Virtual Detents Through Vibrotactile Feedback

• US 20080158149A1
• Filed: 12/27/2007
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Levin, Michael D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,430,042 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

Abstract

Systems and methods for virtual detents through vibrotactile feedback are described. One described method includes receiving an input signal comprising information associated with the manipulation of an input device and generating a signal configured to cause an actuator to provide a vibrotactile effect to the input device, the vibrotactile effect comprising a virtual detent.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving an input signal comprising information associated with a manipulation of an input device, and

generating a vibrotactile signal configured to cause an actuator to produce a vibrotactile effect to the input device, the vibrotactile effect comprising a virtual detent.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a system signal associated with a system to be manipulated, the system signal based at least in part on the input signal, and wherein generating a system signal and generating the vibrotactile signal occur substantially simultaneously.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the vibrotactile signal is based at least in part on the input signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the vibrotactile signal is further based in part on the status of the input device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether to generate a signal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining whether to generate a signal is based at least in part on a status of the system to be manipulated.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining one of a plurality of virtual detents to generate.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the information associated with the manipulation of an input device comprises information associated with the rotation of a rotary knob or the sliding of a fader.

9. A method comprising:

detecting a change in position of an input device; and

generating a detent signal based at least in part on the change in position, the detent signal configured to cause an actuator to produce a vibrotactile effect to the input device, the vibrotactile effect comprising a virtual detent, the vibrotactile effect based at least in part on the detent signal.

10. A computer-readable medium on which is encoded program code, the program code comprising:

program code for receiving an input signal comprising information associated with the manipulation of an input device; and

program code for generating a detent signal configured to cause an actuator to produce a vibrotactile effect to the input device, the vibrotactile effect comprising a virtual detent.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, further comprising program code for generating a system signal associated with a system to be manipulated, the system signal based at least in part on the input signal.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, further comprising program code for determining whether to generate a detent signal.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, further comprising program code for determining a virtual detent to generate.

14. A computer-readable medium on which is encoded program code, the program code comprising:

program code for detecting a change in position of an input device, and

program code for generating a detent signal based at least in part on the change in position, the detent signal configured to cause an actuator to produce a vibrotactile effect to the input device, the vibrotactile effect comprising a virtual detent, the vibrotactile effect based at least in part on the detent signal.

15. A system comprising:

an input device;

a processor in communication with the input device, the processor configured to receive an input signal, the processor further configured to generate a detent signal; and

at least one actuator coupled to the input device, the at least one actuator configured to receive the detent signal and produce a vibrotactile effect to the input device, the vibrotactile effect comprising a virtual detent.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to control a system based at least in part on a manipulation of the input device.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether to generate a detent signal.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one actuator is coupled to a housing of the input device.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the input device comprises a sensor.