Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2024-09-10)
Rejection types: 102 - Lack of Novelty, 103 - Obviousness, 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
Amendments to the Claims:

This listing of claims replaces all prior versions, and listings of claims in the application:

Listing of Claims:

1\. (Original) A handle trigger control apparatus, comprising a trigger bracket, wherein the handle trigger control apparatus further comprises:
a trigger (1) that is movably disposed on the trigger bracket and is provided thereon with a trigger magnet (3);
a bracket magnet (2) that is movable and can be fixedly provided on the trigger bracket; and
a control device configured to control the bracket magnet (2) to approach or go away from the trigger magnet (3) to adjust an action distance between the trigger magnet (3) and the bracket magnet (2).

2\. (Original) The handle trigger control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bracket magnet (2) is directly opposite to the trigger magnet (3) that is in a fully pressed state, and a facing area of the bracket magnet (2) and the trigger magnet (3) that is in the fully pressed state remains unchanged when the control device controls the bracket magnet (2) to approach or go away from the trigger magnet (3).

3\. (Original) The handle trigger control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein magnetic poles of opposite sides of the bracket magnet (2) and the trigger magnet (3) are same, and the bracket magnet (2) is located in a moving direction of pressing the trigger magnet (3).

4\. (Original) The handle trigger control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trigger (1) is provided thereon with a groove, and the trigger magnet (3) is disposed in the groove.
5\. (Original) The handle trigger control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trigger (1) is connected with the trigger bracket via an elastic member, and the elastic member is configured to drive the trigger in the pressed state to return its Original position.

6\. (Original) The handle trigger control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the elastic member is a position restoring spring, one end of the position restoring spring is connected with the trigger bracket, and the other end of the position restoring spring is connected with the trigger.

7\. (Original) The handle trigger control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the trigger (1) is hinged to the trigger bracket via a hinge shaft.

8\. (Original) The handle trigger control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an area of the trigger magnet (3) is same as that of the bracket magnet (1).

9\. (Original) The handle trigger control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control device is provided with a signal receiving device configured to receive an adjustment command for the bracket magnet (2); or
the control device is preset with an adjustment command for the bracket magnet (2) in advance.

10\. (Currently Amended) A handle comprises a handle trigger control apparatus according to laim 1.

11\. (New) The handle according to claim 10, wherein the bracket magnet (2) is directly opposite to the trigger magnet (3) that is in a fully pressed state, and a facing area of the bracket magnet (2) and the trigger magnet (3) that is in the fully pressed state remains unchanged when the control device controls the bracket magnet (2) to approach or go away from the trigger magnet (3).

12\. (New) The handle according to claim 11, wherein magnetic poles of opposite sides of the bracket magnet (2) and the trigger magnet (3) are same, and the bracket magnet (2) is located in a moving direction of pressing the trigger magnet (3).

13\. (New) The handle according to claim 10, wherein the trigger (1) is provided thereon with a groove, and the trigger magnet (3) is disposed in the groove.

14\. (New) The handle according to claim 10, wherein the trigger (1) is connected with the trigger bracket via an elastic member, and the elastic member is configured to drive the trigger in the pressed state to return its Original position.

15\. (New) The handle according to claim 14, wherein the elastic member is a position restoring spring, one end of the position restoring spring is connected with the trigger bracket, and the other end of the position restoring spring is connected with the trigger.

16\. (New) The handle according to claim 14, wherein the trigger (1) is hinged to the trigger bracket via a hinge shaft.

17\. (New) The handle according to claim 10, wherein an area of the trigger magnet (3) is same as that of the bracket magnet (1).

18\. (New) The handle according to claim 10, wherein the control device is provided with a signal receiving device configured to receive an adjustment command for the bracket magnet (2); or
the control device is preset with an adjustment command for the bracket magnet (2) in advance.
2 3 4

OFFICE ACTION:
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Applicant’s amendments dated 8/25/22 are hereby entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b)  CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 2-3 and 10-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claims 2 and 11 are directed to an apparatus (a “handle trigger” and “handle”) and method steps of employing that apparatus (“that is in a fully pressed state” and “that is in the fully pressed state”) and is thereby indefinite.  See MPEP 2173.05(p)(II).
Claim 10 includes the grammatically incorrect limitations of “[a] handle comprises [sic] a handle trigger control apparatus” and is thereby indefinite.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-2 and 9-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by PGPUB US 20160175711 A1 by Billington et al (“Billington”).
In regard to Claim 1, Billington teaches a handle trigger control apparatus, comprising a trigger bracket, wherein the handle trigger control apparatus further comprises:
(see, e.g., F12, 102);
a trigger (1) that is movably disposed on the trigger bracket and is provided thereon with a trigger magnet (3);
(see, e.g., F12, 118 (“trigger’); and, e.g., F12, 1132 (“trigger magnet”));
a bracket magnet (2) that is movable and can be fixedly provided on the trigger bracket; and
(see, e.g., F12, 1138);
a control device configured to control the bracket magnet (2) to approach or go away from the trigger magnet (3) to adjust an action distance between the trigger magnet (3) and the bracket magnet (2).
(see, e.g., F12, 1140; and, e.g., p50, “a controlled or programmed spaced-apart distance” (“adjust an action distance”));
In regard to Claim 2, Billington teaches these limitations.  See, e.g., F12.
In regard to Claim 9, Billington teaches these limitations.  See, e.g., p42.
In regard to Claims 10-11, see rejections of Claims 1-2.
In regard to Claim 18, see rejections of Claim 9.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 3 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Billington.
In regard to Claims 3 and 12, while Billington teaches the first and second programmable magnets being of various strength and polarity (see, e.g., p49), it also teaches in another embodiment magnets of the same strength and polarity (see, e.g., p38);
Furthermore, the combination of the cited prior art would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing because the cited prior art includes each element claimed, although not necessarily in a single prior art reference, with the only difference between the claimed invention and the cited prior art being the lack of actual combination of the elements in a single prior art reference; one of ordinary skill in the art could have combined the elements as claimed by known methods, and that in combination, each element merely performs the same function as it does separately; and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Specifically, it would have been obvious to have combined the teachings of Billington and to have employed first and second magnets of the same polarity, in order to simplify the control programming.
Claims 4 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Billington, in view of official notice.
In regard to Claims 4 and 13, while Billington teaches the first magnet being attached to the trigger such that it pivots within the body of the trigger it may not also teach employing a groove in the trigger,
the Examiner takes OFFICIAL NOTICE that creating such a groove/recess in a fixed element in regard to a pivoting element was old and well-known at the time of Applicant’s filing its invention.  Such functionality allows for the pivoting element to move within the fixed element.  As such it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing to implement the claimed functionality within the invention of the cited prior art so as to allow for the first magnet to pivot within the groove.
Claims 5-7 and 14-16 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Billington, in view of PATENT US 8894491 B2 by Grant et al (“Grant”).
In regard to Claims 5-6 and 14-15, Grant teaches employing a spring to provide pre-loaded tension in regard to the movement of a trigger in reference to a trigger bracket (see, e.g., F6A, 612).
Furthermore, the combination of the cited prior art would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing because the cited prior art includes each element claimed, although not necessarily in a single prior art reference, with the only difference between the claimed invention and the cited prior art being the lack of actual combination of the elements in a single prior art reference; one of ordinary skill in the art could have combined the elements as claimed by known methods, and that in combination, each element merely performs the same function as it does separately; and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Specifically, it would have been obvious to have added the spring taught by Grant to the apparatus otherwise taught by Billinton and attached a spring from the trigger to the housing, in order to provide a known pre-loaded resistance for the trigger pull.
In regard to Claims 7 and 16, Billington teaches this feature.  See, e.g., F12, 1150.
Claims 8 and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Billington, in view of official notice.
In regard to Claims 8 and 17, while Billington teaches the first and second programmable magnets being of various strength (see, e.g., p49), it also teaches in another embodiment magnets of the same strength (see, e.g., p38);
Furthermore, the combination of the cited prior art would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing because the cited prior art includes each element claimed, although not necessarily in a single prior art reference, with the only difference between the claimed invention and the cited prior art being the lack of actual combination of the elements in a single prior art reference; one of ordinary skill in the art could have combined the elements as claimed by known methods, and that in combination, each element merely performs the same function as it does separately; and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Specifically, it would have been obvious to have combined the teachings of Billington and to have employed first and second magnets of the same strength, in order to simplify the control programming.
Furthermore, while Billington teaches the magnets having the same strength it may not specifically teach achieving that strength by employing a same area on each magnet, however,
the Examiner takes OFFICIAL NOTICE that magnets of the same surface area having the same strength was old and well-known at the time of Applicant’s filing its invention.  Such functionality allows magnets to be paired one another.  As such it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing to implement the claimed functionality within the invention of the cited prior art so as to allow the first magnet to be paired with the second magnet.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is listed in the attached PTO-Form 892 and is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.


NEXT OFFICE ACTION: DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Applicant’s amendments dated 12/10/24 are hereby entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b)  CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1, 3-10, and 11-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 1 is directed to an apparatus (a “handle trigger”) and a method step of employing that apparatus (“so that a facing area of the bracket magnet (2) and the trigger magnet (3) remains unchanged when the control device controls the bracket magnet (2) to approach or go away from the trigger magnet (3)”, emphasis added) and is thereby indefinite.  See MPEP 2173.05(p)(II).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments are addressed by the updated statement of rejection made supra under 35 USC 112, which was necessitated by Applicant’s amendments.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL.  Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action.  In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action.  In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US8894491B2: Claims:
An input device comprising: a communicative output configured to wirelessly send control information to a computing device for controlling the computing device; a communicative input configured to receive trigger resistance information from the computing device; and a multi-stage variable resistance trigger assembly configured to provide a first trigger resistance sub-profile throughout a first stage of a trigger pull and a second trigger resistance sub-profile throughout a second stage of the trigger pull, the first trigger resistance sub-profile being different from the second trigger resistance sub-profile and each trigger resistance sub-profile being specified by the trigger resistance information received from the computing device, the multi-stage variable resistance trigger assembly including a first subassembly providing a first subassembly resistance profile and a second subassembly providing a second subassembly resistance profile, the first trigger resistance sub-profile being changeable to the second trigger resistance sub-profile responsive to trigger resistance information received from the computing device by selecting a different one or combination of the first subassembly and the second subassembly to provide trigger resistance.
a communicative output configured to wirelessly send control information to a computing device for controlling the computing device;
a communicative input configured to receive trigger resistance information from the computing device; and
a multi-stage variable resistance trigger assembly configured to provide a first trigger resistance sub-profile throughout a first stage of a trigger pull and a second trigger resistance sub-profile throughout a second stage of the trigger pull, the first trigger resistance sub-profile being different from the second trigger resistance sub-profile and each trigger resistance sub-profile being specified by the trigger resistance information received from the computing device, the multi-stage variable resistance trigger assembly including a first subassembly providing a first subassembly resistance profile and a second subassembly providing a second subassembly resistance profile, the first trigger resistance sub-profile being changeable to the second trigger resistance sub-profile responsive to trigger resistance information received from the computing device by selecting a different one or combination of the first subassembly and the second subassembly to provide trigger resistance.
An input device comprising: a communicative output configured to wirelessly send control information to a computing device for controlling the computing device; a communicative input configured to receive trigger resistance information from the computing device; and a multi-stage variable resistance trigger assembly comprising a first subassembly providing a first subassembly resistance profile and a second subassembly providing a second subassembly resistance profile, the multi-stage variable resistance trigger assembly configured to provide a first trigger resistance sub-profile throughout a first stage of a trigger pull including resistance provided by at least the first subassembly and a second trigger resistance sub-profile throughout a second stage of the trigger pull including resistance provided by at least the second subassembly, the first trigger resistance sub-profile being different than the second trigger resistance sub-profile and each trigger resistance sub-profile being specified by the trigger resistance information received from the computing device.
a multi-stage variable resistance trigger assembly comprising a first subassembly providing a first subassembly resistance profile and a second subassembly providing a second subassembly resistance profile, the multi-stage variable resistance trigger assembly configured to provide a first trigger resistance sub-profile throughout a first stage of a trigger pull including resistance provided by at least the first subassembly and a second trigger resistance sub-profile throughout a second stage of the trigger pull including resistance provided by at least the second subassembly, the first trigger resistance sub-profile being different than the second trigger resistance sub-profile and each trigger resistance sub-profile being specified by the trigger resistance information received from the computing device.
The input device of claim 2 , wherein the first trigger resistance sub-profile includes both the first subassembly resistance profile and the second subassembly resistance profile, and wherein the second trigger resistance sub-profile includes the second subassembly resistance profile without the first subassembly resistance profile.
The input device of claim 3 , wherein the first subassembly includes a magnet, and wherein the second subassembly includes a trigger spring.
The input device of claim 3 , wherein the first subassembly includes a load cog, and wherein the second subassembly includes a torsion spring.
The input device of claim 2 , wherein the first trigger resistance sub-profile includes the first subassembly resistance profile without the second subassembly resistance profile, and wherein the second trigger resistance sub-profile includes both the first subassembly resistance profile and the second subassembly resistance profile.
The input device of claim 6 , wherein the first subassembly comprises a trigger spring, and wherein the second subassembly comprises a flat spring.
The input device of claim 2 , wherein the variable resistance trigger assembly includes a resistance selection mechanism to adjust one or more of the first trigger resistance sub-profile and the second trigger resistance sub-profile.
The input device of claim 8 , wherein the resistance selection mechanism includes an electrically-actuatable device.
The input device of claim 9 , wherein the electrically-actuatable device includes a motor.
The input device of claim 9 , wherein the electrically-actuatable device includes a solenoid.
The input device of claim 8 , wherein the resistance selection mechanism includes a user-actuatable device.
The input device of claim 12 , wherein the user-actuatable device is a rotatable knob.
The input device of claim 2 , wherein a transition between the first trigger resistance sub-profile and the second resistance sub-profile is substantially discontinuous.
The input device of claim 2 , wherein the trigger resistance information is consistent during a single use of the computing device.
The input device of claim 2 , wherein the trigger resistance information varies throughout a single use of the computing device.
The input device of claim 2 , wherein the multi-stage variable resistance trigger assembly includes an electrically-actuatable device configured to provide both the first resistance sub-profile and the second resistance sub-profile.
An input device comprising: a communicative output configured to wirelessly send control information to a computing device for controlling the computing device; a multi-stage variable resistance trigger assembly changeable between a first configuration and a second configuration; the first configuration providing a first trigger resistance sub-profile throughout a first stage of a trigger pull and a second trigger resistance sub-profile throughout a second stage of the trigger pull, the first trigger resistance sub-profile being different than the second trigger resistance sub-profile and the trigger pull being performed by actuation of a trigger; the second configuration providing a third trigger resistance sub-profile throughout the first stage of the trigger pull and a fourth trigger resistance sub-profile throughout the second stage of the trigger pull, the third trigger resistance sub-profile being different than the fourth trigger resistance sub-profile; and a communicative input configured to receive trigger resistance information from the computing device, the trigger resistance information configured to select the first configuration or the second configuration by selectively changing the multi-stage variable resistance trigger assembly between the first configuration and the second configuration, each of the first configuration and the second configuration providing multi-stage resistance to the trigger via one or more different subassemblies or different combinations of subassemblies.
a multi-stage variable resistance trigger assembly changeable between a first configuration and a second configuration;
the first configuration providing a first trigger resistance sub-profile throughout a first stage of a trigger pull and a second trigger resistance sub-profile throughout a second stage of the trigger pull, the first trigger resistance sub-profile being different than the second trigger resistance sub-profile and the trigger pull being performed by actuation of a trigger;
the second configuration providing a third trigger resistance sub-profile throughout the first stage of the trigger pull and a fourth trigger resistance sub-profile throughout the second stage of the trigger pull, the third trigger resistance sub-profile being different than the fourth trigger resistance sub-profile; and
a communicative input configured to receive trigger resistance information from the computing device, the trigger resistance information configured to select the first configuration or the second configuration by selectively changing the multi-stage variable resistance trigger assembly between the first configuration and the second configuration, each of the first configuration and the second configuration providing multi-stage resistance to the trigger via one or more different subassemblies or different combinations of subassemblies.
Ref US20160175711A1: Claims:
A haptic peripheral comprising: a housing; a user input element; and a magnetic actuator located within the housing and coupled to the user input element, the magnetic actuator including a first programmable magnet attached to the user input element and a second programmable magnet disposed within the housing, wherein the first and second programmable magnets each have a pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements and the pre-programmed patterns of magnetic elements interact with each other to output haptic effects to the user input element, and wherein the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the second programmable magnet is movable relative to the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the first programmable magnet such that when the second programmable magnet is in a first configuration, a first haptic effect is output to the user input element and when the second programmable magnet is in a second configuration, a second haptic effect is output to the user input element, the first and second haptic effects being different from each other.
a user input element; and
a magnetic actuator located within the housing and coupled to the user input element, the magnetic actuator including a first programmable magnet attached to the user input element and a second programmable magnet disposed within the housing, wherein the first and second programmable magnets each have a pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements and the pre-programmed patterns of magnetic elements interact with each other to output haptic effects to the user input element, and wherein the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the second programmable magnet is movable relative to the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the first programmable magnet such that when the second programmable magnet is in a first configuration, a first haptic effect is output to the user input element and when the second programmable magnet is in a second configuration, a second haptic effect is output to the user input element, the first and second haptic effects being different from each other.
wherein the first and second programmable magnets each have a pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements and the pre-programmed patterns of magnetic elements interact with each other to output haptic effects to the user input element, and
wherein the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the second programmable magnet is movable relative to the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the first programmable magnet such that when the second programmable magnet is in a first configuration, a first haptic effect is output to the user input element and when the second programmable magnet is in a second configuration, a second haptic effect is output to the user input element, the first and second haptic effects being different from each other.
The haptic peripheral of claim 1 , wherein user input element is selected from the group consisting of a button, a trigger, and a joystick.
The haptic peripheral of claim 1 , further comprising: a motor coupled to the second programmable magnet, the motor being configured to re-position the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the second programmable magnet relative to the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the first programmable magnet.
a motor coupled to the second programmable magnet, the motor being configured to re-position the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the second programmable magnet relative to the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the first programmable magnet.
The haptic peripheral of claim 3 , wherein the motor is configured to rotate the second programmable magnet relative to the first programmable magnet.
The haptic peripheral of claim 3 , wherein the motor is configured to receive a haptic effect drive signal from a processor.
The haptic peripheral of claim 5 , further comprising: a position sensor coupled to the user input element, wherein the position sensor is configured to detect a position of the user input element and is configured to send the position to the processor.
a position sensor coupled to the user input element, wherein the position sensor is configured to detect a position of the user input element and is configured to send the position to the processor.
The haptic peripheral of claim 6 , wherein the haptic effect drive signal was generated by the processor in response to the position of the user input element.
The haptic peripheral of claim 7 , wherein a first position of the user input element results in the actuator generating and applying a first haptic effect drive signal to the user input element and a second position of the user input element results in the actuator generating and applying a second haptic effect drive signal to the user input element, the first position being different than the second position and the first haptic effect drive signal being different than the second haptic effect drive signal.
The haptic peripheral of claim 5 , wherein the processor is located within the housing of the haptic peripheral.
The haptic peripheral of claim 5 , wherein the processor is remotely located from the housing of the haptic peripheral.
The haptic peripheral of claim 1 , wherein the first and second haptic effects are selected from the group consisting of a resistive force, a spring force, a detent, a vibration, and a texture.
A haptic peripheral comprising: a housing; a user input element; a magnetic actuator located within the housing and coupled to the user input element, the magnetic actuator including a first programmable magnet attached to the user input element and a second programmable magnet disposed within the housing, wherein the first and second programmable magnets each have a pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements and the pre-programmed patterns of magnetic elements interact with each other to output haptic effects to the user input element, and wherein the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the second programmable magnet is movable relative to the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the first programmable magnet such that when the second programmable magnet is in a first configuration, a first haptic effect is output to the user input element and when the second programmable magnet is in a second configuration, a second haptic effect is output to the user input element, the first and second haptic effects being different from each other; and a motor coupled to the second programmable magnet, wherein the motor is configured to receive a haptic effect drive signal from a processor and is configured to re-position the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the second programmable magnet relative to the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the first programmable magnet in response to the haptic effect drive signal from the processor.
a user input element;
a magnetic actuator located within the housing and coupled to the user input element, the magnetic actuator including a first programmable magnet attached to the user input element and a second programmable magnet disposed within the housing, wherein the first and second programmable magnets each have a pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements and the pre-programmed patterns of magnetic elements interact with each other to output haptic effects to the user input element, and wherein the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the second programmable magnet is movable relative to the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the first programmable magnet such that when the second programmable magnet is in a first configuration, a first haptic effect is output to the user input element and when the second programmable magnet is in a second configuration, a second haptic effect is output to the user input element, the first and second haptic effects being different from each other; and
wherein the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the second programmable magnet is movable relative to the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the first programmable magnet such that when the second programmable magnet is in a first configuration, a first haptic effect is output to the user input element and when the second programmable magnet is in a second configuration, a second haptic effect is output to the user input element, the first and second haptic effects being different from each other; and
a motor coupled to the second programmable magnet, wherein the motor is configured to receive a haptic effect drive signal from a processor and is configured to re-position the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the second programmable magnet relative to the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the first programmable magnet in response to the haptic effect drive signal from the processor.
The haptic peripheral of claim 12 , wherein the user input element is selected from the group consisting of a button, a trigger, and a joystick.
The haptic peripheral of claim 12 , wherein the motor is configured to rotate the second programmable magnet relative to the first programmable magnet.
A gaming system comprising: a host computer; a processor; and a controller having a housing, a user input element, and a magnetic actuator located within the housing and coupled to the user input element, the magnetic actuator including a first programmable magnet attached to the user input element and a second programmable magnet disposed within the housing, wherein the first and second programmable magnets each have a pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements that interact to output haptic effects to the user input element and the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the second programmable magnet is movable relative to the pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements of the first programmable magnet such that when the second programmable magnet is in a first configuration, a first haptic effect is output to the user input element and when the second programmable magnet is in a second configuration, a second haptic effect i
[Truncated to input limit]