# US 10,871,827 B2 · Tactile interface module and method for generating haptic feedback > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,871,827 B2 - Document ID: US10871827B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/767,692 - Filed: 2016-10-13 - Published: 2018-12-20 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2015-10-13 - Assignees: Dav - Applicants: Dav - Inventors: Nour-Eddine El-Ouardi; Anthony Aubry - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871827B2 ## CPC - G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract The invention relates to a haptic-feedback tactile interface module, including: a tactile surface capable of detecting at least one characteristic of a pressure exerted by a user; at least one haptic-feedback actuator configured to transmit haptic feedback to the tactile surface; and a processing and control unit connected to the tactile surface and to said at least one actuator. The processing and control unit is configured so as to activate the haptic-feedback actuator in a first time window (T1) so as to induce at least one mechanical wave propagating over the tactile surface, capable of being perceived as haptic feedback, and in a second time window (T2) so as to generate at least one mechanical pulse (202-1, 202-2, 202-3) which is phase-shifted relative to the mechanical wave in order to dampen said mechanical wave. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A haptic-feedback-providing touch-interface module, comprising: a touch surface that is able to detect at least one characteristic of a press of a user; at least one haptic-feedback actuator that is configured to transmit haptic feedback to the touch surface, the at least one haptic-feedback actuator comprising: a movable core that is connected to a chassis via at least one elastic element, an electromagnet and at least one permanent magnet, wherein the chassis makes contact with the touch interface via a contact wall to transmit haptic feedback to the touch surface, and; a controlling and processing unit that is connected, to the touch surface, and to said at least one actuator, wherein the controlling and processing unit is configured to activate the haptic-feedback actuator in a first time window to induce at least one mechanical wave that propagates over the touch surface and that is able to be felt as haptic feedback, and in a second time window to generate at least one mechanical pulse that is out of phase with respect to the mechanical wave to attenuate the mechanical wave, wherein at least one control signal transmitted by the controlling and processing unit to activate the haptic-feedback actuator and generate an out-of-phase mechanical pulse is an isolated signal, wherein, when the at least one control signal is the isolated signal, the haptic-feedback actuator is not supplied with an electric current just before and just after the at least one control signal, and wherein the at least one elastic element is dimensioned so that in a non-powered state of the electromagnet, the movable core applies a bearing force in a direction of the contact wall, and so that in a powered state in which the electromagnet is powered with a predefined bias, the movable core separates from the contact wall. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The interface module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controlling and processing unit is configured to activate the haptic-feedback actuator at a second time so as to generate a plurality of mechanical pulses that are out of phase with respect to the mechanical wave in order to attenuate this mechanical wave. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The interface module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one control signal for activating the haptic-feedback actuator allowing the out-of-phase mechanical pulse to be generated is shorter than a control signal transmitted by the controlling and processing unit to activate the haptic-feedback actuator to induce at least one mechanical wave that propagates over the touch surface and that is able to be felt as haptic feedback. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The interface module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the successive signals for controlling activation of the haptic-feedback actuator allowing a succession of out-of-phase mechanical pulses to be generated are biased oppositely in alternation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The interface module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the energy of the out-of-phase mechanical pulses decreases. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The interface module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one out-of-phase mechanical pulse is in phase opposition with respect to the mechanical wave. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The interface module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one haptic-feedback actuator further includes: a stator that is connected to the chassis; a damper that is placed between the movable core and the contact wall, wherein the movable core that is connected, via the at least one elastic element, to the chassis and that is driven to move by the stator to generate the haptic feedback, and wherein one of the electromagnet and the at least one permanent magnet is borne by the stator and the other of the electromagnet and the at least one permanent magnet is borne by the movable core. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The interface module as claimed in claim 7, wherein the spring constant of said damper is 10 times higher than the spring constant of said elastic element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The interface module as claimed in claim 7, wherein said damper takes the form of a layer of an elastomer, a silicone layer in particular. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The interface module as claimed in claim 7, wherein the damper has a hardness of 30 shore A. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method for generating haptic feedback in a haptic-feedback-providing touch-interface module comprising a touch surface that is able to detect a press of a user and as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising: a first step, at least one mechanical wave that propagates over the touch surface and that is able to be felt as haptic feedback is induced; and a second step at least one mechanical pulse that is out of phase with respect to the mechanical wave is generated in order to attenuate this mechanical wave. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein, in the second step, a plurality of mechanical pulses that are out of phase with respect to the mechanical wave are generated in order to attenuate this mechanical wave. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein a signal for controlling activation of the haptic-feedback actuator allowing an out-of-phase mechanical pulse to be generated is shorter than a signal for controlling activation of the haptic-feedback actuator allowing at least one mechanical wave that propagates over the touch surface and that is able to be felt as haptic feedback to be induced. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the signal for controlling activation of the haptic-feedback actuator allowing an out-of-phase mechanical pulse to be generated is an isolated signal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the successive signals for controlling activation of the haptic-feedback actuator allowing a succession of out-of-phase mechanical pulses to be generated are biased oppositely in alternation. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the energy of the out-of-phase mechanical pulses decreases. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said at least one out-of-phase mechanical pulse is in phase opposition with respect to the mechanical wave. ### Claim 18 A haptic-feedback-providing touch-interface module, comprising: a touch surface that is able to detect at least one characteristic of a press of a user; at least one haptic-feedback actuator that is configured to transmit haptic feedback to the touch surface; a controlling and processing unit that is connected, on the one hand, to the touch surface, and, on the other hand, to said at least one actuator, wherein the controlling and processing unit is configured to activate the haptic-feedback actuator in a first time window to induce at least one mechanical wave that propagates over the touch surface and that is able to be felt as haptic feedback, and in a second time window to generate at least one mechanical pulse that is out of phase with respect to the mechanical wave to attenuate this mechanical wave, wherein at least one control signal transmitted by the controlling and processing unit to activate the haptic-feedback actuator and generate an out-of-phase mechanical pulse is an isolated signal, wherein the haptic-feedback actuator is not supplied with an electric current just before and just after the at least one control signal, and wherein said at least one haptic-feedback actuator includes: a chassis that makes contact with the touch interface via a contact wall in order to transmit haptic feedback to the touch surface; a stator that is connected to the chassis; a movable core that is connected, via at least one elastic element, to the chassis and that is driven to move by the stator to generate the haptic feedback; an electromagnet and at least one permanent magnet, one of which is borne by the stator and the other of which is borne by the movable core; and a damper that is placed between the movable core and the contact wall, and wherein said at least one elastic element is dimensioned so that in the non-powered state of the electromagnet the movable core applies a bearing force in the direction of the contact wall, and so that in a powered state in which the electromagnet is powered with a predefined bias the movable core separates from the contact wall.