Multiple Mode Haptic Feedback System

• US 20080084384A1
• Filed: 04/13/2007
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Cruz-Hernandez, Juan Manuel, Gregorio, Pedro, Grant, Danny A.
• Application Number:
  US11/735,096
• Publication Number:
  US 20080084384A1
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers

Abstract

A haptic effect device includes a housing and a touchscreen coupled to the housing through a suspension. An actuator is coupled to the touchscreen. The suspension is tuned so that when the actuator generates first vibrations at a first frequency, the first vibrations are substantially isolated from the housing and are applied on the touchscreen to simulate a mechanical button. Further, when the actuator generates second vibrations at a second frequency, the second vibrations are substantially passed through to the housing to create a vibratory alert.

Claims

1. A haptic device comprising:

a housing;

an input interface coupled to said housing through a suspension; and

an actuator coupled to said input interface;

wherein said suspension is adapted so that when said actuator generates first vibrations at a first frequency, said first vibrations are substantially isolated from said housing, and when said actuator generates second vibrations at a second frequency, said second vibrations are substantially passed through to said housing.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said first frequency is greater than said second frequency.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said first frequency is approximately >

200 Hz.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said second frequency is approximately 100 Hz-200 Hz.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said actuator is a Linear Resonant Actuator.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said suspension comprises a foam material.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said foam material comprises PORON®

.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said first vibrations are substantially applied on said input interface in response to contact on said input interface.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said first vibrations simulate a mechanical button.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said second vibrations provide an alert.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said input interface is a touchscreen.

12. A method of operating a device comprising a housing and an input interface, said method comprising:

generating a first vibration at a first frequency by an actuator, wherein said first vibration is substantially isolated from said housing by a suspension coupled to said input interface; and

generating a second vibration at a second frequency by the actuator, wherein said second vibration is substantially passed through to said housing.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first frequency is approximately >

200 Hz.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the second frequency is approximately 100 Hz-200 Hz.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein generating the first vibration is in response to the detection of contact on the input interface.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said first vibration simulates a mechanical button.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein generating the second vibration is in response to a need to provide an alert.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein said input interface is a touchscreen.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein said first vibration is greater than said second vibration.

20. A handheld device comprising:

a housing;

an input interface coupled to said housing;

a suspension coupled to said housing;

an actuator coupled to said input interface; and

a controller coupled to said actuator adapted to generate a first vibration at a first frequency and a second vibration at second frequency;

wherein said suspension is adapted to substantially isolate the first vibration from said housing, and substantially apply the second vibration on said housing.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein said first frequency is approximately >

200 Hz.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein said second frequency is approximately 100 Hz-200 Hz.

23. The device of claim 20, wherein said actuator is a Linear Resonant Actuator.

24. The device of claim 20, wherein said suspension comprises a foam material.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein said foam material comprises PORON®

.

26. The device of claim 20, wherein said first vibration is substantially applied on said input interface in response to contact on said input interface.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein said first vibration simulates a mechanical button.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein said second vibration provides an alert.

29. The device of claim 20, wherein said input interface is a touchscreen.

30. The device of claim 20, wherein said first vibration is greater than said second vibration.

31. A handheld device comprising:

a housing;

an input interface coupled to said housing;

a suspension coupled to said housing;

an actuator coupled to said input interface; and

means for generating a first vibration at a first frequency by said actuator, wherein said first vibration is substantially isolated from said housing; and

means for generating a second vibration at a second frequency by said actuator, wherein said second vibration is substantially passed through to said housing.