System and method for providing passive haptic feedback
First Claim
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1. An input device comprising:
- a base having an upper surface area;
a scroll wheel; and
an actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the scroll wheel, comprising;
a piezo-electric element coupled to the upper surface area of the base,a braking surface, anda lever coupled to the piezo-electric element and the braking surface, the lever configured to cause the braking surface to contact the scroll wheel when the piezo-electric element is activated; and
wherein the piezo-electric element comprises a first end, a center portion, and a second end, and wherein the piezo-electric element is coupled to the base by the first end and the second end such that the center portion is not coupled to the base.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for providing passive haptic feedback are described. Embodiments of the present invention comprise an actuator for bringing a manipulandum and braking surface into contact and thereby providing a resistance. The manipulandum includes scroll wheels, scroll drums, linear sliders and similar user input devices. The actuator may be, for example, electromagnetic or piezo-electric. An embodiment of the present invention may include a processor in communication with the actuator for providing the haptic effects.
152 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An input device comprising:
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a base having an upper surface area; a scroll wheel; and an actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the scroll wheel, comprising; a piezo-electric element coupled to the upper surface area of the base, a braking surface, and a lever coupled to the piezo-electric element and the braking surface, the lever configured to cause the braking surface to contact the scroll wheel when the piezo-electric element is activated; and wherein the piezo-electric element comprises a first end, a center portion, and a second end, and wherein the piezo-electric element is coupled to the base by the first end and the second end such that the center portion is not coupled to the base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method, comprising:
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sensing a movement of a scroll wheel; transmitting an actuator signal to an actuator having a piezo-electric element; and moving a lever to cause a braking surface to contact the scroll wheel to cause a haptic effect; and
wherein;the piezo-electric element comprises a first end, a center portion, and a second end, and the piezo-electric element is coupled to a base by the first end and the second end such that the center portion is not coupled to the base, and wherein moving the lever to cause the braking surface to contact the scroll wheel to cause the haptic effect comprises causing the center portion of the piezo-electric element to flex away from the base.
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11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program code, the program code comprising:
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program code for sensing a movement of a scroll wheel; program code for transmitting an actuator signal to an actuator having a piezo-electric element; and program code for moving a lever to cause a braking surface to contact the scroll wheel to cause a haptic effect; and
wherein;the piezo-electric element comprises a first end, a center portion, and a second end, and the piezo-electric element is coupled to a base by the first end and the second end such that the center portion is not coupled to the base, and wherein the program code for moving the lever to cause the braking surface to contact the scroll wheel to cause the haptic effect comprises causing the center portion of the piezo -electric element to flex away from the base.
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Specification