Vibration actuator with a unidirectional drive

• US 8,378,965 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2007
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Gregorio, Pedro, Grant, Danny A., Cruz-Hernandez, Juan Manuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kevin M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Jr., Kenneth B
• Application Number:
  US11/733,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20080252594A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,142 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 715/702, 318/128, 318/166
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0238 of a single frequency, e.g. a sine-wave
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/045 using vibrating magnet, armature or coil system

Abstract

A haptic feedback generation system includes a linear resonant actuator and a drive circuit. The drive circuit is adapted to output a unidirectional signal that is applied to the linear resonant actuator. In response, the linear resonant actuator generates haptic vibrations.

Claims

1. A haptic feedback generation system comprising:

a linear resonant actuator; and

a drive circuit coupled to said linear resonant actuator, said drive circuit adapted to output a unidirectional signal;

wherein said linear resonant actuator comprises a spring, a magnetic coil and a floater assembly;

wherein the unidirectional signal is a sinusoidal signal with an amplitude that varies between a first voltage greater than or equal to zero and a second voltage greater than or equal to zero;

wherein the unidirectional signal, when applied to the actuator, causes the magnetic coil to be energized and the floater assembly to move, wherein the movement of the floater assembly generates a haptic force.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said linear resonant actuator is adapted to receive the unidirectional signal and in response generate a vibration.

3. The system of claim 1, said drive circuit consisting of a switch.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said spring is offset.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said spring is non-linear.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said floater assembly comprises a magnet.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said signal comprises a magnitude, frequency and duration of the vibration.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said drive circuit consisting of a transistor;

a diode coupled to said transistor; and

a first and second resistor coupled to said transistor.

9. A method of generating a haptic effect comprising:

generating a unidirectional signal;

applying the unidirectional signal to a linear resonant actuator; and

based on the unidirectional signal, generating a vibration at the actuator;

wherein said linear resonant actuator comprises a spring, a magnetic coil and a floater assembly;

wherein the unidirectional signal is a sinusoidal signal with an amplitude that varies between a first voltage greater than or equal to zero and a second voltage greater than or equal to zero;

wherein the unidirectional signal, when applied to the actuator, causes the magnetic coil to be energized and the floater assembly to move, wherein the movement of the floater assembly generates the vibration.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said spring is offset.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said unidirectional signal comprises a magnitude, frequency and duration of the vibration.

12. A portable device comprising:

a linear resonant actuator;

a drive circuit coupled to said linear resonant actuator, said drive circuit adapted to output a unidirectional signal; and

a processor coupled to said linear resonant actuator;

wherein said linear resonant actuator comprises a spring, a magnetic coil and a floater assembly;

wherein the unidirectional signal is a sinusoidal signal with an amplitude that varies between a first voltage greater than or equal to zero and a second voltage greater than or equal to zero;

wherein the unidirectional signal, when applied to the actuator, causes the magnetic coil to be energized and the floater assembly to move, wherein the movement of the floater assembly generates a haptic force.

13. The portable device of claim 12, wherein said linear resonant actuator is adapted to receive the unidirectional signal and in response generate a vibration.

14. The portable device of claim 12, said drive circuit consisting of a switch.

15. The portable device of claim 12, wherein said spring is offset.

16. The portable device of claim 12, wherein said spring is non-linear.

17. The portable device of claim 12, wherein said floater assembly comprises a magnet.

18. The portable device of claim 13, wherein said signal comprises a magnitude, frequency and duration of the vibration.

19. The portable device of claim 13, wherein said processor is programmed to generate control signals that are input to said drive circuit based on high level haptic parameters.