Method and apparatus for providing haptic effects to a touch panel using magnetic devices
First Claim
1. A touch panel assembly, comprising:
- a touch-sensitive panel comprising a length and a width and a thickness, each of the length and the width being greater than the thickness, the touch-sensitive panel having a plane defined by the length and the width of the touch-sensitive panel; and
an actuator including;
a frame having a first structural element and a second structural element at least partially oriented parallel to the plane, wherein the first structural element and the second structural element are coupled together with a biasing element;
a first magnetic device coupled to the first structural element;
a second magnetic device coupled to the second structural element and positioned adjacent to the first magnetic device, the first magnetic device configured to move the first structural element in a first direction parallel to the plane when energized by a current to cause a haptic effect to be felt on the touch-sensitive panel, wherein the biasing element applies a biasing force which causes the first structural element to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A touch panel assembly includes a touch-sensitive panel oriented along a plane. An actuator includes a frame having a first portion and a second portion at least partially oriented parallel to the plane. The first portion and the second portion are coupled together with a biasing element. A first magnetic device is coupled to the first portion. A second magnetic device is coupled to the second portion and positioned adjacent to the first magnetic device. The first magnetic device configured to move the first portion in a first direction parallel to the plane when energized by a current to cause a haptic effect to be felt on the touch sensitive panel. The biasing element applies a biasing force which causes the first portion to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
213 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A touch panel assembly, comprising:
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a touch-sensitive panel comprising a length and a width and a thickness, each of the length and the width being greater than the thickness, the touch-sensitive panel having a plane defined by the length and the width of the touch-sensitive panel; and an actuator including; a frame having a first structural element and a second structural element at least partially oriented parallel to the plane, wherein the first structural element and the second structural element are coupled together with a biasing element; a first magnetic device coupled to the first structural element; a second magnetic device coupled to the second structural element and positioned adjacent to the first magnetic device, the first magnetic device configured to move the first structural element in a first direction parallel to the plane when energized by a current to cause a haptic effect to be felt on the touch-sensitive panel, wherein the biasing element applies a biasing force which causes the first structural element to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for providing haptic effects in a touch panel assembly, the method comprising:
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measuring a touching contact with a touch-sensitive panel, wherein the touch-sensitive panel comprises a length and a width and a thickness, each of the length and the width being greater that the thickness, and having a plane defined by the length and width of the touch-sensitive panel; generating a first signal in response to the touching contact; transmitting the first signal to a processor; generating a haptic output current signal in response to said first signal, wherein the haptic output current signal is transmitted to an actuator having a first structural element coupled to the touch-sensitive panel and a second structural element arranged to adjacent to the first structural element, wherein the first structural element and the second structural element are oriented parallel to the plane, the actuator having a first magnetic device coupled to the first structural element and a second magnetic device coupled to the second structural element, wherein the haptic output current signal causes the first magnetic device and the first structural element to move in a first direction parallel to the plane to cause a haptic effect to be felt at the touch-sensitive panel, the actuator including a biasing element coupled to the first and second structural elements configured to apply a biasing force which causes the first structural element to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification