Tactile feedback mechanism using magnets to provide trigger or release sensations
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing tactile feedback to a user, comprising:
- a first magnetic assembly comprising a first magnet with a pole generating a magnetic field;
a second magnetic assembly comprising a second magnet with a pole generating a magnetic field, wherein the first and second magnets are permanent magnets;
a user input device connected to at least one of the first and second magnet assemblies operable to position the first magnet proximate to the second magnet such that interaction between the magnetic fields generates a force that is exerted on the user input device, wherein the second magnetic assembly is linked to the user input device and, by movement of the user input device, is positionable relative to the first magnet assembly; and
a housing with a chamber receiving the second magnetic assembly and defining a travel path for the second magnet relative to the first magnet, the travel path being defined to include an interaction region in which the second magnet is positioned in a range of spaced apart positions relative to the first magnet during positioning of the second magnet assembly in response to an input force applied to the user input device, wherein the exerted force includes an initial force opposing the input force and a secondary force that is additive to the input force as the second magnet travels in a single direction through the interaction region.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for providing tactile feedback to an operator. The apparatus includes first and second magnetic assemblies having first and second magnets, respectively. The apparatus further includes a user input device, such as a trigger, a knob, a release cord, or a joystick, that is connected to at least one of the two assemblies and positions the first magnet proximate to the second magnet such that interaction occurs between the magnetic fields to generate a force that is exerted on the input device. The force may be an opposing, resisting, or attractive force that creates movement of the user input such as resisting a triggering or releasing action in an interactive video game when the poles are of like polarity. The first magnetic assembly may be stationary, and the second magnetic assembly may be connected to the user input device to be positioned relative to the first magnet assembly.
77 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing tactile feedback to a user, comprising:
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a first magnetic assembly comprising a first magnet with a pole generating a magnetic field; a second magnetic assembly comprising a second magnet with a pole generating a magnetic field, wherein the first and second magnets are permanent magnets; a user input device connected to at least one of the first and second magnet assemblies operable to position the first magnet proximate to the second magnet such that interaction between the magnetic fields generates a force that is exerted on the user input device, wherein the second magnetic assembly is linked to the user input device and, by movement of the user input device, is positionable relative to the first magnet assembly; and a housing with a chamber receiving the second magnetic assembly and defining a travel path for the second magnet relative to the first magnet, the travel path being defined to include an interaction region in which the second magnet is positioned in a range of spaced apart positions relative to the first magnet during positioning of the second magnet assembly in response to an input force applied to the user input device, wherein the exerted force includes an initial force opposing the input force and a secondary force that is additive to the input force as the second magnet travels in a single direction through the interaction region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An interactive system, comprising:
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a user interface assembly with a housing including a user input device for receiving an input force from a user; and a tactile feedback mechanism positioned within the housing and operatively engaged with the user input assembly, the tactile feedback mechanism comprising means for responding to the input force by positioning a first magnet proximate to a second magnet with poles of the first and second magnets interacting to generate a force that acts on the user input device, wherein the poles have like polarity and wherein the force comprises an initial force that opposes the input force and a secondary force that is additive to the input force, wherein the magnets interact to generate the force when the first magnet is in an interaction region, to generate the initial force until the first magnet passes a trigger point, and to generate the secondary force when the first magnet passes the trigger point, wherein the tactile feedback mechanism further comprises a position sensor sensing a position of the first magnet and, in response, generating an output signal corresponding to the sensed position, and wherein the system further includes a signal processor processing the output signal and, in response, generating a signal to modify video game animation displayed on a game monitor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A tactile feedback mechanism, comprising:
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a manipulandum moveable in at least one degree of freedom in response to a user-applied force; a housing comprising a chamber defined by a sidewall; a connector operatively engaged with the manipulandum to move with the manipulandum and extending into the chamber; a first magnet provided in the sidewall with a pole generating a magnetic field and positioned proximate to the chamber; and a second magnet positioned within the chamber and linked to the connector to slide within the chamber in response to movement of the connector, wherein the second magnet has a pole generating a magnetic field opposing the magnetic field of the pole of the first magnet, wherein the second magnet is positionable in and out of an interaction region in which the magnetic fields interact to apply forces upon the second magnet and the linked connector, and wherein the first and second magnets each comprise at least one permanent magnet. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method for providing tactile feedback, comprising:
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creating a first magnetic field; moving a manipulandum in the first magnetic field in response to a user-applied force; and creating a second magnetic field that moves in response to movement of the manipulandum, wherein the second magnetic field is coupled to the manipulandum so as to provide tactile feedback via the manipulandum as the second magnetic field interacts with the first magnetic field and wherein the second magnetic field is created by providing a permanent magnet that is coupled to the manipulandum, wherein the moving of the manipulandum comprises moving the permanent magnet along an elongated path defined b a chamber of a housing. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An interactive system, comprising:
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a user interface assembly with a housing including a user input device for receiving an input force; and a tactile feedback mechanism positioned within the housing and operatively engaged with the user input device, the tactile feedback mechanism being responsive to the input force to position a first magnet proximate to a second magnet with poles of the first and second magnets interacting to generate a tactile feedback force that acts on the user input device, wherein the tactile feedback force comprises an initial force that opposes the input force and a secondary force that is additive to the input force and wherein the first and second magnets interact to generate the tactile feedback force when the first magnet is positioned within an interaction region in the housing, to generate the initial force within the interaction region until the first magnet is moved to a trigger point, and to then generate the secondary force urging the first magnet out of the interaction region.
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Specification