Uniform haptic actuator response with a variable supply voltage
First Claim
1. A drive circuit for an actuator, the drive circuit comprising:
- a voltage input and ground source input;
a desired current signal input;
a current probe coupled to the circuit between the voltage input and ground and configured to measure a current level for the actuator and output an actual current signal;
a gate coupled to the desired current signal and the actual current signal, the gate configured to compare the desired current signal to the actual current signal and output a switch signal based on the comparison; and
a switch comprising a switch input coupled to the switch signal, a first leg coupled to the voltage input, and a second leg coupled to the ground source,wherein;
the gate is configured to cause the switch to interrupt power from the voltage input to the ground when the comparison indicates that the actual current signal is greater than the desired current signal, andthe actual current signal comprises a haptic signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A haptic drive circuit includes a voltage input for receiving input power, a gate that compares a desired current level to an actual current level through the actuator, a switch coupled to the gate that interrupts or provides power from the voltage input to the actuator, and a current probe that detects the actual current level through the actuator with an output signal corresponding to the actual current level coupled to the gate. The gate compares the actual current level to the desired current level and causes the switch to interrupt input power when the actual current level is greater than the desired current level or to provide input power when the actual current level is less than or equal to the desired current level. The actual current through the circuit is a haptic signal causing a haptic actuator to generate a haptic effect.
49 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A drive circuit for an actuator, the drive circuit comprising:
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a voltage input and ground source input; a desired current signal input; a current probe coupled to the circuit between the voltage input and ground and configured to measure a current level for the actuator and output an actual current signal; a gate coupled to the desired current signal and the actual current signal, the gate configured to compare the desired current signal to the actual current signal and output a switch signal based on the comparison; and a switch comprising a switch input coupled to the switch signal, a first leg coupled to the voltage input, and a second leg coupled to the ground source, wherein; the gate is configured to cause the switch to interrupt power from the voltage input to the ground when the comparison indicates that the actual current signal is greater than the desired current signal, and the actual current signal comprises a haptic signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A haptically-enabled system comprising:
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an actuator; a voltage source coupled to the actuator; a ground source coupled to the actuator; a switch located in series with the actuator to provide or interrupt power to the actuator; a current probe coupled to the system to measure a first current flowing through the actuator and output a first current signature; and a gate comprising; a first input coupled to the first current signature; a second input coupled to a second current signature, the second current signature corresponding to a desired target current for the actuator; and an output coupled to a switching signal input of the switch, wherein; the gate controls the switch, causing the switch to interrupt power when the first current signature is greater than the second current signature, and the first current comprises a haptic signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of providing current to an actuator, comprising:
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receiving power from a voltage source to the actuator; measuring an actual current level through the actuator; comparing the actual current to a desired current level; if the actual current level is greater than the desired current level, interrupting power provided by the voltage input until the actual current level is less than the desired current level; and repeating the method by providing power from the voltage input to the actuator again, wherein the actual current level comprises a haptic signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification