Device and assembly for providing linear tactile sensations
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a housing;
a sensor coupled to the housing, the sensor configured to detect a user manipulation of at least a portion of the housing and output sensor signals associated with the user manipulation of the portion of the housing;
an actuator coupled to the housing, the actuator configured to output a force associated with the sensor signals;
a first flex joint coupling a rotating shaft of the actuator to the housing and;
a second flex joint being coupled to a portion of the actuator excluding the rotating shaft, the first flex joint and the second flex joint configured to transfer the force output from the actuator to the housing to produce a haptic feedback.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A haptic feedback interface device and actuator assembly providing inertial tactile sensations. An interface device includes a housing that is physically contacted by a user, a sensor device detecting said manipulation of the interface device by the user, and an actuator assembly of the present invention. The assembly includes an actuator operative to output a force and a mechanism coupling the actuator to the device housing. The mechanism allows the actuator to be moved and act as an inertial mass when in motion to provide an inertial force that is transmitted to the user. The mechanism includes at least two separated portions, each of the portions coupled to a different portion of the actuator. The mechanism is preferably a flexure having at least two flex joints.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a housing; a sensor coupled to the housing, the sensor configured to detect a user manipulation of at least a portion of the housing and output sensor signals associated with the user manipulation of the portion of the housing; an actuator coupled to the housing, the actuator configured to output a force associated with the sensor signals; a first flex joint coupling a rotating shaft of the actuator to the housing and; a second flex joint being coupled to a portion of the actuator excluding the rotating shaft, the first flex joint and the second flex joint configured to transfer the force output from the actuator to the housing to produce a haptic feedback. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus, comprising:
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a housing; a sensor coupled to the housing, the sensor configured to detect a user manipulation of at least a portion of the housing and output sensor signals associated with the user manipulation of the portion of the housing; and an actuator assembly coupled to the housing, the actuator assembly including an actuator, a first flex joint and a second flex joint each being coupled to the actuator, the actuator being configured to output an inertial force to the housing, wherein the inertial force is a rotary force, the first flex joint being coupled to a rotating shaft of the actuator, the second flex joint being coupled to a remaining portion of the actuator, the first flex joint and the second flex joint being configured to allow a movement of the actuator with respect to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. An actuator assembly comprising:
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an actuator, the actuator being configured to output haptic feedback; and a flexure mechanism configured to couple the actuator to a housing, the flexure mechanism being configured to allow a movement of the actuator with respect to the housing, the flexure mechanism having a first portion and a second portion each being coupled to the actuator and including at least one flex joint, the first portion of the flexure mechanism being coupled to a rotating shaft of the actuator and the second portion of the flexure mechanism being coupled to the remaining portion of the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus, comprising:
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a housing; a sensor coupled to the housing, the sensor configured to detect a manipulation of at least a portion of the housing and output sensor signals associated with the manipulation of the portion of the housing; an actuator coupled to the housing, the actuator configured to output a force associated with the sensor signals; and a first flex joint and a second flex joint each being coupled to the housing and the actuator, the first flex joint being coupled to a rotating shaft of the actuator and the second flex joint being coupled to a portion of the actuator excluding the rotating shaft, the first flex joint and the second flex joint configured to transfer the force output from the actuator to the housing to produce a haptic feedback. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An apparatus, comprising:
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a housing; a sensor coupled to the housing, the sensor configured to detect a manipulation of at least a portion of the housing and output sensor signals associated with the manipulation of the portion of the housing; and an actuator assembly disposed within the housing, the actuator assembly including an actuator, a first flex joint and a second flex joint each being coupled to the actuator, the actuator being configured to output an inertial force to the housing, the first flex joint and the second flex joint being configured to allow a movement of the actuator with respect to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification