Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback with position sensing

• US 7,198,137 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2004
• Issued: 04/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Olien, Neil T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Thomas
• Application Number:
  US10/902,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20060021828A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 188/267, 188/267.1, 188/267.2, 188/156, 188/158, 188/159, 188/160, 188/161, 188/163, 188/164, 188/166, 188/171, 345/156, 345/161, 345/163, 345/167, 345/184, 345/165, 715/701, 715/702
• US Class Current: 188/1.11E
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback with position sensing are described. In one described system, a first and second brake surfaces are configured to contact each other. An actuator may be configured to exert a force on at least one of the first and second brake surfaces in order to produce a haptic effect. The actuator comprises an actuator surface. The actuator surface defines a cavity configured to receive a sensing device. The first brake surface may comprise a coding from which the sensing device can sense relative movement of the first brake surface with respect to the sensing device. The described system may comprise a processor in communication with the actuator and the sensing device to control the actuator in providing the haptic effects.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a first brake surface;

a second brake surface configured to contact the first brake surface; and

an actuator comprising;

an electromagnetic coil having a generally annular shape having an outer periphery with a flattened portion; and

an actuator surface defining a cavity, the cavity configured to receive a sensing device, and

the flattened portion positioned adjacent to the sensing device and where the actuator is configured to exert a force on at least one of the first and second brake surfaces to produce a haptic effect.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the force is directed normal to at least one of the first or second brake surfaces, and wherein the actuator is configured to produce the haptic effect by at least one of increasing or decreasing the resistance to movement between the first and second brake surfaces.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to produce the haptic effect by at least one of forcing the first and second brake surfaces into contact with each other or forcing the first and second brake surfaces apart.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to be in communication with the sensing device and the actuator.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first brake surface comprises a coding.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the first brake surface further comprises a contacting surface adjacent the coding, the contacting surface configured to contact the second brake surface and the coding configured to not contact the second brake surface.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the sensing device is configured to sense the coding.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the coding comprises information from which the sensing device is capable of sensing the relative movement of the first brake surface with respect to the sensing device.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensing device adjacent to the flattened portion is located outside the circumference of the electromagnetic coil.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a magnetic core.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a housing.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the first brake surface comprises a magnetic material.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the housing comprises an electronic device housing.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic coil is configured to surround the sensing device.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic coil is configured to skirt the sensing device.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the electronic device housing comprises at least one of a mobile telephone housing, a personal data assistant housing, or a remote control housing.

17. The device of claim 1, further comprising a manipulandum in communication with at least one of the first brake surface and the second brake surface.

18. A method comprising:

providing a first brake surface;

providing a second brake surface configured to contact the first brake surface; and

providing an actuator comprising;

an electromagnetic coil having a generally annular shape having an outer periphery with a flattened portion; and

an actuator surface defining a cavity, the cavity configured to receive a sensing device, and

the flattened portion positioned adjacent to the sensing device and where the actuator is configured to exert a force on at least one of the first and second brake surfaces to produce a haptic effect.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the sensing device adjacent to the flattened portion is located outside the circumference of the electromagnetic coil.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a housing.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the housing comprises an electronic device housing.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the electronic device housing comprises at least one of a mobile telephone housing, a personal data assistant housing, and a remote control housing.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the force is directed normal to at least one of the first or second brake surfaces, and wherein the actuator is configured to produce the haptic effect by at least one of increasing or decreasing the resistance to movement between the first and second brake surfaces.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the actuator is configured to produce the haptic effect by at least one of forcing the first and second brake surfaces into contact with each other or forcing the first and second brake surfaces apart.

25. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a processor configured to be in communication with the sensing device and the actuator.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the first brake surface comprises a coding.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first brake surface further comprises a contacting surface adjacent the coding, the contacting surface configured to contact the second brake surface and the coding configured to not contact the second brake surface.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the sensing device is configured to sense the coding.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the coding comprises information from which the sensing device is capable of sensing the relative movement of the first brake surface with respect to the sensing device.

30. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a manipulandum in communication with at least one of the first brake surface and the second brake surface.

31. The method of claim 18, wherein the actuator comprises a magnetic core.

32. The method of claim 18, wherein the electromagnetic coil is configured to skirt the sensing device.

33. The method of claim 18, wherein the first brake surface comprises a magnetic material.

34. The method of claim 18, wherein the electromagnetic coil is configured to surround the sensing device.

35. A device comprising:

a first brake surface;

a second brake surface configured to contact the first brake surface; and

an actuator comprising;

an electromagnetic coil having a generally annular shape having an inner periphery and an outer periphery, the inner periphery having a flattened portion; and

an actuator surface defining a cavity, the cavity configured to receive a sensing device, and

the flattened portion positioned adjacent to the sensing device and where the actuator is configured to exert a force on at least one of the first and second brake surfaces to produce a haptic effect.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the force is directed normal to at least one of the first or second brake surfaces, and wherein the actuator is configured to produce the haptic effect by at least one of increasing or decreasing the resistance to movement between the first and second brake surfaces.

37. The device of claim 35, wherein the actuator is configured to produce the haptic effect by at least one of forcing the first and second brake surfaces into contact with each other or forcing the first and second brake surfaces apart.

38. The device of claim 35, further comprising a processor configured to be in communication with the sensing device and the actuator.

39. The device of claim 35, further comprising a manipulandum in communication with at least one of the first brake surface and the second brake surface.

40. The device of claim 35, wherein the first brake surface comprises a coding.

41. The device of claim 40, wherein the first brake surface further comprises a contacting surface adjacent the coding, the contacting surface configured to contact the second brake surface and the coding configured to not contact the second brake surface.

42. The device of claim 40, wherein the sensing device is configured to sense the coding.

43. The device of claim 40, wherein the coding comprises information from which the sensing device is capable of sensing the relative movement of the first brake surface with respect to the sensing device.