Apparatus and method for providing detent-like tactile feedback

• US 5,914,705 A
• Filed: 02/09/1996
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Johnson, Bertrand Harold, Knoedl, George Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brier, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, DAVID LEE
• Application Number:
  US08/600,645
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/163, 345/164, 345/167, 345/168, 345/173, 340/407.1, 340/407.2
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction

Abstract

An apparatus for providing detent-like tactile feedback to a user, comprising a shell, a rolling member rotatably provided within the shell, a motion sensing mechanism for determining displacement of the rolling member when the rolling member is rotated, at least one actuator situated within the shell and at least one brake member provided with respect to the at least one actuator, the at least one actuator retracting and extending the at least one brake member to selectively influence the rotation of the rolling member based on feedback from the embodying system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing detent-like tactile feedback to a user, comprising:

a shell;

a rolling member rotatably confined within the shell, the rolling member being capable of engaging a plurality of movable friction producing contact points;

a motion sensing mechanism for determining an amount of displacement of the rolling member when the rolling member is rotated;

at least one actuator provided in relation to said shell; and

at least one brake member having a longitudinal axis and operatively associated with each of the plurality of movable friction producing contact points, the at least one brake member provided with respect to the at least one actuator, the at least one actuator extending and retracting the at least one brake member along the longitudinal axis of the at least one brake member to move the plurality of movable friction producing contact points along the longitudinal axis of the at least one brake member to selectively prevent the rolling member from rotating within the shell, based on the amount of displacement of the rolling member.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one spring member for providing a restoring force, the at least one spring member having a first end connected to the at least one actuator and a second end connected to the at least one brake member.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least one actuator is connected directly to the at least one brake member.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said motion sensing mechanism includes drive electronics for selectively activating the at least one actuator to retract and extend the at least one brake member.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the drive electronics selectively activate the at least one actuator based on the amount of displacement of the rolling member.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one brake force loading spring provided between the at least one actuator and the shell for pushing against said shell and urging the brake member toward the rolling member.

7. A method for providing tactile feedback to a user, comprising the steps of:

rotatably displacing a rolling member within a shell, the rolling member being capable of engaging a plurality of movable friction producing contact points;

determining the displacement of the rolling member when the rolling member is rotatably displaced; and

retracting and extending at least one brake member operatively associated with each of the plurality of movable friction producing contact points along a longitudinal axis of the at least one brake member to move the plurality of movable friction producing contact points along the longitudinal axis of the at least one brake member to selectively influence the rotation of the rolling member based on the displacement of the rolling member.