IP Library Granted Patent US 8,466,778
Granted Patent B2
US 8,466,778 · App. 12/840,988 · Granted Jun 18, 2013

Apparatus and method for generating vibration pattern

Inventors: Hyokune Hwang (Seoul, KR); Inho Choi (Seoul, KR); Sunuk Kim (Seoul, KR); Jaecheon Sa (Seoul, KR); Munchae Joung (Seoul, KR)
Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,466,778
App. No.
12/840,988
Granted
Jun 18, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for controlling a vibration includes a vibration transfer unit; at least one pair of oscillators disposed spaced apart from each other in the vibration transfer unit, and configured to generate a vibration in the vibration transfer unit; at least one driver configured to selectively drive the at least one pair of oscillators; and a controller configured to control the at least one driver and thereby move a center of the vibration within the vibration transfer unit so as to create a moving vibration sensation.

Claims (34)

1. An apparatus for controlling a vibration, the apparatus comprising:

a vibration transfer unit;

at least one pair of oscillators disposed spaced apart from each other in the vibration transfer unit, and configured to generate a vibration in the vibration transfer unit;

at least one driver configured to selectively drive the at least one pair of oscillators; and

a controller configured to control the at least one driver and thereby move a center of the vibration within the vibration transfer unit so as to create a moving vibration sensation.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller moves the center of the vibration continuously while the vibration is continuously generated within the vibration transfer unit.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller moves the center of the vibration discretely while the vibration is generated at intervals within the vibration transfer unit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller moves the center of the vibration in a predetermined pattern within the vibration transfer unit.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller moves the center of the vibration in a random pattern within the vibration transfer unit.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the vibration transfer unit has a plate or a bar shape.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the center of the vibration is moved on a straight line connecting the at least one pair of oscillators.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller independently controls at least one of an intensity and a phase of respective vibrations generated by the at least one pair of oscillators.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller fixes an intensity and phase of a vibration generated by a first of the at least one pair of oscillators, and changes an intensity of a vibration generated by a second of the at least one pair of oscillators to thereby move the center of the vibration within the vibration transfer unit.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller sets frequencies and waveforms of respective vibrations generated by the at least one pair of oscillators to the same value.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one pair of oscillators comprises a multi-channel oscillator that generates a vibration using at least two vibration frequencies.

12. A method for controlling a vibration, the method comprising:

generating a vibration in a vibration transfer unit via at least one pair of oscillators disposed spaced apart from each other in the vibration transfer unit; and

moving a center of the vibration within the vibration transfer unit so as to create a moving vibration sensation.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the center of the vibration is moved continuously while the vibration is continuously generated within the vibration transfer unit.

14. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the center of the vibration is moved discretely while the vibration is generated at intervals within the vibration transfer unit.

15. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the center of the vibration is moved in a predetermined pattern within the vibration transfer unit.

16. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the center of the vibration is moved in a random pattern within the vibration transfer unit.

17. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the center of the vibration is moved on a straight line connecting the at least one pair of oscillators.

18. The method according to claim 12 , wherein at least one of an intensity and a phase of respective vibrations generated by the at least one pair of oscillators are independently controlled.

19. The method according to claim 12 , wherein an intensity and a phase of a vibration generated by a first of the at least one pair of oscillators is fixed, and an intensity of a vibration generated by a second of the at least one pair of oscillators is changed to thereby move the center of the vibration in the vibration transfer unit.

20. A mobile device, comprising:

a user input unit configured to receive data from a user;

a display module configured to display information; and

a vibration pattern generation apparatus configured to control a vibration;

wherein the vibration pattern generation apparatus comprises:

a vibration transfer unit;

at least one pair of oscillators disposed spaced apart from each other in the vibration transfer unit, and configured to generate a vibration in the vibration transfer unit;

at least one driver configured to selectively drive the at least one pair of oscillators; and

a controller configured to control the at least one driver and thereby move a center of the vibration within the vibration transfer unit so as to create a moving vibration sensation.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 11, 2012
From: HWANG, HYOKUNE; CHOI, INHO; KIM, SUNUK; SA, JAECHEON; JOUNG, MUNCHAE
To: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Reel/Frame 029448/0329 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2009-0076740 · Aug 19, 2009 · national
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61230109 · Jul 31, 2009
Related Publication 20110025479A1 · Feb 3, 2011