Haptic Feedback for Button and Scrolling Action Simulation in Touch Input Devices

Abstract

A planar touch control is used to provide input to a computer and haptic feedback is provided thereto. A touch control includes a touch input device with a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor associated with the computer based on a location of user implemented contact on the touch surface. The computer can position or modify a cursor or image 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 via the touch surface.

1 . A method for simulating a button press using haptic feedback imparted through a touch surface, comprising:
 sensing a contact with said touch surface; and   moving the touch surface responsive to said contact in accordance with a first single-discontinuity waveform.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein moving comprises:
 generating a first signal in response to contact;   transmitting the first signal to a processor;   creating a haptic output current signal in response to said first signal;   carrying said haptic output current signal to an actuator arranged to create relative motion between a first structural element and a second structural element thereof, the first structural element mechanically coupled to the touch surface and the second structural element mechanically coupled to a display device or a housing structure; and   causing a haptic effect by actuating the actuator.   
     
     
         3 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein moving comprises:
 generating a first signal in response to the contact;   transmitting the first signal to a processor;   creating a haptic output current signal in response to said first signal;   carrying said haptic output current signal to an actuator arranged to create relative motion between a first structural element and a second structural element thereof, the first structural element mechanically coupled to the touch-sensitive panel and the second structural element mechanically coupled to a display device or a housing, wherein the actuator further includes:
 a first biasing element coupling the first structural element to the second structural element; 
 a first magnetic device carried by the first structural element, the first magnetic device including a first pole piece; 
 a second magnetic device carried by the second structural element, the second magnetic device including a second pole piece; and 
 a first coil disposed about at least one of said first pole piece and said second pole piece; 
 wherein the first biasing, element is arranged to provide a biasing force opposing an attractive magnetic force urging the first and second pole pieces together when current is applied to the first coil; and 
   causing a haptic effect by actuating the actuator.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the single-discontinuity waveform is associated with one of a button press or a button release. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising moving the touch surface in accordance with a second single-continuity waveform associated with the other of the button press or the button release. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first second single-continuity waveforms are different from one another. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first second single-continuity waveforms are substantially identical to one another. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the single-discontinuity waveform is symmetrical. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the single-discontinuity waveform is asymmetrical. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the touch surface is a touchscreen. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the touch surface is a touchpad. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said contact is effected by a body portion of an operator. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said contact is effected by a stylus manipulated by an operator. 
     
     
         14 . A method for providing haptic feedback representative of the relative location of a cursor and a graphical object displayed on a display screen, comprising:
 associating the location of the cursor in the display screen with a contact location on a touch screen; and   providing haptic feedback by way of the touch screen as long as the location of the cursor on the display screen assumes a predetermined relationship with the location of the graphical object on the touch screen.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined relationship is coincidence of location. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the touch surface is a touchscreen. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the touch surface is a touchpad. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said contact is effected by a body portion of an operator. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said contact is effected by a stylus manipulated by an operator. 
     
     
         20 . A method for providing haptic feedback representative, of the extent to which an action triggered by manipulation of a cursor relative to a graphical object displayed on a display screen is occurring comprising:
 associating the location of the cursor in the display screen with a contact location on a touch screen; and   providing haptic feedback by way of the touch screen, said haptic feedback having an extent corresponding to the extent of the action.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the action is scrolling. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the haptic feedback is based on a repetitive waveform whose frequency increases corresponding to the extent of the action. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the touch surface is a touchscreen. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the touch surface is a touchpad. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said contact is effected by a body portion of an operator. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said contact is effected by a stylus manipulated by an operator. 
     
     
         27 . A method for providing haptic feedback in response to a manipulation of a graphical object, comprising:
 correlating a characteristic of the manipulation of the graphical object with a characteristic of a contact of a touch screen; and   imparting a force to the touch screen at an extent which varies in accordance with the characteristic of the manipulation.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein imparting a force comprises:
 generating a first signal in response to the contact;   transmitting the first signal to a processor;   creating a haptic output current signal in response to said first signal;   carrying said haptic output current signal to an actuator arranged to create relative motion between a first structural element and a second structural element thereof, the first structural element mechanically coupled to the touch surface and the second structural element mechanically coupled to a display device or a housing structure; and   causing a haptic effect by actuating the actuator.   
     
     
         29 . A method of  claim 27 , wherein moving comprises:
 generating a first signal in response to the contact;   transmitting the first signal to a processor;   creating a haptic output current signal in response to said first signal;   carrying said haptic output current signal to an actuator arranged to create relative motion between a first structural element and a second structural element thereof, the first structural element mechanically coupled to the touch-sensitive panel and the second structural element mechanically coupled to a display device or a housing, wherein the actuator further includes:
 a first biasing element coupling the first structural element to the second structural element; 
 a first magnetic device carried by the first structural element, the first magnetic device including a first pole piece; 
 a second magnetic device carried by the second structural element, the second magnetic device including a second pole piece; and 
 a first coil disposed about at least one of said first pole piece and said second pole piece; 
 wherein the first biasing element is arranged to provide a biasing force opposing an attractive magnetic force urging the first and second pole pieces together when current is applied to the first coil; and 
   causing a haptic effect by actuating the actuator.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the characteristic of the manipulation is one or more of speed, acceleration, or deceleration. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the imparted force is repetitive and increases in frequency and/or magnitude with said one or more of speed, acceleration or deceleration. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the imparted force is repetitive and increases in frequency and/or magnitude based on the characteristic of the manipulation. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the graphical object assumes multiple forms, and the characteristic of said manipulation is the rate at which said forms are assumed. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the imparted force is repetitive and increases in frequency and/or magnitude based on said rate. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said graphical object is a scroll bar. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said characteristic of a contact is the location of the contact. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said characteristic of a contact is pressure imparted by the contact. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said characteristic of a contact is a rate of change of contact position. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said characteristic of a contact is a rate of change of contact speed. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said characteristic of a contact is a rate of change of contact location.