MULTI-TOUCH DEVICE HAVING DYNAMIC HAPTIC EFFECTS

• US 20120081327A1
• Filed: 12/13/2011
• Published: 04/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: HEUBEL, Robert W., GRANT, Danny A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,542,216 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04808 Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

A system for generating haptic effects senses at least two generally simultaneous touches on a touchscreen and, in response, generates a dynamic haptic effect.

Claims

1. A computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to:

sense at least two generally concurrent touches on a touchscreen; and

generate a dynamic haptic effect in response to the sensing;

wherein the dynamic haptic effect is a vibration that comprises a variation of at least one parameter.

2. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that the concurrent touches apply pressure at each contact point.

3. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises a determination of the concurrent touches as touches from different fingers.

4. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises determining a location of the touches.

5. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises determining a number of touches on the touchscreen.

6. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter is one or more of amplitude, frequency and duration.

7. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the dynamic haptic effect is generated by at least one actuator.

8. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises a first determination that a first finger and a second finger are being moved, and the dynamic haptic effect comprises changing the parameter.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that a first finger and a second finger created a boundary box and the box is being dragged, wherein the dynamic haptic effect comprises generating a dragging.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the dynamic haptic effect is generated substantially solely at points of contact of the touches.

11. A method of generating haptic effects comprising:

sensing at least two generally concurrent touches on a touchscreen; and

generating a dynamic haptic effect in response to the sensing;

wherein the dynamic haptic effect is a vibration that comprises a variation of at least one parameter.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that the concurrent touches apply pressure at each contact point.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the concurrent touches apply different pressure at each contact point.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the sensing comprises a determination of the concurrent touches as touches from different fingers.

15. A multi-touch device comprising:

a touchscreen;

a processor coupled to the touchscreen; and

a haptic feedback system coupled to the processor;

wherein the processor is adapted to sense at least two generally concurrent touches on a touchscreen; and

the processor is adapted to generate through the haptic feedback system a dynamic haptic effect in response to the sensing;

wherein the dynamic haptic effect is a vibration that comprises a variation of at least one parameter.

16. The multi-touch device of claim 15, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that the concurrent touches apply pressure at each contact point.

17. The multi-touch device of claim 15, wherein the concurrent touches apply different pressure at each contact point.

18. The multi-touch device of claim 15, wherein the sensing comprises a determination of the concurrent touches as touches from different fingers.