HAPTIC FEEDBACK FOR TOUCHPADS AND OTHER TOUCH CONTROLS
A haptic feedback planar touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor of the computer based on a location of user contact on the touch surface. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user contacting the touch surface. The touch input device can be a touchpad separate from the computer's display screen, or can be a touch screen. Output haptic sensations on the touch input device can include pulses, vibrations, and spatial textures. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.
1 . A haptic feedback device, comprising:
a touch surface configured to display a graphical environment and to output a first signal associated with a selection of a graphical object of the graphical environment, wherein the touch surface comprises a first region associated with the selected graphical object and a second region configured to provide a second signal different from the first signal and associated with a control functionality different from the selected graphical object, and wherein the first and second regions are associated with different haptic effects; and
at least a first actuator configured to impart a first force to thereby provide a haptic effect in response to the selected graphical object or the control functionality different from the selected graphical object, the first force based on information output by a computer device.
2 . The haptic feedback device of claim 1 , wherein the computer device comprises a portable computer.
3 . The haptic feedback device of claim 2 , wherein the portable computer comprises a PDA, a pager or a cellular phone.
4 . The haptic feedback device of claim 1 , wherein the selected graphical object is associated with a button.
5 . The haptic feedback device of claim 1 , wherein the touch surface is operative to receive a selection of the graphical object from a user's finger.
6 . The haptic feedback device of claim 1 , wherein the touch surface is operative to receive a selection of the graphical object from a physical object held by the user.
7 . The haptic feedback device of claim 6 , wherein the physical object is a stylus.
8 . The haptic feedback device of claim 1 , wherein the touch surface is integrated in a housing of a handheld device that is capable of operation by at least one hand of the user.
9 . The haptic feedback device of claim 8 , wherein the handheld device is a remote control device for controlling one or more functions of an electronic device or appliance.
10 . The haptic feedback device of claim 1 , wherein the first actuator is a piezo-electric actuator.
11 . The haptic feedback device of claim 1 , wherein the first actuator is a voice coil actuator.
12 . The haptic feedback device of claim 1 , wherein the first actuator includes a solenoid.
13 . The haptic feedback device of claim 1 , wherein the first actuator outputs a continuous vibration or a pulse tactile sensation on the touch surface.
14 . The haptic feedback device of claim 1 , wherein the second signal is used in conjunction with a button press.
15 . The haptic feedback device of claim 1 , wherein the second signal is associated with: a running of a program, an opening or closing of a window, a navigation of a web browser, a powering on or off of a computer, an initiation of a sleep mode in a computer, an electronic mail function, a gaming function, or a word processing function.
16 . The haptic feedback device of claim 1 , wherein the first region is demarcated from the second region by: a visual demarcation, an audible demarcation, or a tactile demarcation.
17 . The haptic feedback device of claim 1 , wherein the selection of the graphical object is sensed by a first sensor associated with the first region and an input at the second region is sensed by a second sensor different from the first sensor.
18 . The haptic feedback device of claim 1 , wherein the selection of the graphical object and an input at the second region is sensed by the same sensor.
19 . A method, comprising:
outputting, by a touch surface operative to display a graphical environment, a first signal associated with a selection of a graphical object of the graphical environment, wherein the touch surface comprises a first region associated with the selected graphical object and a second region configured to provide a second signal different from the first signal and associated with a control functionality different from the selected graphical object, and wherein the first and second regions are associated with different haptic effects; and
imparting, by at least a first actuator, a first force to thereby provide a haptic effect in response to the selected graphical object or the control functionality different from the selected graphical object, the first force based on information output by a computer device.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the second signal is used in a rate control function of a value.
21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the second signal is used in conjunction with a button press.
22 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the second signal is associated with: a running of a program, an opening or closing of a window, a navigation of a web browser, a powering on or off of a computer, an initiation of a sleep mode in a computer, an electronic mail function, a gaming function, or a word processing function.
23 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the first region is demarcated from the second region by: a visual demarcation, an audible demarcation, or a tactile demarcation.
24 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the selected graphical object is associated with a button.
25 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
sensing, by a first sensor associated with the first region, the selection of the graphical object; and
sensing, by a second sensor different from the first sensor, an input at the second region.
26 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
sensing, by a sensor associated with the first region, the selection of the graphical object; and
sensing, by the sensor, an input at the second region.
27 . A haptic feedback device, comprising:
a touch surface configured to display a graphical environment and to output a first signal associated with a selection of a graphical object of the graphical environment, wherein the touch surface comprises a first region associated with the selected graphical object;
a button separate from the touch surface and associated with a command to be executed when the button is pressed; and
at least a first actuator configured to impart a first force or the button to thereby provide a haptic effect in response to the selected graphical object or the command, the first force based on information output by a computer device.
28 . The haptic feedback device of claim 27 , wherein the button is disposed adjacent to the touch surface.