Method and apparatus for providing tactile sensations
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- outputting a display signal configured to display a graphical object on a touch-sensitive input device;
receiving a sensor signal from the touch-sensitive input device, the sensor signal indicating an object contacting the touch-sensitive input device;
determining a size of a contact area on the touch-sensitive input device made by the object;
determining an interaction between the object contacting the touch-sensitive input device and the graphical object based at least in part on the size of the contact area; and
generating an actuator signal based at least in part on the interaction.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback is provided by using an actuator or other means in communication with the input device or electronic device. A controller may be employed to receive signals from the input devices and control the actuator. Tactile feedback to an input device or electronic device may be provided in response to one or more events or situations. Such an event or situation may be any one designated. Examples of such events and situations include the level of pressure placed on an input device; the availability or lack of availability of a function associated with an input device; and the function, menu, or mode of operation associated with an input device'"'"'s activation. A variety of feedback types and combinations may be selected.
-
Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A method, comprising:
-
outputting a display signal configured to display a graphical object on a touch-sensitive input device; receiving a sensor signal from the touch-sensitive input device, the sensor signal indicating an object contacting the touch-sensitive input device; determining a size of a contact area on the touch-sensitive input device made by the object; determining an interaction between the object contacting the touch-sensitive input device and the graphical object based at least in part on the size of the contact area; and generating an actuator signal based at least in part on the interaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A system, comprising:
-
a touch sensitive input device configured to output a sensor signal indicating an object contacting the touch-sensitive input device; an actuator coupled to the touch-sensitive input device, the actuator configured to receive an actuator signal and output a haptic effect to the touch-sensitive surface basted at least in part on the actuator signal; and a processor in communication with the sensor and the actuator, the processor configured to; output a display signal configured to display a graphical object on the touch-sensitive input device; receive the sensor signal from the touch-sensitive input device; determine a size of a contact area on the touch-sensitive input device made by the object; determine an interaction between the object contacting the touch-sensitive surface and the graphical object based at least in part on the size of the contact area, generate the actuator signal based at least in part on the interaction; and transmit the actuator signal to the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A computer-readable medium comprising program code, comprising:
-
program code for outputting a display signal configured to display a graphical object on a touch-sensitive input device; program code for receiving a sensor signal from the touch-sensitive input device, the sensor signal indicating an object contacting the touch-sensitive input device; program code for determining a size of a contact area on the touch-sensitive input device made by the object; program code for determining an interaction between the object contacting the touch-sensitive input device and the graphical object based at least in part on the size of the contact area; and program code for generating an actuator signal based at least in part on the interaction, the actuator signal configured to cause a haptic effect to be output. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
-
Specification