Electronic device including tactile touch-sensitive display and method of controlling same

1. A method of controlling an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display, the method comprising:

imparting, by an actuator, a force on the touch-sensitive display to provide tactile feedback;

determining, based on signals from an accelerometer and a force sensor, the force imparted by the actuator on the touch-sensitive display by subtracting a force determined utilizing the force sensor from a force determined utilizing the accelerometer;

comparing the determined force to a target force; and

adjusting a subsequent force imparted by the actuator based on the comparison.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the force imparted by the actuator comprises determining, utilizing the accelerometer, a force at a base of the electronic device that includes force imparted by the actuator and an external applied force.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein determining the force imparted by the actuator comprises determining the external applied force from signals from the force sensor.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein determining the force imparted by the actuator comprises subtracting the external applied force from the force determined at the base of the electronic device utilizing the accelerometer.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a piezo actuator and imparting a force comprises modulating a charge at the actuator to cause the actuator to impart the force.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein adjusting the subsequent force comprises one of adjusting an applied voltage or current to adjust the charge.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein adjusting comprises decreasing an applied voltage or current when the force is greater than the target.

8. The method according to claim 6 , wherein adjusting comprises increasing an applied voltage or current when the force is less than the target.

9. The method according to claim 5 wherein imparting the force comprises simulating collapse of a dome switch.

10. The method according to claim 5 , wherein imparting the force comprises simulating release of a dome switch.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein for execution by a processor in an electronic device to cause the electronic device to carry out the method of claim 1 .

12. An electronic device comprising:

a base;

a touch-sensitive display moveable relative to the base;

an actuator arranged to impart a force on the touch-sensitive display;

a force sensor;

an accelerometer; and

a processor operably coupled to the touch-sensitive display, the actuator and the accelerometer, the processor configured to

determine, based on signals from the accelerometer and the force sensor, the force imparted by the actuator on the touch-sensitive display by subtracting a force determined utilizing the force sensor from a force determined utilizing the accelerometer;

compare the determined force to a target force; and

adjust a subsequent force imparted by the actuator based on the comparison.

13. The electronic device according to claim 12 , wherein the accelerometer is arranged to measure a force at a base of the electronic device.