Products and processes for providing force sensations in a user interface

• US 20040145600A1
• Filed: 10/15/2003
• Published: 07/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Grant, Danny, Cruz-Hernandez, Juan Manuel, Olien, Neil T., Gregorio, Pedro, Braun, Adam C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,917,234 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/702
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence

Abstract

Products and processes for providing haptic feedback in a user interface device are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a process comprises defining a first cell, mapping a first location of a matrix with the defined first cell, and mapping a second location of the matrix with the defined first cell. The first cell comprises a first parameter representing a first haptic effect.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

defining a first cell, the first cell comprising a first parameter representing a first haptic effect;

mapping a first location of a matrix with the defined first cell; and

mapping a second location of the matrix with the defined first cell.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the defined first cell from a first processor to a second processor.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

defining a second cell, the second cell comprising a second parameter representing a second haptic effect;

communicating the defined second cell from the first processor to the second processor; and

mapping a third location of the matrix with the defined second cell.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first and second cells are defined by the first processor and the first, second, and third locations are mapped by the second processor.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the third location is disposed between the first and second locations.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises a square shape.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises a circular shape.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first cell comprises a first detent and the second cell comprises a second detent.

9. The method of claim 3, further comprising providing an actuator in communication with the first, second, and third locations, the actuator operable to provide a computer-modulated force to the first, second, and third locations.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the second processor is disposed remotely from the first processor.

11. A method comprising:

providing a cell comprising an arc and first and second edges;

providing a plurality of force vectors within the cell, the force vectors directed radially toward the first and second edges; and

delimiting a corner of the cell, the corner formed by an arc joining the first and second edges.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the switch comprises a circular shape.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the switch comprises an eight-way switch, the eight-way switch operable to select a channel about a first axis.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a biasing element proximate to a center of the switch.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a detent proximate to a radius of the switch.

16. A switch comprising:

a first primary channel disposed about a first axis;

a second primary channel disposed about a second axis;

a first secondary channel disposed proximate to the first primary channel; and

a second secondary channel disposed proximate to the second primary channel.

17. The switch of claim 16, further comprising:

a third primary channel disposed substantially co-axial with the first primary channel;

a fourth primary channel disposed substantially co-axial with the second primary channel;

a third secondary channel disposed proximate to the third primary channel; and

a fourth secondary channel disposed proximate to the fourth primary channel.

18. The switch of claim 17, wherein the first axis is disposed substantially orthogonal to the second axis.

19. The switch of claim 16, wherein the first secondary channel is disposed obliquely to the first primary channel;

and

the second secondary channel is disposed obliquely to the second primary channel.

20. The switch of claim 16, wherein the first secondary channel is disposed substantially orthogonal to the first primary channel;

and

the second secondary channel is disposed substantially orthogonal to the second primary channel.

21. The switch of claim 17, wherein the third secondary channel is disposed obliquely to the third primary channel;

and

the fourth secondary channel is disposed obliquely to the fourth primary channel.

22. The switch of claim 17, wherein the third secondary channel is disposed substantially orthogonal to the third primary channel;

and

the fourth secondary channel is disposed substantially orthogonal to the fourth primary channel.