Multi-touch device having dynamic haptic effects

• US 8,098,235 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Heubel, Robert W., Grant, Danny A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Nitin
• Application Number:
  US11/863,741
• Publication Number:
  US 20090085878A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,572 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-179
• 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 method of generating haptic effects comprising:

sensing at least two generally simultaneous 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.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises determining a location of the touches.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises determining a number of touches on the touchscreen.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter is one or more of amplitude, frequency and duration.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the dynamic haptic effect is generated by at least one actuator.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises a first determination that a first finger and a second finger are being moved apart, and the dynamic haptic effect comprises increasing the parameter.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the sensing comprises a second determination that the first finger and a second finger are being moved together, and the dynamic haptic effect comprises decreasing the parameter.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that a first finger and a second finger are being rotated, and the dynamic haptic effect comprises generating a detent simulation from the variation.

9. The method 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 speed indication from the variation.

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

11. 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 simultaneous 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.

12. The multi-touch device of claim 11, wherein the haptic feedback system comprises at least one actuator.

13. The multi-touch device of claim 11, wherein the sensing comprises determining a location of the touches.

14. The multi-touch device of claim 11, wherein the sensing comprises determining a number of touches on the touchscreen.

15. The multi-touch device of claim 11, wherein the at least one parameter is one or more of amplitude, frequency and duration.

16. The multi-touch device of claim 11, wherein the sensing comprises a first determination that a first finger and a second finger are being moved apart, and the dynamic haptic effect comprises increasing the parameter.

17. The multi-touch device of claim 11, wherein the sensing comprises a second determination that the first finger and a second finger are being moved together, and the dynamic haptic effect comprises decreasing the parameter.

18. The multi-touch device of claim 11, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that a first finger and a second finger are being rotated, and the dynamic haptic effect comprises generating a detent simulation from the variation.

19. The multi-touch device of claim 11, 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 speed indication from the variation.

20. The multi-touch device of claim 11, wherein the dynamic haptic effect is generated substantially solely at points of contact of the touches on the touchscreen.

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

sense at least two generally simultaneous 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.

22. A system for generating haptic effects comprising:

means for sensing at least two generally simultaneous touches on a touchscreen; and

means for 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.