THIN PROFILE USER INTERFACE DEVICE AND METHOD PROVIDING LOCALIZED HAPTIC RESPONSE

• US 20140191973A1
• Filed: 01/07/2013
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kemet Electronics Corporation (Yageo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc.
• Inventors: Zellers, Brian C., Jiang, Li, Ramstein, Christophe, Davis, Stephen, Domingues Dos Santos, M. Fabrice
• Granted Patent: US 10,088,936 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• 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 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/85 characterised by tactile feedback features
• 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 2215/05 electromechanical
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/857 Macromolecular compositions

Abstract

Electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuators are used to create haptic effects on a user interface deface, such as a keyboard. The keys of the keyboard may be embossed in a top layer to provide better key definition and to house the EMP actuator. Specifically, an EMP actuator is housed inside an embossed graphic layer that covers a key of the keyboard. Such a keyboard has a significant user interface value. For example, the embossed key provides the tactile effect of the presence of a key with edges, while allowing for the localized control of haptic vibrations. For such applications, an EMP transducer provides high strains, vibrations or both under control of an electric field. Furthermore, the EMP transducer can generate strong vibrations. When the frequency of the vibrations falls within the acoustic range, the EMP transducer can generate audible sound, thereby functioning as an audio speaker.

Claims

1. A user interface device capable of providing a localized haptic response in communication with a controller, comprising:

a force-sensing layer including one or more force-sensing sensors; and

one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers each aligned to a corresponding one of the force sensing sensor, wherein one or more of the force-sensing sensors detects a force, the controller activates the corresponding ones of EMP transducers to provide the localized haptic response to the force.

2. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the user interface device comprises a keyboard.

3. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the force-sensing sensors comprise a force-sensing resistor material.

4. The user interface device of claim 1, further comprises a covering layer covering the force-sensing layer and the EMP transducers, and wherein the EMP transducers are attached to an underside of the covering layer.

5. The user interface device of claim 4, further comprising a spacer layer provided between the covering layer and the force-sensing layer, wherein the spacer layer has a plurality of cavities each aligned with one of the force-sensing sensors, so as to accommodate the corresponding EMP transducer.

6. The user interface device of claim 5, further comprising a cushion attached to the EMP transducer between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing sensor.

7. The user interface device of claim 6, wherein the cushion is provided annular with a circular cross section, in two or more parallel strips, in four or more cubes, annular with a rectangular cross section.

8. The user interface device of claim 6, wherein the cushion is provided a thickness such that the total thickness of the EMP transducer and the cushion is less than the thickness of the spacer layer.

9. The user interface device of claim 5, wherein between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing layer is provided an air gap.

10. The user interface device of claim 4, wherein the covering layer has a plurality of raised or embossed portions each aligned with one of the force-sensing sensors, so as to accommodate the corresponding EMP transducer.

11. The user interface device of claim 10, further comprising a cushion attached to the EMP transducer between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing sensor.

12. The user interface device of claim 11, wherein the cushion is provided annular with a circular cross section, in two or more parallel strips, in four or more cubes, annular with a rectangular cross section.

13. The user interface device of claim 11, wherein the cushion is provided a thickness such that the total thickness of the EMP transducer and the cushion is less than the thickness of the spacer layer.

14. The user interface device of claim 10, wherein between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing layer is provided an air gap.

15. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the response comprises a mechanical vibration having frequency components within the range of 1-400 Hz.

16. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the response comprises a mechanical vibration that generates an audible sound.

17. The user interface device of the claim 1, further comprises a rigid substrate on which the force-sensing layer is attached.

18. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein each EMP transducer has a response latency of less than 40 milliseconds.

19. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein each EMP transducer has a decay time of less than 40 milliseconds.

20. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein each EMP transducer comprises EMP layers that are each between 0.1 um to 10 um thick.

