HAPTIC FEEDBACK FOR TOUCHPADS AND OTHER TOUCH CONTROLS

• US 20140002386A1
• Filed: 01/22/2013
• Published: 01/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: ROSENBERG, Louis B., RIEGEL, James R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,280,205 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/426 involving on-screen location information, e.g. screen coordinates of an area at which the player is aiming with a light gun
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/10 characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• 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 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 : the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1692 : the I/O peripheral being a secondary touch screen used as control interface, e.g. virtual buttons or sliders
• 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 2203/015 : Force feedback applied to a joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 : Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 : with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 : Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 : Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 : Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 : with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 : Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 : Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04855 : Interaction with scrollbars
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 : with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/052 : piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 : in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

A haptic feedback planar touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor of the computer based on a location of user contact on the touch surface. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user contacting the touch surface. The touch input device can be a touchpad separate from the computer'"'"'s display screen, or can be a touch screen. Output haptic sensations on the touch input device can include pulses, vibrations, and spatial textures. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.

Claims

1. A haptic feedback device, comprising:

a touch screen configured to display a graphical environment and to output a first signal associated with a selection of a graphical object of the graphical environment, wherein the touch screen comprises a first region in which the graphical object is displayed and a second region configured to provide a second signal different from the first signal and associated with a control functionality different from the selected graphical object, and wherein the first and second regions are associated with different haptic effects; and

at least a first actuator configured to impart a first force to thereby provide a haptic effect in response to the selection of the graphical object or the control functionality, the first force based on information output by a computer device.

2. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the computer device comprises a portable computer.

3. The haptic feedback device of claim 2, wherein the portable computer comprises a PDA, a pager or a cellular phone.

4. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the selected graphical object is associated with a button.

5. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the touch screen is operative to receive a selection of the graphical object from a user'"'"'s finger.

6. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the touch screen is operative to receive a selection of the graphical object from a physical object held by the user.

7. The haptic feedback device of claim 6, wherein the physical object is a stylus.

8. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the touch screen is integrated in a housing of a handheld device that is capable of operation by at least one hand of the user.

9. The haptic feedback device of claim 8, wherein the handheld device is a remote control device for controlling one or more functions of an electronic device or appliance.

10. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is a piezo-electric actuator.

11. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is a voice coil actuator.

12. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the first actuator includes a solenoid.

13. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the first actuator outputs a continuous vibration or a pulse tactile sensation on the touch screen.

14. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the second signal is used in conjunction with a button press.

15. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the second signal is associated with:

a running of a program, an opening or closing of a window, a navigation of a web browser, a powering on or off of a computer, an initiation of a sleep mode in a computer, an electronic mail function, a gaming function, or a word processing function.

16. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the first region is demarcated from the second region by:

a visual demarcation, an audible demarcation, or a tactile demarcation.

17. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the selection of the graphical object is sensed by a first sensor associated with the first region and an input at the second region is sensed by a second sensor different from the first sensor.

18. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the selection of the graphical object and an input at the second region is sensed by the same sensor.

29. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the touch screen is a flat-panel display that includes a transparent sensor film overlaid on the display.

30. The haptic feedback device of claim 29, wherein the touch screen comprises a microprocessor that outputs the first signal.

31. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein the touch screen comprises a microprocessor that outputs the first signal.

19. A method, comprising:

outputting, by a touch screen operative to display a graphical environment, a first signal associated with a selection of a graphical object of the graphical environment, wherein the touch screen comprises a first region in which the graphical object is displayed and a second region configured to provide a second signal different from the first signal and associated with a control functionality different from the selected graphical object, and wherein the first and second regions are associated with different haptic effects; and

imparting, by at least a first actuator, a first force to thereby provide a haptic effect in response to the selection of the graphical object or the control functionality different, the first force based on information output by a computer device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second signal is used in a rate control function of a value.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the second signal is used in conjunction with a button press.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the second signal is associated with:

a running of a program, an opening or closing of a window, a navigation of a web browser, a powering on or off of a computer, an initiation of a sleep mode in a computer, an electronic mail function, a gaming function, or a word processing function.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the first region is demarcated from the second region by:

a visual demarcation, an audible demarcation, or a tactile demarcation.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the selected graphical object is associated with a button.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

sensing, by a first sensor associated with the first region, the selection of the graphical object; and

sensing, by a second sensor different from the first sensor, an input at the second region.

26. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

sensing, by a sensor associated with the first region, the selection of the graphical object; and

sensing, by the sensor, an input at the second region.

32. The haptic feedback device of claim 19, wherein the touch screen is a flat-panel display that includes a transparent sensor film overlaid on the display.

33. The haptic feedback device of claim 32, wherein the touch screen comprises a microprocessor that outputs the first signal.

34. The haptic feedback device of claim 19, wherein the touch screen comprises a microprocessor that outputs the first signal.

27-28. -28. (canceled)

35. A haptic feedback device, comprising:

a touch screen operative to output a first signal comprising coordinates of a contacted location on the touch screen, wherein the touch screen includes a first region associated with a cursor positioning, and at least one other non-overlapping control region not related to cursor positioning;

a computer configured to receive the first signal; and

at least one actuator coupled to the touch screen and configured to impart a force to the touch screen to thereby provide a haptic effect in response to said contact, the force being based on a second signal output by the computer,

wherein the first region is associated with a first haptic effect different from a second haptic effect associated with the at least one other non-overlapping control region.

36. The haptic feedback device of claim 35, wherein the first haptic effect is a pulse of a first magnitude and the second haptic effect is a pulse of a different magnitude.

37. The haptic feedback device of claim 35, wherein the first haptic effect is a vibration of a first frequency and the second haptic effect is a vibration of a different frequency.

38. The haptic feedback device of claim 35, wherein the first haptic effect is a vibration of one magnitude and the second haptic effect is a vibration of a different magnitude.

39. The haptic feedback device of claim 35, wherein the first haptic effect is a vibration of a constant amplitude and the second haptic effect is a vibration of a varying amplitude.

40. The haptic feedback device of claim 35, wherein the touch screen is a flat-panel display that includes a transparent sensor film overlaid on the display.

41. The haptic feedback device of claim 35, wherein the touch screen comprises a microprocessor that outputs the first signal.

42. A haptic feedback device comprising:

a touch screen configured to display one or more graphical items, at least one of which has an active state; and

an actuator configured to impart to the haptic feedback device a haptic force associated with a displayed graphical item that is in an active state and a second haptic force associated with a displayed graphical item that is in an inactive state.

43. The haptic feedback device of claim 42, wherein the haptic feedback device comprises a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or a handheld device.

44. The haptic feedback device of claim 43, wherein the handheld device comprises a computer game controller, a cell phone, a PDA or a multi-media remote controller.

45. The haptic feedback device of claim 42, wherein the touch screen comprises a microprocessor that outputs coordinates of a contacted location on the touch screen.

46. The haptic feedback device of claim 42, wherein the touch screen is a flat-panel display that includes a transparent sensor film overlaid on the display.

47. The haptic feedback device of claim 46, wherein the touch screen comprises a microprocessor that outputs coordinates of a contacted location on the touch screen.