HAPTIC FEEDBACK DEVICE

• US 20120319827A1
• Filed: 06/17/2011
• Published: 12/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Pance, Aleksandar, Mayo, Sean A., Webb, Nicholas U.
• Granted Patent: US 9,710,061 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/407.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/96 Touch switches specially adapted for electronic time-pieces with no moving parts G04G21/08
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96062 with tactile or haptic feedback

Abstract

A haptic feedback device configured to provide tactile or haptic feedback for an electronic device. The haptic device includes a platform operably secured to the electronic device to allow rotation about a center axis. An activating member is operably associated with the platform and configured to selectively cause the platform to rotate in a first direction. Also, the haptic feedback device includes a restoring member operably associated with the platform and configured to selectively return the platform to a first position after it has rotated for at least one of a select period of time or a select distance.

Claims

1. A haptic feedback device for an electronic device, comprising:

a platform operably connected to the electronic device and secured to allow rotation about a center axis;

an activating member operably associated with the platform and configured to selectively cause the platform to rotate in a first direction; and

a restoring member operably associated with the platform and configured to selectively return the platform to a first position.

2. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the activating member comprises:

a first magnetic member configured to be selectively magnetized; and

a second magnetic member operably connected to the platform and in communication with the first magnetic member.

3. The haptic feedback device of claim 2, wherein the first magnetic member is an electromagnet.

4. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the restoring member is a spring operably connected to the platform and the electronic device.

5. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the restoring member is a gel substantially surrounding a portion of a perimeter of the platform .

6. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the activating member comprises an electoractivated polymer material operably connected to the platform and the electronic device.

7. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the platform is configured to rotate in a first direction in response to a user touching the platform.

8. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor operably connected to the platform and configured to determine when a user selects the button.

9. An electronic device comprising:

an enclosure;

a processor operably connected to the enclosure; and

a haptic device operably connected to the enclosure so that at least a portion of the haptic device is accessible through the enclosure and comprising;

a platform operably connected to the enclosure;

an activating member in communication with the processor and operably associated with the platform; and

a restoring member operably associated with the platform;

wherein the activating member is configured to rotate the platform about a center axis.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, further comprising a sensor in communication with the processor and configured to determine when a user selects the platform.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the sensor is operably connected to a top surface of the platform.

12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the activating member comprises:

an electromagnet operably connected to the enclosure and in communication with the processor; and

a magnetic member operably connected to the platform and in communication with the electromagnet, wherein when the electromagnet is in a first state the platform rotates in a first direction and when the electromagnet is in a second state the platform rotates in a second direction.

13. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the activating member comprises a first electroactive polymer operably connected to the platform and to the enclosure and in communication with the processor and when the first electroactive polymer is activated the platform rotates in a first direction.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, further comprises a second electroactive polymer operably connected to the platform and to the enclosure and when the second electroactive polymer is activated the platform rotates in the first direction.

15. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the restoring member is a spring operably connected to the platform and the enclosure.

16. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the restoring member is a gel operably connected to the enclosure and operably associated with a portion of the platform.

17. A method for providing tactile feedback comprising:

detecting, via a sensor, a user input;

rotating a device about a center axis in response to the user input; and

restoring the device to an original position after one of a select time or a select rotation distance.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of rotating the device comprises activating an electromagnet in communication with the device.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of rotating the device comprises activating an electroactive polymer.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the device is a platform.