Electronic device including sensed location based driving of haptic actuators and related methods

An electronic device may include a device housing, a touch display carried by the device housing and configured to sense a user input at a location thereon, and haptic actuators spaced apart within the device housing. The electronic device may also include a controller coupled to the touch display and the haptic actuators. The controller may be configured to cooperate with the touch display to determine a sensed location of the user input on the touch display, and drive the haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation at the sensed location on the touch display.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of electronics, and, more particularly, to the field of haptics.

BACKGROUND

Haptic technology is becoming a more popular way of conveying information to a user. Haptic technology, which may simply be referred to as haptics, is a tactile feedback based technology that stimulates a user's sense of touch by imparting relative amounts of force to the user.

A haptic device or haptic actuator is an example of a device that provides the tactile feedback to the user. In particular, the haptic device or actuator may apply relative amounts of force to a user through actuation of a mass that is part of the haptic device. Through various forms of tactile feedback, for example, generated relatively long and short bursts of force or vibrations, information may be conveyed to the user.

SUMMARY

An electronic device may include a device housing, a touch display carried by the device housing and configured to sense a user input at a location thereon, and a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within the device housing. The electronic device may also include a controller coupled to the touch display and the plurality of haptic actuators. The controller may be configured to cooperate with the touch display to determine a sensed location of the user input on the touch display, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation at the sensed location on the touch display.

The touch display may be configured to sense an amount of force corresponding to the input at the sensed location. The controller may be configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators based upon the sensed amount of force at the sensed location, for example.

The controller may be configured to drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with a respective one of a plurality of different waveforms. The plurality of haptic actuators may include a pair of opposing haptic actuators, for example.

The plurality of haptic actuators may be carried along a periphery of the device housing, for example. The controller may be configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller may be configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms. The controller may be configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with a same waveform, for example.

The controller may be configured to sense at least one of a drive voltage and current and drive the plurality of haptic actuators based thereon. Each of the plurality of haptic actuators may include a haptic actuator housing, a field member movable with the haptic actuator housing, and a coil cooperating with the field member, for example.

A method aspect is directed to a method of driving a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within a device housing of an electronic device that includes a touch display carried by the device housing and configured to sense a user input at a location thereon. The method may include using a controller coupled to the touch display and the plurality of haptic actuators to cooperate with the touch display to determine a sensed location of the user input on the touch display, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation at the sensed location on the touch display.

Another aspect is directed to an electronic device that may include a device housing, a display carried by the device housing, and a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within the device housing. The electronic device may also include a controller coupled to the display and the plurality of haptic actuators. The controller may be configured to cooperate with the display to determine a location of at least one object displayed on the display, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation at the location of the at least one object on the display.

Another aspect is directed to an electronic device that includes a device housing, a plurality of audio output transducers carried by the housing, and a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within the device housing. The electronic device also includes a controller coupled to the plurality of audio output transducers and the plurality of haptic actuators. The controller may be configured to cooperate with the plurality of audio output transducers to determine a location of audio output focus, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation at the location of audio output focus.

Another aspect is directed an electronic device that may include a device housing, wireless communications circuitry carried by the device housing, and a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within the device housing. The electronic device may also include a controller coupled to the wireless communications circuitry and the plurality of haptic actuators. The controller may be configured to cooperate with the wireless communications circuitry to receive a notification, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation based upon the notification.

Another aspect is directed to an electronic device that may include a device housing, at least one device orientation sensor carried by the housing, a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within the device housing, and a controller coupled to the device orientation sensor and the plurality of haptic actuators. The controller may be configured to cooperate with the at least one device orientation sensor to determine a sensed orientation of the device, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation based upon the sensed orientation of the device.

In another embodiment, an electronic device may include a device housing, at least one device proximity sensor carried by the device housing, and a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within the device housing. The electronic device may also include a controller coupled to the at least one device proximity sensor and the plurality of haptic actuators, the controller configured to cooperate with the at least one device proximity sensor to determine a sensed proximity of the electronic device to a given object, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation based upon the sensed proximity of the electronic device to the given object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially toFIGS. 1-3, an electronic device20illustratively includes a device housing21and a controller22carried by the device housing. The electronic device20is illustratively a mobile wireless communications device, for example, a mobile telephone. The electronic device20may be another type of electronic device, for example, a wearable wireless communications device, and includes a band or strap for securing it to a user, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, etc.

Wireless communications circuitry25(e.g. cellular, WLAN Bluetooth, etc.) is also carried within the device housing21and coupled to the controller22. The wireless communications circuitry25cooperates with the controller22to perform at least one wireless communications function, for example, for voice and/or data. In some embodiments, the electronic device20may not include wireless communications circuitry25.

A touch display23is also carried by the device housing21and is coupled to the controller22. The touch display23may be a light emitting diode (LED) touch display, for example, or may be another type of display, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The touch display23, as an input device, senses user input at a location thereon. More particularly, the touch display23senses contact with or an amount of force that corresponds to the user input at the sensed location.

A finger-operated user input device24illustratively in the form of a pushbutton switch is also carried by the device housing21and is coupled to the controller22. The pushbutton switch24cooperates with the controller22to perform a device function in response to operation thereof. For example, a device function may include a powering on or off of the electronic device20, initiating communication via the wireless communications circuitry25, and/or performing a menu function. In some embodiments, the electronic device20may not include a pushbutton switch24, as the finger-operated input device may be in another form, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The electronic device20illustratively includes haptic actuators40a,40b. The haptic actuators40a,40bare each coupled to the controller22, which determines user indications and operates the haptic actuators by way of applying power, current, or a voltage to a coil44to move a field member50based upon the user indication. More particularly, the haptic actuators40a,40beach cooperate with the controller22to provide haptic feedback to the user. The haptic feedback may be in the form of relatively long and short vibrations or “taps”, particularly, for example, when the electronic device20is in the form of a wearable device and the user is wearing the electronic device. The vibrations may be indicative of a message received, and the duration of the vibration may be indicative of the type of message received. Of course, the vibrations may be indicative of or convey other types of information. Further details of how haptic feedback is provided to the user from the haptic actuators40a,40bwill be described in further detail below.

Additionally, while a controller22is described, it should be understood that the controller22may include one or more of a processor and other circuitry to perform the functions described herein, and some or all of the circuitry may be carried by an actuator housing and/or by the device housing21.

With particular respect toFIG. 3, further details of an exemplary haptic actuator40aare now described. The haptic actuator40aincludes an actuator housing41. The coil44is carried by the actuator housing41. Of course, there may be more than one coil carried by the housing41.

The field member50is movable within the housing41responsive to the coil44. The movement of the field member50creates the haptic feedback, or tapping, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. While the movement of the field member50may be described as being moveable in one direction, i.e., a linear haptic actuator, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the field member may be movable in other directions, i.e., an angular haptic actuator, or may be a combination of both a linear and an angular haptic actuator.

The field member50may include one or more masses51and may be shaped for a particular application or operation. The field member50may also include one or more permanent magnets52, i.e. magnetic bodies, cooperating with the coil44to provide movement of the field member50. The field member50has a shaft receiving passageway57therein. In some embodiments, the field member50may include the coil44, and the permanent magnets may be carried by the actuator housing41.

The haptic actuator40aalso includes biasing members54a,54bbetween the actuator housing41and the field member50. The biasing members54a,54bare illustratively in the form of springs for maintaining the field member suspended in the housing41. The springs54a,54bmay be mechanical springs, such as, for example, coil springs, leaf springs, and flexures. The springs54a,54bmay also or additionally be magnetic springs that, through interaction with the permanent magnets and/or ferritic parts of the actuator housing41, if any, store and amplify the energy in the form of elastic/magnetic energy.

Additionally, the haptic actuator40aincludes a pair of bearings within the shaft receiving passageway57. A shaft56extends through the bearings55a,55band is coupled to the actuator housing41to permit reciprocal movement of the field member50along the shaft and within the housing responsive to the coil44. Other and/or additional components, such as shafts, linear/angular bearings, sliding bearings, flexures, multi-bar linkage mechanisms, and springs, may enable motion of the field member50in the desired direction (e.g. X axis in a linear actuator or around a certain axis in an angular actuator) while constraining motion in other degrees of freedom.

The haptic actuator40aalso includes mechanical limit stops45a,45bbetween the housing41and the field member50. The mechanical limit stops45a,45blimit the movement of the field member to a desired range and/or stop the field member from crashing or banging into the housing41. While mechanical stops45a,45bare described, it will be appreciated that the mechanical stops may be part of or a portion of the housing41.

Typically, circuitry, for example, the controller22, generates a sinusoidal drive waveform that drives the field member50to move from an initial at-rest position, and thus generate haptic feedback. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while a particular configuration of a haptic actuator40aincluding certain components is illustrated, other haptic actuator configurations may be used, which may include other and/or additional components in different configurations. Moreover, each haptic actuator40a,40bmay be configured differently, for example, have different springs for flexures.

The controller22cooperates with the touch display23to determine a sensed location of the user input on the touch display, for example, the user's finger35, and more particularly, an amount of force at the sensed location. Based upon the amount of sensed force on the touch display23, the controller22drives the haptic actuators40a,40bto focus a haptic sensation at the sensed location.

Referring now toFIGS. 4a-4d, to focus the haptic sensation and to drive the haptic actuators40a,40bto achieve a desired type of haptic actuation, for example, a sensation of rotation about the sensed location (FIG. 4a), the controller22may generate and drive each haptic actuator with a respective different waveform from among a plurality of different waveforms. More particularly, to achieve a rotation sensation, a second haptic actuator40bof a pair thereof adjacent a periphery of the device housing21may be driven with a waveform having an amplitude in a given direction that is greater than an amplitude of the waveform driving the first haptic actuator40ain a direction opposite that of the second haptic actuator (i.e. driven with different phase waveforms) (FIG. 4a).

To achieve, a haptic sensation across an entire length of the device housing21, both first and second haptic actuators40a,40bmay be operated in a synchronized manner in a given direction (i.e., driven with the same waveform) (FIG. 4b). In other embodiments, the controller22may drive one haptic actuator40awith a “vibe” waveform while the other haptic actuator is driven with a “tap” waveform (i.e., driven with different waveforms) (FIG. 4c).

Still further, as noted above, each haptic actuator40a,40bmay be a different type of haptic actuator, for example, different size, shape, bandwidth, and/or internal components. Accordingly, different types of haptic actuators generate different types of haptic feedback (FIG. 4d).

Referring now briefly toFIG. 5, two pairs of opposing haptic actuators40a′,40b′ and40c′,40d′ are positioned along a periphery of the housing21′ of the electronic device20′. Each pair may be driven by the controller22′ at different waveforms, whether “tab” or “vibe”, different amplitudes, and/or different phases, achieve a desired haptic sensation at the sensed location.

While the controller22generates or drives the haptic actuator with different waveforms, for example, having a different amplitude, phase, or waveform type, it should be understood that the controller may generate waveforms having any or all of different types, amplitudes, and/or phases for driving each haptic actuator40a,40b. Furthermore, to focus the haptic sensation, for example, at the sensed location, the controller22may determine where the given location is relative to the overall touch display23(e.g. location in a grid or array). The controller may adjust the waveforms accordingly. For example, the haptic actuators40a,40bmay each be driven with a respective waveform having parameters to increase the haptic sensation at the sensed location. This may be determined based upon the construction, type, age, and/or other physical characteristic of the haptic actuators40a,40b, which may be known from manufacturing.

The controller22may also generate a respective waveform based upon the amounts of force detected. For example, if the amount of force at the sensed location is greater than a threshold force, the controller may generate a waveform that corresponds to driving the haptic actuators with a more pronounced haptic sensation and/or a different type of waveform. Of course, different waveforms may be generated to drive the haptic actuators40a,40bbased upon the force at the sensed location, as may be desired.

To further achieve a more focused haptic sensation, it may be particularly desirable to sense any or both of the voltage and current (e.g., back EMF) of the haptic actuators40a,40band drive the haptic actuators based thereon. The sensed current and/or voltage may provide the relative motion information that may be used by the controller22for driving the haptic actuators40a,40b. Additional sensing, for example, via one or more magnetic sensors to sense movement of the field member50may be used to determine the relative location or motion information. Further details of generating respective waveforms based upon the sensed voltage and/or current information and/or based upon magnetic sensor are explained in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/096,379 and U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/347,760 the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.

A method aspect is directed to a method of driving a plurality of haptic actuators40a,40bspaced apart within a device housing21of an electronic device20that includes a touch display23carried by the device housing and configured to sense a user input at a location thereon. The method includes using a controller22coupled to the touch display23and the plurality of haptic actuators40a,40bto cooperate with the touch display to determine a sensed location of the user input on the touch display, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation at the sensed location on the touch display.

Referring now toFIGS. 6 and 7, in another embodiment, the haptic sensation may be focused based upon objects displayed on the display23″. For example, a user may be playing a game that displays an object61″, for example, a symbol or character on the display23″. The controller22″ cooperates with the display23″ to determine a location of the object displayed on the display. The controller22″ drives the haptic actuators40a″,40b″ to focus a haptic sensation at the location of the object61″ or character on the display23″. While a character is an example of an object, it should be understood that the object may be a displayed location of an event on the display23″. For example, if, in a block game, a block is destroyed, the controller22″ may focus the haptic sensation at the location of the block being destroyed. Moreover, while two haptic actuators40a″,40b″ are illustrated, it will be appreciated that there may be more than two haptic actuators, which may be spaced within the device housing21″ in a different configuration than illustrated. Elements illustrated but not specifically described herein are similar to those described in the embodiments described above and need no further discussion herein.

A method aspect is directed to a method of driving a plurality of haptic actuators40a″,40b″ spaced apart within a device housing21″ of an electronic device20″ that includes a display23″ carried by the device housing, and a controller22″ coupled to the display and the plurality of haptic actuators. The method includes using the controller22″ to cooperate with the display23″ to determine a location of at least one object displayed on the display, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators40a″,40b″ to focus a haptic sensation at the location of the at least one object on the display.

Referring now toFIGS. 8 and 9in another embodiment, the electronic device20′″ includes audio output transducers26a′″,26b′″ carried by the device housing21′″. The controller22′″ may drive the audio output transducers26a′″,26b′″ in a stereo configuration (e.g., left and right channels). The controller22′″ operating in a stereo configuration, for example, may focus audio output to a desired location. The controller22′″ cooperates with the audio output transducers26a′″,26b′″, for example, to determine the location of audio output focus, and drives the haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation at the location of audio output focus. For example, if audio is directed to a particular location in a game, the haptic sensation may also be directed to that location. Moreover, while two haptic actuators40a′″,40b′″ are illustrated, it will be appreciated that there may be more than two haptic actuators, which may be spaced within the device housing21′″ in a different configuration than illustrated.

The controller22′″ may alternatively or additionally drive the haptic actuators40a′″,40b′″ based upon the content of or the signals output by the audio output transducers26a′″,26b′″. The content may include signal levels, left or right channel data, etc., as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Elements illustrated but not specifically described herein are similar to those described in the embodiments described above and need no further discussion herein.

A method aspect is directed to driving haptic actuators40a′″,40b′″ spaced apart within a device housing21′″ of an electronic device20′″ that includes an audio output transducers26a′″,26b′″ carried by the device housing and a controller22′″ coupled to the audio output transducers and the haptic actuators. The method includes using the controller22′″ to cooperate with the audio output transducers26a′″,26b′″ to determine a location of audio output focus, and drive the haptic actuators40a′″,40b′″ to focus a haptic sensation at the location of audio output focus.

Referring now toFIGS. 10 and 11, in another embodiment, the controller122of the electronic device120cooperates with the wireless communications circuitry125to receive a notification162. The wireless communications circuitry125is similar to the wireless communications circuitry described above. The notification162may include one of an email notification, social media notification, short messaging service (SMS) notification, and voice message notification.

The controller122drives the haptic actuators140a,140bto focus a haptic sensation based upon the notification162. For example, if the notification is an SMS notification, the controller122may focus the haptic sensation to a particular area or in a particular pattern that may be identifiable as an SMS notification. If the notification162is an email notification, for example, the controller122may focus the haptic sensation to another particular area or in another particular pattern so that it is identifiable as an email notification. The notification162may be another type of notification, for example, and/or haptic sensations may be grouped by type of notification. Elements illustrated but not specifically described herein are similar to those described in the embodiments described above and need no further discussion herein.

A method aspect is directed to a method of driving haptic actuators140a,140bwithin a device housing121of an electronic device120that includes wireless communications circuitry125carried by the device housing and a controller122coupled to the wireless communications circuitry and the haptic actuators. The method includes using the controller122to cooperate with the wireless communications circuitry125to receive a notification162, and drive the haptic actuators140a,140bto focus a haptic sensation based upon the notification.

Referring now toFIGS. 12 and 13, in another embodiment, the haptic sensation is focused based upon a sensed orientation of the electronic device120′. Illustratively, the electronic device120′ includes device orientation sensors127a′,127b′ carried by the device housing121′. The device orientation sensors127a′,127b′ may each include an accelerometer, for example. In some embodiments, there may be a single device orientation sensor or more than two device orientation sensors. The controller122′ cooperates with the device orientation sensors127a′,127b′ to determine a sensed orientation of the electronic device120′. The controller120′ drives the haptic actuators140a′,140b′ to focus a haptic sensation based upon the sensed orientation of the electronic device120′. For example, if the electronic device120′ is on a table, the controller122′ may provide an associated haptic sensation. The haptic sensation may be focused, for example, to reduce vibration noise. If the electronic device120′ is carried in a pocket of a user, for example, the controller122′ may focus the haptic sensation so that the haptic sensation or feedback is more easily felt by the user. In some embodiments, the orientation sensors, for example, when in the form of accelerometers, may focus the haptic sensation based upon motion. Elements illustrated but not specifically described herein are similar to those described in the embodiments described above and need no further discussion herein.

A method aspect is directed to a method of driving haptic actuators140a′,140b′ spaced apart within a device housing121′ of an electronic device120′ that includes at least one device orientation sensor127a′,127b′ carried by the device housing and a controller122′ coupled to the device orientation sensor and the haptic actuators. The method includes using the controller122′ to cooperate with the at least one device orientation sensor127a′,127b′ to determine a sensed orientation of the electronic device120′, and drive the haptic actuators140e,140b′ to focus a haptic sensation based upon the sensed orientation of the electronic device.

Referring now toFIGS. 14 and 15, in yet another other embodiment, the electronic device120″ may include a proximity sensor128″ carried by the device housing121″. The controller122″ may cooperate with the proximity sensor128″ to determine a relative proximity of the electronic device120″ to a given object, for example, a cover panel of a carrying case. The controller122″ drives the haptic actuators140a″,140b″ to focus a haptic sensation based upon the sensed proximity of the electronic device120″ to the given object. Of course, there may be more than one proximity sensor128″. For example, where the given object is a cover panel, the controller122″ may focus the haptic sensation to account for the cover panel. Elements illustrated but not specifically described herein are similar to those described in the embodiments described above and need no further discussion herein.

A method aspect is directed to a method of driving haptic actuators140a″,140b″ spaced apart within a device housing121″ of an electronic device120″ that includes at least one proximity sensor128″ carried by the device housing and a controller122″ coupled to the proximity sensor and the actuators. The method includes using the controller122″ to cooperate with the at least one proximity sensor128″ to sense a proximity of a given object to the electronic device120″, and drive the haptic actuators140a″,140b″ to focus a haptic sensation based upon the sensed proximity of the given object to the electronic device.

While several different embodiments have been described individually, it should be noted that any of the embodiments described herein can be used with other embodiments. In other words, elements described herein in the different embodiments are interchangeable among the different embodiments. Moreover, while a controller has been described herein, it should be noted that the controller may include circuitry that performs electronic device operations or functions. For example, the controller may include circuitry of a device central processing unit (CPU) and/or circuitry for controlling the haptic actuators. Of course, the controller may include other and/or additional circuitry.

Referring now toFIG. 16, an exemplary architecture including multiple haptic actuators240a,240bwill now be described. In the example architecture, the controller222may include both a device processor231or CPU, which may include an all-purpose processor232and an always-on processor233, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The controller222may also include a haptics controller234coupled to the device processor. The device processor231or CPU may cooperate with or gather sensor data from any one or more sensors242, for example, a touch screen display223, an audio input transducer229, a motion sensor227or orientation sensor (e.g., an accelerometer), a pressure sensor236, a finger biometric sensor237, and an input device224(e.g. home button or pushbutton switch). Input may also be provided to the device processor231from software238or an application stored on the electronic device220, for example, operating system software239and/or third party applications243. Of course, input may be provided to the device processor231from other and/or additional sources/sensors. The device processor231may, based upon the gathered or sensed data from the software238and/or sensors242, cooperate with or command the haptics controller234so that the haptics controller may generate respective waveforms (e.g., multi-channel current/voltage data), via a multi-channel driver/amplifier circuit267. The haptics controller234may also receive multi-channel control signals from the multi-channel driver/amplifier circuit267.

The driver/amplifier circuit267amplifiers the output of the haptics controller234to drive the haptic actuators240a,240b, for example, via a class DG amplifier268. The driver/amplifier circuit267monitors and senses the electrical input (current and voltage) to the haptic actuators240a,240bvia I/V sensing circuitry269that senses or estimates both velocity and position (e.g., by sensing the back EMF). The driver/amplifier circuit267also includes a boost converter270. Motion of the haptic actuators240a,240bmay also sensed by motion sensing circuitry271. The motion sensing circuitry271may include capacitive, magnetic, and/or optical motion sensing circuitry. Of course, the motion sensing circuitry271may include other and/or additional types of sensing circuitry. In some embodiments, the haptic controller234may communicate directly with the sensors242, for example, to provide lower latency. Moreover, while two haptic actuators240a,240bare illustrated, it should be noted that any number of haptic actuators may be included.

An electronic device comprises a device housing, a display carried by the device housing, and a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within the device housing. The electronic device comprises a controller coupled to the display and the plurality of haptic actuators. The controller is configured to cooperate with the display to determine a location of at least one object displayed on the display, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation at the location of the at least one object on the display.

The controller is configured to drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with a respective one of a plurality of different waveforms.

The plurality of haptic actuators comprises a pair of opposing haptic actuators.

The plurality of haptic actuators are carried along a periphery of the device housing.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with a same waveform.

The controller is configured to sense at least one of voltage and current and drive the plurality of haptic actuators based thereon.

Each of the plurality of haptic actuators comprises a haptic actuator housing, a field member movable within the haptic actuator housing, and a coil cooperating with the field member.

An electronic device comprises a device housing, a display carried by the device housing, and a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within and carried along a periphery of the device housing. The electronic device comprises a controller coupled to the display and the plurality of haptic actuators. The controller is configured to cooperate with the display to determine a location of at least one object displayed on the display, and drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with respective different waveforms to focus a haptic sensation at the location of the at least one object on the display.

The plurality of haptic actuators comprises a pair of opposing haptic actuators.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms.

A method of driving a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within a device housing of an electronic device comprising a display carried by the device housing, and a controller coupled to the display and the plurality of haptic actuators comprises using the controller to cooperate with the display to determine a location of at least one object displayed on the display, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation at the location of the at least one object on the display.

The controller is used to drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with a respective one of a plurality of different waveforms.

The controller is used to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms.

The controller is used to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with a same waveform.

An electronic device comprises a device housing, a plurality of audio output transducers carried by the device housing, and a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within the device housing. The electronic device comprises a controller coupled to the plurality of audio output transducers and the plurality of haptic actuators. The controller is configured to cooperate with the plurality of audio output transducers to determine a location of audio output focus, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation at the location of audio output focus.

The controller is configured to cooperate with the plurality of audio output transducers to focus audio output.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of audio output transducers in a stereo configuration.

The controller is configured to drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with a respective one of a plurality of different waveforms.

The plurality of haptic actuators comprises a pair of opposing haptic actuators.

The plurality of haptic actuators are carried along a periphery of the device housing.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with a same waveform.

The controller is configured to sense at least one of voltage and current and drive the plurality of haptic actuators based thereon.

Each of the plurality of haptic actuators comprises a haptic actuator housing, a field member movable within the haptic actuator housing, and a coil cooperating with the field member.

An electronic device comprises a device housing, a plurality of audio output transducers carried by the device housing, and a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within and carried along a periphery of the device housing. The electronic device comprises a controller coupled to the plurality of audio output transducers and the plurality of haptic actuators. The controller is configured to cooperate with the plurality of audio output transducers to focus audio output, cooperate with the plurality of audio output transducers to determine a location of the focused audio output, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation at the location of focused audio output.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of audio output transducers in a stereo configuration.

The controller is configured to drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with a respective one of a plurality of different waveforms.

The plurality of haptic actuators comprises a pair of opposing haptic actuators.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with a same waveform.

A method of driving a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within a device housing of an electronic device comprising a plurality of audio output transducers carried by the device housing and a controller coupled to the plurality of audio output transducers and the plurality of haptic actuators comprises using the controller to cooperate with the plurality of audio output transducers to determine a location of audio output focus, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation at the location of audio output focus.

The controller is used to cooperate with the plurality of audio output transducers to focus audio output.

The controller is used to drive the plurality of audio output transducers in a stereo configuration.

The controller is used to drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with a respective one of a plurality of different waveforms.

The controller is used to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller is used to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms.

The controller is used to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with a same waveform.

An electronic device comprises a device housing, wireless communications circuitry carried by the device housing, and a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within the device housing. The electronic device comprises a controller coupled to the wireless communications circuitry and the plurality of haptic actuators. The controller is configured to cooperate with the wireless communications circuitry to receive a notification, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation based upon the notification.

The notification comprises one of an email notification, social media notification, short messaging service (SMS) notification, and voice message notification.

The controller is configured to drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with a respective one of a plurality of different waveforms.

The plurality of haptic actuators comprises a pair of opposing haptic actuators.

The plurality of haptic actuators are carried along a periphery of the device housing.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with a same waveform.

The controller is configured to sense at least one of voltage and current and drive the plurality of haptic actuators based thereon.

Each of the plurality of haptic actuators comprises a haptic actuator housing, a field member movable within the haptic actuator housing, and a coil cooperating with the field member.

An electronic device comprises a device housing, wireless communications circuitry carried by the device housing, and a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within and carried along a periphery of the device housing. The electronic device comprises a controller coupled to the wireless communications circuitry and the plurality of haptic actuators. The controller is configured to cooperate with the wireless communications circuitry to receive a notification comprising one of an email notification, social media notification, short messaging service (SMS) notification, and voice message notification, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation based upon the notification.

The controller is configured to drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with a respective one of a plurality of different waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with a same waveform.

A method of driving a plurality of haptic actuators within a device housing of an electronic device comprising wireless communications circuitry carried by the device housing and a controller coupled to the wireless communications circuitry and the plurality of haptic actuators comprises using the controller to cooperate with the wireless communications circuitry to receive a notification, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation based upon the notification.

The notification comprises one of an email notification, social media notification, short messaging service (SMS) notification, and voice message notification.

The controller is used to drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with a respective one of a plurality of different waveforms.

The controller is used to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller is used to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms.

The controller is used to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with a same waveform.

The controller is used to sense at least one of voltage and current and drive the plurality of haptic actuators based thereon.

An electronic device comprises a device housing, at least one device orientation sensor carried by the device housing, and a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within the device housing. The electronic device comprises a controller coupled to the at least one device orientation sensor and the plurality of haptic actuators. The controller is configured to cooperate with the at least one device orientation sensor to determine a sensed orientation of the device, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation based upon the sensed orientation of the device.

The at least one device orientation sensor comprises at least one accelerometer.

The at least one device orientation sensor comprises a plurality of device orientation sensors.

The controller is configured to drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with a respective one of a plurality of different waveforms.

The plurality of haptic actuators comprises a pair of opposing haptic actuators.

The plurality of haptic actuators are carried along a periphery of the device housing.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with a same waveform.

The controller is configured to sense at least one of voltage and current and drive the plurality of haptic actuators based thereon.

Each of the plurality of haptic actuators comprises a haptic actuator housing, a field member movable within the haptic actuator housing, and a coil cooperating with the field member.

An electronic device comprises a device housing, at least one accelerometer carried by the device housing, and a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within and carried by a periphery of the device housing. The electronic device comprises a controller coupled to the at least one accelerometer and the plurality of haptic actuators. The controller is configured to cooperate with the at least one accelerometer to determine a sensed orientation of the device, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation based upon the sensed orientation of the device.

The at least one accelerometer comprises a plurality of accelerometers.

The controller is configured to drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with a respective one of a plurality of different waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with a same waveform.

The controller is configured to sense at least one of voltage and current and drive the plurality of haptic actuators based thereon.

A method of driving a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within a device housing of an electronic device comprising at least one device orientation sensor carried by the device housing and a controller coupled to the device orientation sensor and the plurality of haptic actuators comprises using the controller to cooperate with the at least one device orientation sensor to determine a sensed orientation of the device, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation based upon the sensed orientation of the device.

The at least one device orientation sensor comprises at least one accelerometer.

The at least one device orientation sensor comprises a plurality of device orientation sensors.

The controller is used to drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with a respective one of a plurality of different waveforms.

The controller is used to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller is used to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms.

The controller is used to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with a same waveform.

The controller is used to sense at least one of voltage and current and drive the plurality of haptic actuators based thereon.

An electronic device comprises a device housing, at least one device proximity sensor carried by the device housing, and a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within the device housing. The electronic device comprises a controller coupled to the at least one device proximity sensor and the plurality of haptic actuators. The controller is configured to cooperate with the at least one proximity sensor to determine a sensed proximity of the electronic device to a given object, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation based upon the sensed proximity of the electronic device to the given object.

The controller is configured to drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with a respective one of a plurality of different waveforms.

The plurality of haptic actuators comprises a pair of opposing haptic actuators.

The plurality of haptic actuators are carried along a periphery of the device housing.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with a same waveform.

The controller is configured to sense at least one of voltage and current and drive the plurality of haptic actuators based thereon.

Each of the plurality of haptic actuators comprises a haptic actuator housing, a field member movable within the haptic actuator housing, and a coil cooperating with the field member.

An electronic device comprises a device housing, at least one proximity sensor carried by the device housing, and a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within and carried by a periphery of the device housing. The electronic device comprises a controller coupled to the at least one proximity sensor and the plurality of haptic actuators. The controller is configured to cooperate with the at least one proximity detector to determine a sensed proximity of the electronic device to a given object, and drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with a respective one of a plurality of different waveforms to focus a haptic sensation based upon the sensed proximity of the given object to the electronic device.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms.

The controller is configured to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with a same waveform.

The controller is configured to sense at least one of voltage and current and drive the plurality of haptic actuators based thereon.

A method of driving a plurality of haptic actuators spaced apart within a device housing of an electronic device comprising at least one proximity sensor carried by the device housing and a controller coupled to the proximity sensor and the plurality of haptic actuators comprises using the controller to cooperate with the at least one proximity sensor to sense a proximity of a given object to the electronic device, and drive the plurality of haptic actuators to focus a haptic sensation based upon the sensed proximity of the given object to the electronic device.

The controller is used to drive each of the plurality of haptic actuators with a respective one of a plurality of different waveforms.

The controller is used to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different phase waveforms.

The controller is used to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with different amplitude waveforms.

The controller is used to drive the plurality of haptic actuators with a same waveform.

The controller is used to sense at least one of voltage and current and drive the plurality of haptic actuators based thereon.