Multi-touch device having dynamic haptic effects

• US 8,451,245 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2011
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Heubel, Robert W., Grant, Danny A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shankar, Vijay
• Application Number:
  US13/324,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20120081326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-179, 178 1801- 1807, 178 1901- 1907, 178 2001- 2004
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04808 Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

A system for generating haptic effects senses at least two generally simultaneous touches on a touchscreen and, in response, generates a dynamic haptic effect.

Claims

1. A multi-touch device comprising:

at least two touchscreens;

a processor coupled to the touchscreens; and

a haptic feedback system coupled to the processor;

wherein the processor is adapted to sense at least two generally concurrent touches on at least two different touchscreens; and

the processor is adapted to generate a dynamic haptic effect in response to the sensing;

wherein the dynamic haptic effect is a vibration that comprises a variation of at least one parameter.

2. The multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that the concurrent touches apply pressure at each contact point.

3. The multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises a determination of the concurrent touches as touches from different fingers.

4. The multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises determining a location of the touches.

5. The multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises determining a number of touches on the touchscreens.

6. The multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter is one or more of amplitude, frequency and duration.

7. The multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises a first determination that a first finger and a second finger are being moved, and the dynamic haptic effect comprises changing the parameter or generating a detent simulation from the variation.

8. The multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that a first finger and a second finger created a boundary box and the box is being dragged, wherein the dynamic haptic effect comprises generating a dragging indication.

9. The multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein the dynamic haptic effect is generated substantially solely at points of contact of the touches.

10. A computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to:

sense at least two generally concurrent touches on at least two different touchscreens; and

generate a dynamic haptic effect in response to the sensing;

wherein the dynamic haptic effect is a vibration that comprises a variation of at least one parameter.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that the concurrent touches apply pressure at each contact point.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the sensing comprises a determination of the concurrent touches as touches from different fingers.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the sensing comprises determining a location of the touches.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the sensing comprises determining a number of touches on the touchscreens.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the at least one parameter is one or more of amplitude, frequency and duration.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the sensing comprises a first determination that a first finger and a second finger are being moved, and the dynamic haptic effect comprises changing the parameter.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that a first finger and a second finger created a boundary box and the box is being dragged, wherein the dynamic haptic effect comprises generating a dragging.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the dynamic haptic effect is generated substantially solely at points of contact of the touches.

19. A method of generating haptic effects comprising:

sensing at least two generally concurrent touches on at least two different touchscreens; and

generating a dynamic haptic effect in response to the sensing;

wherein the dynamic haptic effect is a vibration that comprises a variation of at least one parameter.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that the concurrent touches apply pressure at each contact point.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the sensing comprises a determination of the concurrent touches as touches from different fingers.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the sensing comprises determining a location of the touches.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the sensing comprises determining a number of touches on the touchscreens.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one parameter is one or more of amplitude, frequency and duration.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the sensing comprises a first determination that a first finger and a second finger are being moved, and the dynamic haptic effect comprises changing the parameter or generating a detent simulation from the variation.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that a first finger and a second finger created a boundary box and the box is being dragged, wherein the dynamic haptic effect comprises generating a dragging indication.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein the dynamic haptic effect is generated substantially solely at points of contact of the touches.