Patent ID: 8405618
Filing Date: 2013-03-26
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An indirect haptic device, comprising a substrate having a touch surface, a piezoelectric bending element laminated to the substrate, a position sensor that senses a position of a user's appendage relative to the touch surface, a control device connected to the position sensor and piezoelectric bending element, wherein the piezoelectric bending element imparts ultrasonic vibrations to the substrate and the control device modulates the amplitude of the ultrasonic vibrations to reduce friction felt by the user's appendage on the touch surface in response to a sensed position of the user's appendage relative to the touch surface and/or a derivative thereof, and wherein the piezoelectric bending element does not alter the contour of the touch surface in a manner that is perceptible to a user's sight or touch.