Patent Publication Number: US-2013234843-A1

Title: Scrolling control system having tactile feedback

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention relates to scrolling controls, and more particularly to scrolling control systems having tactile feedback. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Scrolling controls are employed to allow a user to freely scroll through selections associated with a user system. Typically, such controls fall into two categories. 
     First, the scrolling control may be of a continuous motion type, where a user rotates the control until a selection is reached. Often, the continuous motion type of scrolling control provides passive tactile feedback, such as one clicking sensation per selection step. Although feedback is provided, the user must continuously move the scrolling control to scroll to the desired selection. Such an arrangement requires extensive motion for the user, particularly when scrolling through a long list of selections. Second, the scrolling control may be of a push-and-hold type. Such an arrangement alleviates the need to continuously move the control, but requires continuous or substantial visual attention to the scrolling process, since tactile feedback is typically not provided. The requirement for visual attention may prove distracting when performing another activity, such as operating a vehicle, or may simply be undesirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a scrolling control system having tactile feedback includes a rotational control for scrolling through a plurality of user selections. Also included is a first position of the rotational control, wherein rotation away from the first position scrolls through the plurality of user selections. Further included is a pulsating system for providing tactile feedback to a user, wherein the pulsating system distributes pulses at a plurality of frequencies that correspond to a plurality of rotational control positions. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a scrolling control system having tactile feedback includes a rotational control for scrolling through a plurality of user selections. Also included is a first position of the rotational control, wherein rotation away from the first position scrolls through the plurality of user selections. Further included is a second position of the rotational control that is disposed at a first angle from the first position, wherein a first scrolling frequency occurs when the rotational control is disposed at the second position. Yet further included is a third position of the rotational control that is disposed at a second angle that is greater than the first angle, wherein a second scrolling frequency occurs when the rotational control is disposed at the third position, and wherein the second scrolling frequency is greater than the first scrolling frequency. Also included is a pulsating system for providing tactile feedback to a user. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a vehicle having a tactile feedback control system includes a user system including a rotational control for scrolling through a plurality of user selections. Also included is a first position of the rotational control, wherein rotation away from the first position scrolls through the plurality of user selections. Further included is a tactile response mechanism for providing a plurality of tactile feedback sensations corresponding to a plurality of rotational control positions. 
     The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description of embodiments, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a rotational control for scrolling through a plurality of user selections; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a relationship between an angle of rotation of the rotational control and a tactile feedback sensation frequency according to one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a relationship between an angle of rotation of the rotational control and a tactile feedback sensation frequency according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a scrolling control system having tactile feedback is illustrated generally with reference numeral  10 . The scrolling control system  10  is illustrated within the interior of a vehicle  5 , and more particularly an automobile, however it is to be appreciated that the scrolling control system  10  may be employed for use in conjunction with numerous other applications. For example, rather than an automobile, the type of vehicle that the scrolling control system  10  is disposed within may include, but is not limited to, a boat, ship or aircraft. Additionally, the scrolling control system  10  may be used with any system that requires a user to scroll through user options. The system may pertain to computers or associated computer components (e.g., mouse scrolling wheel), entertainment devices, or any other system that provides the ability to scroll through user options, such as a list. 
     The scrolling control system  10  includes a rotational control  12  that facilitates the ability for a user to scroll through a plurality of user selections that are associated with a user system. The user system may be associated with a number of systems. For the illustrated vehicle embodiment, the user system may comprise an audio system or a navigational system, for example. In the case of an audio system, the plurality of user selections may be radio stations, audio settings, or files on an audio accessory that is associated with the audio system. The files may include songs or recordings of various types. It is to be appreciated that the aforementioned examples of the user system and the plurality of user selections are merely illustrative and both the user system and the plurality of user selections may comprise any system that comprises a scrolling function, as previously stated. 
     The rotational control  12  is the component rotated by a user to scroll through the plurality of user selections. The rotational control  12  may be a rotary knob, a barrel roller, a switch, a scroll wheel or a 3D motion controller which provides the user the ability to rapidly scroll through lists. The scrolling control system  10  includes a tactile response mechanism that responds to rotation of the rotational control  12  and is configured to provide tactile feedback to the user during a scrolling function. The tactile feedback may be in the form of vibrational pulses that are generated at various frequencies, with each frequency corresponding to a rate of scrolling through the plurality of user selections. The user may controllably manipulate the rate of scrolling by rotating the rotational control  12  and this function will be explained in detail below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an angle-torque relationship  14  is illustrated. Specifically, the angle-torque relationship  14  depicts the relationship between the rotational position of the rotational control  12  and a torque associated with movement away from a first position  16 . The first position  16  represents a neutral position of the rotational control  12  that is centered and gravitated toward, as well as a position that generates no scrolling. Increasing the torque, i.e. the angle away from the first position  16 , correspondingly increases the rate of scrolling through the plurality of user selections. In the event that the user desires to scroll through the plurality of user selections, rotation in the clockwise direction, for example, begins the scrolling function and also initiates the tactile response mechanism that may comprise a pulsating system that generates the tactile feedback to the user. As the rotational control  12  is rotated away from the first position  16 , an angle is defined between the first position  16  and the rotated-to position. The angle determines the scrolling rate and the frequency of vibrational pulses felt by the user. By way of example, a second position  18  of the rotational control  12  is disposed at a first angle from the first position  16  and generates a first scrolling frequency. Additionally, a third position  20  of the rotational control  12  is disposed at a second angle from the first position  16 , where the second angle is greater than the first angle. Positioning of the rotational control  12  in the third position  20  generates a second scrolling frequency that is greater than the first frequency, based on the fact that the rotational control  12  is rotated further than when disposed in the second position  18 . 
     It can be seen from the angle-torque relationship  14  that the torque, and therefore the scrolling frequency, may increase exponentially based on rotation of the rotational control  12 . It is to be appreciated that the illustrated angle-torque relationship  14  is merely exemplary, and it is conceivable that numerous distinct relationship profiles may be employed by simply modifying the tactile feedback mechanism, which comprises, at least in part, at least one actuator that responds to an electrical stimulus. Only a partial angle-torque relationship  22  for rotation of the rotational control  12  in the counterclockwise direction is illustrated, however, it is to be understood that the scrolling control system  10  may employ a mirror-image function of the clockwise rotational function, as described above. 
     In operation, as the rotational control  12  is rotated, the tactile feedback in the form of vibrational pulses is initiated at a relatively slow frequency and the frequency is increased as the rotational control is rotated away from the first position  16 , which is the position in which the rotational control  12  is self-centered about, similar to an at rest position of a spring. The increase in frequency is illustrated generally as pulse frequencies  30 , where each pulse is shown relative to time. The pulses are added to the self-centering (static) torque associated with movement of the rotational control  12  away from the first position  16 . It is to be appreciated that the pulses occur at a frequency related to the angle that the rotational control  12  is disposed at. Therefore, a user is provided the ability to hold the rotational control  12  at a certain location during scrolling while the pulses continue to provide tactile feedback with respect to the rate of scrolling. 
     The initiation of the vibrational pulses may be delayed until the rotational control  12  has reached a predetermined rotational angle  32  with respect to the first position  16 . Such an embodiment is illustrated and the corresponding vibrational pulses are initiated at the predetermined rotational angle  32 . The scrolling control system  10  may also include a maximum angle  34  that the rotational control  12  may rotate to. Such a maximum angle  34  is typically set to a comfortable location for a user&#39;s wrist. It is at the maximum angle  34  that the user is able to achieve a maximum scrolling function through the plurality of user selections. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , another embodiment comprises a scrolling control system  100  that is similar in structure and function to that of the scrolling control system  10  of  FIG. 2 . Therefore, reference to like features will be made with similar reference numerals that represent features present in scrolling control system  10 . 
     The rotational control  12  is configured to facilitate an angle-torque relationship  114  that depicts the relationship between the rotational position of the rotational control  12  and a torque associated with movement away from the first position  16 . As discussed above, the first position  16  corresponds to an increase in the rate of scrolling through the plurality of user selections. As the rotational control  12  is rotated away from the first position  16 , an angle is defined between the first position  16  and the rotated position. The angle determines the scrolling rate and the frequency of vibrational pulses felt by the user. It can be seen from the angle-torque relationship  114  that the torque, and therefore the scrolling frequency, may increase exponentially based on rotation of the rotational control  12 . It is to be appreciated that the illustrated angle-torque relationship  114  is merely exemplary, and it is conceivable that numerous distinct relationship profiles may be employed by simply modifying the tactile feedback mechanism, which comprises, at least in part, at least one actuator that responds to an electrical stimulus. Only a partial angle-torque relationship  122  for rotation of the rotational control  12  in the counterclockwise direction is illustrated, however, it is to be understood that the scrolling control system  10  may employ a mirror-image function of the clockwise rotational function, as described above. 
     The angle-torque relationship  114  illustrated is distinct from angle-torque relationship  14 , based on the initial motion in either direction from the first position  16 . Similar to angle-torque relationship  14 , the scrolling control system  100  may delay the initiation of vibrational pulses until the rotational control  12  has reached a predetermined rotational angle  132 , relative to the first position  16 . Prior to rotation to the predetermined rotational angle  132 , a user may manually scroll one step at a time through the plurality of user selections. It is during this stage of operation that the user only feels the self-centering torque that is present at the first position  16 . Specifically, the self-centering torque increases until an angle of rotation reflected at a peak  134  of the angle-torque relationship  114  within the region defined by the first position  16  and the predetermined rotational angle  132 . The illustrated dropoff results in a click of the rotational control  12 , providing a “ratchet-like” effect. This allows the user the ability to scroll one unit up or down in a traditional manner. The ratchet-like effect is generally illustrated with portion  136 , where the rotational control  12  returns to the first position  16 . In the event the user desires to more rapidly scroll through the plurality of user selections, the rotational control  12  may be rotated past the predetermined rotational angle  132 , at which point a faster rate of scrolling is achieved. Similar to angle-torque relationship  14 , the pulse frequencies  30  become more rapid as the rotational control  12  is rotated further away from the first position  16 . Additionally, the scrolling control system  100  also includes the maximum angle  34  that the rotational control  12  may rotate to. Such a maximum angle  34  is typically set to a comfortable location for a user&#39;s wrist. It is at the maximum angle  34  that the user is able to achieve a maximum scrolling function through the plurality of user selections. 
     Advantageously, the scrolling control system  10 ,  100  provides the user the capability to scroll through the plurality of user selections at desired speeds, while expending less effort than that required in systems that necessitate continuous motion. Additionally, the scrolling control system  10 ,  100  utilizes haptic technology to provide the user with tactile feedback that corresponds to various scrolling frequencies. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the application.