Products and processes for providing haptic feedback in resistive interface devices

• US 8,154,512 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2009
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Olien, Neil T., Gregorio, Pedro
• Primary Examiner(s): Shankar, Vijay
• Application Number:
  US12/426,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20090231113A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-168, 345173-184
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/00 Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus with cameras or projectors G03B31/00 ; recording/reproducing of music for electrophonic musical instruments G10H1/0033; automatic arrangements for answering calls or for recording messages for absent subscribers H04M1/64; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with dictation recording and playback systems H04M11/10; connection of TV recorder with other related apparatus, e.g. TV camera or receiver, in which the TV signal is significantly involved H04N, e.g. H04N23/00, H04N5/765; combination of radio or TV with other apparatus, e.g. with vehicles H05K11/00

Abstract

Products and processes for providing haptic feedback in a user interface are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment of an apparatus comprises a first element comprising a first surface, a second element comprising a second surface, and an actuator configured vary a force between the first and second surfaces. In one embodiment, the second element may be configured to be displaced relative to first element in a degree of freedom. In another embodiment, at least one of the first surface and the second surface may comprise a thermoplastic polymer.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first element comprising a first surface;

a second element comprising a second surface and configured to be displaced relative to the first element in a degree of freedom, at least one of the first surface and the second surface comprising a thermoplastic polymer, wherein a distance between the first surface comprising a magnetic target and the second surface comprising a magnetic core comprises a range between approximately 0.0005 and approximately 0.0040 inches; and

an actuator configured to vary a force between the first surface and the second surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a manipulandum coupled to at least one of the first element and the second element, wherein the actuator is operable to communicate a haptic effect through the manipulandum.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the manipulandum comprises one of:

a joystick, a knob, a scroll wheel, or a slider.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the degree of freedom comprises a rotary degree of freedom.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the force comprises a component substantially normal to the degree of freedom.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a biasing element coupled to the actuator.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein the housing is a housing of one of:

a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a camcorder, a control knob, a computer mice, or a joystick.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a magnetic target comprising a surface;

a magnetic core comprising a surface disposed in facing opposition to the surface of the magnetic target, wherein a distance between the surface of the magnetic target and the surface of the magnetic core comprises a range between approximately 0.0005 and approximately 0.0040 inches; and

a frictional element interposed between the surface of the magnetic target and the surface of the magnetic core, the frictional element comprising a thermoplastic polymer.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the frictional element comprises an acetal polymer.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the magnetic target comprises a transition metal alloy.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the magnetic target comprises a nickel-plated steel.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the frictional element is coupled with the magnetic target or the magnetic core.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a manipulandum coupled to at least one of the magnetic target or the magnetic core.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the manipulandum comprises one of:

a joystick, a knob, a scroll wheel, or a slider.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a housing, wherein the housing is a housing of one of:

a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a camcorder, a control knob, a computer mouse, or a joystick.

16. A method comprising:

providing a magnetic target comprising a surface;

providing a magnetic core comprising a surface disposed in facing opposition to the surface of the magnetic target, wherein a distance between the surface of the magnetic target and the surface of the magnetic core comprises a range between approximately 0.0005 and approximately 0.0040 inches; and

interposing a frictional element between the surface of the magnetic target and the surface of the magnetic core, the frictional element comprising a thermoplastic polymer.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the frictional element comprises an acetal polymer.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the magnetic target comprises a transition metal alloy.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the magnetic target comprises a nickel-plated steel.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the frictional element comprises a ring.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the magnetic core comprises a first diameter and the frictional element comprises a second diameter, the first diameter greater than the second diameter.