Feedback Systems for Input Devices

Abstract

An electronic device including a processor, a display screen in communication with the processor, a track pad in communication with the processor including a movable surface that is selectively movable in at least one direction to provide feedback to a user, and a feedback system in communication with the processor including a feedback sensor. The feedback sensor determines a movement characteristic of the movable surface and the processor selectively adjusts at least one setting of the track pad based on the movement characteristic.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for operating a haptic output device for an electronic device comprising:
 sensing, by a force sensor, an input force applied to a movable surface of the haptic output device;   moving the movable surface in response to the input force;   returning the movable surface to an original position using an adjustable biasing support;   sensing, by a feedback sensor, at least one of a movement velocity, acceleration, or distance of movement of the movable surface;   determining, by a processor, whether the at least one of the movement velocity, acceleration, or distance is accurate; and   if the at least one of the movement velocity, acceleration, or distance is not accurate, adjusting at least one characteristic of the haptic output device.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the haptic output device is a track pad. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein adjusting the at least one characteristic of the haptic output device comprises varying an input waveform of an actuator operably connected to the movable surface and configured to move the movable surface. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein varying the input waveform of the actuator comprises adjusting at least one of a magnitude, duration, or shape of the input waveform. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the feedback sensor comprises an accelerometer, and the accelerometer is operably connected to the movable surface and configured to detect an acceleration of the movement of the movable surface. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the feedback sensor comprises an optical distance sensor. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the feedback sensor comprises a first feedback sensor and a second feedback sensor. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the feedback sensor is configured to detect a change in capacitance as the movable surface moves from a first position to a second position. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the feedback sensor is configured to detect a change in a magnetic field as the movable surface moves from a first position to a second position. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein returning the movable surface to the original position using the adjustable biasing support comprises exerting a biasing force on the movable surface. 
     
     
         31 . An electronic device comprising:
 a processor;   a display screen in communication with the processor;   a track pad in communication with the processor including a movable surface for providing output to a user;   a force sensor coupled to the track pad and configured to detect a force input to the movable surface;   an actuator in communication with the processor and operably connected to the movable surface, the actuator configured to cause a movement of the movable surface;   an adjustable biasing support configured to provide a biasing force to return the movable surface to an original position in response to the movement; and   a feedback system in communication with the processor including a feedback sensor configured to determine at least one of a movement velocity, acceleration, or distance of the movement of the movable surface; wherein:   the processor adjusts at least one setting of the track pad based on the at least one of the movement velocity, acceleration, or distance.   
     
     
         32 . The electronic device of  claim 31 , wherein the actuator moves the movable surface between a first position and a second position in response to the detected force input. 
     
     
         33 . The electronic device of  claim 32 , wherein the actuator moves the movable surface based on an input signal, and the at least one setting of the track pad is the input signal. 
     
     
         34 . The electronic device of  claim 31 , wherein the feedback sensor comprises an optical sensor configured to detect a movement distance. 
     
     
         35 . The electronic device of  claim 31 , wherein the feedback sensor comprises an accelerometer. 
     
     
         36 . A computing device comprising:
 a movable surface;   a force sensor configured to detect a force input to the movable surface;   a feedback sensor configured to detect a movement characteristic of the movable surface;   an adjustable biasing support configured to provide a biasing force to return the movable surface to an original position in response to movement of the movable surface;   a processor in communication with the feedback sensor and configured to:
 compare the detected movement characteristic with a desired movement characteristic; and 
 if a difference between the detected movement characteristic and the desired movement characteristic exceeds a threshold, adjust at least one input characteristic of the movable surface; wherein 
   the movement characteristic is at least one of a movement velocity, acceleration, or distance.   
     
     
         37 . The computing device of  claim 36 , further comprising an actuator connected to the movable surface and in communication with the processor. 
     
     
         38 . The computing device of  claim 36 , wherein the feedback sensor includes an accelerometer. 
     
     
         39 . The computing device of  claim 36 , wherein the feedback sensor is configured to detect a change in capacitance as the movable surface moves from a first position to a second position. 
     
     
         40 . The computing device of  claim 36 , wherein the processor is further configured to adjust the adjustable biasing support when the difference between the detected movement characteristic and the desired movement characteristic exceeds the threshold.