Elastomeric wave tactile interface
First Claim
1. A tactile interface comprising:
- a tensioned elastomeric material;
a plurality of individually controllable drivers positioned around the perimeter of the tensioned elastomeric material; and
driver circuitry coupled to each of the plurality of individually controllable drivers, the driver circuitry configured to receive control information for selected ones of the plurality of individually controllable drivers, and to produce a standing wave pattern in the elastomeric material by electrically modulating a subset of the plurality of individually controllable drivers at frequencies different from a steady state oscillation frequency or a harmonic of the steady state oscillation frequency.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tactile interface includes a plurality of individually controllable drivers positioned about a perimeter of a tensioned elastomeric material. Each driver includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric material. A top surface of the first electrode is coupled to the tensioned elastomeric material. The piezoelectric material is disposed between a top surface of the second electrode and a bottom surface of the first electrode. Driver circuitry can apply control information to each of the plurality of individually controllable drivers to produce a wave pattern in the tensioned elastomeric material. Some example methods of providing a tactile image on a tactile interface include producing a time-varying potential difference across the top electrode and the bottom electrode of the drivers so that a standing wave pattern can be created in the elastomeric material. The tactile image can be formed by modulating a subset of the plurality of drivers.
20 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A tactile interface comprising:
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a tensioned elastomeric material; a plurality of individually controllable drivers positioned around the perimeter of the tensioned elastomeric material; and driver circuitry coupled to each of the plurality of individually controllable drivers, the driver circuitry configured to receive control information for selected ones of the plurality of individually controllable drivers, and to produce a standing wave pattern in the elastomeric material by electrically modulating a subset of the plurality of individually controllable drivers at frequencies different from a steady state oscillation frequency or a harmonic of the steady state oscillation frequency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A tactile interface comprising:
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a tensioned elastomeric material; a plurality of individually controllable drivers positioned around the perimeter of the tensioned elastomeric material; and driver circuitry coupled to each of the plurality of individually controllable drivers, the driver circuitry configured to receive control information for selected ones of the plurality of individually controllable drivers, and to produce traveling waves in the elastomeric material wherein the traveling waves form a dynamic tactile image that changes position on the surface of the elastomeric material. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A tactile interface comprising:
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a tensioned elastomeric material; and a plurality of individually controllable drivers positioned around the perimeter of the tensioned elastomeric material, each driver comprising; a first electrode having a top surface coupled to the tensioned elastomeric material, a second electrode supported by a base, and a piezoelectric material disposed between a top surface of the second electrode and a bottom surface of the first electrode, wherein geometric centers of the first electrode, the second electrode and the piezoelectric material are offset with respect to an axis orthogonal to the top surface of the first electrode through the center of the base such that a cantilevered deflection of the piezoelectric material is produced responsive to expansive and compressive stresses on opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric material when a time-varying potential difference is applied across the first and second electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification