PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10394325-B2
Application Number: US-201315103091-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Input friction mechanism for rotary inputs of electronic devices

Abstract:
Apparatuses and methods for an electronic device to control the application of friction to a rotary input control with a shaft. In one example, the apparatus may include a spring bar member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface positioned adjacent to the shaft; and a movable tension member positioned to engage the second surface of the spring bar; wherein as the tension member engages the spring bar, the spring bar engages the shaft and applies a frictional force to the shaft. In this manner, the apparatus can controllably apply a friction force of a desired amount to the rotary input control.

Claims:
We claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for providing haptic feedback in an electronic wearable device having a rotary input control with a shaft, comprising:
 a spring bar positioned adjacent to the shaft; 
 a movable tension member positioned to engage the spring bar; and 
 a motor coupled with the movable tension member, wherein the motor controllably moves the movable tension member toward or away from the spring bar, causing the movable tension member to engage or disengage the spring bar; 
 wherein at least one portion of the spring bar is fixed to the electronic wearable device apart from the movable tension member and apart from the shaft, and as the tension member engages the spring bar, the spring bar deflects and engages the shaft and applies a frictional force to the shaft. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the movable tension member is positioned to engage the spring bar about a midpoint along a length of the spring bar. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spring bar is fixed to the electronic wearable device, apart from the movable tension member, at a first end of the spring bar and a second end of the spring bar. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spring bar is elongated with a generally flat profile and a rectangular shape, the rectangular shape having an elongate dimension oriented perpendicular to the shaft. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spring bar is made of metal. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a stepper motor. 
     
     
       7. An electronic wearable device for providing haptic feedback to a user, comprising:
 a processor; 
 a rotary control input having a crown coupled to a shaft, the rotary control input in communication with the processor; and 
 a controllable friction mechanism selectively coupled with the shaft to selectively apply friction to the shaft, thereby creating haptic feedback to the user via the crown, the controllable friction mechanism responsive to the processor to selectively apply friction to the shaft, and the controllable friction mechanism comprising a spring bar fixed to a housing of the electronic wearable device or a subassembly of the housing of the electronic wearable device, the spring bar deflecting when the controllable friction mechanism increases the friction applied to the shaft. 
 
     
     
       8. The electronic wearable device of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the spring bar comprises a first surface and a second surface, the first surface positioned adjacent to the shaft; 
 the controllable friction mechanism further comprises a movable tension member positioned to engage the second surface of the spring bar; and 
 as the tension member engages the spring bar, the spring bar deflects and engages the shaft and applies a frictional force to the shaft. 
 
     
     
       9. The electronic wearable device of  claim 8 , wherein the movable tension member is positioned to engage the spring bar about a midpoint along a length of the spring bar. 
     
     
       10. The electronic wearable device of  claim 8 , wherein the spring bar is fixed to the electronic wearable device at a first end of the spring bar and a second end of the spring bar. 
     
     
       11. The electronic wearable device of  claim 8 , wherein the spring bar is elongated with a generally flat profile and a rectangular shape, the rectangular shape having an elongate dimension oriented perpendicular to the shaft. 
     
     
       12. The electronic wearable device of  claim 8 , further comprising: a motor coupled with the movable tension member, wherein the motor controllably moves the movable tension member towards or away from the spring bar. 
     
     
       13. The electronic wearable device of  claim 7 , wherein the electronic wearable device is a wearable communications device. 
     
