Haptic interface for touch screen embodiments
A haptic feedback touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that provides position information to a computer based on a location of user contact. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position information, 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. The actuator can move the touchpad laterally, or a separate surface member can be actuated. A flat E-core actuator, piezoelectric actuator, or other types of actuators can be used to provide forces. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.
1. A method of outputting haptic feedback comprising:
sensing movement along a touch screen, wherein the movement is sensed with a sensor coupled to the touch screen;
comparing the sensed movement with a predetermined gesture;
recognizing a first symbol based on the comparison between the sensed movement and the predetermined gesture;
outputting a haptic feedback to the touch screen via an actuator coupled to the touch screen, wherein the actuator outputs the haptic feedback based on the recognized first symbol; and
outputting a second haptic feedback different from the haptic feedback based on a recognized second symbol, wherein the recognized second symbol is different than the recognized first symbol.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the recognized symbol comprises a character.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting the haptic feedback comprises outputting the haptic feedback in a direction substantially parallel to a surface of the touch screen.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting the haptic feedback comprises outputting the haptic feedback in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the touch screen.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wherein the actuator comprises one or more of: an inertial linear actuator or an inertial rotary actuator.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the actuator is coupled to the touchscreen via a flexure.
7. A device, comprising:
a touch screen;
an actuator coupled to the touch screen;
a sensor coupled to the touch screen, the sensor configured to sense movement along the touch screen; and
a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to:
compare the sensed movement with a predetermined gesture;
recognize a first symbol based on the comparison between the sensed movement and the predetermined gesture;
cause a haptic feedback to be output to the touch screen via the actuator, wherein the actuator outputs the haptic feedback based on the recognized first symbol; and
cause a second haptic feedback to be output via the actuator, the second haptic feedback different from the haptic feedback based on a recognized second symbol, wherein the recognized second symbol is different than the recognized first symbol.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the recognized first symbol comprises a character.
9. The device of claim 7 , the processor further configured to:
cause the haptic feedback to be output in a direction substantially parallel to a surface of the touch screen.
10. The device of claim 7 , the processor further configured to:
cause the haptic feedback to be output in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the touch screen.
11. The device of claim 7 , wherein the device comprises one or more of: a laptop computer, a handheld computing device, or a wearable computing device.
12. The device of claim 7 , wherein the actuator comprises one or more of: an inertial linear actuator or an inertial rotary actuator.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the actuator is coupled to the touch screen via a flexure.