Haptic device utilizing an electroactive polymer

• US RE44,277 E1
• Filed: 03/16/2012
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Schena, Bruce M.
• Primary Examiner(s): OSORIO, RICARDO
• Application Number:
  US13/423,012
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/184, 341/34, 341/35
• US Class Current: 345/184
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/007 Indication of measured value by tactile means
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04766 providing feel, e.g. indexing means, means to create counterforce
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/013 Force feedback applied to a game
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/015 Force feedback applied to a joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts

Abstract

Haptic feedback interface devices using electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators to provide haptic sensations. A haptic feedback interface device is in communication with a host computer and includes a sensor device that detects the manipulation of the interface device by the user and an electroactive polymer actuator responsive to input signals and operative to output a force to the user caused by motion of the actuator. The output force provides a haptic sensation to the user. In an embodiment, a stylus including a body having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, a moveable member coupled to the body and capable of being in contact with a user'"'"'s hand; and an electro active polymer actuator coupled to the moveable member, wherein the electroactive polymer moves the moveable member from a first position to a second position with respect to the body upon being activated.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a wheel configured to be rotated about a shaft, the wheel having an outer surface adapted to be in contact with a user'"'"'s finger to rotate the wheel about the shaft; and

an electroactive polymer positioned within the wheel, the electroactive polymer having a mass coupled thereto, wherein the electroactive polymer is configured to move the mass between a first position and a second position to produce a haptic effect upon being activated.

2. An apparatus comprising:

a wheel configured to be rotated about a shaft; and

a plurality of electroactive polymersan electroactive polymer positioned along a circumference ofon the wheel and adapted to be in contact with a user'"'"'s finger to rotate the wheelrotated by a user about the shaft;

the electroactive polymer configured to move between a first position and a second position to produce a haptic effect upon being activated.

3. A method comprising:

sensing rotation of a wheel about a shaft in response to a user operating the wheel on its outer surface, the wheel having an electroactive polymer positioned within the wheel and having a mass coupled thereto; and

activating the electroactive polymer to move the mass between a first position and a second position to impart a haptic effect to the wheel.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a mass coupled to the wheel.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electroactive polymer is positioned along a circumference of the wheel.

4. A method comprising:

sensing rotation of a wheel about a shaft in response to a user operating the wheel on its outer surface, the wheel having an electroactive polymer positioned along a circumference of on the wheel; and

activating the electroactive polymer by applying a current thereto, wherein the electroactive polymer moves to move the electroactive polymer between a first position and a second position to impart a haptic effect to the user.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the electroactive polymer is positioned along a circumference of the wheel.

8. A device comprising:

a processor configured to receive an input signal;

a housing; and

an electroactive polymer actuator coupled to the housing and the processor, wherein the processor is configured to activate the electroactive polymer actuator in response to the input signal.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the processor comprises a local processor and wherein the input signal is received from a host processor.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the host processor generates the input signal based on a sensor signal received at the host processor, wherein the sensor signal indicates a movement associated with the sensor.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the host processor is configured to display a graphical user interface, wherein at least a portion of the graphical user interface is configured to cause the host processor to output the input signal based on the movement at a designated haptic location on the graphical user interface.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein the device further comprises a sensor coupled to the processor, the sensor configured to sense a movement associated with the sensor, and wherein the input signal is received from the sensor.

13. The device of claim 8, further comprising a touch surface coupled to the housing.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the touch surface comprises a touch screen configured to receive inputs from the user to a graphical user interface via the touch surface.

15. The device of claim 8, further comprising a button, wherein the haptic effect is output via the button.

16. The device of claim 8, wherein the electroactive polymer actuator is configured to move a portion of the housing.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the electroactive polymer actuator is configured to expand from a first position to a second position with respect to the housing upon activation.

18. A device comprising:

a touch surface;

a sensor configured to detect a movement on at least a portion of the touch surface, the sensor configured to output a sensor signal; and

an electroactive polymer actuator coupled to the touch surface and configured to output a haptic effect based on a control signal from a processor, the control signal based on the sensor signal.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the touch surface comprises a touch screen configured to receive an input associated with a graphical user interface via the touch surface.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the processor is of a computer system running a program displaying a graphical user interface, wherein at least a portion of the graphical user interface is configured to cause the processor to output the control signal upon the sensor output signals indicating the movement at a designated haptic location on the graphical user interface.

21. The device of claim 19, further comprising a button, the haptic effect being output via the button.

22. The device of claim 19, wherein the haptic effect is associated with an event implemented by the processor.

23. The device of claim 19, wherein the electroactive polymer actuator is configured to move a portion of the housing.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the electroactive polymer actuator is configured to expand from a first position to a second position with respect to the housing upon activation.