displacement member having a clear surface to allow the graphical object to be displayed therethrough;

an actuator directly coupled to the displacement member, the actuator configured to output a force to translate the displacement member in a desired direction, wherein the translation of the displacement member provides a haptic effect felt by the user in contact with the displacement member.

5. A portable communication device comprising:

a housing;

a touch screen coupled to the housing, the touch screen configured to output a graphical object therethrough to be displayed to a user;

a stylus configured to manipulate the graphical object;

a sensor configured to sense the stylus manipulating the graphical object and output a sensor signal associated with the manipulation;

a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to selectively output an activating signal in response to the sensor signal; and

an actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the stylus upon receiving the activating signal.