Electronic device including actuator for providing tactile output
First Claim
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1. An electronic device comprising:
- a base;
an elastically deformable membrane coupled to and spaced from the base;
an actuator disposed between the base and the membrane, and spaced from the membrane when the actuator is not actuated;
a controller configured to actuate the actuator to cause the actuator to contact the membrane by moving the actuator from a first state in which the actuator is out of contact with the membrane, to a second state in which the actuator is in contact with the membrane, such that the actuator strikes the membrane when actuated,a processor coupled to the controller; and
a communication device connected to the processor to communicate with a further electronic device comprising a handheld electronic communication device;
wherein the electronic device is configured to be worn on a wrist with the membrane disposed against the skin of user such that the membrane is in contact with the user to provide tactile feedback when the actuator is actuated in response to detecting an event comprising receipt of a notifier at the electronic device, andwherein the notifier comprises a notification of receipt of an email or a calendar reminder.
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Abstract
An electronic device includes a base, a membrane coupled to and spaced from the base, an actuator disposed between the base and the membrane, and spaced from the membrane when the actuator is not actuated, and a controller configured to control actuation of the actuator to cause the actuator to contact the membrane.
37 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An electronic device comprising:
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a base; an elastically deformable membrane coupled to and spaced from the base; an actuator disposed between the base and the membrane, and spaced from the membrane when the actuator is not actuated; a controller configured to actuate the actuator to cause the actuator to contact the membrane by moving the actuator from a first state in which the actuator is out of contact with the membrane, to a second state in which the actuator is in contact with the membrane, such that the actuator strikes the membrane when actuated, a processor coupled to the controller; and a communication device connected to the processor to communicate with a further electronic device comprising a handheld electronic communication device; wherein the electronic device is configured to be worn on a wrist with the membrane disposed against the skin of user such that the membrane is in contact with the user to provide tactile feedback when the actuator is actuated in response to detecting an event comprising receipt of a notifier at the electronic device, and wherein the notifier comprises a notification of receipt of an email or a calendar reminder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of controlling an electronic device, comprising:
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communicating with a further electronic device comprising a handheld electronic communication device via a communication device coupled to a processor of the electronic device; detecting an event comprising receipt of a notifier at the electronic device; actuating an actuator disposed between a base and an elastically deformable membrane, to cause the actuator to move from a first state in which the actuator is out of contact with the membrane, to a second state in which the actuator is in contact with the membrane, to thereby strike the membrane to provide tactile output in response to detecting the event, wherein the electronic device is configured to be worn on a wrist with the membrane disposed against the skin of user such that the membrane is in contact with the user to provide tactile feedback when the actuator is actuated, and wherein the notifier comprises a notification of receipt of an email or a calendar reminder. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification