US7148875B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Haptic feedback for touchpads and other touch controls
Assignee: Immersion Corp
•
Filing: 2002-08-06
•
Granted: 2006-12-12
•
Expires: 2022-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A haptic feedback planar touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor of the computer based on a location of user contact on the touch surface. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, 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 contacting the touch surface. The touch input device can be a touchpad separate from the computer's display screen, or can be a touch screen. Output haptic sensations on the touch input device can include pulses, vibrations, and spatial textures. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis B. Rosenberg
- 👤 James R. Riegel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/016; A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/20; A63F13/21; A63F13/214; A63F13/2145; A63F13/218; A63F13/24; A63F13/245; A63F13/25; A63F13/28; A63F13/285; A63F13/40; A63F13/42; A63F13/426; A63F13/80; A63F13/803; A63F13/90; A63F13/92; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1626; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1684; G06F1/169; G06F1/1692; G06F3/011; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0338; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03543; G06F3/03545; G06F3/03547; G06F3/0362; G06F3/041; G06F3/0414; G06F3/04142; G06F3/0416; G06F3/048; G06F3/0484; G06F3/04847; G06F3/0485; G06F3/04855; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0488; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/10; A63F2300/1006; A63F2300/1037; A63F2300/1056; A63F2300/1062; A63F2300/1068; A63F2300/1075; A63F2300/20; A63F2300/204; A63F2300/60; A63F2300/6045; A63F2300/80; A63F2300/8017; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/01; G06F2203/013; G06F2203/014; G06F2203/015; H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H2003/008; H01H2215/00; H01H2215/05; H01H2215/052; H04; H04L; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A device, comprising: a housing; a compliant suspension coupled to the housing; a touch input element coupled to the compliant suspension, the touch input element configured to generate a position signal; and a rotary actuator coupled to at least one of the touch input element and the housing, the rotary actuator configured to output haptic feedback via the touch input element based on the position signal, the compliant suspension configured to amplify the haptic feedback, the haptic feedback being associated with a rotary output force provided by the rotary actuator, the rotary output force configured to be converted to a linear force.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A device, comprising: a housing; a compliant suspension coupled to the housing; a touch input element coupled to the compliant suspension, the touch input element configured to generate a position signal; and a rotary actuator coupled to at least one of the touch input element and the housing, the rotary actuator configured to output haptic feedback via the touch input element based on the position signal, the compliant suspension configured to amplify the haptic feedback, the haptic feedback being associated with a rotary output force provided by the rotary actuator, the rotary output force configured to be converted to a linear force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 1 , further comprising a processor configured to receive the position signal from the touch input element and to provide a control signal to the rotary actuator, the control signal being associated with the position signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the compliant suspension is one compliant suspension from a plurality of compliant suspensions coupled to the touch input element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the rotary actuator is configured to output an inertial force based on a movement of an inertial mass coupled to the rotary actuator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the touch input element includes a plurality of regions, each region from the plurality of regions being uniquely associated with a haptic feedback.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the touch input element includes a sensor, the sensor being configured to output the position signal, the position signal being associated with a contact of the touch input element by an external member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the touch input element includes a sensor, the sensor being configured to output a movement signal associated with a movement of an external member in contact with the touch input element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the compliant suspension is at least one of a helical spring, a leaf spring, a foam and a flexure.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
113 words
A device, comprising: a housing; a touch input element configured to generate a position signal, the touch input element having a boundary; a rotary actuator coupled to at least one of the touch input element and the housing, the rotary actuator configured to provide haptic feedback to the touch input element based on the position signal; and a compliant suspension, the compliant suspension coupled substantially adjacent to the boundary of the touch input element and the housing, the compliant suspension configured to amplify the haptic feedback, the haptic feedback being associated with a rotary output force provided by the rotary actuator, the rotary output force configured to be converted to a linear force.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
113 words