21. The user interface device of claim 20, wherein each EMP layer is 5 microns thick or less.

22. The user interface device of claim 20, wherein each EMP layer is 3 microns thick or less.

23. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the EMP transducers each comprise a material containing an electrostrictive polymer, which comprises one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of a polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer of vinylidene fluoride.

24. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the EMP transducers each comprise a material containing an electrostrictive polymer, which comprises a polymer selected from a group of polymers consisting of:

P(VDF_x-TrFE_y-CFE_1-x-y) (CFE;

chlorofluoroethylene), P(VDF_x-TrFE_y-CTFE_1-x-y) (CTFE;

chlorotrifluoroethylene), Poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-vinylidede chloride) (P(VDF-TrFE-VC)), poly(vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TFE-CTFE)), poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene), poly(vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene), poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-tetrafluoroethylene), poly(vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-tetrafluoroethylene), poly(vinylidene fluoride-tri fluoroethylene-vinyl fluoride), poly(vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-vinyl fluoride), poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether)), poly(vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoro (methyl vinyl ether)), poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-bromotrifluoroethylene, polyvinylidene), poly(vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene), poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-vinylidene chloride), and poly(vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene vinylidene chloride), where x has a value in the range between 0.5 and 0.75, y has a value in the range between 0.45 and 0.2.

25. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the EMP transducers each comprise a material containing an electrostrictive polymer, which comprises a P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) or P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) terpolymer.

26. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the EMP transducers each comprise a material containing an electrostrictive polymer, which comprises a high energy electron irradiated P(VDF-TrFE).

27. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the EMP transducers each comprise a material containing an electrostrictive polymer, which comprises a blend of electrostrictive polymers with PVDF and PVDF copolymers.

28. The user interface device of claim 27, wherein the blend includes one or more of P(VDF-CTFE), P(VDF-HFP), P(VDF-CFE), P(VDF-TrFE), and P(VDF-TFE) polymers.

29. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the force-sensing sensors include an EMP transducer.

91. A keyboard having a substrate with a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides of the substrate, the keyboard incorporating the portable computing device of claim 1 into the substrate at each of the first and second surfaces.

30. A method in a user interface device capable of providing a localized haptic response and which is in communication with a controller, the method comprising:

including in a force-sensing layer one or more force-sensing sensors; and

aligning one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers each to a corresponding one of the force sensing sensor; and

upon the one or more of the force-sensing sensors detecting a force, activating the corresponding ones of EMP transducers to provide the localized haptic response to the force.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the user interface device comprises a keyboard.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the force-sensing sensors comprise a force-sensing resistor material.

33. The method of claim 30, further comprises providing a covering layer over the force-sensing layer and the EMP transducers, and wherein the EMP transducers are attached to an underside of the covering layer.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising providing a spacer layer between the covering layer and the force-sensing layer, wherein the spacer layer has a plurality of cavities each aligned with one of the force-sensing sensors, so as to accommodate the corresponding EMP transducer.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising attaching a cushion to the EMP transducer between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing sensor.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the cushion is provided annular with a circular cross section, in two or more parallel strips, in four or more cubes, annular with a rectangular cross section.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the cushion is provided a thickness such that the total thickness of the EMP transducer and the cushion is less than the thickness of the spacer layer.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing layer is provided an air gap.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the covering layer has a plurality of raised portions each aligned with one of the force-sensing sensors, so as to accommodate the corresponding EMP transducer.

40. The method of claim 32, further comprising attaching a cushion to the EMP transducer between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing sensor.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the cushion is provided annular with a circular cross section, in two or more parallel strips, in four or more cubes, annular with a rectangular cross section.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the cushion is provided a thickness such that the total thickness of the EMP transducer and the cushion is less than the thickness of the spacer layer.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing layer is provided an air gap.

44. The method of claim 30, wherein the response comprises a mechanical vibration having frequency components within the range of 1-400 Hz.

45. The method of claim 30, wherein the response comprises a mechanical vibration that generates an audible sound.

46. The method of the claim 30, further comprises attaching a rigid substrate to the force-sensing layer.

47. The method of claim 30, wherein each EMP transducer has a response latency of less than 40 milliseconds.

48. The method of claim 30, wherein each EMP transducer has a decay time of less than 40 milliseconds.

49. The method of claim 30, wherein each EMP transducer comprises EMP layers that are each between 0.1 um to 10 um thick.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein each EMP layer is 5 microns thick or less.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein each EMP layer is 3 microns thick or less.

52. The method of claim 30, wherein the EMP transducers each comprise a material containing an electrostrictive polymer, which comprises one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of a polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer of vinylidene fluoride.

53. The method of claim 30, wherein the EMP transducers each comprise a material containing an electrostrictive polymer, which comprises a polymer selected from a group of polymers consisting of:

P(VDF_x-TrFE_y-CFE_1-x-y) (CFE;

chlorofluoroethylene), P(VDF_x-TrFE_y-CTFE_1-x-y) (CTFE;

chlorotrifluoroethylene), Poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-vinylidede chloride) (P(VDF-TrFE-VC)), poly(vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TFE-CTFE)), poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene), poly(vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene), poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-tetrafluoroethylene), poly(vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-tetrafluoroethylene), poly(vinylidene fluoride-tri fluoroethylene-vinyl fluoride), poly(vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-vinyl fluoride), poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether)), poly(vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoro (methyl vinyl ether)), poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-bromotrifluoroethylene, polyvinylidene), poly(vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene), poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-vinylidene chloride), and poly(vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene vinylidene chloride), where x has a value in the range between 0.5 and 0.75, y has a value in the range between 0.45 and 0.2.

54. The method of claim 30, wherein the EMP transducers each comprise a material containing an electrostrictive polymer, which comprises a P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) or P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) terpolymer.

55. The method of claim 30, wherein the EMP transducers each comprise a material containing an electrostrictive polymer, which comprises a high energy electron irradiated P(VDF-TrFE).

56. The method of claim 30, wherein the EMP transducers each comprise a material containing an electrostrictive polymer, which comprises a blend of electrostrictive polymers with PVDF and PVDF copolymers.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the blend includes one or more of P(VDF-CTFE), P(VDF-HFP), P(VDF-CFE), P(VDF-TrFE), and P(VDF-TFE) polymers.

58. The method of claim 30, wherein the force-sensing sensors include an EMP transducer.

92. In a keyboard having a substrate with a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides of the substrate, a method comprising performing the steps of claim 30 at each of the first and second surfaces of the substrate.

59. A portable computing device comprising:

a tablet computer;

a protective covering provided to cover one side of the tablet computer having a first configuration in which the protective covering is flat against that side of the tablet computer and a second configuration in which the protective covering is folded to serve as a stand for propping up the tablet computer; and

a keyboard having two sides provided to cover the other side of the tablet computer, the keyboard having (i) a first configuration wherein, when the tablet computer is propped by the protective covering serving as the stand, one side of the keyboard is opened up for data input, and (ii) a second configuration wherein the keyboard rests flat against that other side of the tablet computer and avails the other side of the keyboard for data input, wherein each side of the keyboard comprises;

a force-sensing layer including one or more force-sensing sensors; and

one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers each aligned to a corresponding one of the force sensing sensor, wherein one or more of the force-sensing sensors detects a force, the controller activates the corresponding ones of EMP transducers to provide the localized haptic response to the force.

60. The portable computing device of claim 59, wherein the force-sensing sensors comprise a force-sensing resistor material.

61. The portable computing device of claim 59, further comprises a covering layer covering the force-sensing layer and the EMP transducers, and wherein the EMP transducers are attached to an underside of the covering layer.

62. The portable computing device of claim 61, further comprising a spacer layer provided between the covering layer and the force-sensing layer, wherein the spacer layer has a plurality of cavities each aligned with one of the force-sensing sensors, so as to accommodate the corresponding EMP transducer.

