Haptic input devices

• US 7,450,110 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2004
• Issued: 11/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Schena, Bruce M., Rosenberg, Louis B., Shahoian, Erik J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LIANG, REGINA
• Application Number:
  US10/919,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20050017947A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,547 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-179, 178/18.01, 715/701, 715/702
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/052 piezoelectric

Abstract

A haptic feedback touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that provides position information to a computer based on a location of user contact. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position information, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user. The actuator can move the touchpad laterally, or a separate surface member can be actuated. A flat E-core actuator, piezoelectric actuator, or other types of actuators can be used to provide forces. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a ferromagnetic element having a center pole disposed between two side poles, the center pole being associated with a coil;

at least one magnet configured to be in magnetic communication with the center pole and the side poles;

a substantially-planar touch control contact surface directly coupled to the at least one magnet and configured to transmit a position signal associated with the location of a contact on the substantially-planar touch control contact surface; and

a coupling means disposed between the substantially-planar touch control contact surface and the ferromagnetic element, the coupling means configured to facilitate a relative motion between the substantially-planar contact surface along with the at least one magnet and the ferromagnetic element when the coil carries a current, wherein the coupling means comprises a plurality of rollers.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the relative motion causes a haptic feedback is in response to an input associated with the substantially-planar touch control contact surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processor in communication with the substantially-planar touch control contact surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the relative motion occurs at a predetermined frequency, the predetermined frequency is associated with a resonant frequency of the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substantially-planar contact surface is coupled to a spring element.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the predetermined frequency is associated with a spring constant of the spring element.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus in within a housing.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the housing is associated with a handheld device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the handheld device comprises one of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone, and an electronic book.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a touch screen comprises the substantially-planar touch control contact surface.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a touchpad comprises the substantially-planar touch control contact surface.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substantially-planar touch control contact surface is textured.

13. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rollers are coupled to a cage member.

14. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substantially-planar touch control contact surface is coupled to the at least one magnet via a backing plate.

15. An apparatus of claim 14, wherein the backing plate comprises steel.

16. An apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a flexure element disposed between the backing plate and the ferromagnetic element, the flexure element configured to provide a spring centering force between the backing plate and the ferromagnetic element.