Simulation of tangible user interface interactions and gestures using array of haptic cells
First Claim
1. A user interface device comprising:
- a plurality of haptic cells;
a deformable layer comprising a touch surface;
each haptic cell covered by the deformable layer and comprising a haptic output device;
each cell comprising a first sensor positioned to sense deformation of the deformable layer proximal to the haptic cell, the first sensor configured to output a first sensor signal in response to sensing the deformation, the first sensor signal having an electrical characteristic; and
a processor in electrical communication with the first sensor of each haptic cell, and for each haptic cell;
the processor programmed to generate a haptic control signal in response to receiving the first sensor signal and communicate the haptic control signal to the haptic cell, the haptic control signal having an electrical characteristic defined at least in part by the electrical characteristic of the first sensor signal, the electrical characteristic of the haptic control signal corresponding to a desired amount of resistance to display by the haptic output device against deformation of the deformable layer.
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Abstract
A user interface device includes a flexible layer comprising a touch surface configured to receive a touch by a user, a plurality of haptic cells covered by the flexible layer, each haptic cell comprising a haptic output device, a sensor configured to sense an amount and/or rate of deformation of the flexible layer when a user touches the touch surface, and a processor configured to receive an output signal from the sensor, generate a haptic control signal based on the output signal from the sensor, and output the haptic control signal to at least one haptic output device of the plurality of haptic cells to cause the haptic output device to deform an associated haptic cell in response to the sensed deformation of the flexible layer.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A user interface device comprising:
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a plurality of haptic cells; a deformable layer comprising a touch surface; each haptic cell covered by the deformable layer and comprising a haptic output device; each cell comprising a first sensor positioned to sense deformation of the deformable layer proximal to the haptic cell, the first sensor configured to output a first sensor signal in response to sensing the deformation, the first sensor signal having an electrical characteristic; and a processor in electrical communication with the first sensor of each haptic cell, and for each haptic cell; the processor programmed to generate a haptic control signal in response to receiving the first sensor signal and communicate the haptic control signal to the haptic cell, the haptic control signal having an electrical characteristic defined at least in part by the electrical characteristic of the first sensor signal, the electrical characteristic of the haptic control signal corresponding to a desired amount of resistance to display by the haptic output device against deformation of the deformable layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of controlling a user interface having a plurality of haptic cells, each cell having a first sensor, the method comprising:
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for each cell proximal to a deformed portion of a deformable layer, outputting a first sensor signal from the first sensor in response to deformation of the deformable layer proximal to the first sensor, the first sensor signal having an electrical characteristic; for each cell proximal to the deformed portion of the deformable layer, generating a haptic control signal in response to the first sensor signal, the haptic control signal having an electrical characteristic defined at least in part on the characteristic of the first sensor signal, the electrical characteristic of the haptic signal corresponding to a desired amount of resistance to display by the haptic output device against deformation of the deformable layer; delivering the haptic control signal to the haptic output device; and in response to receiving the haptic control device, the haptic output device resisting deformation of the deformable layer, the amount of resistance corresponding to the electrical characteristic of the first sensor signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A user interface device comprising:
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a deformable layer comprising a touch surface; a plurality of haptic cells covered by the deformable layer, at least one of the haptic cells comprising a haptic output device, a first sensor, and a second sensor; each first sensor positioned to sense deformation of the deformable layer proximal to the haptic cell, the first sensor configured to output a first sensor signal in response to sensing the deformation, the first sensor signal being associated with an amount and/or rate of deformation of the deformable layer, the first sensor signal having an electrical characteristic, the electrical characteristic of the first sensor signal having a value that varies with the deformation; each second sensor positioned to sense deformation of the deformable layer proximal to the haptic cell, the second sensor configured to output a second sensor signal in response to sensing the deformation, the second sensor signal associated with a pressure exerted against the deformable layer, the second pressure sensor having an electrical characteristic, the electrical characteristic of the second sensor signal having a value that varies with the deformation; and a processor in electrical communication with the first sensor and the haptic cell, the processor programmed to generate a haptic control signal in response to receiving the first and second sensor signals and communicate the haptic control signal to the haptic cell, the haptic control signal having an electrical characteristic defined at least in part by the characteristics of the first and second sensor signals, the electrical characteristic of the haptic signal corresponding to a determined amount of resistance to display against deformation of the deformable layer.
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Specification