Linear vibrator providing localized haptic feedback

• US 9,600,071 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2012
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Rothkopf, Fletcher
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US13/411,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20120223824A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,845 Days
• Field of Search: 340/4.2, 340/5.72, 340/7.6, 340/7.61, 340/7.62, 340/7.63, 340/407.1, 340/407.2, 345/156, 345/160, 345/163, 345/173, 345/184
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

An apparatus for providing haptic feedback, including: a shell defining an aperture; a driver disposed within the shell; a mass disposed within the coil; and a projection connected to the mass and extending through the aperture. Also described herein is a method for providing generalized and localized haptic feedback, including the operations of: receiving an input signal; determining if the input signal corresponds to a generalized haptic feedback; if so, providing a first input to a linear vibrator; otherwise, providing a second input to a linear vibrator; wherein the linear vibrator outputs a generalized haptic feedback in response to the first input; and the linear vibrator outputs a localized haptic feedback in response to the second input.

Claims

1. A haptic feedback device for providing haptic feedback, comprising:

a housing;

a touch-sensitive display disposed at least partially within the housing;

a driver disposed within the housing; and

a movable mass within the driver;

wherein the driver is configured to;

cause the movable mass to oscillate to a maximum distance not greater than a first distance in order to produce a generalized haptic feedback to the housing; and

cause at least a portion of the mass to displace a second distance greater than the first distance to produce a localized haptic feedback to the touch-sensitive display.

2. The haptic feedback device of claim 1, wherein:

the driver comprises at least one coil; and

the movable mass is a magnetic material.

3. The haptic feedback device of claim 2, wherein:

the at least one coil is configured to receive a first and second level of current;

the movable mass is displaced a first distance when the at least one coil receives the first level of current; and

the movable mass is displaced a second distance when the at least one coil receives the second level of current.

4. The haptic feedback device of claim 3, wherein movable mass comprises a projection that extends beyond the driver and toward the touch-sensitive display.

5. The haptic feedback device of claim 3, wherein the at least one coil is configured to receive the second level of current when the touch-sensitive display is touched.

6. A method for providing haptic feedback with a linear vibrator within an electronic device, the method comprising:

receiving an input signal;

determining if the input signal corresponds to a generalized haptic feedback;

if so, providing a first input to the linear vibrator corresponding an oscillation of the linear vibrator that does not exceed a first distance to produce a first haptic output to a housing of the electronic device; and

determining if the input signal corresponds to a localized haptic feedback;

if so, providing a second input to a linear vibrator corresponding to a displacement of at least a portion of the linear vibrator beyond a second distance to produce a second haptic output to a portion of the housing of the electronic device;

wherein

the second distance is greater than the first distance.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein:

the first input is a first current; and

the second input is a second current.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the operation of determining if the input signal corresponds to a generalized haptic feedback comprises:

sensing a user input; and

in response to sensing the user input, determining that the input signal does not correspond to a localized haptic feedback.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the operation of determining that the input signal does not correspond to a localized haptic feedback occurs after the user input has ceased.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the operation of sensing a user input comprises sensing a user touching a button shown on a display screen of the electronic device; and

the localized haptic feedback is output to the button.