Method And Apparatus For Providing Haptic Effects To A Touch Panel

• US 20110043474A1
• Filed: 11/02/2010
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Olien, Neil T., Anastas, George V.
• Granted Patent: US 8,502,792 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

A touch panel assembly includes a touch-sensitive panel oriented along a plane. An actuator includes a frame having a first portion and a second portion at least partially oriented parallel to the plane. The first portion and the second portion are coupled together with a biasing element. A first magnetic device is coupled to the first portion. A second magnetic device is coupled to the second portion and positioned adjacent to the first magnetic device. The first magnetic device configured to move the first portion in a first direction parallel to the plane when energized by a current to cause a haptic effect to be felt on the touch sensitive panel. The biasing element applies a biasing force which causes the first portion to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Claims

1. A touch panel assembly, comprising:

a touch-sensitive panel oriented along a plane; and

an actuator including;

a frame having a first portion and a second portion at least partially oriented parallel to the plane, wherein the first portion and the second portion are coupled together with a biasing element;

a first magnetic device coupled to the first portion;

a second magnetic device coupled to the second portion and positioned adjacent to the first magnetic device, the first magnetic device configured to move the first portion in a first direction parallel to the plane when energized by a current to cause a haptic effect to be felt on the touch sensitive panel, wherein the biasing element applies a biasing force which causes the first portion to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

2. The touch panel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first biasing element coupling the first portion to the second portion.

3. The touch panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the first biasing element is arranged to provide a biasing force opposing an attractive magnetic force urging the first and second magnetic devices together to cause the haptic effect.

4. The touch panel assembly of claim 2, further comprising a second biasing element, wherein the second biasing element is arranged to provide a biasing force opposing an attractive magnetic force urging the first and second magnetic devices together when the current is applied.

5. The touch panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the first biasing element comprises a spring.

6. The touch panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the first biasing element comprises an elastomeric element.

7. The touch panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the first biasing element comprises a foam material.

8. The touch panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the first and second portions and the first biasing element are all formed from the same material and the first biasing element is thinner than the first and second portions and is configured to flex when perturbed.

9. A method for providing haptic effects in a touch panel assembly, the method comprising:

measuring a touching contact with a touch-sensitive panel, wherein the touch-sensitive panel is oriented along a plane;

generating a first signal in response to the touching contact;

transmitting the first signal to a processor;

generating a haptic output current signal in response to said first signal, wherein the haptic output current signal is transmitted to an actuator having a first portion coupled to the touch-sensitive panel and a second portion arranged to adjacent to the first portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are oriented parallel to the plane, the actuator having a first magnetic device coupled to the first portion and a second magnetic device coupled to the second portion, wherein the haptic output current signal causes the first magnetic device and first portion to move in a first direction parallel to the plane to cause a haptic effect to be felt at the touch-sensitive panel, the actuator including a biasing element coupled to the first and second portions configured to apply a biasing force which causes the first portion to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

10. A method for providing haptic effects in a touch panel assembly, the method comprising:

measuring a touching contact with a touch-sensitive panel;

generating a first signal in response to the touching contact;

transmitting the first signal to a processor;

creating a haptic output current signal in response to said first signal;

carrying said haptic output current signal to an actuator arranged to create relative motion between a first structural element and a second structural element thereof, the first structural element mechanically coupled to the touch-sensitive panel and the second structural element mechanically coupled to a display device; and

causing a haptic effect by actuating the actuator.