IP Library Granted Patent US 9,927,887
Granted Patent B2
US 9,927,887 · App. 14/986,325 · Granted Mar 27, 2018

Localized haptics for two fingers

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,927,887
App. No.
14/986,325
Granted
Mar 27, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

An input device includes an input surface to contact a plurality of input objects. The plurality of input objects includes a first input object and a second input object. Further, the input device includes a plurality of sensor electrodes to determine positional information for the plurality of input objects on the input surface. The input device includes an actuator to move the input surface to provide haptic feedback to the first input object contacting the input surface and to isolate haptic feedback to the second input object contacting the input surface.

Claims (33)

1. An input device comprising:

an input surface to contact a plurality of input objects, the plurality of input objects comprising a first input object and a second input object;

a plurality of sensor electrodes to determine positional information for the plurality of input objects on the input surface; and

an actuator that provides haptic feedback to the first input object contacting the input surface and isolates the second input object contacting the input surface from the haptic feedback by rotating the entire input surface about a first axis that is parallel to a plane of the input surface,

wherein the actuator aligns a center of rotation of the input surface with a contact area of the second input object on the input surface to isolate the second input object from the haptic feedback, and

wherein the actuator comprises a plurality of individually controllable actuators, each disposed in a different peripheral location of the input surface, and each exerting a force selected to produce, in combination, a resultant force, causing the rotation of the entire input surface about the first axis.

2. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator also rotates the input surface in at least one of a first planar direction and a second planar direction, wherein both the first planar direction and the second planar direction are about an axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the input surface.

3. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator moves the input surface with three degrees of freedom.

4. The input device of claim 3 , wherein the actuator also moves the input surface about a second axis that is parallel to the plane of the input surface and perpendicular to the first axis.

5. The input device of claim 4 , wherein the actuator isolates haptic feedback to a third input object that contacts the input surface.

6. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises at least one of an electromagnet and a piezoelectric assembly.

7. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the input surface is coupled to a housing via a plurality of springs.

8. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensor electrodes determine force applied by the plurality of input objects on the input surface.

9. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the haptic feedback provided by the actuator is based on at least one of a position and a force applied by the second input object.

10. The input device of claim 1 , further comprising:

an elastic layer disposed below the input surface.

11. A processing system for an input device, the processing system comprising:

a sensor module comprising circuitry coupled to a plurality of sensor electrodes, the sensor module configured to transmit transmitter signals and to receive resulting signals with at least a portion of the plurality of sensor electrodes; and

a determination module comprising circuitry configured to determine positional information for a plurality input objects simultaneously contacting an input surface,

wherein the plurality of input objects comprises a first input object and a second input object, and

wherein the determination module is configured to:

determine positional information of the first input object,

determine positional information of the second input object,

determine a subsequent location of the first input object, and

actuate an actuator that provides haptic feedback to the first input object and isolates the second input object from the haptic feedback by rotating the entire input surface about an axis that is parallel to a plane of the input surface,

wherein the actuator comprises a plurality of individually controllable actuators, each disposed in a different peripheral location of the input surface, and each exerting a force selected to produce, in combination, a resultant force, causing the rotation of the entire input surface about the axis.

12. The processing system of claim 11 , wherein the actuator also rotates the input surface in at least one of a first planar direction and a second planar direction, wherein both the first planar direction and the second planar direction are about an axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the input surface.

13. The processing system of claim 11 , wherein the haptic feedback provided by the actuator is based on at least one of a position and a force applied by the second input object.

14. The processing system of claim 11 , wherein the actuator also aligns a center of rotation of the input surface with a contact area of the second input object on the input surface to isolate the second input object from the haptic feedback.

15. The processing system of claim 14 , wherein the center of rotation of the input surface is aligned with the contact area of the second input object on the input surface by manipulating a plurality of forces acting on the input surface provided by the actuator.

16. The processing system of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of forces acting on the input surface provided by the actuator act proximate to corner portions of the input surface.

17. The processing system of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of forces acting on the input surface provided by the actuator are determined by the determination module based on a force applied by at least one of the first input object and the second input object.

18. The processing system of claim 17 , wherein the force applied by at least one of the first input object and the second input object is determined by the plurality of sensor electrodes of the sensor module.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 27, 2017
From: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 044037/0896 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2016
From: BULEA, MIHAI
To: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 037416/0210 →