Systems and Methods for Haptic Feedback Using Laterally Driven Piezoelectric Actuators

Abstract

Systems and methods for haptic feedback using laterally driven piezoelectric actuators are disclosed. For example, one described apparatus for haptic feedback using laterally driven piezoelectric actuators includes: a base; a touch-sensitive interface comprising an interface surface, the touch-sensitive interface affixed to the base and configured to move in a direction lateral to the interface surface; and a piezoelectric actuator mounted to the base and to the touch-sensitive interface and configured to receive a haptic signal and output a force in a direction lateral to the interface surface.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a base;   a touch-sensitive interface comprising an interface surface, the touch-sensitive interface affixed to the base and configured to move in a direction lateral to the interface surface; and   a piezoelectric actuator mounted to the base and to the touch-sensitive interface and configured to receive a haptic signal and output a force in a direction lateral to the interface surface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force is configured to provide haptic feedback. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric actuator comprises a monolithic piezoelectric actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric actuator comprises a composite piezoelectric actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a housing and the touch-sensitive interface comprises a display 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein mounting the actuator to the base comprises placing the actuator between three clamps, at least one of the clamps mounted to the base and at least one of the clamps mounted to the touch-sensitive interface. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base is mounted to a housing. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the housing comprises a mobile device housing. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor in communication with the piezoelectric actuator, the processor configured to transmit the haptic signal to the piezoelectric actuator. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the touch-sensitive interface comprises a touch-screen. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the base comprises a display. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the piezoelectric actuator is mounted between the touch-screen and the display. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the piezoelectric actuator comprises a seal between the touch-sensitive interface and the display. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 receiving an input signal from a touch-sensitive interface mounted to a base, the touch-sensitive interface configured to move in a lateral degree of freedom;   determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the input signal; and   transmitting a haptic signal corresponding to the haptic effect to a piezoelectric actuator configured to output a lateral force on the touch-sensitive interface.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the force is configured to provide a haptic effect. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the piezoelectric actuator is mounted between the base and the touch-sensitive interface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the actuator is placed between a plurality of clamps, at least one of the clamps mounted to the base and at least one of the clamps mounted to the touch-sensitive interface 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the touch-sensitive interface comprises a touch-screen and the base comprises a display. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the piezoelectric actuator forms a seal between the touch-screen and the display. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein determining the haptic effect comprises determining an intensity of force to output and determining a length of time to output the force. 
     
     
         21 . A system comprising:
 a base;   a display mounted to the base and configured to receive a display signal, and output an image on a display surface;   a touch-screen mounted to the display, the touch-screen configured to transmit sensor signals corresponding to a user interaction and move in a lateral degree of freedom;   a processor configured to receive the sensor signals, determine a haptic effect, and transmit a haptic signal corresponding to the determined haptic effect; and   a piezoelectric actuator mounted between the display and the touch-sensitive interface, the piezoelectric actuator configured to receive the haptic signal and output a force on the touch-screen in a direction lateral to the display surface, wherein the force is configured to provide a haptic effect.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the piezoelectric actuator forms a seal between the display and the touch-screen.