CONTROLLING OUTPUT CURRENT FOR ELECTROSENSORY VIBRATION
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- an electrode having a reference internal load impedance and configured to hold an electrical charge;
a voltage source having a reference output impedance and configured to provide an output voltage that supplies the electrical charge to the electrode that has the reference internal load impedance, the output voltage creating an external electrical current from the voltage source to an external load; and
a controller configured to confine the external electrical current below a reference threshold current by controlling the output voltage of the voltage source, the controlling of the output voltage including;
determining an electrical output characteristic of the voltage source; and
adjusting the output voltage based on the determined electrical output characteristic of the voltage source, on the reference output impedance of the voltage source, and on the reference internal load impedance of the electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In electrosensory vibration technology, a potential difference is formed between a touched surface of a device and a body member of a user, creating an attractive force between the two. To meet industry safety standards, the capability of a corresponding voltage source to drive electrical current may be kept low, and the maximum slew rate with such a voltage source would be accordingly limited. However, such a limit on the slew rate may result in softer haptic effects or lower repetition rates of haptic effects, and the ability of such a device to express a wide range of haptic effects may be reduced compared to a device capable of driving the external load with the maximum current allowed by applicable standards. As a technical means to solve this technical problem, it may be helpful to use a powerful voltage source with a controller to control the outgoing current.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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an electrode having a reference internal load impedance and configured to hold an electrical charge; a voltage source having a reference output impedance and configured to provide an output voltage that supplies the electrical charge to the electrode that has the reference internal load impedance, the output voltage creating an external electrical current from the voltage source to an external load; and a controller configured to confine the external electrical current below a reference threshold current by controlling the output voltage of the voltage source, the controlling of the output voltage including; determining an electrical output characteristic of the voltage source; and adjusting the output voltage based on the determined electrical output characteristic of the voltage source, on the reference output impedance of the voltage source, and on the reference internal load impedance of the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus comprising:
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an electrode having a reference internal load impedance and configured to hold an electrical charge; a voltage source configured to provide an output voltage that supplies the electrical charge to the electrode that has the reference internal load impedance, the output voltage creating an external electrical current from the voltage source to an external load; and a controller configured to confine the external electrical current below a reference threshold current by controlling the output voltage of the voltage source, the controlling of the output voltage including; determining a difference between a total electrical current flowing from the voltage source and an internal electrical current flowing from the voltage source to an internal load, the determined difference being equivalent to the external electrical current from the voltage source; and adjusting the output voltage based on the determined difference that is equivalent to the external electrical current from the voltage source. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method comprising:
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determining an electrical output characteristic of a voltage source electrically coupled to an electrode configured to hold an electrical charge; supplying the electrical charge to the electrode by providing the electrode with an output voltage from a voltage source, the output voltage creating an external electrical current from the voltage source to an external load; and confining the electrical current below a reference threshold current by controlling the output voltage of the voltage source, the controlling of the output voltage including; determining an electrical output characteristic of the voltage source; and adjusting the output voltage based on the determined electrical output characteristic of the voltage source and based on a reference internal load impedance of the voltage source.
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Specification