FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to signaling apparatus and methods and more particularly to haptic signaling apparatus and methods.

SUMMARY

As consumer devices grow thinner and smaller, effectively communicating with the user becomes an increasing challenge. Many such devices (including, e.g., mobile phones and smart watches) rely on haptic feedback to provide non-visual cues and alerts to the user. These haptic components use moving masses to transfer momentum to the user; most commonly in the form of a vibration. While many haptic technologies exist, those targeting a thin (sub-5 mm) package height can be divided into two categories: linear resonant actuators (LRAs) and eccentric rotating masses (ERMs).

ERMs use a small electric motor that, when activated, rotates an eccentric mass about a shaft. The axis of rotation does not pass through the center of mass of the output mass; thus, when activated the ERM transfers a vibration through the motor mount. ERMs are characterized by a very high amplitude vibrational output relative to package size, but suffer from high ramp up and ramp down times and can only produce a single vibrational effect. The iPhone® 5, for example, uses an ERM.

LRAs use a linear magnetic actuator driving a mass coupled to a spring in a reciprocating, rather than rotating, motion. Typical LRAs have their axis of motion parallel to the thinnest package dimension. These LRAs are characterized by much reduced ramp up and ramp down times compared to ERMs, but still can typically only create a single vibrational effect.

One variant of LRA orients its axis of motion perpendicular to the thinnest package dimension. The increased range of motion allows this form of LRA to undergo non-resonant operation, enabling a much shorter output impulse (a ‘tap’) in contrast to a vibration. However, in all cases the output momentum is also oriented perpendicularly to the thinnest package dimension. After careful consideration, the inventors of the present invention has come to appreciate that, in most consumer electronics applications, this orientation is not ideal.

LRAs and ERMs are poorly adapted to produce anything approaching a ‘tap’ output oriented parallel to the thinnest package dimension in a package suitable for consumer electronics use (i.e. sub 5 mm thickness). Moreover, no known technology is capable of creating haptic effects along multiple axes in such a package.

The present invention concerns the use of complex mass trajectories within a haptic component. For the purposes of this disclosure, a simple trajectory is either a continuous rotation or a linear reciprocating motion. A complex mass trajectory is a trajectory that is not a simple trajectory.

Complex mass trajectories have the potential to offer great utility in creating improved haptic effects over the current state of the art. One valuable complex mass trajectory is a ‘J’ trajectory, in which the majority of the mass trajectory is more or less linear and perpendicular to the thinnest package dimension but, near one extreme of its motion, curves abruptly to travel parallel to the thinnest package dimension.

Combining two of these T trajectories back-to-back creates a dual ‘J’ trajectory, a design that enables a multifunctional haptic component. By using only an end region of the stroke, a vertical vibration parallel to the thinnest dimension can be created. By using the entire stroke, a ‘tap’ can be created. By using only the flat region, driven anti-symmetrically, a lateral vibration perpendicular to the thinnest package dimension can be created.

An accelerometer integrated into the haptic component can provide force feedback for active control. Alternately, an accelerometer existing elsewhere in the device, e.g. a mobile handset, can be used as sensing for active control.

It will be appreciated that, in various embodiments, the mechanism can be expanded to include additional J-trajectories, further augmenting the set of signals that can be produced. That is, the term “J-trajectory,”and the shape(s) illustrated in the various figures of the present disclosure, are intended to be merely exemplary of a wide variety of trajectories and accelerations, all of which are intended to fall within the present inventive disclosure and, subject to issuance of claims, within the scope of rights in the invention. Moreover, while several of the trajectories presented exhibit substantial mirror symmetry, it should be appreciated that these are merely exemplary of a wide variety of trajectories and arrangements. Thus, the various trajectories followed by opposing inertial masses will be configured according to the signaling and other requirements of a particular embodiment and may exhibit only local symmetries and/or partial symmetries and/or dynamic symmetries and/or no symmetries according to the requirements of a particular embodiment of the invention. Specifically, among other possibilities, the characteristics of the trajectory will, in certain embodiments, be modified during the course of using a device and/or during the course of a particular signaling operation.

Likewise, it should not be presumed that the inertial masses employed in a particular embodiment of the invention are equal in mass or other characteristics, or are otherwise specifically similar. In certain embodiments of the invention, a particular acceleration profile will be used to dynamically change the effective characteristics and relationship between the characteristics of the respective inertial masses. Moreover, in certain aspects of the invention, one large mass may be used in opposition to a plurality of smaller masses.

Furthermore, the characteristics of the inertial masses employed will be selected according to the requirements of a particular embodiment. For example, an inertial mass having more or less elastic characteristics will be beneficial in respective applications of the invention. Indeed in some applications a relatively “dead” i.e., inelastic, inertial mass will be employed. Such a mass will, in some embodiments, incorporate a plurality of smaller masses within an enclosure to produce a relatively inelastic response. In other embodiments, the material of the inertial mass will be selected for its elasticity and other characteristics. Thus, for example, metals, polymers, other organic materials, etc. will be employed in particular embodiments of the invention.

It should further be noted that, while for clarity of presentation, the embodiments presented here employ, for the most part, one or more mechanical links to define a J-trajectory, other means are capable of defining a J-trajectory and are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. Thus, for example, sliding and rolling guides, and/or flexible and/or hinged apparatus, and combinations of the same, will be used in certain embodiments of the invention to define one or more trajectories to be followed by one or more inertial masses.

It should be noted that the terms “haptic alert device” and“haptic actuator” are used, and intended to be used, interchangeably in the present disclosure.

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the disclosed inventions and sets forth the best modes presently contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their inventions. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the substance disclosed. These and other advantages and features of the invention will be more readily understood in relation to the following detailed description of the invention, which is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

It should be noted that, while the various figures show respective aspects of the invention, no one figure is intended to show the entire invention. Rather, the figures together illustrate the invention in its various aspects and principles. As such, it should not be presumed that any particular figure is exclusively related to a discrete aspect or species of the invention. To the contrary, one of skill in the art would appreciate that the figures taken together reflect various embodiments exemplifying the invention.

Correspondingly, reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

