Optical navigation device with haptic feedback

• US 8,547,333 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2011
• Issued: 10/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Pasquero, Jerome, Fyke, Steven Henry, Holbein, Marc Edward, Holbrook, Thomas William
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H
• Application Number:
  US13/166,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20120326982A1
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 345/150, 345/157, 345/160, 345/161, 345/163, 345/167, 345/173, 345/156, 178/18.04, 178/18.09, 463/37, 463/38
• US Class Current: 345/161
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means

Abstract

An optical joystick is connected to a vibratory transducer such as a piezoelectric transducer, where the vibratory transducer produces vibration which may be perceived upon a surface of the optical joystick. The vibration is perceived primarily at the surface of the optical joystick, and not upon a case of the computing device, and is distinguishable from other vibrations which may be induced in the computing device. Vibrations are created to indicate scrolled items in a list, selected items, or navigation within certain displayed zones.

Claims

1. A navigation device for use in a computing device having a display for displaying objects and a cursor, the navigation device comprising:

an optical navigation sensor, wherein the optical navigation sensor is an optical joystick or mouse navigation sensor having a planar surface, the optical navigation sensor operative to transmit a data signal pertaining to a change in a reflection of light from movement of an object upon the surface, the light reflected within the optical navigation sensor; and

a vibratory transducer positioned beneath the planar surface and configured to produce vibration responsive to the transmitted data signal when the transmitted data signal corresponds to the movement of an object upon surface of the optical joystick or mouse navigation sensor causing the cursor being to be over or near a predetermined visibly displayed object on the display, the transducer positioned to propagate the vibration to the surface of the optical navigation sensor.

2. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the surface of the optical navigation sensor reflects light responsive to movement of an object in contact with the surface, the optical navigation sensor operative to communicate information pertaining to the light reflected by the optical navigation sensor.

3. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the vibratory transducer is operative to produce vibration at a plurality of frequencies, for predetermined time periods.

4. The navigation device of claim 1, further comprising at least one pressure sensor operative to detect pressure and electrically communicate information pertaining to sensed pressure, the at least one pressure sensor positioned to detect a pressure upon the surface of the optical navigation sensor.

5. The navigation device of claim 1, further comprising a resilient material connected to the optical navigation sensor, and wherein the resilient material deflects to enable movement of the optical navigation sensor.

6. The navigation device of claim 5, wherein the resilient material is a tactile dome operative for damping movement of the surface of the optical navigation sensor.

7. The navigation device of claim 5, wherein the resilient material includes a pressure sensor operative to detect pressure and electrically communicate information pertaining to sensed pressure, the pressure sensor positioned operative to detect a pressure upon the surface of the optical navigation sensor.

8. The navigation device of claim 1, further comprising one or more locators operative to contain the vibratory transducer within an area while permitting a desired movement and vibration of the vibratory transducer.

9. The navigation device of claim 8, further comprising an extending surface connected to the one or more locators and operative to bias the vibratory transducer in a direction of the surface of the optical navigation sensor.

10. The navigation device of claim 1, further comprising a base operative to contact the optical navigation sensor, the base including a projection extending toward the vibratory transducer.

11. The navigation device of claim 1, further comprising a housing, the housing defining a slot sized to admit passage of the vibratory transducer.

12. The navigation device of claim 1, further comprising a housing operative to contain the vibratory transducer, the housing including a mounting locator operative to orient the housing and contain vibratory transducer with respect to a location within an apparatus containing the housing.

13. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein an apparatus containing the navigation device has an outer housing, and wherein the vibration is transmitted to the surface of the optical navigation sensor to a substantially greater extent than to the apparatus housing.

14. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the vibration is audible.

15. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the vibration varies over time.

16. The navigation device of claim 1, further comprising a housing operative to contact the optical navigation sensor, the housing defining a chamber operative to admit the vibratory transducer and sized larger than the vibratory transducer, whereby the vibratory transducer is free to vibrate within the housing and is retained within the housing when vibrating.

17. The navigation device of claim 16, wherein the housing further includes a projecting surface extending in a direction of a vibratory transducer housed by the housing, the projecting surface operative to bias the vibratory transducer in a direction away from the surface.

18. An apparatus, comprising:

a controller;

a display configured to display a visible region and a cursor in response to the controller; and

a navigation device communicatively coupled to the controller, the navigation device including;

an optical navigation sensor, wherein the optical navigation sensor is an optical joystick or mouse navigation sensor having a planar surface, the optical navigation sensor communicatively coupled to the controller and operative to sense movement of an object in contact with the surface due to light reflected from the object, the light reflected within the optical navigation sensor; and

a vibratory transducer positioned beneath the surface to propagate vibration to the surface, the transducer configured to produce vibration at a plurality of frequencies, for predetermined time periods, responsive to an electrical signal from the controller, wherein the cursor caused to move by the controller in response to an object moved in contact with the surface of the optical joystick or mouse navigation sensor and the vibration relating to the movement of the cursor related to a predetermined visible displayed region.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a pressure sensor operative to detect pressure and electrically communicate information pertaining to sensed pressure to the controller, the pressure sensor positioned to detect a pressure upon the surface of the optical navigation sensor.

20. A method of indicating a sensed gesture, comprising:

sensing a movement with an optical navigation sensor, wherein the optical navigation sensor is an optical joystick or mouse navigation sensor having a planar surface, the sensor configured to detect light reflected from an object moved upon the surface, the light reflected within the optical navigation sensor;

comparing, using a processor, a location of a cursor indicator with a location of a displayed object, the displayed object enabled for vibration by the processor when the cursor indicator is moved near or over the displayed object by movement of an object upon the surface of the optical joystick or mouse navigation sensor; and

activating a vibratory transducer operative to produce vibration for predetermined time periods, the transducer positioned to propagate the vibration to the surface of the optical navigation sensor when the indicator is near or over the displayed object and the gesture is sensed.