Force Sensing Mouse

• US 20140225832A1
• Filed: 02/13/2013
• Published: 08/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Wright, James E., Hendren, Keith J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,304,587 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/015 Force feedback applied to a joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• 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 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface

Abstract

A force sensing input device (such as a force sensing mouse) includes at least one force sensor and at least one top portion movably connected to at least one bottom portion. When a force is applied to the top portion, the top portion exerts pressure on the force sensor. The force sensor obtains force data based upon the pressure. The amount of force applied to the top portion, within a range of force amounts, is determined from at least the force data. In this way, a broader range of inputs may be receivable from the force sensing input device as compared to input devices that merely detect whether or not a button or similar element has been pushed.

Claims

1. A force sensing input device, comprising:

at least one top portion;

at least one bottom portion movably connected to the at least one top portion; and

at least one force sensor;

wherein a force applied to the at least one top portion causes the at least one top portion to exert pressure on the at least one force sensor, the at least one force sensor obtains force data from the pressure, and an amount of the force applied to the at least one top portion within a range of force amounts is determinable from the force data.

2. The force sensing input device of claim 1, wherein the at least one top portion comprises a touch sensitive surface that detects a location where the force is applied.

3. The force sensing input device of claim 2, wherein the touch sensitive surface further comprises a capacitive touch sensitive surface.

4. The force sensing input device of claim 1, wherein the force data is scaled based upon a detected location of where the force is applied.

5. The force sensing input device of claim 1, wherein the at least one force sensor comprises at least one strain gauge and the force data comprises strain data.

6. The force sensing input device of claim 5, wherein the at least one strain gauge comprises at least one cantilever beam.

7. The force sensing input device of claim 1, wherein the at least one force sensor comprises a plurality of force sensors and the amount of the force applied to the at least one top portion is determined based at least on force data from each of the plurality of force sensors.

8. The force sensing input device of claim 7, wherein a location of the force applied to the at least one top portion is determined at least by comparing the force data from each of the plurality of force sensors.

9. The force sensing input device of claim 1, wherein the force sensing input device comprises a mouse.

10. The force sensing input device of claim 1, further comprising at least one feedback device.

11. The force sensing input device of claim 10, wherein the feedback device comprises an audio feedback device.

12. The force sensing input device of claim 10, wherein the feedback device comprises a haptic feedback device.

13. The force sensing input device of claim 12, wherein the haptic feedback device performs at least one of vibrating the at least one top portion, vibrating the at least one bottom portion, causing an object to strike the at least one top portion, or causing the object to strike the at least one bottom portion.

14. The force sensing input device of claim 12, wherein the haptic feedback device provides feedback of varying intensity.

15. The force sensing input device of claim 1, wherein a location of the force applied to the at least one top portion is determined at least based on the force data.

16. The force sensing input device of claim 1, wherein the force sensing input device determines the amount of the force applied to the at least one top portion from the force data.

17. The force sensing input device of claim 1, wherein the force sensing input device transmits the force data to at least one electronic device which determines the amount of the force applied to the at least one top portion from the transmitted force data.

18. The force sensing input device of claim 1, wherein the at least one bottom portion is pivotally connected to the at least one top portion utilizing at least one pivot element.

19. A method for operating a force sensing input device, the method comprising:

providing a force sensing input device, the force sensing input device comprising at least one bottom portion movably connected to the at least one top portion and at least one force sensor;

obtaining force data utilizing the at least one force sensor wherein a force applied to the at least one top portion causes the at least one top portion to exert pressure on the at least one force sensor and the at least one force sensor obtains force data from the pressure; and

determining an amount of the force applied to the at least one top portion within a range of force amounts from the force data.

20. A system for interacting with a force sensing input device, comprising:

an electronic device; and

at least one force sensing input device, communicably connected to the electronic device, comprising;

at least one top portion;

at least one bottom portion movably connected to the at least one top portion; and

at least one force sensor;

wherein a force applied to the at least one top portion causes the at least one top portion to exert pressure on the at least one force sensor, the at least one force sensor obtains force data from the pressure, and an amount of the force applied to the at least one top portion within a range of force amounts is determinable from the force data.