Haptic throttle devices and methods

• US 7,406,943 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2006
• Issued: 08/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Gregorio, Pedro
• Primary Examiner(s): ARGENBRIGHT, TONY MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/493,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20070006847A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 123/361, 123/396, 123/399
• US Class Current: 123/399
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2026/023 with electrical means to generate counter force or torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/16 Tactile feedback to the driver, e.g. vibration or force feedback to the driver on the steering wheel or the accelerator pedal
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/105 characterised by the function converting demand to actuation, e.g. a map indicating relations between an accelerator pedal position and throttle valve opening or target engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0404 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/602 Pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/26 using computer, e.g. microprocessor

Abstract

An apparatus includes a sensor configured to be coupled to a throttle interface. The sensor is configured to output a sensor signal associated with a condition of the throttle interface. A first brake element has a first friction surface and a second brake element has a second friction surface. The second brake element is configured to be coupled to the throttle interface. The friction surface associated with the first brake element is positioned opposite the friction surface associated with the second brake element. The first brake element is configured to move relative to the second brake element. An actuator is coupled to the first brake element and is configured to output haptic feedback to the throttle interface via the first brake element based on the sensor signal.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a sensor signal from a sensor coupled to a throttle interface, the sensor signal associated with a state of the throttle interface;

receiving an input signal at a processor from a peripheral input, the input signal being associated with information independent of the sensor signal of the throttle interface; and

outputting, via an active actuator, an active haptic feedback force to the throttle interface, the haptic feedback force associated with the input signal.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting a resistive haptic feedback force to the throttle interface via a resistive actuator, wherein the resistive haptic feedback force is associated with the sensor signal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the outputting the resistive haptic feedback includes outputting a friction force.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the active haptic feedback force is adjusted at one or more particular times based on the input signal from the peripheral input.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheral input provides the information wirelessly.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the input signal is independent of speed information.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the active haptic feedback force is a vibration, a detent, a jolt, an obstruction, a texture, or a pulse.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a foot operated automobile interface device;

a sensor coupled to the interface device, the sensor configured to output a sensor signal associated with the operation of the interface device by a user;

a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the sensor signal, the processor configured to receive an input signal from a peripheral input; and

an active actuator coupled to interface device, the active actuator configured to output an active haptic feedback force to the interface device upon receiving a control signal from the processor independent of the sensor signal, wherein the active haptic feedback force is a vibration, a detent, a jolt, an obstruction, a texture, or pulse.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a resistive actuator configured to output a resistive haptic feedback force to the interface device upon receiving a control signal associated with the sensor signal from the processor.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the active haptic feedback force is adjusted at one or more particular times based on the input signal from the peripheral input.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the peripheral input provides the input signal wirelessly.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the input signal is independent of speed information.

13. Tangible media having logic encoded therein for execution by a machine and when executed operable to perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving a sensor signal from a sensor coupled to a throttle interface, the sensor signal associated with a state of the throttle interface and received at a processor;

receiving an input signal at the processor from a peripheral input, the input signal being associated with information independent of the sensor signal; and

outputting a control signal to an active actuator to output an active haptic feedback force to the throttle interface, wherein the haptic feedback force is associated with the input signal.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising outputting a resistive haptic feedback force to the throttle interface via a resistive actuator, wherein the resistive haptic feedback force is associated with the sensor signal.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the active haptic feedback force is adjusted at one or more particular times based on the input signal from the peripheral input.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the peripheral input provides the information wirelessly.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the input signal is independent of speed information.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the active haptic feedback force is a vibration, a detent, a jolt, an obstruction, a texture, or a pulse.