DYNAMIC INPUT DEVICE SURFACE TEXTURE COORDINATED WITH INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEM OPERATIONS

A dynamic texture device coupled to an information handling system input/output device adjusts texture at the input/output device surface based upon texture information generated at the information handling system, such as a walking surface in a virtual world defined by a gaming application. Texture at an elastic cover is adjusted by applying variable magnetic fields to a magnetorheological fluid (MRF) disposed under the elastic cover in a reservoir. For example, an electromagnet changes pole orientation and magnetic strength at MRF contained in a reservoir under a keyboard palm rest to simulate walking in a virtual world on different types of surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to the field of information handling system input devices, and more particularly to a dynamic input device surface texture coordinated with information handling system operations.

Description of the Related Art

Desktop information handling systems integrate processing components in a housing that interact with an end user through peripheral input/output devices, such as a peripheral display, a peripheral keyboard and a peripheral mouse. Portable information handling systems integrate processing components, a display and a power source in a portable housing to support mobile operations. Portable information handling systems allow end users to carry a system between meetings, during travel, and between home and office locations so that an end user has access to processing capabilities while mobile. Tablet configurations typically expose a touchscreen display on a planar housing that both outputs information as visual images and accepts inputs as touches. Convertible configurations typically include multiple separate housing portions that couple to each other so that the system converts between closed and open positions. For example, a main housing portion integrates processing components and a keyboard and rotationally couples with hinges to a lid housing portion that integrates a display. In clamshell configuration, the lid housing portion rotates approximately ninety degrees to a raised position above the main housing portion so that an end user can type inputs while viewing the display. After usage, convertible information handling systems rotate the lid housing portion over the main housing portion to protect the keyboard and display, thus reducing the system footprint for improved storage and mobility. Generally, portable information handling systems can also interact with end user through peripheral input/output devices similar to desktop information handling systems.

One popular use of information handling systems is to support gaming applications. Gaming applications generally create a virtual world in which an end user experiences challenges, such as racing a car or virtual combat, and interacts with the virtual world through input/output devices. For example, an end user might discharge weapons with a keyboard or mouse and view the virtual world through a display or a headset having virtual or augmented reality goggles. In addition, an end user may be provided with feedback from haptic type of devices, such as rotating offset weights that vibrate. Some input devices use accelerometers to detect orientation, such as turning a portable information handling system like a steering world to control a virtual car. Deep immersion of an end user in a virtual world with different types of sensors and haptic feedbacks provides the end user with a more realistic experience and augments the virtual world created by the gaming application. One type of feedback that is lacking in computer gaming virtual worlds is a texture feedback that an end user experiences with touch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a need has arisen for a system and method which provides a texture feedback to an end user of an information handling system application.

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are provided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with previous methods and systems for providing a user of an application with feedback related to texture for an application executing on an information handling system. A magnetorheological fluid (MRF) disposed in a reservoir under an elastic surface of an input/output device and selectively exposed to varying magnetic fields provide texture feedback to an end user of an information handling system, such as for inputs made at an input device and/or outputs experienced at an output device.

More specifically, an information handling system processes information with processing components, such as a processor and memory, which execute instructions, such as an operating system and gaming application. The gaming application generates a virtual world that an end user experiences through input/output devices that allow the end user to see, touch and walk on virtual objects. Dynamic texture devices integrated with the input/output devices and located accessible to an end user touch provides feedback to the end user related to textures of the virtual world, such as a type of surface that the end user walks and runs on and the type of surfaces the end user touches. The dynamic texture device integrates MRF in a reservoir covered by an elastic surface and disposed proximate magnets that provide a selected magnetic field associated with a desired texture generated by MRF under the elastic surface. For example, electromagnets provide a dynamic magnetic field that changes texture of MRF based upon pole orientation and magnetic field strength responsive to conditions in a virtual world, thereby giving the end user texture feedback of the virtual world.

The present invention provides a number of important technical advantages. One example of an important technical advantage is that a virtual world created by an information handling system an interacted with through input/output devices has texture feedback provided to the end user by simulation of virtual conditions with changes in texture at the input/output devices. MRF subjected to magnetic fields changes its stiffness and shape based upon the type of magnetic field generated in proximity to the MRF. An end user is provided with an enhanced virtual experience that simulates walking, running, wind, handling and touching of objects, and other virtual interactions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Magnetorheological fluid (MRF) disposed in a reservoir at an input/output device of an information handling system changes texture by application of variable magnetic fields to simulate conditions in a virtual world of a gaming application, such as a walking surface. For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.

Referring now toFIG.1, an exploded perspective view depicts an information handling system10having plural input/output devices configured with a dynamic texture device38. In the example embodiment, information handling system10is built in a portable housing12that contains processing components that cooperate to process information. A motherboard14couples to housing12and interfaces the processing components with integrated wirelines. A central processing unit (CPU)16executes instructions to process information and interfaces with a random access memory (RAM)18that stores the instructions and information. A solid state drive (SSD)20or other persistent storage provides non-transient memory that stores the instructions and information during power down, such as an operating system and applications that execute on CPU16. A graphics processing unit (GPU)22interfaces with CPU16to further process information to generate pixel values that define visual images for presentation at a display28. An embedded controller24manages operating conditions of the processing components, such as application of power and maintaining thermal constraints, and also manages interactions with input/output devices, such as an integrated keyboard32, a peripheral keyboard50, a mouse52, touchscreen display28, joystick54, goggles56or other devices. A wireless network interface card (WNIC) supports wireless communication with external networks, such as WiFi, and peripheral devices, such as through Bluetooth.

In the example embodiment, a housing cover30couples over housing12to cover the processing components and to support a keyboard32that accepts end user key inputs. A touchpad34accepts touch inputs of the end user to control a pointer icon on display28, similar to a mouse. Housing cover30includes an opening36on each side of touchpad34sized to fit a dynamic texture device38exposed at a palm rest48of keyboard32. Dynamic texture device38has an elastic surface40, such as a silicon elastomer sheet, that covers a reservoir42having a magnetorheological fluid (MRF)44that supports against the underside of elastic surface40. MRF44is, for instance, an oil-based smart liquid having fine iron particles so that the fluid's viscosity and yield/shear stress are manipulated by changes in magnetic flux. In the absence of a magnetic field, MRF44has a soft feel similar to a cushion. As different types of magnetic fields are applied, MRF44dynamically changes in hardness and texture with a rapid response to simulate a texture at elastic surface. Magnets46are disposed at the exterior of reservoir42and configured to adjust their magnetic field strength and pole orientation to adapt MRF44to a desired texture. For instance, magnets46are electromagnets that generate a magnetic field with passage of current around a ferromagnetic material so that the magnetic field strength and pole orientation are controllable by adjusting the amount and direction of current applied. As an alternative, electropermanent magnets may be used with different pole orientations to generate magnetic fields. Electromagnets have a greater flexibility in the type of magnetic field generated by changing current levels and direction but draw power during generation of the magnetic fields; in contrast, electropermanent magnets switch a given magnetic field on and off with a brief application of current for less power draw, but offer only on and off settings with one pole orientation per magnet. In the example embodiment, magnets46may deploy at all sides of and under reservoir42to achieve desired textures.

Magnets46are controlled, for example, with firmware that executes on embedded controller24based upon textures generated by a virtual world of a gaming application executing on CPU16. In the example embodiment, dynamic texture device38integrates in a variety of input/output devices to receive texture commands from embedded controller24. For instance, a dynamic texture device38is disposed in an upper surface of a mouse52, a palm rest48of peripheral keyboard50, an upper surface of a joystick54and a face liner58of virtual reality or augmented reality goggles56. Control of texture may be communicated to peripheral devices through a cable, such as a USB cable51or wireless signals from WNIC26, such as with Bluetooth. The simulated texture may include walking on a virtual surface, such as concrete or sand, touching a virtual object, such as metal or concrete, and wind against a user face. Dynamic texture output provided with dynamic and different magnetic fields from different magnets46provides application designers with flexibility to enhance virtual worlds in a wide variety of ways. For example, cycling between magnet poles might create an earthquake effect while changing current levels from high to low provide a diminishing aftershock effect.

Referring now toFIG.2, a perspective view depicts a peripheral keyboard50having a dynamic texture device38integrated in a palm rest48. Peripheral keyboard50includes a keyboard32in a housing separate from an information handling system that communicates through a USB cable51or other communication medium, such as a Bluetooth interface. Commands from the information handling system adjust the texture at dynamic texture device38, such as by changing the magnetic field applied at MRF contained in a reservoir of dynamic texture device38. In one embodiment, dynamic texture device38has adjustments applied only when peripheral keyboard50is the source of an input that generated the texture output. Although the example embodiment has dynamic texture device38only at an area typically where a palm rests, an alternative embodiment may extend along the length of palm rest48and any other location where an end user may touch.

Referring now toFIG.3, a perspective sectional view depicts the dynamic texture device38integrated in a keyboard palm rest48. The example embodiment has an elastic surface40coupled over a reservoir42that contains MRF. A magnet46couples at each opposing end of reservoir42and interfaces with a power board60that selectively applies current to generate magnetic fields. In the example embodiment, magnets46are electromagnets that generate a magnetic pole orientation based upon the direction of current flow and generate magnetic fields of variable strength based upon the amount of current. In an alternative embodiment, magnets46may be electropermanent magnets that turn a magnetic field on and off with a brief application of current. Although the example embodiment has magnets46at opposing sides of MRF reservoir42, alternative embodiments may deploy additional magnets in different positions.

Referring now toFIG.4, a side sectional view depicts the dynamic texture device38integrated in the keyboard palm rest48. An opening36formed in palm rest48is sized to accept elastic surface40so that MRF in reservoir42is disposed against the elastic material where an end user can feel changes in texture as magnets46adjusts the applied magnetic field.

Referring now toFIGS.5A and5B, a side sectional view depicts magnetorheological fluid (MRF)44in a reservoir42having variable texture based upon application of variable magnetic fields. When no magnetic field is present, MRF44has the texture of an oil captured with an elastic cover to offer a cushion for an end user palm.FIG.5Adepicts magnetic fields of opposing poles from magnets46at opposite sides of reservoir42, resulting in a stiffening of MRF44as the ferromagnetic particles interact to define a rough but generally level surface under the elastic surface.FIG.5Bdepicts magnetic fields of the same pole from magnets46at opposite sides of reservoir42, resulting in a stiffening of MRF44as the ferromagnetic particles interact to define a rough and uneven surface having a recessed central region. The amount of magnetic flux impacts the degree of stiffness of MRF44and the shape exposed at the elastic surface to provide a developer with an array of textures available to support a more realistic representation of a virtual world, such as may be created by a gaming application.

Referring now toFIG.6, a block diagram depicts a system for managing texture at an information handling system input/output device. In the example embodiment, CPU16executes an operating system62that manages interactions with physical devices, such as with communication through embedded controller24. A gaming application64executes over operating system62to create a virtual world that an end user interacts with through input/output devices, such as the example keyboard, mouse, joystick, and goggles shown inFIG.1. Gaming application64accesses dynamic texture settings through a dynamic texture application programming interface (API66), which in turn communicates commands through a dynamic texture driver68of operating system62to embedded controller24so that current commands are provided to dynamic texture device38for driving variations in magnetic flux.