63. The portable computing device of claim 62, further comprising a cushion attached to the EMP transducer between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing sensor.

64. The portable computing device of claim 63, wherein the cushion is provided annular with a circular cross section, in two or more parallel strips, in four or more cubes, annular with a rectangular cross section.

65. The portable computing device of claim 63, wherein the cushion is provided a thickness such that the total thickness of the EMP transducer and the cushion is less than the thickness of the spacer layer.

66. The portable computing device of claim 62, wherein between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing layer is provided an air gap.

67. The portable computing device of claim 61, wherein the covering layer has a plurality of raised or embossed portions each aligned with one of the force-sensing sensors, so as to accommodate the corresponding EMP transducer.

68. The portable computing device of claim 67, further comprising a cushion attached to the EMP transducer between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing sensor.

69. The portable computing device of claim 68, wherein the cushion is provided annular with a circular cross section, in two or more parallel strips, in four or more cubes, annular with a rectangular cross section.

70. The portable computing device of claim 68, wherein the cushion is provided a thickness such that the total thickness of the EMP transducer and the cushion is less than the thickness of the spacer layer.

71. The portable computing device of claim 67, wherein between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing layer is provided an air gap.

72. The portable computing device of claim 61, wherein the response comprises a mechanical vibration having frequency components within the range of 1-400 Hz.

73. The portable computing device of claim 61, wherein the response comprises a mechanical vibration that generates an audible sound.

74. The portable computing device of claim 59, wherein the force-sensing sensors include an EMP transducer.

75. A keyboard, comprising a substrate having a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides of the substrate wherein, embedded at each of said first and second surfaces:

a force-sensing layer including one or more force-sensing sensors; and

one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers each aligned to a corresponding one of the force sensing sensor, wherein one or more of the force-sensing sensors detects a force, the controller activates the corresponding ones of EMP transducers to provide the localized haptic response to the force.

76. The keyboard of claim 75, wherein the force-sensing sensors comprise a force-sensing resistor material.

77. The keyboard of claim 75, further comprises a covering layer covering the force-sensing layer and the EMP transducers, and wherein the EMP transducers are attached to an underside of the covering layer.

78. The keyboard of claim 75, further comprising a spacer layer provided between the covering layer and the force-sensing layer, wherein the spacer layer has a plurality of cavities each aligned with one of the force-sensing sensors, so as to accommodate the corresponding EMP transducer.

79. The keyboard of claim 75, further comprising a cushion attached to the EMP transducer between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing sensor.

80. The keyboard of claim 79, wherein the cushion is provided annular with a circular cross section, in two or more parallel strips, in four or more cubes, annular with a rectangular cross section.

81. The keyboard of claim 79, wherein the cushion is provided a thickness such that the total thickness of the EMP transducer and the cushion is less than the thickness of the spacer layer.

82. The keyboard of claim 78, wherein between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing layer is provided an air gap.

83. The keyboard of claim 75, wherein the covering layer has a plurality of raised or embossed portions each aligned with one of the force-sensing sensors, so as to accommodate the corresponding EMP transducer.

84. The keyboard of claim 83, further comprising a cushion attached to the EMP transducer between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing sensor.

85. The keyboard of claim 81, wherein the cushion is provided annular with a circular cross section, in two or more parallel strips, in four or more cubes, annular with a rectangular cross section.

86. The keyboard of claim 84, wherein the cushion is provided a thickness such that the total thickness of the EMP transducer and the cushion is less than the thickness of the spacer layer.

87. The keyboard of claim 83, wherein between the EMP transducer and the force-sensing layer is provided an air gap.

88. The keyboard of claim 75, wherein the response comprises a mechanical vibration having frequency components within the range of 1-400 Hz.

89. The keyboard of claim 75, wherein the response comprises a mechanical vibration that generates an audible sound.

90. The keyboard of claim 75, wherein the force-sensing sensors include an EMP transducer.