Tactile force feedback device

A tactile force feedback apparatus for an input device, the apparatus comprising:

• an inertial member having a movable portion being movable relative to the input device;
• a contact member connected to the movable portion of the inertial member;
• and
• a magnetically actuatable member connected to the movable portion of the inertial member and being movable with respect to the input device by a magnetic field generated in response to a user's manipulation of the input device to move the contact member and the movable portion of the inertial member to produce a vibration from movement of the movable portion of the inertial member to generate tactile force feedback in a contact mode and in a noncontact mode, the contact member making contact with the input device during movement in the contact mode, the contact member moving in vibration without contacting the input device during movement in the noncontact mode;
• wherein the contact member comprises an elastomeric material.

A tactile force feedback apparatus for an input device, the apparatus comprising:

• an inertial member having a movable portion being movable relative to the input device;
• a magnetically actuatable member connected to the movable portion of the inertial member;
• and
• a magnetic driver configured to generate a magnetic field to move the magnetically actuatable member and the movable portion of the inertial member with respect to the input device to produce a vibration from movement of the movable portion of the inertial member to generate tactile force feedback in response to a user's manipulation of the input device;
• wherein the movable portion of the inertial member comprises a contact member movable to strike the input device;
• and
• wherein the contact member of the inertial member is movable between two surfaces of the input device to strike at least one of the two surfaces.

A tactile force feedback apparatus for an input device, the apparatus comprising:

• an inertial member having a movable portion being movable relative to the input device;
• a contact member connected to the movable portion of the inertial member;
• and
• a magnetically actuatable member connected to the movable portion of the inertial member and being movable with respect to the input device by a magnetic field generated in response to a user's manipulation of the input device to move the contact member and the movable portion of the inertial member to produce a vibration from movement of the movable portion of the inertial member to generate tactile force feedback in a contact mode and in a noncontact mode, the contact member making contact with the input device during movement in the contact mode, the contact member moving in vibration without contacting the input device during movement in the noncontact mode;
• wherein the contact member is movable to make contact with the input device at a plurality of different contact locations during movement of the contact member.

A tactile force feedback apparatus for an input device, the apparatus comprising:

• an inertial member having a movable portion being movable relative to the input device;
• a magnetically actuatable member connected to the movable portion of the inertial member;
• and
• a magnetic driver configured to generate a magnetic field to move the magnetically actuatable member and the movable portion of the inertial member with respect to the input device to produce a vibration from movement of the movable portion of the inertial member to generate tactile force feedback in response to a user's manipulation of the input device;
• wherein the movable portion of the inertial member comprises a contact member movable to strike the input device;
• and
• wherein the contact member comprises an elastomeric material.