Haptic devices using electroactive polymers
AssigneeImmersion Corporation
InventorBruce M. Schena
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Abstract
Haptic feedback interface devices using electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators to provide haptic sensations and/or sensing capabilities. A haptic feedback interface device is in communication with a host computer and includes a sensor device that detects the manipulation of the interface device by the user and an electroactive polymer actuator responsive to input signals and operative to output a force to the user caused by motion of the actuator. The output force provides a haptic sensation to the user. Various embodiments of interface devices employing EAP actuators are described, including embodiments providing direct forces, inertial forces, and braking forces.
Claims35
A haptic feedback interface device in communication with a host computer implementing a host application program, said interface device manipulated by a user, the interface device comprising:
- a device housing that is physically contacted by said user;
- a sensor device operative to detect said manipulation of said interface device by said user, said sensor device outputting sensor signals representative of said manipulation;
- and
- a computer-controlled electroactive polymer actuator operative to output a force to said user caused by motion of said actuator, wherein said force provides a haptic sensation to said user.
A haptic feedback interface device in communication with a host computer implementing a host application program, said interface device manipulated by a user, the interface device comprising:
- a sensor device operative to detect said manipulation of said interface device by said user, said sensor device outputting sensor signals representative of said manipulation;
- and
- an electroactive polymer actuator operative to output a force to said user caused by motion of said actuator, said actuator controlled by an input electrical signal, wherein said force provides a haptic sensation to said user.
A haptic feedback interface device in communication with a host computer implementing a host application program, said interface device manipulated by a user, the interface device comprising:
- a device housing that is physically contacted by said user;
- and
- an electroactive polymer (EAP) element, said EAP element operative to detect a manipulation of a manipulandum of said interface device and to output sensor signals representative of said manipulation, said EAP element also operative to output a force to said user in response to an input signal, said force caused by motion of said EAP element and providing a haptic sensation to said user.
An method for outputting haptic sensations to a user of an interface device, the interface device manipulated by a user and coupled to a host microprocessor implementing a host application program, the method comprising:
- detecting said manipulation of said interface device by said user and outputting sensor signals representative of said manipulation;
- and
- outputting a force to said user using an electroactive polymer actuator by sending signals to said electroactive polymer actuator, where said force is caused by motion of said actuator, said force providing a haptic sensation to said user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.