Self Adapting Haptic Device

• US 20170236388A1
• Filed: 05/01/2017
• Published: 08/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Hill, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 9,934,661 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/047 Vibrating means for incoming calls

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that allow an electronic device to autonomously adapt one or more user alerts of the electronic device. For example, some embodiments may include a method for operating a haptic device including driving a haptic device using a control signal, measuring a frequency related to the operation of the haptic device and comparing the measured frequency with a target frequency. A control signal is adjusted based on the comparison to drive the haptic device to the target frequency.

Claims

1. A method of operating a haptic actuator of an electronic device, the method comprising:

determining, using one or more sensors associated with the electronic device, an operating environment of the electronic device;

determining an initial reference value;

storing the initial reference value in a memory of the electronic device;

determining if optimization is needed;

in the case that optimization is not to be performed, actuating an alert device of the electronic device; and

in the case that optimization is to be performed,

modifying a control signal at least once;

determining a sensor value for each modification of the control signal; and

modifying the initial reference value based on the determined sensor values.