Electronic Device with an Input Device Having a Haptic Engine

Abstract

An electronic device is configured to provide haptic feedback to a user based on an input action associated with an input device. The electronic device includes a haptic engine operably connected to a processing device. The haptic engine includes an electromagnetic actuator that detects an input action associated with the input device. The electromagnetic actuator also produces a haptic output in response to the detection of the input action.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic device comprising:
 an input device having an input surface and configured to receive a translational input; and   a haptic engine mechanically coupled to the input device and configured to:
 produce an input device signal in response to the translational input; and 
 produce a haptic output along the input surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the haptic engine comprises:
 a shaft coupled to the input device;   a frame coupled to the shaft and configured to move in response to the translational input;   a magnet assembly coupled to the frame; and   a coil assembly at least partially surrounding the magnet assembly and configured to:
 generate the input device signal in response to movement of the magnet assembly; and 
 receive a haptic output signal to generate the haptic output. 
   
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 2 , further comprising a housing at least partially surrounding the frame, wherein the coil assembly is attached to the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein the haptic engine further comprises a compliant element positioned between the frame and the housing and configured to compress in response to the translational input. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the haptic engine is configured to operate in at least two modes, the at least two modes comprising:
 a first mode in which the shaft engages the input device, wherein the haptic output is provided to the input surface when the haptic engine is operating in the first mode; and   a second mode in which the shaft is not engaged with the input device.   
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the electronic device further comprises housing forming at least a portion of an exterior surface of the device; and   the haptic output is provided to the exterior surface when the haptic engine is operating in the second mode.   
     
     
         7 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the input surface comprises an input button in an electronic watch and the translational input comprises a translational movement of the input button. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the electronic watch further comprises:
 a display configured to display a user interface screen associated with an application program; and 
 a processing device operably connected to the haptic engine and to the display; and 
   in response to the input device signal, the processing device causes a haptic output signal to be transmitted to the haptic engine causing the haptic engine to produce the haptic output; and   in response to the input device signal, the display displays a change in the user interface screen.   
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the input surface comprises a crown in an electronic watch;   the translational input comprises a translational movement of the crown; and   the crown is further configured to receive a rotational input.   
     
     
         10 . An electronic device, comprising:
 an input device configured to receive a user input;   a linear actuator coupled to the input device and configured to generate an input device signal in response to the user input; and   a processing device operably connected to the linear actuator and configured to cause a haptic output signal to be transmitted to the linear actuator, in response to the input device signal, wherein the haptic output signal causes the linear actuator to produce a haptic output.   
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 10 , further comprising a force sensor disposed at least partially around an interior perimeter of the input device and positioned between the input device and an enclosure of the electronic device. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the electronic device comprises an electronic watch and the input device includes a crown. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the electronic device comprises an electronic watch and the input device includes an input button. 
     
     
         14 . An electronic watch, comprising:
 an input button;   an electromagnetic actuator mechanically coupled to the input button, the electromagnetic actuator comprising:
 a magnet assembly; and 
 a coil assembly adjacent the magnet assembly; and 
   a processing device operably coupled to the electromagnetic actuator, wherein   the electromagnetic actuator is configured to detect an input action provided to the input button based on a first movement between the magnet assembly and the coil assembly, the first movement inducing an input device signal; and   the processing device is configured to cause a haptic output signal to be transmitted to the electromagnetic actuator, in response to the input device signal, the haptic output signal causing a second movement between the magnet assembly and the coil assembly to produce a haptic output.   
     
     
         15 . The electronic watch of  claim 14 , wherein the coil assembly is fixed and the magnet assembly moves in response to the input action. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic watch of  claim 14 , wherein the magnet assembly is fixed and the coil assembly moves in response to the input action. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic watch of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the electronic watch further comprises a frame at least partially surrounding the magnet and coil assemblies;   the magnet assembly is attached to the frame; and   a shaft configured to mechanically couple the frame to the input button.   
     
     
         18 . The electronic watch of  claim 17 , further comprising a biasing mechanism configured to select an operating mode of the electromagnetic actuator by moving the frame. 
     
     
         19 . The electronic watch of  claim 18 , wherein the operating mode comprises:
 a first mode in which the shaft engages the input button; and   a second mode in which the shaft is not engaged with the input button.   
     
     
         20 . The electronic watch of  claim 19 , wherein the biasing mechanism comprises:
 a magnet attached to the shaft; and   an electromagnet included in an enclosure of the electronic watch and configured to produce an attracting or repelling force with respect to the magnet.