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. An electronic communication device comprising:
a housing;
a touch screen coupled to the housing, the touch screen configured to display a graphical object therethrough;
a first actuator disposed within the housing at a first location of the housing;
a second actuator disposed within the housing at a second location of the housing, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are of the same type,
the first actuator or the second actuator configured to output a force when activated, wherein the force is based on the first or second location of the housing and wherein a first haptic effect associated with the force is imparted to the touch screen via the housing.
2. The electronic communication device of claim 1 , wherein the force comprises a particular frequency that is amplified by the housing at the first or the second location.
3. The electronic communication device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a vibration isolation system that isolates the force from at least one other location of the housing different from the first or the second location.
4. The electronic communication device of claim 1 , wherein the force is based on a level of compliance of the first or the second location of the housing.
5. The electronic communication device of claim 1 , wherein the first or the second location acts as a sounding board.
6. The electronic communication device of claim 1 , wherein the first or the second actuator comprises an inertial linear actuator or an inertial rotary actuator.
7. The electronic communication device of claim 6 , wherein the first or the second actuator is coupled to the housing via a flexure.
8. The electronic communication device of claim 3 , wherein the electronic communication device comprises a laptop computer, a handheld computing device, or a wearable computing device.
9. An electronic communication device comprising:
a housing;
a touch screen coupled to the housing at a first location of the housing, the touch screen configured to display a graphical object therethrough;
a first actuator coupled to the touch screen;
a second actuator disposed within the housing at a second location of the housing, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are of the same type,
the first actuator or the second actuator configured to output a force when activated, wherein the force is based on the first or the second location, and wherein a first haptic effect associated with the force is imparted to the housing via the touch screen.
10. The electronic communication device of claim 9 , wherein the force comprises a particular frequency that is amplified by the housing at the first or the second location.
11. The electronic communication device of claim 9 , further comprising:
a vibration isolation system that isolates the force from at least one other location of the housing different from the first or second location.
12. The electronic communication device of claim 9 , wherein the force is based on a level of compliance of the first or second location of the housing.
13. The electronic communication device of claim 9 , wherein the first or second location acts as a sounding board.
14. The electronic communication device of claim 9 , wherein the first or second actuator comprises an inertial linear actuator or an inertial rotary actuator.
15. The electronic communication device of claim 14 , wherein the first or second actuator is coupled to the touch screen via a flexure.
16. The electronic communication device of claim 9 , wherein the electronic communication device comprises a laptop computer, a handheld computing device, or a wearable computing device.
17. A method, comprising:
displaying, by a touch screen, a graphical object, wherein the touch screen is coupled to a housing,
wherein the housing is coupled to a first actuator and a second actuator, the first actuator disposed within the housing at a first location of the housing and the second actuator disposed within the housing at a second location of the housing, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are of the same type; and
outputting, by the first or the second actuator, a force when activated, wherein the force is based on the first or the second location of the housing and wherein a first haptic effect associated with the force is imparted to the touch screen via the housing.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the force comprises a particular frequency that is amplified by the housing at the first or the second location.
19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
isolating, by a vibration isolation system, the force from at least one other location of the housing different from the first or the second location.
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the force is based on a level of compliance of the first or the second location of the housing.
21. The method of claim 17 , wherein the first or the second location acts as a sounding board.
22. The method of claim 17 , wherein the first or the second actuator comprises an inertial linear actuator or an inertial rotary actuator.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the first or the second actuator is coupled to the housing via a flexure.