     
       14. A method for creating haptic feedback for a user of an electronic wearable device having a crown connected to a shaft, the method comprising:
 detecting an event in the electronic wearable device; and 
 responsive to detecting the event, applying a friction force to the shaft to create haptic feedback for the user as the user rotates the crown, wherein: 
 the friction force is applied to the shaft in response to a processor generating at least one of a control signal or an instruction, the control signal or the instruction generated in response to the detection of the event; and 
 the friction force is applied to the shaft by deflecting a spring bar fixed to a housing or a subassembly of the electronic wearable device. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the applying operation applies the friction force at a specified level. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the deflecting operation includes activating a motor to move a tension member to deflect the spring bar. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electronic wearable device is a wearable communications device. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electronic wearable device is a wearable health assistant.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 application of PCT/US2013/074058, filed on Dec. 10, 2013, and entitled “Input Friction Mechanism for Rotary Inputs of Electronic Devices,” which is incorporated by reference as if fully disclosed herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to inputs of electronic devices, and more particularly relates to rotary inputs used with electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices—such as mobile devices, mobile phones, tablet computers, music and multi-media players, wearable device, gaming devices, and other handheld, wearable or portable devices—have one or inputs such as buttons, touch screens, switches, and rotary inputs that can perform various functions. 
     With some rotary inputs or rotary controls, the present inventors have recognized that there may not be a mechanical stop or limit to a user rotating a rotary input, which can be problematic to the user experience. 
     Accordingly, as recognized by the present inventors, what is needed are mechanisms for providing tactile feel or feedback to the user when using a rotary input. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one broad aspect of one embodiment of the present disclosure, disclosed herein is an apparatus for an electronic device that provides haptic feedback by controlling an application of friction to a rotary input control with a shaft. In one example, the apparatus may include a spring bar member positioned adjacent to the shaft; and a movable tension member positioned to engage the spring bar; wherein as the tension member engages the spring bar, the spring bar engages the shaft and applies haptic feedback in the form of a frictional force to the shaft. In this manner, the apparatus can controllably apply haptic feedback in the form of a friction force of a desired amount to the rotary input control. 
     In one example, the movable tension member is positioned about a midpoint along a length of the spring bar member, and the spring bar member has a first end and a second end, wherein both first and second ends are fixed. The spring bar member may be elongated with a generally flat profile, and may be made of various materials such as metal. 
     In one example, the apparatus may include a motor coupled with the movable tension member, wherein the motor controllably moves the movable tension member towards or away from the spring bar member. The motor may be a stepper motor. 
     According to another broad aspect of another embodiment of the present invention, disclosed herein is an electronic device for providing haptic feedback to a user which may include a processor; a rotary control input having a shaft, the rotary control input in communications with the processor; and a controllable friction mechanism selectively coupled with the shaft to selectively apply friction to the shaft thereby providing haptic feedback to the user, the controllable friction mechanism responsive to the processor. 
     In one example, the controllable friction mechanism includes a spring bar member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface positioned adjacent to the shaft; and a movable tension member positioned to engage the second surface of the spring bar; wherein as the tension member engages the spring bar, the spring bar engages the shaft and applies a frictional force to the shaft. The electronic device may be an electronic wearable device, a portable device, a mobile phone, or other electronic device. 
     According to another broad aspect of another embodiment of the present invention, disclosed herein is a method for creating haptic feedback for a user of an electronic device having a rotary control input, the rotary control input having a shaft. In one example, the method may include detecting an event in the electronic device; and responsive to the detecting operation, and responsive to the detecting operation, applying a friction force to the shaft of the rotary control input to create haptic feedback for the user. 
     In one example, the applying operation applies the friction force at a specified level from a range of possible friction force levels. The applying operation may also include moving a bar member such that a portion of the bar member contacts the shaft, and the moving operation includes activating a motor to move a tension member to move the bar member. 
     Other embodiments of the disclosure are described herein. The features, utilities and advantages of various embodiments of this disclosure will be apparent from the following more particular description of embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  illustrate examples of a typical rotary control input. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a controllable friction mechanism for a rotary control input, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a controllable friction mechanism for a rotary control input, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 4A-4D  illustrate an examples of a controllable friction mechanism for a rotary control input, applying differing levels or amounts of friction to the rotary control input, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example of an electronic device having a controllable friction mechanism for a rotary control input, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a process for applying friction to a rotary control input of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example of an electronic device in the form of a mouse having a controllable friction mechanism for a rotary control input, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another example of an electronic device in the form of a wearable device having a controllable friction mechanism for a rotary control input, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various examples of controllable friction mechanisms are described herein that provide haptic feedback to the user when using a rotary control input of an electronic device. In one example, the controllable friction mechanisms are coupled with rotary control inputs of electronic devices in order to provide an adjustable, controllable and variable amount of haptic feedback such as friction, drag or braking across a wide range of values as experienced by the user when rotating a rotary control input. In this manner, a rotary control input of an electronic device can be provided with a controllable amount of haptic feedback or resistance to rotation of the rotary control input, in one or both directions of rotation, and the friction can be selectively activated based on the occurrence of one or more events as detected by the electronic device. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1B , electronic devices  10  may include a rotary input or rotary control  11  having a shaft or stem  12  with one or more dials, wheels or crowns  14  coupled with shaft  12 . In one example, shaft  12  may be cylindrical, or may have other cross-sectional shapes such as oval, square, rectangular, or other shapes depending upon the particular implementation. The dial or crown  14  may be connected with an end of shaft  12  ( FIG. 1A ), or may be positioned along various locations of shaft  12  depending upon the implementation ( FIG. 1B ). The crown  14  and shaft  12  may be made of various materials such as metals, plastics, rubber, or other rigid materials. For purposes of this disclosure, the terms rotary control input, rotary control and rotary input are used interchangeably; and the terms dials, wheel and crowns are also used interchangeably. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , an example of a controllable friction mechanism  16  is illustrated with a shaft  12  (shown in cross-section in  FIG. 3 ) of a rotary control input  11  of an electronic device  10 . In this example, a bar member or spring bar  18  (these terms are used interchangeably) is positioned adjacent to or proximate to the outer portion of the shaft  12  of the rotary control input  11 . A movable tension member or pin  20  may be coupled with a motor  22  (such as a stepper motor) which can be controlled by the electronic device  10 . The movable tension member  20 , in one example, is positioned near or about a midpoint along the length of spring bar  18 , and may be positioned on an opposing side of spring bar  18  in relation to the position of shaft  12 . In one example, the movable tension member  20  may implemented using a screw rotating in a threaded busing under the control of the motor  22 . 
     The spring bar  18  may take various shapes, and in  FIGS. 2-3  the spring bar  18  may have a generally flat profile and may be elongated with a generally rectangular shape in one example. The spring bar  18  may have a top surface and a bottom surface, and in example the top surface engages the shaft  12  of the rotary control input  11 , and the bottom surface is engaged by the movable tension member  20 . The spring bar  18  may be made of metal, plastic, rubber, or other conventional material. In one example, the spring bar  18  may have an elastic property, such that the spring bar  18  can be deflected temporarily in response to a force, and returns to its initial state or position when the force is removed. 
     The spring bar  18  may be fixed or pivoted at or near its two ends, and free to be moved or deflected along its length about its midpoint in one example. For instance, the ends of spring bar  18  may be fixed within a housing or within a subassembly of the electronic device. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4D , the movable tension member  20  can be selectively and controllably moved upwardly so as to temporarily move, deform, bend or deflect the spring bar  18  in an upward direction. As spring bar  18  moves upwardly, a portion of spring bar  18  comes in contact with shaft  12  of rotary control input  11  and applies a greater amount of frictional force or braking force against the shaft  12 . The variable movement of the tension member  20  against the spring bar  18  creates a variable amount of friction force against the shaft  12 . The frictional or braking force against the shaft  12  of rotary control input  11  can be felt by the user as a haptic effect when the rotates or attempts to rotate crown  14 . 
     For instance, in  FIG. 4A , the spring bar  18  and the movable tension member  20  are in an initial or default position, wherein an initial amount of friction is applied by the spring bar  18  to the shaft  12  of the rotary control input  11 . In one example, the initial amount of friction applied to the shaft by the spring bar  18  may be slight or no friction, depending upon the particular implementation. In another example, the initial amount of friction applied to the shaft  12  by spring bar  18  in response to movable tension member  20  is selected to prevent the rotary control input  11  (including crown  14 ) from rotating by itself without any active user input. In other words, the initial amount of friction applied by the controllable friction mechanism  16  to the rotary control input  11  requires that the user overcome the initial amount of friction by actively rotating the crown  14  of the rotary control input  11 . In this manner, the controllable friction mechanism  16  can help reduce undesired or accidental rotations of the rotary control input  11 . 
     In  FIG. 4B , under the control of electronic device  10 , the movable tension member  20  is moved upwardly to exert a force on spring bar  18 , and spring bar  18  contacts shaft  12  and thereby applies an amount of frictional force to shaft  12  in an amount greater than the initial amount of frictional force associated with  FIG. 4A , but less than the amount of frictional force associated with  FIG. 4C . 
     In  FIG. 4C , under the control of electronic device  10 , the movable tension member  20  is moved upwardly to exert a greater force on spring bar  18 , and spring bar  18  contacts shaft  12  and thereby applies an amount of frictional force to shaft  12  in an amount greater than the amount of frictional force associated with  FIG. 4B  but less than the amount of frictional force associated with  FIG. 4D . 
     In  FIG. 4D , under the control of electronic device  10 , the movable tension member  20  is moved upwardly to exert a greater force on spring bar  18 , and spring bar  18  contacts shaft  12  and thereby applies an amount of frictional force to shaft  12  in an amount greater than the amount of frictional force associated with  FIG. 4C . 
     In one example, a maximum position or limit of movable tension member  20  may be established, for instance through control of stepper motor  22  or through a surface or structure that can be positioned to limit the upward movement of spring bar  18 . 
     Controllable friction mechanism  16  can be used to provide haptic feedback to a user of a variety of rotary control inputs in a variety of electronic devices  10 .  FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a block diagram of an electronic device  10  having a rotary control input  11  with a controllable friction mechanism  16  coupled thereto. 
     The electronic device  10  may also include a processor  30  coupled with or in communications with memory  32 , communication interfaces  34  coupled with or in communications with processor  30 , output devices such as displays  36  and speakers  38 , and a plurality of input devices  40 . Communication interfaces  34  can provide electronic communications between device  10  and any external communication network, device or platform, such as but not limited to wireless interfaces, Bluetooth interfaces, USB interfaces, Wi-Fi interfaces, TCP/IP interfaces, network communications interfaces, or any conventional communication interfaces. 
     The electronic device  10  may also include a processor  30  coupled with or in communications with memory  32 , communication interfaces  34  coupled with or in communications with processor  30 , output devices such as displays  36  and speakers  38 , and a plurality of input devices  40 . Communication interfaces  34  can provide electronic communications between device  10  and any external communication network, device or platform, such as but not limited to wireless interfaces, Bluetooth interfaces, USB interfaces, Wi-Fi interfaces, TCP/IP interfaces, network communications interfaces, or any conventional communication interfaces. The wearable device  10  may provide information regarding time, health, statuses or externally connected or communicating devices and/or software executing on such devices, messages, video, operating commands, and so forth (and may receive any of the foregoing from an external device), in addition to communications. 
     In one example, electronic device  10  may be configured in the form of a wearable health assistant that provides health-related information (whether real-time or not) to the user, authorized third parties, and/or an associated monitoring device. Device  10  may be configured to provide health-related information or data such as but not limited to heart rate data, blood pressure data, temperature data, oxygen level data, caloric data, diet/nutrition information, medical reminders, health-related tips or information, or other health-related data. The associated monitoring device may be, for example, a tablet computing device, phone, personal digital assistant, computer, and so on. 
     The rotary control input  11  may include dials, wheels, crowns or other rotary inputs. The rotary control inputs  11  is in communications with and provides data to the processor  30  regarding movement or rotation of the rotary control input, and such data may include but is not limited to increments of rotations, rotation amounts, rotation directions (up/down, clockwise/counterclockwise, forward/reverse), and rotation rates. 
     In one example, controllable friction mechanism  16  is responsive to and/or controlled by processor  30 . For instance, if the electronic device  10  is displaying content in a list form and the user is scrolling through the list by rotating the crown  14  of the rotary control input  11 , the processor may detect that the end of the list is being approached, and therefore the processor may signal to the controllable friction mechanism  16  to increase the amount of friction on the rotary control input  11  so as to signal to the user that the end of the displayed list is approaching. Other examples of when to apply friction or reduce friction as applied by the controllable friction mechanism  16  to the rotary control input  11  of an electronic device  10 . 
     Examples of electronic devices  10  utilizing rotary control inputs  11  with controllable friction mechanisms  16  may include but are not limited to devices such as mouse input devices ( FIG. 7 ), electronic, computer or wearable communication devices ( FIG. 8 ), provided as illustrative examples only. Electronic devices  10  utilizing embodiments of the present disclosure may also include mobile devices, mobile phones, tablet computers, music and multi-media players, gaming devices, wearable health assistant devices, and other handheld, wearable or portable devices. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a process for applying friction to a rotary control input of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. This process, including portions thereof, can be implemented by an electronic device. 
     At operation  50 , an event is detected by the electronic device which can be used to trigger the application of friction to a rotary control input. For instance, if a user is rotating a rotary control input in order to scroll a display or content therein, such an event may require the controlled application of friction to the rotary control input when the user begins to reach the end of a document, list, video, song, or display window; in this manner, the controlled application of friction to the rotary control input provides the user with haptic feedback that the user should reduce or slow down the rotation of the rotary control input, and such feedback can also indicate to the user that the user is nearing or has reached the end of the document, content or window. 
     Another example of an event which may require application of friction to a rotary control input could involve a user cycling up and down through a menu of different options, if it is desired to indicate the top of a list or the bottom of the list through the use of increased friction applied to a rotary control input. 
     Another example of an event which may require application of friction to a rotary control input could involve deterring the user from rotating the rotary control input in a first direction and thereby encouraging the user to rotate the rotary control input in the other direction. This can be achieved for instance in one example, by applying a high or maximum level of friction or braking to the rotary control input, and then removing the friction applied by the controllable friction mechanism at a later time if the user does not continue to rotate the rotary control input in the first direction. 
     Operation  52  determines whether it is necessary to apply friction to a rotary control input. If so, control is passed to operation  54 , otherwise control may be returned to operation  50  to wait for a triggering event to occur. 
     At operation  54 , assuming an event has occurred that triggers or requests application of friction to the rotary control input, movement of the spring bar is activated to apply a desired level or amount of frictional force to the shaft of the rotary control input. 
     At operation  56 , the level of friction applied to the rotary control input may be adjusted upwardly or downwardly as desired. Operation  56  may be performed in response to control signals or instructions received from processor  30  of electronic device  10 . For instance, a signal may be communicated to controllable friction mechanism  16  which indicates “apply maximum friction”, “apply minimum friction”, “apply a specified friction level” as desired, “increase friction” level, “decrease friction” level or other signal. 
     A combination or sequence of differing friction amounts could be applied to the rotary control input shaft to simulate various effects. For instance, in one example, a level of friction could be cycled on then off, on then off, on then off, etc., so as to create or simulate a “ratcheting” effect modeled after mechanical winder controls. 
     Hence, the operations of  FIG. 6  provide an adjustable and selectable amount of friction as experienced by the user when a rotating rotary control input. In this manner, a rotary control input of an electronic device can be provided with a controllable amount of feedback or resistance to rotation of the rotary control input in one or both directions of rotation. 
     Accordingly, it can be seen that embodiments of the present invention provide for the controllable application of a desired level of friction forces against a rotary control input, thereby providing the user with haptic feedback when the user utilizes the rotary control input during use of an electronic device. 
     While the methods disclosed herein have been described and shown with reference to particular operations performed in a particular order, it will be understood that these operations may be combined, sub-divided, or re-ordered to form equivalent methods without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Accordingly, unless specifically indicated herein, the order and grouping of the operations is not a limitation of the present disclosure. 
     It is understood that the directional references provided herein, such as top, bottom, upwards, downwards, clockwise, counterclockwise, left, right, and the like, are provided to describe examples of the embodiments disclosed herein, and are not intended to be limiting. 
     It should be appreciated that in the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, various features of the disclosure are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, Figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, and each embodiment described herein may contain more than one inventive feature. 
     While the disclosure is presented and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20131210
Publication Date: 20190827
Grant Date: 20190827
Priority Date: 20131210
Inventors: MOUSSETTE, Camille
MORRELL, JOHN B.
KESSLER, PATRICK
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/0362", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0362", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0362", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 49920605