FERROMAGNETIC USER INTERFACES

• US 20100302199A1
• Filed: 05/26/2009
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Hook, Jonathan, Hodges, Stephen E, Taylor, Stuart, Izadi, Shahram, Butler, David Alexander, Villar, Nicolas
• Granted Patent: US 8,400,410 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/046 by electromagnetic means

Abstract

Ferromagnetic user interfaces are described. In embodiments, user interface devices are described that can detect the location of movement on a user-touchable portion by sensing movement of a ferromagnetic material. In some embodiments sensors are arranged in a two dimensional array, and the user interface device can determine the location of the movement in a plane substantially parallel to the two-dimensional array and the acceleration of movement substantially perpendicular to the two-dimensional array. In other embodiments, user interface devices are described that can cause a raised surface region to be formed on a ferrofluid layer of a user-touchable portion, which is detectable by the touch of a user. Embodiments describe how the raised surface region can be moved on the ferrofluid layer. Embodiments also describe how the raised surface region can be caused to vibrate.

Claims

1. A user interface device, comprising:

a plurality of sensors;

a processor;

an interface circuit connected to the sensors and arranged to provide electrical signals from each of the sensors to the processor; and

a user-touchable portion comprising a movable ferromagnetic material positioned relative to the plurality of sensors such that movement of the ferromagnetic material by a user causes a change in the electrical signals from at least one of the sensors,

wherein the processor is arranged to analyze the electrical signals from each of the sensors and determine the location of the movement on the user-touchable portion.

2. A user interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the sensors comprises a sensor coil and a magnetic core.

3. A user interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the sensors comprises a micro-electromechanical sensor or a hall-effect sensor.

4. A user interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensors are arranged in a two-dimensional array.

5. A user interface device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the processor is arranged to determine the location of the movement in a plane substantially parallel to the two-dimensional array and the acceleration of movement substantially perpendicular the two-dimensional array.

6. A user interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable ferromagnetic material comprises a ferromagnetic fluid layer.

7. A user interface device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ferromagnetic fluid layer comprises a magnetorheological fluid.

8. A user interface device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ferromagnetic fluid layer comprises a ferrofluid.

9. A user interface device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ferromagnetic fluid is held within a deformable porous substrate.

10. A user interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable ferromagnetic material comprises at least one of:

one or more ball bearings;

iron filings; and

ferromagnetic bristles.

11. A user interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface circuit comprises a plurality of amplifiers, each connected to one of the plurality of sensors, and at least one analogue to digital converter connected to the plurality of amplifiers.

12. A user interface device, comprising:

a plurality of electrically switchable magnets;

a processor;

an interface circuit connected to the processor and each of the electrically switchable magnets, and arranged to activate one or more of the electrically switchable magnets responsive to a command from the processor; and

a user-touchable portion comprising a ferrofluid layer positioned relative to the electrically switchable magnets such that activation of one or more of the electrically switchable magnets causes a raised surface region on the ferrofluid layer which is detectable by the touch of a user.

13. A user interface device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the processor is arranged to activate the electrically switchable magnets in a sequence so as to move the raised surface region on the ferrofluid layer.

14. A user interface device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the processor is arranged to modulate the activation of the electrically switchable magnets so as to cause the raised surface region on the ferrofluid layer to vibrate.

15. A user interface device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the electrically switchable magnets are arranged in a two-dimensional array.

16. A user interface device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the electrically switchable magnets are electromagnets.

17. A user interface device, comprising a plurality of sensors;

a plurality of electrically switchable magnets;

a processor;

a first interface circuit connected to the sensors and arranged to provide electrical signals from each of the sensors to the processor;

a second interface circuit connected to the processor and each of the plurality of electrically switchable magnets, and arranged to activate one or more of the electrically switchable magnets responsive to a command from the processor; and

a user-touchable portion comprising a ferromagnetic fluid layer,

wherein the plurality of sensors is positioned relative to the ferromagnetic fluid layer such that movement of the ferromagnetic fluid by a user causes a change in the electrical signals from at least one of the sensors, and the plurality of electrically switchable magnets is positioned relative to the ferromagnetic fluid layer such that activation of one or more of the electrically switchable magnets causes a change in the ferromagnetic fluid layer which is detectable by the touch of a user, and

wherein the processor is arranged to analyze the electrical signals from each of the sensors, determine the location of movement on the user-touchable portion, and activate one or more of the electrically switchable magnets responsive thereto.

18. A user interface device as claimed in claim 17, wherein each sensor in the plurality of sensors is mounted on a shared core with a respective electrically switchable magnet from the plurality of electrically switchable magnets.

19. A user interface device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the sensors and the electrically switchable magnets are interleaved in a two-dimensional array.

20. A user interface device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the processor is arranged to estimate and cancel an interfering electrical signal caused in one or more sensors by the activation of one or more of the electrically switchable magnets.