Human-computer interface system

Abstract

One variation of a method for interfacing a computer to a human includes: detecting application of a first input onto a touch sensor surface and a first force magnitude of the first input; in response to the first force magnitude exceeding a first threshold magnitude, actuating a vibrator coupled to the touch sensor surface during a first click cycle and triggering an audio driver proximal the touch sensor surface to output a click sound during the first click cycle; detecting retraction of the first input from the touch sensor surface and a second force magnitude of the first input; and, in response to the second force magnitude falling below a second threshold magnitude less than the first threshold magnitude, actuating the vibrator during a second click cycle distinct from the first click cycle and triggering the audio driver to output the click sound during the second click cycle.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for interfacing a computer system and a user comprising:
 during a first scan cycle:
 reading a first set of force values from an array of sense electrode and drive electrode pairs arranged on a substrate, and arranged under a touch sensor surface; 
 interpreting a first input at a first location on the touch sensor surface; 
 interpreting a first force magnitude of the first input based on the first set of force values; 
 in response to the first force magnitude of the first input exceeding a first threshold magnitude:
 outputting a first command, associated with the first threshold magnitude; and 
 executing a first click cycle by driving a set of vibrators to oscillate the touch sensor surface; 
 
   during a second scan cycle:
 reading a second set of force values from the array of sense electrode and drive electrode pairs; 
 interpreting a second input at a second location on the touch sensor surface; 
 interpreting a second force magnitude of the second input based on the second set of force values; and; 
 in response to the second force magnitude of the second input exceeding a second threshold magnitude greater than the first threshold magnitude:
 outputting a second command, associated with the second threshold magnitude; and 
 executing a second click cycle by driving the set of vibrators to oscillate the touch sensor surface. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . A method for interfacing a computer system and a user comprising:
 reading a first set of force values from an array of sense electrode and drive electrode pairs arranged on a substrate, and arranged under a touch sensor surface;   at a first time, interpreting a first input at a first location on the touch sensor surface;   tracking a first force magnitude of the first input based on the first set of force values over a first period of time succeeding the first time; and   in response to the first force magnitude of the first input exceeding a first down-click threshold magnitude at a second time succeeding the first time:
 outputting a first command, assigned to a first region containing the first location on the touch sensor surface, at approximately the second time; 
 executing a first down-click cycle by driving a set of vibrators to oscillate the touch sensor surface; and 
 in response to the first force magnitude of the first input falling below an up-click threshold magnitude less than the first down-click threshold magnitude at a third time succeeding the second time:
 detecting retraction of the first input from the touch sensor surface; and 
 executing a first up-click cycle by driving the set of vibrators to oscillate the touch sensor surface. 
 
   
     
     
         3 . A system for interfacing a computer system and a user comprising:
 a touch sensor comprising:
 a substrate; and 
 an array of sense electrode and drive electrode pairs patterned across the substrate, each sense electrode and drive electrode pair exhibiting a change in electrical value responsive to variations in magnitude of force applied over the substrate; 
   a layer arranged over the substrate defining a touch sensor surface;   a vibrator coupled to the array of sense electrode drive electrode pairs; and   a controller coupled to the touch sensor and the vibrator, and configured to:
 during a first scan cycle:
 read a first set of force values from the array of sense electrode and drive electrode pairs; 
 interpret a first input at a first location on the touch sensor surface; 
 interpret a first force magnitude of the first input based on the first set of force values; and 
 execute a first click cycle by driving the vibrator to oscillate the touch sensor surface, in response to the first force magnitude of the first input exceeding a first threshold magnitude; and 
 
 during a second scan cycle:
 read a second set of force values from the array of sense electrode and drive electrode pairs; 
 interpret a second input at a second location on the touch sensor surface; 
 interpret a second force magnitude of the second input based on the second set of force values; and 
 execute a second click cycle by driving the vibrator to oscillate the touch sensor surface in response to the second force magnitude of the second input exceeding a second threshold magnitude greater than the first threshold magnitude.