A device, comprising: a housing; a touch input element configured to generate a position signal, the touch input element having a boundary; a rotary actuator coupled to at least one of the touch input element and the housing, the rotary actuator configured to provide haptic feedback to the touch input element based on the position signal; and a compliant suspension, the compliant suspension coupled substantially adjacent to the boundary of the touch input element and the housing, the compliant suspension configured to amplify the haptic feedback, the haptic feedback being associated with a rotary output force provided by the rotary actuator, the rotary output force configured to be converted to a linear force.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 9 , further comprising a processor configured to receive the position signal from the touch input element and to provide a control signal to the rotary actuator, the control signal being associated with the position signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein the compliant suspension is one compliant suspension from a plurality of compliant suspensions coupled to the touch input element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein the rotary actuator is configured to output an inertial force based on a movement of an inertial mass coupled to the rotary actuator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein the touch input element includes a plurality of regions, each region from the plurality of regions being uniquely associated with a haptic feedback.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein the touch input element includes a sensor, the sensor being configured to output the position signal, the position signal being associated with a contact of the touch input element by an external member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein the touch input element includes a sensor, the sensor being configured to output a movement signal associated with a movement of an external member in contact with the touch input element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein the compliant suspension is at least one of a helical spring, a leaf spring, a foam and a flexure.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
88 words
A method, comprising: receiving a position signal from a touch input element, the touch input element being coupled to a compliant suspension, the compliant suspension coupled to a housing; and outputting haptic feedback via a rotary actuator coupled to the touch input element, the haptic feedback being based on the position signal, the haptic feedback being amplified by the compliant suspension, the haptic feedback being associated with a rotary output force provided by the rotary actuator, the rotary output force configured to be converted to a linear force.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
88 words
A method, comprising: receiving a position signal from a touch input element, the touch input element being coupled to a compliant suspension, the compliant suspension coupled to a housing; and outputting haptic feedback via a rotary actuator coupled to the touch input element, the haptic feedback being based on the position signal, the haptic feedback being amplified by the compliant suspension, the haptic feedback being associated with a rotary output force provided by the rotary actuator, the rotary output force configured to be converted to a linear force.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
116 words
A device, comprising: a housing; a touch input element configured to generate a position signal; a rotary actuator coupled to at least one of the housing and the touch input element, the rotary actuator configured to receive a control signal based on the position signal, the rotary actuator configured to output haptic feedback based on the control signal; and a compliant suspension coupled to the touch input element and the housing, the compliant suspension having a compliance such that the compliant suspension is configured to amplify the haptic feedback, the haptic feedback being associated with a rotary output force provided by the rotary actuator, the rotary output force configured to be converted to a linear force.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
116 words
A device, comprising: a housing; a touch input element configured to generate a position signal; a rotary actuator coupled to at least one of the housing and the touch input element, the rotary actuator configured to receive a control signal based on the position signal, the rotary actuator configured to output haptic feedback based on the control signal; and a compliant suspension coupled to the touch input element and the housing, the compliant suspension having a compliance such that the compliant suspension is configured to amplify the haptic feedback, the haptic feedback being associated with a rotary output force provided by the rotary actuator, the rotary output force configured to be converted to a linear force.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 18 , wherein the haptic feedback is operative to impart a periodic vibration to the touch input element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 18 , wherein the compliant suspension includes at least one compliant suspension.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 18 , wherein the rotary actuator is configured to output an inertial force based on a movement of an inertial mass coupled to the rotary actuator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 18 , wherein the rotary actuator is a rotary motor and the compliant suspension is coupled between a housing of the rotary motor and the housing of the device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 22 , wherein an eccentric mass is coupled to a rotating shaft of the motor and is configured to output an inertial force.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 18 , wherein the control signal is provided by a local controller.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 24 , wherein the local controller is a microprocessor, and the microprocessor is configured to receive data from a host processor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 18 , wherein the control signal is output by a host processor such that the host processor directly controls the haptic feedback.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
76 words
The device of claim 18 , wherein the haptic feedback has a first component associated with a frequency range and a second component associated with a frequency range different from the frequency range of the first component, and the compliant suspension is configured to amplify the first component of the haptic feedback, the compliant suspension configured to impart the amplified haptic feedback including the amplified first component of the haptic feedback to the touch input element.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 27 , wherein the frequency range of the first component includes a resonant frequency.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 18 , wherein the rotary actuator is configured to operate at a frequency below a resonance frequency associated with the rotary actuator, the compliance of the compliant suspension having a resonance frequency greater than the resonance frequency associated with the rotary actuator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2009-12-11 | 2010-06-12 | 2010-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-12-11 | 2014-06-12 | 2014-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-12-11 | 2018-06-12 | 2018-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |