Controlling vibrotactile sensations for haptic feedback devices
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- receiving a signal at a haptic feedback device, the haptic feedback device including an actuator, the actuator having a rotatable eccentric mass and defining an axis of rotation; and
generating a bi-directional drive signal based on the received signal, the drive signal operative to control the actuator to oscillate the mass in two directions about the axis of rotation such that oscillation of the eccentric mass induces haptic feedback, wherein the mass is oscillated in the two directions for only a portion of a full rotation about the axis.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for controlling vibrotactile sensations for haptic feedback devices. An actuator in a haptic feedback device includes a rotatable eccentric mass, and information is received at the haptic feedback device causing a drive signal. The drive signal controls the actuator to oscillate the mass in two directions about an axis of rotation of the actuator such that the oscillation of the mass induces a vibration in the haptic feedback device. The magnitude and frequency of the vibration can be independently controlled by adjusting a magnitude and a frequency, respectively, of the drive signal. The vibrations can also be provided in a bi-directional mode or uni-directional mode to provide the most efficient magnitude of the vibrotactile sensations. The haptic feedback device can be, for example, a gamepad controller receiving commands from a host computer providing a graphical environment.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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receiving a signal at a haptic feedback device, the haptic feedback device including an actuator, the actuator having a rotatable eccentric mass and defining an axis of rotation; and generating a bi-directional drive signal based on the received signal, the drive signal operative to control the actuator to oscillate the mass in two directions about the axis of rotation such that oscillation of the eccentric mass induces haptic feedback, wherein the mass is oscillated in the two directions for only a portion of a full rotation about the axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method, comprising:
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receiving an indication of at least one of an event and an interaction associated with a graphic environment; sending a bi-directional control signal to a haptic feedback device in response to the indication, the bi-directional control signal including a magnitude indication and a frequency indication, the bi-directional control signal being configured to cause the haptic feedback device to oscillate a mass in two directions with a magnitude associated with the magnitude indication and a frequency associated with the frequency indication, the mass being coupled to a rotary actuator, the mass being an eccentric mass that is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation of the actuator, wherein the mass is oscillated in the two directions for only a portion of a full rotation about the axis to output a haptic effect. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A device, comprising:
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a rotary actuator defining an axis of rotation and having an eccentric mass coupled to the rotary actuator, said rotary actuator configured to rotate the eccentric mass about the axis of rotation; and a circuit coupled to said rotary actuator, said circuit configured to send a bi-directional drive signal to said rotary actuator, said rotary actuator configured to oscillate said mass about the axis of rotation in two directions in response to the bi-directional drive signal, wherein the mass is oscillated in the two directions for only a portion of a full rotation about the axis to output a haptic effect. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method, comprising:
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receiving a first indication at a haptic feedback device having a mass and an actuator defining an axis of rotation; producing a first drive signal based on the first indication, the first drive signal operative to rotate a mass in one direction about the axis of rotation of the actuator, the first drive signal associated with a first vibration of the haptic feedback device; receiving a second indication at the haptic feedback device; and producing a second drive signal based on the second indication, the second drive signal operative to oscillate the mass in two directions about the axis of rotation of the actuator, the second drive signal associated with a second vibration of the haptic feedback device, wherein the mass is oscillated in the two directions for only a portion of a full rotation about the axis to produce the second vibration. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification