Haptic feedback for touchpads and other touch controls

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A haptic feedback device, comprising:
 a touch screen operative to display a graphical image and to output a position signal indicative of a selected location on the touch screen in two dimensions; and   at least a first actuator configured to impart a first force to thereby provide a haptic effect in response to the selection, the first force based on information output by a computer device.   
     
     
         2 . The haptic feedback device of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing, wherein the first actuator is a linear actuator configured to provide an output force in a linear degree of freedom. 
     
     
         3 . The haptic feedback device of  claim 1 , wherein the first actuator is a rotary actuator configured to provide an output force in a rotary degree of freedom. 
     
     
         4 . The haptic feedback device of  claim 1 , wherein the first actuator is an inertial actuator that provides an inertial force. 
     
     
         5 . A haptic feedback device, comprising:
 a touch screen operative to display a graphical image and to output a position signal indicative of a selected location on the touch screen in two dimensions; and   at least a first actuator configured to impart a first force to thereby provide a haptic effect in response to the selection, the first force based on information output by a computer device, wherein the touch screen is operative to allow the user to provide input on the touch screen.   
     
     
         6 . A haptic feedback device, comprising:
 a touch screen operative to display a graphical image and to output a position signal indicative of a selected location on the touch screen in two dimensions; and   at least a first actuator configured to impart a first force to thereby provide a haptic effect in response to the selection, the first force based on information output by a computer device, wherein the first actuator is capable of outputting a continuous vibration or a pulse tactile sensation.   
     
     
         7 . A haptic feedback device, comprising:
 a touch surface operative to display a graphical image and to output a position signal indicative of a selected location on the touch screen in two dimensions; and   at least a first actuator configured to impart a first force to thereby provide a haptic effect in response to the selection, the first force based on information output by a computer device wherein the touch surface includes a first region and a second region.   
     
     
         8 . The haptic feedback device of  claim 7 , wherein the first region provides the position signal and the second region provides a second signal. 
     
     
         9 . The haptic feedback device of  claim 7 , wherein the second signal is used in conjunction with a button press. 
     
     
         10 . The haptic feedback device of  claim 7 , wherein the first region is capable of outputting a haptic sensation that is different from a haptic sensation output at the second region. 
     
     
         11 . The haptic feedback device of  claim 7 , wherein the computer device is configured to send a control signal to the first actuator when the select changes from one of the first and second regions to the other of the first and second regions. 
     
     
         12 . The haptic feedback device of  claim 7 , further comprising a sensor configured to send to the computer device a signal indicative of a motion, a pressure or a position of the selection. 
     
     
         13 . The haptic feedback device of  claim 12 , wherein the motion is a velocity or a change in velocity. 
     
     
         14 . A haptic feedback device, comprising:
 a touch surface including a first region and a second region, the first region being operative to display a graphical image and to output a position signal indicative of a selected location on the first region in two dimensions; and   at least a first actuator configured to impart a first force to thereby provide a haptic effect in response to the selection, the first force based on information output by a computer device configured to send a control signal to at least one actuator when the selected location changes from the first region to the second region.