Systems and methods for resonance detection

• US 8,590,379 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2012
• Issued: 11/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Grant, Danny A., Tierling, Kollin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): MacChiarolo, Peter
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLER, ROSE MARY
• Application Number:
  US13/446,190
• Publication Number:
  US 20120194463A1
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 735/79
• US Class Current: 73/579
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 13/00 Measuring resonant frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

Systems and methods for resonance detection are disclosed. For example, one method for resonance detection includes the step of transmitting an actuator signal to an actuator coupled to a surface of a device. The actuator signal is configured to cause the actuator to output a force to the surface. The method further includes the steps of receiving a response of the surface to the force; determining a resonant frequency of the surface based at least in part on the response; and outputting a signal indicative of the resonant frequency.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an actuator configured to receive an actuator signal and to output a force to a surface;

a sensor configured to detect a response to the force and to transmit a sensor signal associated with the response;

a processor configured to;

transmit the actuator signal;

receive the sensor signal;

determine a resonant frequency of the surface based at least in part on the sensor signal, wherein the resonant frequency is based in part on a user interaction; and

output a signal associated with the resonant frequency.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a piezoelectric actuator.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric actuator is configured to generate a voltage based at least in part on the response.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the force comprises a frequency and a duration.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a request for calibration.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a plurality of resonant frequencies, wherein the plurality of resonant frequencies are associated with an object contacting the surface.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program code, the program code comprising:

program code for transmitting an actuator signal to an actuator, the actuator signal configured to cause the actuator to output a force to a surface;

program code for receiving a response to the force;

program code for determining a resonant frequency of the surface based at least in part on the response, wherein the resonant frequency is based in part on a user interaction with the surface; and

program code for outputting a signal indicative of the resonant frequency.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the resonant frequency comprises a fundamental frequency of the surface.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the force comprises a frequency and a duration.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the frequency increases during the duration.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the actuator comprises a piezoelectric actuator.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric actuator is configured to generate a voltage based at least in part on the response of the surface.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, further comprising program code for selecting at least one selected frequency, and wherein the force comprises a vibration at substantially only the selected frequency.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein measuring the response comprises measuring a magnitude of the response.

15. A method comprising:

transmitting an actuator signal to an actuator, the actuator signal configured to cause the actuator to output a force to a surface;

receiving a response of the surface to the force;

determining a resonant frequency of the surface based at least in part on the response, wherein the resonant frequency is based in part on user interaction; and

outputting a signal indicative of the resonant frequency.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the actuator comprises a piezoelectric actuator.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the piezoelectric actuator is configured to generate a voltage based at least in part on the response of the surface.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the force comprises a frequency and a duration.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the frequency increases during the duration.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining a plurality of resonant frequencies, and outputting the plurality of resonant frequencies, wherein the plurality of resonant frequencies are associated with an object contacting the surface.