Magnetically sensed user interface devices
First Claim
1. A magnetic sensing user interface device (UID), comprising:
- a floating actuator assembly including a plurality of magnets, wherein the plurality of magnets are positioned in a substantially fixed, non-deformable array structure relative to each other;
a fixed base assembly including a plurality of multi-axis magnetic sensors configured to sense magnetic fields generated by the plurality of magnets;
a flexible coupling assembly configured to floatably couple the floating actuator assembly to the base assembly;
a deformable actuator assembly including a second plurality of magnets, wherein the second plurality of magnets are disposed in movable positions relative to each other in a deformable magnet array; and
a second base assembly including a second plurality of multi-axis magnetic sensors configured to sense magnetic fields generated by the second plurality of magnets.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A user interface device including a floating actuator sub-assembly and a base assembly flexibly coupled to the floating actuator assembly is disclosed. The floating actuator assembly may include a magnet array assembly with a plurality of magnets fixed relative to each other. The user interface device may further include a deformable actuator sub-assembly, which may include a magnet array assembly with a plurality of magnets in a movable configuration relative to each other. A base assembly may include multi-axis magnetic sensors corresponding to the magnets in the magnet arrays to sense position of motion of the magnets during user displacements and/or deformation of actuator elements of the user interface device.
119 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A magnetic sensing user interface device (UID), comprising:
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a floating actuator assembly including a plurality of magnets, wherein the plurality of magnets are positioned in a substantially fixed, non-deformable array structure relative to each other; a fixed base assembly including a plurality of multi-axis magnetic sensors configured to sense magnetic fields generated by the plurality of magnets; a flexible coupling assembly configured to floatably couple the floating actuator assembly to the base assembly; a deformable actuator assembly including a second plurality of magnets, wherein the second plurality of magnets are disposed in movable positions relative to each other in a deformable magnet array; and a second base assembly including a second plurality of multi-axis magnetic sensors configured to sense magnetic fields generated by the second plurality of magnets. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification