Electrostatic haptic based user input elements

A user input element includes a first part having a first capacitive surface, a second part having a second capacitive surface configured to be movable relative to the first capacitive surface, and an insulator positioned in between the first capacitive surface and the second capacitive surface so that a haptic effect is generated when the second capacitive surface is moved relative to the first capacitive surface from a first position to a second position. The user input element may be part of a haptic feedback interface system configured to provide haptic effects to a user operating the system.

FIELD

The present invention is directed to electrostatic haptic based user input elements and haptic feedback interface systems that include such elements.

BACKGROUND

One challenge with the creation of kinesthetic-type haptic effects for user input elements such as joysticks, triggers, buttons, mouse wheels and keyboard keys, is in the volume taken up by the actuators that are used to create such haptic effects. It is desirable to develop such user input elements that allow for kinesthetic-like haptic effects, such as detents, in a reduced volume form factor that make the user input elements amenable to the space constraints found in mobile peripherals and other haptic feedback interface systems.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a user input element that includes a first part having a first capacitive surface, a second part having a second capacitive surface configured to be movable relative to the first capacitive surface, and an insulator positioned in between the first capacitive surface and the second capacitive surface so that an electrostatic haptic effect is generated when the second capacitive surface is moved relative to the first capacitive surface from a first position to a second position.

In an embodiment of the user input element, the first part includes a first electrode that defines the first capacitive surface, and the second part includes a second electrode that defines the second capacitive surface.

In an embodiment of the user input element a voltage difference is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode by a voltage generator to generate the first capacitive surface and the second capacitive surface.

In an embodiment of the user input element, the first part includes the insulator and the insulator covers the first electrode.

In an embodiment of the user input element, the second part includes the insulator and the insulator covers the second electrode.

In an embodiment of the user input element, the first electrode is fixed in position.

In an embodiment of the user input element, the user input element also includes a resilient element configured to bias the second capacitive surface in the first position.

In an embodiment of the user input element, the first part includes a plurality of first electrodes defining the first capacitive surface and the second part comprises a plurality of second electrodes defining the second capacitive surface.

In an embodiment of the user input element, the electrostatic haptic effect is generated when a voltage is applied to the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes by a voltage generator to generate the first capacitive surface and the second capacitive surface.

In an embodiment of the user input element, the user input element is a key of a keyboard.

In an embodiment of the user input element, the user input element is a button of a mouse.

In an embodiment of the user input element, the user input element is a joystick.

In an embodiment of the user input element, the user input element is a button, a trigger, or a joystick on a gaming peripheral.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a haptic feedback interface system configured to provide haptic effects to a user operating the system. The system includes a computer comprising a processor, a display configured to display images output from the computer, and a user element configured to manipulate an object displayed on the display or an object to be displayed on the display. The user element includes a first part having a first capacitive surface, a second part having a second capacitive surface configured to be movable relative to the first capacitive surface, and an insulator positioned in between the first capacitive surface and the second capacitive surface so that an electrostatic haptic effect is generated when the second capacitive surface is moved relative to the first capacitive surface from a first position to a second position.

In an embodiment of the haptic feedback interface system, the system also includes a keyboard operatively connected to the computer, and the user input element is a key of the keyboard.

In an embodiment of the haptic feedback interface system, the system also includes a user input device operatively connected to the computer, and the user input element is a button of the user input device.

In an embodiment of the haptic feedback interface system, the user input device is a computer mouse.

In an embodiment of the haptic feedback interface system, the system is a gaming system and the user input element is a joystick operatively connected to the computer.

In an embodiment of the haptic feedback interface system, the system also includes a gaming peripheral operatively connected to the computer, and the user input element is a button, a trigger, or a joystick on the gaming peripheral.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a haptic feedback interface system100according to embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated, the system100includes a host computer120, a display140, a keyboard160, and a computer mouse180. The system100is configured to allow a user to provide input to the host computer120based on the user's manipulation of the keyboard160and/or the mouse180. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the system100is further configured to provide haptic feedback to the user in response to the user's manipulation of the keyboard160and/or the mouse180, as described in further detail below.

The keyboard160includes a housing162and a plurality of user input elements in the form of keys164or buttons. The user may provide input to the computer120by pressing the keys164of the keyboard160, as is well known. As used herein, “pressing” a key164means any action including physically contacting a predefined key or area to provide an input signal to the computer120or other controller, and may include physically moving a key164from a rest position to a depressed position, contacting a predefined area that senses user contact, etc. The keyboard160may be a full-sized keyboard with over 100 keys, as illustrated inFIG. 1, or a smaller version, such as the type of keyboard that is used in a portable haptic feedback interface system200illustrated inFIG. 2. Other keyboards, such as numeric keyboards, portable keyboards, keyboards on smartphones and personal digital assistants (PDA's), etc., may be enabled with aspects of the present invention in accordance with embodiments described herein.

The keyboard160is coupled to the computer120by a bus190, which communicates signals between the keyboard160and the computer120and also provides power to the keyboard160. The bus190may be, for example, a USB or Firewire bus when there is a physical connection between the keyboard160and the computer120. In an embodiment, the keyboard160may be coupled to the computer120through a wireless bus so that signals can be sent between the keyboard160and the computer120by wireless transmission/reception of electromagnetic energy (infrared, radio frequency (RF), etc.) or other types of signals. In embodiments in which the keyboard is a “wireless” keyboard, the power for the keyboard160may be supplied by a power storage device, such as a battery attached to or located within the keyboard160.

The computer120may be a personal computer or workstation, as illustrated inFIG. 1, or a laptop computer, as illustrated inFIG. 2and discussed in further detail below. The computer120may include a host microprocessor, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), input/output (I/O) circuitry, and other components of computers well-known to those skilled in the art, and is configured to implement one or more host application programs with which a user is interacting via the keyboard160and other peripherals, such as the mouse180, if appropriate, and which may include haptic feedback functionality. For example, a host application program may be a video game, word processor or spreadsheet, email program, Web page or browser that implements HTML or VRML instructions, scientific analysis program, virtual reality training program or application, or other application program that utilizes input of the keyboard160.

The display140may be operatively connected to the computer120by known methods and may be a standard display screen or any other visual output device. Typically, applications being executed by the computer120provide images to be displayed on the display140and/or other feedback, such as auditory signals that may be output by a speaker or speakers integrated with the display140or operatively connected to the computer120, but separate from the display140.

Other peripheral devices, such as the mouse180, may also be connected to the computer120via a bus190, as described above. The mouse180may be manipulated by the user in two planar dimensions to control a cursor or other control in a displayed computer environment or provide other input. In one common arrangement, the user manipulates both the mouse180and the keyboard160to provide input to a word processor, spreadsheet, or similar program running on the computer120. In some embodiments, the mouse180may be configured to provide haptic feedback to the user when the user presses a user input element in the form of a button182provided on the mouse180, or when the user operates a wheel184provided on the mouse180, as discussed in further detail below.

The portable haptic feedback interface system200illustrated inFIG. 2includes a host computer220, a display240, a keyboard260that includes a plurality of user input elements in the form of keys262or buttons, and a user input device280, all of which are contained in or supported by a portable housing290. The functions of the computer220, the display240, and the keyboard260are the same as the computer120, the display140, and the keyboard160, respectively, described above. The user input device280, as illustrated, includes a pair of buttons282and a touchpad284that are configured to allow the user to provide input to the system200by moving a cursor displayed by the display240by interacting with the touchpad284and selecting items displayed by the display240or executing commands with by pressing one of the buttons282. As discussed in further detail below, haptic feedback may be provided to the user via the keys262of the keyboard and/or the buttons282of the user input device280in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3illustrates a haptic feedback interface system300that includes a computer320, a display340, and a user input device360that is operatively connected to the computer320via a bus370. The computer320may be one of a variety of home video game console systems commonly connected to a television set or other display, such as systems available from Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, etc. In other embodiments, the computer320may be a “set top box” that can be used, for example, to provide interactive television functions to users, a “network-” or “internet-computer” that allows users to interact with a local or global network using standard connections and protocols such as used for the Internet and World Wide Web, or another electronic appliance or device that is configured to allow the user to provide input for selection or control.

In the illustrated embodiment, the user input device360is a gaming peripheral400, which is illustrated in greater detail inFIG. 4. The gaming peripheral400, which may be in the form of a game pad, includes a housing420that supports a plurality of user input elements, including a joystick430, a plurality of buttons440, a pair of triggers450, and a D-pad460. More or less user input elements than illustrated inFIG. 4may be included in the gaming peripheral400. The illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting in any way. The user input elements430,440,450,460of the gaming peripheral400allow a user of the system300of, for example,FIG. 3to interact with a computer game being executed by the computer320and displayed by the display340. The functionality of each of the elements430,440,450,460in terms of providing input to the game may change depending on the game being played by the user, as is known in the art.

FIGS. 5A and 5Billustrate a cross-section of a user input element500in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The user input element500may be one of the keys162of the keyboard160of the system100ofFIG. 1, one of the keys262of the keyboard260of the system200ofFIG. 2, or one of the user input elements of the gaming peripheral400ofFIG. 4, such as one of the buttons440, one of the triggers450, or the D-pad460.

As illustrated inFIG. 5A, the user input element500includes a first part510connected to a base520and a second part530configured to be movable relative to the base520and the first part510. The first part510is configured to partially surround or completely surround a periphery of the second part530. The user input element500also includes a resilient element540disposed between the base520and the second part530. The resilient element540, which may be a spring or a damper, is configured to bias the second part530in a first position, which may be referred to as a rest position, illustrated inFIG. 5A, when no external forces are applied to the second part530.

The first part510includes a first electrode512defining a first capacitive surface513and the second part530includes a second electrode532defining a second capacitive surface533. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5B, the user input element500also includes an insulator550that surrounds the second electrode532so that the first electrode512and the second electrode532do not physically come into contact with each other. The first electrode512and the second electrode532may be made from any suitable conductive material, such as copper, aluminum, gold, or silver, any suitable semiconductor material, or any other conductive material that is suitable to provide the first and second capacitive surfaces513,533upon application of a voltage differential provided to the first and second electrodes512,532. The insulator550may be made from any suitable insulating material, such polymer, plastic, glass, or any other insulating material.

The second part530includes a top surface534that is configured to be engaged by a digit of a user's hand so that the user may press down on the top surface534and move the second part530downward (as indicated by arrow P inFIG. 5A) from the first position and against the bias provided by the resilient member540to a second position, which may be referred to as the actuated position, illustrated inFIG. 5B, to actuate the user input element500. Although the orientation of the user input element500is shown inFIGS. 5A and 5Bis such that movement of the second part530is up and down, embodiments of the invention are not limited to such an orientation. For example when the user input element500is implemented as one of the triggers450of the gaming peripheral400illustrated byFIG. 4, the movement of the second part530is generally sideways when the gaming peripheral400is oriented with a top surface412of the housing410pointed upward. The illustrated orientation of the user input element500is not intended to be limiting in any way.

The user input element500is configured to generate an electrostatic haptic effect when the top surface534of the second part530is pressed by the user and an electric signal, such as voltage, is generated by a haptic drive circuit560and applied to the first electrode512and the second electrodes532to create the first and second capacitive surfaces513,533. More specifically, the electrostatic haptic effect may be created when operating the user input element500by applying a voltage difference to the first electrode512and the second electrode532, which changes the attractive force between the first and second electrodes512,532, which changes the friction force between the contacting surfaces of the first part510and the second part530at an interface570. The voltage difference may be generated by a high-voltage amplifier that is included in the haptic drive circuit560. By creating a short transient voltage change, for example a 20 ms square wave, with the haptic drive circuit560, a momentary friction force increase may be created at the interface570and the user may experience a slight resistance, which may feel like a typical button detent (click) as the user moves the second part530from the rest position illustrated byFIG. 5Ato the actuated position illustrated inFIG. 5B.

In an embodiment, such an effect may be varied in profile by the haptic drive circuit560to give different types of haptic sensations to the user. For example, if the position of the second part530relative to the first part510is being measured, the detent (i.e. haptic effect) can be placed at different positions as the second part530is moved so that a feeling of multiple stages may be created. Continuous haptic effects (for example, periodics) may also be created when the second part530is moving relative to the first part510to give different texture sensations by providing different voltage signals to the first and second electrodes512,532.

A processor580in signal communication with the haptic drive circuit560may be programmed to provide instructions to the haptic drive circuit560so that the haptic drive circuit560generates the appropriate voltage signal to provide the desired haptic effect. The instructions may be based on an application being run on one of the computers120,220,320of the systems100,200,300described above, or may be already pre-programmed into the processor580. The processor580may be part of any one of the computers120,220,320of the systems100,200,300described above, or may be a separate device. Similarly, the haptic drive circuit560may be part of or separate from the processor580and may be part of or separate from any one of the computers120,220,320of the systems100,200,300described above. In an embodiment, the haptic drive circuit560and/or the processor580may be part of the user input element500.

In an embodiment in which the user input element500is a haptic trigger in a first person shooter game being played on, for example, the system300illustrated inFIG. 3, different weapons used in the game may have different sensations when fired. For example, a musket may have a rough feel that may be provided by the electrostatic haptic effect, while a laser may have a high frequency feel that may be provided by the electrostatic haptic effect by altering the voltage being applied to the first and second electrodes512,532by the haptic drive circuit560.

In an embodiment, the user input element may be used to move an object in a game being played on any of the haptic feedback interface systems100,200,300described above and the voltage difference applied to the first and second electrodes may correspond to the position of the object in a game in order to provide a haptic effect based on an interaction of the object with its surroundings or another object within the game. For example, the game may be chess and the object may be a chess piece. When the user uses the user input device that includes a user input element described herein, a detent may be felt by the user when the chess piece is moved from one square to another square.

FIGS. 6A and 6Billustrate a user input element600in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The user input element600is similar to the user input element500described above with respect toFIGS. 5A and 5B, with the exception of the insulator550being part of the first part510instead of the second part530, and surrounding the first electrode512instead of the second electrode532. In addition, a second insulator636may be provided on top of the second electrode530to provide the top surface534so that the user's digit does not contact the second electrode530. Otherwise, the user input element600operates in the same manner as described above with respect to the user input element500.

FIG. 7illustrates an implementation of the present invention as applied to a user input element700in the form of a joystick. As illustrated therein, the user input element700includes a first part710that includes a pair of first electrodes712and a second part730that includes a pair of second electrodes732. An insulator740is positioned between the first electrodes712and the second electrodes732. Although the insulator740is illustrated as being part of the second part730, which is configured to be movable relative to the first part710, in another embodiment, the insulator740may be part of the first part710, which is fixed. The illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting in any way. Similar to the embodiment described above with respect toFIGS. 5A and 5B, the haptic drive circuit560is connected to the first electrodes712and the second electrodes732to generate first and second capacitive surfaces713,733, respectively, so that the electrostatic haptic effect in accordance with embodiments of the invention described above may be generated upon movement of the second part730relative to the first part710, as indicated by double arrow M inFIG. 7. A user may engage a handle736of the second part730, which may be connected to or part of the insulator740, and pivot the handle736in a known manner to effect a movement of an object being displayed on, for example the display340of the system300ofFIG. 3when the user input element700is being used as the gaming peripheral360. More or less electrodes712,732may be used in the user input element700than those illustrated inFIG. 7. The illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting in any way.

FIGS. 8A and 8Billustrate another implementation of the present invention as applied to a user input element800in the form of a button. As illustrated inFIG. 8A, the user input element800includes a first part810connected to a base820and a second part830configured to be movable relative to the base820and the first part810. The first part810is configured to partially surround or completely surround a periphery of a portion of the second part830. The user input element800also includes a resilient element840disposed between the base820and the second part830. The resilient element840is configured to bias the second part830in a first position, which may be referred to as a rest position, illustrated inFIG. 8A, when no external forces are applied to the second part830.

The first part810includes a first electrode812defining a first capacitive surface813and the second part830includes a second electrode832defining a second capacitive surface833. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8B, the user input element800also includes an insulator850that surrounds the second electrode832so that the first electrode812and the second electrode832do not physically come into contact with each other.

The second part830includes a top surface834provided by a top portion836that is configured to be engaged by a digit of a user's hand so that the user may press down on the top surface837and move the second part830downward (as indicated by arrow P inFIG. 8A) from the first position and against the bias provided by the resilient member840to a second position, which may be referred to as the actuated position, illustrated inFIG. 8Bto actuate the user input element800. The top portion836is connected to a shaft or narrow portion838that is disposed inside of the first part810.

The user input element800is configured to generate an electrostatic haptic effect when the top surface834of the second part830is pressed by the user and an electric signal, such as voltage, is generated by a haptic drive circuit560and applied to the first electrode812and the second electrode832to create the first and second capacitive surfaces813,833.

The user input element800is substantially the same as the user input element500described above, with the exception of the shapes of the first part810and the second part830. For example, the first part810and the first electrode812are more elongated than the first part510and the first electrode512illustrated inFIG. 5A, and provide a greater surface area for the first capacitive surface813as compared to the first capacitive surface513inFIG. 5A. Similarly, the second part830and the second electrode832are more elongated than the second part530and the second electrode532inFIG. 5A, and provide a greater surface area for the second capacitive surface833as compared to the second capacitive surface533inFIG. 5A. Such an arrangement provides a longer interface870as compared to the interface570ofFIG. 5A, which may allow for different electrostatic haptic effects to be generated.

Operation of the user input element800is the same as the user input element ofFIGS. 5A and 5B. The user may engage the top surface834of the second part830of the user input element800while the haptic drive circuit560provides voltage signals to the first and second electrodes812,832and press the top surface834downward, as indicated by arrow P. The combination of the movement of the second capacitive surface833relative to the first capacitive surface813and the applied dynamic voltage signals to the first and second electrodes812,832create the electrostatic effect that the user may feel as the second part830is moving.

As can be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the size and configuration of the first parts and the second parts of the user input elements in accordance with embodiments of the invention may be varied to provide different functionalities and haptic effects. The illustrated embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any way and are merely provided as examples of implementations of the invention. For example, the portion of the user input element that is engaged by the user may be a deformable object configured to be pressed or squeezed by the user. In an embodiment, the first and second electrodes may be embedded in a handle of a user input device and configured so that the user may squeeze the handle in and out as inputs and receive an electrostatic haptic effect as outputs.

FIGS. 9A and 9Billustrate another implementation of the present invention as applied to a user input element900in the form of a trigger or a button. As illustrated inFIG. 9A, the user input element900includes a first part910connected to a base920and a second part930configured to be movable relative to the base920and the first part910. The first part910is configured to partially surround or completely surround a periphery of a portion of the second part930. The user input element900also includes a resilient element940disposed between the base920and the second part930. The resilient element940is configured to bias the second part930in a first position, which may be referred to as a rest position, illustrated inFIG. 9A, when no external forces are applied to the second part930.

The first part910includes a plurality of first electrodes912, each of which having a capacitive surface to collectively define a first capacitive surface913and the second part930includes a plurality of second electrodes932, each of which having a capacitive surface to collectively define a second capacitive surface933. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 9A and 9B, the user input element900also includes an insulator950that surrounds the plurality of second electrodes932so that the plurality of first electrodes912and the plurality of second electrodes932do not physically come into contact with each other.

The second part930includes a top surface934provided by a top portion936that is configured to be engaged by a digit of a user's hand so that the user may press down on the top surface937and move the second part930downward (as indicated by arrow D inFIG. 9A) from the first position and against the bias provided by the resilient member940to a second position, which may be referred to as the actuated position, illustrated inFIG. 9Bto actuate the user input element900. The top portion936is connected to a shaft or narrow portion938that is disposed inside of the first part910.

The user input element900is configured to generate an electrostatic haptic effect when the top surface934of the second part930is pressed by the user and an electric signal, such as voltage, is generated by a haptic drive circuit960and applied to the plurality of first electrodes912and the plurality of second electrodes932to create the first and second capacitive surfaces913,933.

In operation, the user may engage the top surface934of the second part930of the user input element900while the haptic drive circuit960provides a voltage signal to the plurality of first electrodes912and the plurality of second electrodes932and press the top surface934downward, as indicated by arrow D. The combination of the movement of the second capacitive surface933relative to the first capacitive surface913and the applied voltage signal, which may be a constant voltage signal, to the plurality of first electrodes912and the plurality of second electrodes932create the electrostatic effect that the user may feel as the second part930is moving. The electrostatic effect may feel like detents or double clicks to the user. If no voltage is applied to the plurality of first electrodes912and the plurality of second electrodes932, movement of the second part930relative to the first part910may feel smooth because no electrostatic effect is generated. More or less electrodes912,932than the number illustrated may be used. The illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting in any way.

The embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 9A and 9Bmay be used to create a non-programmable set of detents or areas where friction between the second part930and the first part910of the user input element changes, instead of using a programmable capacitive electrode as described above with respect toFIGS. 5A-8B. For example, the user input element900illustrated inFIGS. 9A and 9Bmay be a trigger and be powered on for a trigger haptic effect or off for smooth operation with no haptic effect. The plurality of electrodes may be used to provide double clicks in such an implementation.

Embodiments of the invention provide for programmable haptic kinesthetic-like effects in a reduced space, which may allow for more compact actuation for a user input element that provides haptic effects to the user, which is desired for low profile keyboards and gamepads. Embodiments of the invention may be implemented on other user interface devices, in addition to the user input and interface devices described herein. For example, user input elements described herein may be implemented on mobile phones, user interface devices in vehicles, medical procedure simulation systems, etc.

The embodiments described herein represent a number of possible implementations and examples and are not intended to necessarily limit the present disclosure to any specific embodiments. Instead, various modifications can be made to these embodiments as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Any such modifications are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and protected by the following claims.