Method and apparatus for providing tactile sensations

• US 7,336,260 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2002
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Vassallo, Steven P., Goldenberg, Alex S., Jasso, Alexander, Tierling, Kollin, Martin, Kenneth M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Osorio, Ricardo
• Application Number:
  US10/285,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20030122779A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,943 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/173, 345/157, 345/161, 345/163, 345167-169
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• 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 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• 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 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/001 Teaching or communicating with blind persons G09B21/02 - G09B21/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/003 using tactile presentation of the information, e.g. Braille displays
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/85 characterised by tactile feedback features
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/004 Collapsible dome or bubble
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/05 electromechanical
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/052 piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22

Abstract

Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback is provided by using an actuator or other means in communication with the input device or electronic device. A controller may be employed to receive signals from the input devices and control the actuator. Tactile feedback to an input device or electronic device may be provided in response to one or more events or situations. Such an event or situation may be any one designated. Examples of such events and situations include the level of pressure placed on an input device; the availability or lack of availability of a function associated with an input device; and the function, menu, or mode of operation associated with an input device'"'"'s activation. A variety of feedback types and combinations may be selected.

Claims

1. A computer-readable medium having instructions, the instructions including instructions that cause a processor to:

detect a first pressure on a first input device;

provide a first tactile sensation to the first input device, the first tactile sensation based at least in part on the first pressure;

detect a second pressure on the first input device, the second pressure greater than the first pressure; and

provide a second tactile sensation to the first input device, the second tactile sensation based at least in part on the second pressure;

detect a third pressure on the first input device, the third pressure greater than the second pressure; and

provide a third tactile sensation to the first input device.

2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 further comprising stored instructions, the stored instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

detect a fourth pressure on the first input device, the fourth pressure greater than the third pressure; and

provide a fourth tactile sensation to the first input device.

3. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 further comprising stored instructions, the stored instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to provide the first tactile sensation to a second input device.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 3 further comprising stored instructions, the stored instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to provide the second tactile sensation to the second input device.

5. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 further comprising stored instructions, the stored instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

detect a fourth pressure on a second input device; and

provide a fourth tactile sensation to the second input device.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, the fourth tactile sensation different from the first tactile sensation.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 further comprising stored instructions, the stored instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

detect a fifth pressure on the second input device, the fifth pressure greater than the fourth pressure; and

provide a fifth tactile sensation to the second input device.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 further comprising stored instructions, the stored instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

upon detecting the first pressure, provide a first signal indicating a first alphanumeric character;

upon detecting the second pressure, provide a second signal indicating a second alphanumeric character; and

upon detecting the third pressure, provide a third signal indicating a third alphanumeric character.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 further comprising stored instructions, the stored instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

upon detecting the first pressure, display the first alphanumeric character;

upon detecting the second pressure, display the second alphanumeric character; and

upon detecting the third pressure, display the third alphanumeric character.