Controlling Haptic Sensations For Vibrotactile Feedback Interface Devices

• US 20090278819A1
• Filed: 11/03/2008
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Goldenberg, Alex S., Alarcon, Ramon
• Granted Patent: US 9,492,847 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/184
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0276 with simultaneous generation, e.g. with modulation, harmonics
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/013 Force feedback applied to a game
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

An apparatus comprises an actuator that includes an eccentric mass that is coupled to a rotatable shaft of the actuator which defines an axis of rotation. A circuit is coupled to the actuator, the circuit is configured to produce a control signal such that, when the control signal is received by the actuator. The actuator is configured to produce a force effect having a magnitude and a frequency by rotating the mass about the axis of rotation in a first direction. The magnitude of the vibration is based on a duty cycle of the control signal and independent of the frequency. An obstacle member is coupled to the actuator and includes a compliance portion configured to increase energy in the movement of the mass in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the mass comes into contact with the obstacle member.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a housing manipulatable by a user;

an actuator coupled to the housing and including an eccentric mass coupled to a rotatable shaft of the actuator defining an axis of rotation; and

a circuit coupled to the actuator, the circuit configured to produce a control signal such that, when the control signal is received by the actuator, the actuator produces a force effect having a magnitude and a frequency by rotating the mass about the axis of rotation in a first direction, the magnitude of the vibration being based on a duty cycle of the control signal and being independent of the frequency;

an obstacle member coupled to the actuator, wherein the obstacle member is a spring member including a compliance portion configured to increase energy in the movement of the mass in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the mass comes into contact with the obstacle member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit includes a local microprocessor configured to receive from a host microprocessor information associated with an application, the control signal being produced based on the information associated with the application, the local microprocessor configured to output the control signal to the actuator.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor configured to determine a position of the housing in one or more degrees of freedom when the housing is manipulated by the user.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a video game controller wherein the circuit is configured to receive information from a host microprocessor, the control signal being produced based on the information, the local microprocessor configured to determine when the force effect is to be output based on an event occurring within a graphical environment associated with the host microprocessor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a gamepad controller having a joystick having two degrees of freedom, the gamepad controller configured to provide input to a host computer in response to a user manipulation, and the circuit is configured to receive information from the host microprocessor, the control signal being produced based on the information, the local microprocessor configured to determine when the force effect is to be output based on the event occurring within a graphical environment associated with the host microprocessor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is included within a plurality of actuators, each actuator from the plurality of actuators being configured to rotate a mass uniquely associated with that actuator to collectively produce the force.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to receive power over an interface bus connecting the circuit to a host microprocessor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the obstacle member defines a end portion of a range of motion of the mass, wherein the mass moves in the second direction after the mass impacts the obstacle member, the force effect being based on the control signal and at least in part by the mass impacting the obstacle member.

9. An apparatus, comprising:

an actuator including an eccentric mass coupled to a rotatable shaft of the actuator defining an axis of rotation; and

a circuit coupled to the actuator, the circuit configured to produce a control signal such that, when the control signal is received by the actuator, the actuator produces a force effect having a magnitude and a frequency by rotating the mass about the axis of rotation in a first direction, the magnitude of the vibration being based on a duty cycle of the control signal and being independent of the frequency;

an obstacle member coupled to the actuator, wherein the obstacle member includes a compliance portion configured to increase energy in the movement of the mass in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the mass comes into contact with the obstacle member.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the circuit includes a local microprocessor configured to receive from a host microprocessor information associated with an application, the control signal being produced based on the information associated with the application, the local microprocessor configured to output the control signal to the actuator.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a housing configured to hold the actuator therein; and

a sensor configured to determine a position of the housing in one or more degrees of freedom when the housing is manipulated by the user.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the housing includes a video game controller wherein the circuit is configured to receive information from a host microprocessor, the control signal being produced based on the information, the local microprocessor configured to determine when the force effect is to be output based on an event occurring within a graphical environment associated with the host microprocessor.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the housing includes a gamepad controller having a joystick having two degrees of freedom, the gamepad controller configured to provide input to a host computer in response to a user manipulation, and the circuit is configured to receive information from the host microprocessor, the control signal being produced based on the information, the local microprocessor configured to determine when the force effect is to be output based on the event occurring within a graphical environment associated with the host microprocessor.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the actuator is included within a plurality of actuators, each actuator from the plurality of actuators being configured to rotate a mass uniquely associated with that actuator to collectively produce the force.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the actuator is configured to receive power over an interface bus connecting the circuit to a host microprocessor.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the obstacle member defines a end portion of a range of motion of the mass, wherein the mass moves in the second direction after the mass impacts the obstacle member, the force effect being based on the control signal and at least in part by the mass impacting the obstacle member.

17. A method, comprising:

selecting an actuator including an eccentric mass coupled to a rotatable shaft of the actuator defining an axis of rotation; and

producing a control signal from a circuit to the actuator,

producing a force effect having a magnitude and a frequency by rotating the mass about the axis of rotation in a first direction, the magnitude of the vibration being based on a duty cycle of the control signal and being independent of the frequency; and

selecting an obstacle member configured to be contacted with the mass when the mass is rotated, the obstacle member including a compliance portion configured to increase energy in the movement of the mass in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the mass comes into contact with the obstacle member.