Audio amplifier apparatus to drive a panel to produce both an audio signal and haptic feedback

An apparatus configured to provide an audio response and tactile feedback to a user, the apparatus comprising:

• a. an audio signal processor configured to output an audio signal;
• b. a haptic signal processor configured to output a haptic signal;
• c. a summing circuit coupled to the audio signal processor and to the haptic signal processor, wherein the summing circuit is configured to sum the audio signal and the haptic signal to form a combined signal;
• d. a driver circuit coupled to the summing circuit, wherein the driver circuit is configured to output a driving signal in response to the combined signal;
• e. a drive element coupled to the driver circuit, wherein the drive element is configured to generate mechanical energy in response to the driving signal;
• and
• f. a control panel coupled to the drive element, wherein the control panel is configured to provide tactile feedback in response to a haptic component of the driving signal and to provide sound in response to an audio component of the driving signal.

An apparatus configured to provide an audio response and tactile feedback to a user, the apparatus comprising:

• a. a plurality of audio signal processors each configured to output an audio signal;
• b. a haptic signal processor configured to output a haptic signal;
• c. a plurality of summing circuits, each summing circuit is also coupled to one of the plurality of audio signal processors and to the haptic signal processor, wherein each summing circuit is configured to sum the audio signal and the haptic signal to form a combined signal;
• d. a plurality of driver circuits, wherein each of the plurality of driver circuits is coupled to one of the plurality of summing circuits, further wherein each of the plurality of driver circuits is configured to output a driving signal in response to the combined signal;
• e. a plurality of drive elements, wherein each of the plurality of drive elements is coupled to one of the driver circuits such that each drive element is driven by an independent audio signal and a common haptic signal, further wherein each of the plurality of drive elements is configured to generate mechanical energy in response to the driving signal;
• and
• f. a control panel coupled to the plurality of drive elements, wherein the control panel is configured to provide tactile feedback in response to a haptic component of the driving signal and to provide sound in response to an audio component of each driving signal input to each of the plurality of drive elements.

An apparatus configured to provide an audio response and tactile feedback to a user, the apparatus comprising:

• a. a plurality of audio signal processors each configured to output an audio signal;
• b. a plurality of haptic signal processors each configured to output a haptic signal;
• c. a plurality of summing circuits, wherein each of the plurality of summing circuits is also coupled to one of the plurality of audio signal processors and to one of the plurality of haptic signal processors, wherein each summing circuit is configured to sum the audio signal and the haptic signal to form a combined signal;
• d. a plurality of driver circuits, wherein each of the plurality of driver circuits is coupled to one of the plurality of summing circuits, further wherein each of the plurality of driver circuits is configured to output a driving signal in response to the combined signal;
• e. a plurality of drive elements, wherein each of the plurality of drive elements is coupled to one of the driver circuits such that each drive element is driven by an independent audio signal and an independent haptic signal, further wherein each of the plurality of drive elements is configured to generate mechanical energy in response to the driving signal;
• and
• f. a control panel coupled to the plurality of drive elements, wherein the control panel is configured to provide tactile feedback in response to a haptic component of the driving signal and to provide sound in response to an audio component of each driving signal input to each of the plurality of drive elements.