Multifunction transducer

• US 7,421,088 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2003
• Issued: 09/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Caine, Michael E., Cranfill, David B., Brenner, David S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ni; Suhan
• Application Number:
  US10/650,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20050047621A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,832 Days
• Field of Search: 381162-163, 381/182, 381184-186, 381190-191, 381/386, 381/396
• US Class Current: 381/386
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/045 using vibrating magnet, armature or coil system
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0603 using a piezoelectric bender, e.g. bimorph
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/03 Constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. telephone hand-sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/225 for telephonic receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2400/03 Transducers capable of generating both sound as well as tactile vibration, e.g. as used in cellular phones

Abstract

Multi-function transducers (130, 700) that are suitable for use in handheld devices such as cellular telephones (100, 900) and are capable of emitting audio, and generating accelerations of sufficient magnitude, and at frequencies that can be sensed by tactile sensation and which exhibit resonant modes that are characterized by center frequencies within a frequency range that can be sensed by tactile sensation, and specifically located between two musical notes on a musical scale are provided. Devices (100, 900) including such transducer are provided, and methods of operating such transducers are provided.

Claims

1. A transducer comprising:

a mechanical resonator that exhibits a resonance characterized by a quality factor Q and a center frequency f₀, wherein the center frequency is located between a first note on a musical scale denoted by f₁ and a second note on the musical scale denoted by f₂ that is directly adjacent to the first note f₁, and f₀ and Q have a vibration response of the mechanical resonator at each of the first note f₁ and the second note f₂ respectively that is at least 6 dB below the maximum vibration response of the mechanical resonator at f₀.

2. An apparatus comprising the transducer recited in claim 1 and further comprising:

one or more electrical circuits for applying drive signals to the transducer that include musical melodies, and vibration drive signals for exciting the resonance.

3. The transducer according to claim 1 further comprising:

a piezoelectric transducer motor.

4. The transducer according to claim 1 wherein:

the mechanical resonator comprises;

a beam including a first end adapted for securing to a mounting boss and a second end; and

a mass attached to the second end of the beam.

5. The transducer according to claim 4 wherein the beam comprises a piezoelectric material.

6. The transducer according to claim 1 comprising:

a solenoid; and

a magnetized ferromagnetic member located proximate the solenoid.