US6429846B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Haptic feedback for touchpads and other touch controls
Assignee: Immersion Corp
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Filing: 2000-01-19
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Granted: 2002-08-06
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Expires: 2020-01-19
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
2026-10-24 17:32
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: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A haptic feedback touch control for inputting signals to a computer and for outputting forces to a user of the touch control, the touch control comprising: a touch input device including an approximately planar touch surface operative to input a position signal to a processor of said computer based on a location on said touch surface which said user contacts, said position signal representing a location in two dimensions, wherein said computer positions a cursor in a graphical environment displayed on a display device based at least in part on said position signal; and at least one actuator coupled to said touch input device, said actuator outputting a force on said touch input device to provide a haptic sensation to said user contacting said touch surface, wherein said actuator outputs said force based on force information output by said processor, said actuator outputting a force directly on said touch input device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A haptic feedback touch control for inputting signals to a computer and for outputting forces to a user of the touch control, the touch control comprising: a touch input device including an approximately planar touch surface operative to input a position signal to a processor of said computer based on a location on said touch surface which said user contacts, said position signal representing a location in two dimensions, wherein said computer positions a cursor in a graphical environment displayed on a display device based at least in part on said position signal; and at least one actuator coupled to said touch input device, said actuator outputting a force on said touch input device to provide a haptic sensation to said user contacting said touch surface, wherein said actuator outputs said force based on force information output by said processor, said actuator outputting a force directly on said touch input device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said touch input device is a touchpad, said touchpad being separate from a display screen of said computer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said touch input device is included in a display screen of said computer as a touch screen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said touch input device is integrated in a housing of said computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 4 wherein said computer is a portable computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said touch input device is provided in a housing that is separate from said computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said user contacts said touch surface with a finger of said user.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said user contacts said touch surface with a physical object held by said user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 8 wherein said physical object is a stylus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said touch input device is integrated in a housing of a handheld device operated by at least one hand of a user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 10 wherein said handheld device is a remote control device for controlling functions of an electronic device or appliance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one actuator is a first actuator, and further comprising at least one additional actuator coupled to said touch input device for outputting a force on said touch input device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said force is a linear force output approximately perpendicularly to a plane of said touch surface of said touch input device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 13 wherein said actuator is a linear actuator that provides an output force in a linear degree of freedom, and wherein said actuator is rigidly coupled to said touchpad and rigidly coupled to a grounded housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 13 wherein said actuator is a rotary actuator that provides an output force in a rotary degree of freedom, said output force being converted to said linear force on said touch input device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a piezo-electric actuator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a voice coil actuator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a pager motor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a solenoid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 further comprising a touch device microprocessor separate from said processor and providing control signals to control said actuator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said actuator outputs a vibration or a pulse tactile sensation on said touch input device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said touch input device includes a plurality of different regions, wherein at least one of said regions provides said position signal and at least one other region provides a signal that is used by said computer to control a different function.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 22 wherein said different function includes a rate control function of a value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 22 wherein said different function includes a button press.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 22 wherein at least one of said regions is associated with a different haptic sensation output on said touch input device than another one of said regions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 22 wherein a haptic sensation is output when said user moves a contacting object from one of said regions to another one of said regions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
46 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 further comprising a sensor for detecting motion or position of said touch input device approximately perpendicularly to said touch surface, wherein an input signal based on said detected motion or position is sent to said computer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein said processor outputs said force information to provide said haptic sensation in accordance with an interaction of said cursor with a graphical object in said graphical environment.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
63 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein a menu is displayed in said graphical environment, wherein when said cursor is moved between menu elements in said menu, a pulse is output on said touch input device, said pulse causing said touch input device to move along said z-axis and conveying said pulse to said user contacting said touch surface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
60 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein an icon is displayed in said graphical environment, wherein when said cursor is moved over said icon, a pulse is output on said touch input device, said pulse causing said touch input device to move along said z-axis and conveying said pulse to said user contacting said touch surface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
63 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein a menu is displayed in said graphical environment, wherein when said cursor is moved between menu elements in said menu, a pulse is output on said touch input device, said pulse causing said touch input device to move along said z-axis and conveying said pulse to said user contacting said touch surface.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
70 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 1 wherein a web page is displayed in said graphical environment and a hyperlink is displayed on said web page, wherein when said cursor is moved over said hyperlink, a pulse is output on said touch input device, said pulse causing said touch input device to move along said z-axis and conveying said pulse to said user contacting said touch surface.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
144 words
A haptic feedback touch control for inputting signals to a computer and for outputting forces to a user of the touch control, the touch control comprising: a touch input device including an approximately planar touch surface operative to input a position signal to a processor of said computer based on a location on said touch surface which said user contacts, said position signal representing a location in two dimensions, wherein said computer positions a cursor in a graphical environment displayed on a display device based at least in part on said position signal; and an actuator coupled to said touch input device, said actuator coupled to an inertial mass, wherein said actuator outputs an inertial force approximately along an axis perpendicular to said planar touch surface, wherein said inertial force is transmitted through said touch input device to said user contacting said touch surface.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
144 words
A haptic feedback touch control for inputting signals to a computer and for outputting forces to a user of the touch control, the touch control comprising: a touch input device including an approximately planar touch surface operative to input a position signal to a processor of said computer based on a location on said touch surface which said user contacts, said position signal representing a location in two dimensions, wherein said computer positions a cursor in a graphical environment displayed on a display device based at least in part on said position signal; and an actuator coupled to said touch input device, said actuator coupled to an inertial mass, wherein said actuator outputs an inertial force approximately along an axis perpendicular to said planar touch surface, wherein said inertial force is transmitted through said touch input device to said user contacting said touch surface.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 33 wherein said actuator is a linear actuator that moves said inertial mass bi-directionally along a linear axis that is substantially perpendicular to said planar touch surface.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 33 wherein said touch input device is a touchpad separate from a display screen of said computer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
A haptic feedback touch control as recited in claim 33 wherein said touch input device is included in a display device of said computer to provide a touch screen.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for providing haptic feedback to a touch input device that provides input to a computer device, said computer device implementing a graphical environment, the method comprising: providing said touch input device that is contacted by a user, said touch input device including at least one sensor for determining a location of said contact on a planar surface of said touch input device by said user and providing said computer device with a position signal indicating said location, wherein said computer device positions a cursor in said graphical environment based at least in part on said position signal; and providing an actuator coupled to said touch input device, said actuator receiving control signals derived, from force information output by said computer device, wherein said force information causes said actuator to output a force on said touch input device, said force being correlated with an interaction occurring in said graphical environment between said cursor and a different graphical object.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for providing haptic feedback to a touch input device that provides input to a computer device, said computer device implementing a graphical environment, the method comprising: providing said touch input device that is contacted by a user, said touch input device including at least one sensor for determining a location of said contact on a planar surface of said touch input device by said user and providing said computer device with a position signal indicating said location, wherein said computer device positions a cursor in said graphical environment based at least in part on said position signal; and providing an actuator coupled to said touch input device, said actuator receiving control signals derived, from force information output by said computer device, wherein said force information causes said actuator to output a force on said touch input device, said force being correlated with an interaction occurring in said graphical environment between said cursor and a different graphical object.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 37 wherein said force output on said touch input device is a linear force approximately perpendicular to said surface of said touch input device.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as recited in claim 37 wherein a touch device microprocessor, separate from a host processor of said computer device, receives said force information from said host processor and causes said control signals to be sent to said actuator.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 37 wherein said interaction occurring in said graphical environment includes a collision between said cursor and said different graphical object.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as recited in claim 37 wherein said interaction occurring in said graphical environment includes a selection of said different graphical object by said cursor, wherein said different graphical object is one of an icon, a window, and a menu item.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as recited in claim 37 wherein said touch input device is moveable along an axis approximately perpendicular to said planar surface of said touch input device, wherein said movement along said axis is sensed and information representative of said movement is sent to said computer device.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as recited in claim 37 wherein said computer device is portable, said touch input device is integrated in a housing of said computer device, and said actuator is a piezo-electric 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) | 2005-08-05 | 2006-02-04 | 2006-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-05 | 2010-02-04 | 2010-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-05 | 2014-02-04 | 2014-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |