Abstract:
Embodiments described herein may take the form of an electromagnetic actuator that produces a haptic output during operation. Generally, an electromagnetic coil is wrapped around a central magnet array. A shaft passes through the central magnet array, such that the central array may move along the shaft when the proper force is applied. When a current passes through the electromagnetic coil, the coil generates a magnetic field. The coil is stationary with respect to a housing of the actuator, while the central magnet array may move along the shaft within the housing. Thus, excitation of the coil exerts a force on the central magnet array, which moves in response to that force. The direction of the current through the coil determines the direction of the magnetic field and thus the motion of the central magnet array.
Abstract:
Determining an applied force of touch on a touch device, in response to a time-varying signal generated by a force of touch sensor. Inferring a measure of force of touch in response to that signal, by determining a peak value of a time derivative of that signal, determining a fraction of that peak value, determining a force of touch corresponding to that peak value, and setting that force as a baseline value for a particular user. Responding to force of touch by the user by comparing against that baseline value. Distinguishing between users having differing baseline values.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a haptic actuator or a device having a haptic actuator that is capable of producing short, sharp and crisp pulses in a short amount of time.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for providing an output for an electronic device. In certain embodiments, an alert is output in accordance with a current alert mode, which are selected based on one or more environmental conditions. The environmental conditions may be detected using one or more environmental sensors. The alert can optionally include one or more of: an audio component, a haptic component and a visual component. One or more of alert components correspond to an aspect of the environmental condition detected by the one or more environmental sensors.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a haptic actuator or a device having a haptic actuator that is capable of producing short, sharp and crisp pulses in a short amount of time.
Abstract:
A haptic actuator may include a housing having a top and a bottom, and first and second permanent magnets carried by the top and bottom, respectively, of the housing. The haptic actuator may also include a field member carried by the housing. The field member may include a coil between the first and second permanent magnets, first and second ends, and a first mass between the first end and the coil, and a second mass between the second end and the coil. A first shaft may slidably couple the first mass to the housing, and a second shaft may slidably couple the second mass to the housing. The haptic actuator may also include a first set of biasing members between the first end of the field member and the housing and a second set of biasing members between the second end of the field member and the housing.
Abstract:
A force sensor and force-sensing structure (200a, 200b, 200c, 200d) for use as input to an electronic device (100). A user touch event may be sensed on a display (104), enclosure, or other surface associated with an electronic device using a force sensor adapted to determine the magnitude of force of the touch event. The sensor output, corresponding to the magnitude of force, may be used as an input signal, input data, or other input information to the electronic device. A force sensor may include an array of upper electrodes (211) disposed on a first substrate (210) and a compliant medium (230) disposed in a gap between the first substrate and a second substrate (220). At least one lower electrode (221) may be disposed on the second substrate. The first substrate may be configured to deflect relative to the second substrate over a localized region when a force is applied to the force-receiving surface.
Abstract:
A touch device including a force sensor disposed between capacitive sensing structures, so both touch and force sensing occur capacitively using device drivers in rows and columns. A dual-layer cover glass, with gel adhesive separating first and second CG layers, so capacitive sensing between the first and second CG layers can determine both touch locations and applied force. The first and second CG layers include a compressible material having a Poisson's ratio of less than approximately 0.48, the force sensor being embedded therein, or disposed between the first and second CG layers. Applied force is detected using capacitive detection of depression of the first CG layer. Depression is responsive to compressible features smaller than optical wavelengths, so those features are substantially invisible to users. Alternatively, the compressible features may be large enough to be seen by a user, but made substantially invisible through the use of a fluid or other element filling spaces between the features. Such a fluid may have an index of refraction equal to, or nearly equal to, the index of refraction of the compressible features.