Haptic shifting devices
AssigneeImmersion Corporation
InventorsMichael D. Levin, Steven P. Vassallo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A haptic shift device for use in shift-by-wire systems in vehicles. The haptic shift device includes a shift lever manipulatable by a user. At least one sensor detects a position of the shift lever, and a transmission gear of the vehicle is caused to be changed based on the position of the shift lever. At least one electrically-controlled actuator outputs a force on the shift lever. In some embodiments, the shift lever is moveable within a pattern and is blocked from areas outside the boundaries of the pattern. The actuator(s) can be active or passive, and/or a variable mechanical gate can be used to implement the pattern. Provided shifting modes can include automatic, manual, and/or sequential modes. Other shifting modes can also be provided.
Claims40
An apparatus, comprising:
- a manipulandum;
- a sensor configured to detect a motion of the manipulandum and output a sensor signal associated with the motion of the manipulandum;
- an actuator coupled to the manipulandum and configured to output a haptic effect associated with the sensor signal, the haptic effect substantially constraining the manipulandum to be moveable in a predetermined pattern;
- and
- a processor operable to receive the sensor signal from the sensor and cause a transmission ratio of a vehicle to be changed.
A method, comprising:
- receiving a sensor signal associated with a motion of a manipulandum;
- outputting an actuator signal to an actuator coupled to the manipulandum, the actuator signal configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the sensor signal, the haptic effect substantially constraining the manipulandum to be moveable in a predetermined pattern;
- and
- causing a transmission ratio of a vehicle to be changed.
A computer-readable medium storing instructions to cause a processor to:
- receive a sensor signal associated with a motion of a manipulandum;
- output an actuator signal an actuator coupled to the manipulandum, the actuator signal configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the sensor signal, the haptic effect substantially constraining the manipulandum to be moveable in a predetermined pattern;
- and
- cause a transmission ratio of a vehicle to be changed.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a manipulandum;
- a sensor configured to detect a motion of the manipulandum and output a sensor signal associated with the motion of the manipulandum;
- and
- an actuator coupled to the manipulandum and configured to output a haptic effect associated with the sensor signal, the haptic effect substantially constraining the manipulandum to be moveable in a predetermined pattern based at least in part on a pre-determined force profile.
A computer-readable medium storing instructions to cause a processor to:
- receive a sensor signal associated with a motion of a manipulandum;
- output an actuator signal an actuator coupled to the manipulandum, the actuator signal configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the sensor signal, the haptic effect substantially constraining the manipulandum to be moveable in a predetermined pattern based at least in part on a pre-determined force profile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.