Localized Haptic Feedback

• US 20080068334A1
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Grant, Danny A., Olien, Neil Thomas, Gomez, Daniel H.
• Application Number:
  US11/531,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20080068334A1
• 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

Abstract

A surface that generates a haptic feedback includes a first region having a first level of stiffness and a second region having a second level of stiffness that is less than the first level of stiffness. The second region defines a deformation region within which the haptic feedback is generally localized.

Claims

1. A surface that generates a haptic feedback, said surface comprising:

a first region having a first level of stiffness; and

a second region having a second level of stiffness;

wherein said second region defines a deformation region and wherein the haptic feedback is generally localized within said deformation region.

2. The surface of claim 1, wherein said second level of stiffness is less than said first level of stiffness.

3. The surface of claim 2, wherein said deformation region is substantially the same region as said second region.

4. The surface of claim 2, wherein said deformation region is generally surrounded by said second region.

5. The surface of claim 2, wherein said first region has a first thickness and said second region has a second thickness that is thinner than said first thickness.

6. The surface of claim 1, wherein said deformation region contacts an actuator during the haptic feedback.

7. The surface of claim 1, wherein the haptic feedback comprises a vibration of the deformation region.

8. The surface of claim 5, wherein said second thickness is tapered.

9. A system for providing feedback to a user input, said system comprising:

a surface comprising a first region having a first level of stiffness;

a second region having a second level of stiffness; and

an actuator coupled to said surface;

wherein said second region defines a deformation region.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said actuator is adapted to generate a haptic effect generally localized within said deformation region.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said actuator comprises a plunger coupled to an electromagnet.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said plunger is coupled to said deformation region.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said actuator comprises a smart material.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein said second level of stiffness is less than said first level of stiffness.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein said deformation region is substantially the same region as said second region.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein said deformation region is generally surrounded by said second region.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein said first region has a first thickness and said second region has a second thickness that is thinner than said first thickness.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the haptic effect comprises a vibration of the deformation region.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said second thickness is tapered.

20. A method of providing feedback for a haptic enabled location on a contiguous surface having a front side and a rear side, said method comprising:

defining a deformation region on the surface via an intersection of a first region having a first level of stiffness and a second region having a second level of stiffness;

receiving an indication that the haptic enabled location is pressed; and

generating a haptic effect on the deformation region when the haptic enabled location is pressed.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said generating comprises contacting the deformation region with an actuator on the rear side.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising generating illumination at the haptic enabled location when the haptic enabled location is pressed.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the haptic effect indicates that a haptic enabled location press event has been recognized.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the haptic effect indicates that the haptic enabled location was pressed in error.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising providing an indicator of the haptic enabled location that is visible on the front side, wherein said deformation region is adjacent to the indicator.