Multi-touch display screen with localized tactile feedback

• US 20090167704A1
• Filed: 02/08/2008
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Terlizzi, Jeffrey J., Minoo, Jahan
• Granted Patent: US 9,857,872 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine

Abstract

Systems, methods, computer-readable media, and other means are described for utilizing touch-based input components that provide localized haptic feedback to a user. The touch-based input components can be used and/or integrated into any type of electronic device, including laptop computers, cellular telephones, and portable media devices. The touch-based input components can use, for example, a grid of piezoelectric actuators to provide vibrational feedback to a user, while the user scrolls around a click wheel, slides across a trackpad, or touches a multi-touch display screen.

Claims

1. A method for enabling non-visual use of an electronic device, comprising:

presenting a visual display, wherein the visual display includes a virtual button;

associating a haptic feedback response with the virtual button; and

providing the haptic feedback response enabling a user to feel the location of the virtual button.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic feedback response is provided while the virtual button is included in the visual display.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving an indication of a user'"'"'s desire to locate the virtual button; and

providing the haptic feedback response in response to receiving the indication.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein receiving an indication of a user'"'"'s desire to locate the virtual button further comprises receiving a touch event.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the haptic feedback response is provided only in response to a touch event.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the haptic feedback response comprises providing vibrational feedback to the user.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein providing haptic feedback comprises selectively activating a piezoelectric actuator.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein selectively activating a piezoelectric actuator comprises:

applying a first control signal to a backplane; and

applying a second control signal to a control electrode.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein selectively activating a piezoelectric actuator comprises:

applying a first control signal to a first control electrode; and

applying a second control signal to a second control electrode.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the haptic feedback response further comprises emitting an audible noise.

11. A method for enabling non-visual use of an electronic device comprising:

detecting a touch event; and

selectively activating one or more piezoelectric actuators in response to the touch event.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising applying a first control signal to one electrode of each of the one or more piezoelectric actuators and applying a second control signal to another electrode of each of the one or more piezoelectric actuators.

13. A user input component for an electronic device comprising:

a touch-sensitive surface that detects a touch event;

a grid of piezoelectric actuators in planar configuration with the touch-sensitive surface; and

circuitry configured to selectively activate one or more of the piezoelectric actuators included in the grid of piezoelectric actuators in response to the touch event.

14. The user input component of claim 13, wherein the grid of piezoelectric actuators provides localized haptic feedback.

15. The user input component of claim 13, wherein the grid of piezoelectric actuators comprise:

a plurality of transparent electrodes; and

transparent piezoelectric material arranged as a plurality of nodes disposed between the plurality of electrodes.

16. The user input component of claim 13, wherein the grid of piezoelectric actuators comprise:

a plurality of electrodes; and

opaque piezoelectric material arranged as a plurality of nodes disposed between the plurality of electrodes.

17. The user input component of claim 13, wherein the circuitry is further configured to selectively activate a piezoelectric actuator by applying a first control signal to one electrode and applying a second control signal to another electrode.

18. The user input component of claim 13 further comprising an integrated display screen.

19. The user input component of claim 18, wherein the integrated display screen is disposed on top of the grid of piezoelectric actuators.

20. The user input component of claim 18, wherein the integrated display screen is disposed below the grid of piezoelectric actuators.

21. The user input component of claim 13, wherein the circuitry is further configured to selectively activate two or more of the piezoelectric actuators included in the grid of piezoelectric actuators to each vibrate at a unique frequency.

22. A portable electronic device configured for non-visual use, comprising:

a storage device that stores media data;

a wireless receiver that enables the system to wirelessly communicate with an electronic device;

a display screen that presents a visual display, wherein the visual display includes user-selectable display elements; and

an input component that;

detects a touch event; and

in response to the touch event, provides a haptic feedback response enabling a user to feel the location of user-selectable display elements.

23. The portable electronic device of claim 22, wherein the visual display includes a virtual click wheel.

24. The virtual click wheel of claim 22, comprising:

a virtual button that vibrates at a first frequency; and

a virtual wheel that vibrates at a second frequency.

25. The system of claim 25, wherein the virtual button and virtual wheel only vibrate while a touch event is occurring.