Haptic interface for laptop computers and other portable devices

• US 6,822,635 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2001
• Issued: 11/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Schena, Bruce M., Rosenberg, Louis B., Shahoian, Erik J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): WU, XIAO MIN
• Application Number:
  US09/917,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20020033795A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/163, 345/173, 345/169, 345/179, 345/184, 345/701, 345/702, 361/680, 361/681, 361/683, 361/682, 361/685, 361/686, 361/687
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• 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: H01H 2003/008 with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/052 piezoelectric

Abstract

A haptic feedback touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that provides position information to a computer based on a location of user contact. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position information, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user. The actuator can move the touchpad laterally, or a separate surface member can be actuated. A flat E-core actuator, piezoelectric actuator, or other types of actuators can be used to provide forces. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a substantially-planar contact surface;

a processor configured to receive a first signal associated with a position on the contact surface and to output a second signal associated with the first signal; and

an actuator configured to receive the second signal from the processor, the actuator operable to move the contact surface in a direction substantially parallel to the contact surface based at least in part on the second signal, wherein the actuator comprises a rotary actuator coupled to the contact surface via a linkage, the linkage configured to convert a rotary force output by the actuator to a linear force, the linear force operable to cause the contact surface to move in the direction substantially parallel to the contact surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the linkage includes a flexible member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the flexible member comprises polypropylene.

4. An apparatus, comprising:

a substantially-planar contact surface;

a processor configured to receive a first signal associated with a position on the contact surface and to output a second signal associated with the first signal; and

an actuator configured to receive the second signal from the processor, the actuator operable to move the contact surface in a direction substantially parallel to the contact surface based at least in part on the second signal, wherein the actuator is a first actuator, and the direction substantially parallel to the contact surface is a first direction, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a second actuator configured to move the contact surface in a second direction substantially parallel to the contact surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction.

6. An apparatus, comprising:

a substantially-planar contact surface;

a sensor in communication with the contact surface, the sensor configured to output a first signal associated with a position on the contact surface; and

an actuator configured to receive a second signal associated with the first signal, the actuator operable to move the contact surface in a direction substantially parallel to the contact surface based at least in part on the second signal, wherein the actuator comprises a rotary actuator coupled to the contact surface via a linkage, the linkage configured to convert a rotary force output by the actuator to a linear force, the linear force causing the contact surface to move in the direction substantially parallel to the contact surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the linkage includes a flexible member.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the flexible member comprises polypropylene.

9. An apparatus, comprising:

a substantially-planar contact surface;

a sensor in communication with the contact surface, the sensor configured to output a first signal associated with a position on the contact surface; and

an actuator configured to receive a second signal associated with the first signal, the actuator operable to move the contact surface in a direction substantially parallel to the contact surface based at least in part on the second signal, wherein the actuator is a first actuator, and the direction substantially parallel to the contact surface is a first direction, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a second actuator, the second actuator configured to move the contact surface in a second direction substantially parallel to the contact surface.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

a substantially-planar contact surface;

a sensor in communication with the contact surface, the sensor configured to output a first signal associated with a position on the contact surface;

an actuator configured to receive a second signal associated with the first signal, and to output a rotary force based at least in part on the second signal; and

a flexure coupled to the actuator, the flexure configured to convert the rotary force output by the actuator to a linear force, the linear force operable to cause the contact surface to move.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the motion of the contact surface is substantially perpendicular to the contact surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the motion of the contact surface is substantially parallel to the contact surface.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flexure comprises polypropylene.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a touch screen comprising the contact surface.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the motion of the contact surface corresponds with a graphical environment displayed on the touch screen.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a housing comprising the contact surface.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the housing further comprises a processor, the processor configured to receive the first signal from the sensor and to output the second signal to the actuator.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a handheld device comprising the housing.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the handheld device comprises one of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone, and an electronic book.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the flexure is coupled to the housing.

22. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the contact surface and the sensor are included in a touch pad.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the touch pad is in communication with a processor, the processor configured to receive the first signal from the sensor and to output the second signal to the actuator.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the processor is included in one of a laptop computer, a pen-based computer, and a Web pad.

25. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the motion of the contact surface is operable to impart at least one of a texture sensation, a jolt sensation, and a pulsing sensation.