Providing haptic feedback on a touch surface
AssigneeImmersion Corporation
InventorHenrique D. da Costa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback to a touch surface are described herein. In one embodiment, among many, a layered structure comprises a first conducting layer electrically coupled to a first terminal of a power source and a second conducting layer electrically coupled to a second terminal of the power source. The layered structure also comprises a spacing layer electrically isolating the first conducting layer from the second conducting layer. Also, an actuation layer is positioned between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer. The actuation layer includes a material that reacts to an electrical stimulus.
Claims40
A haptic feedback system comprising:
- a structure including a first conductive layer, a spacing layer, an actuation layer, a second conductive layer, and a third conductive layer formed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the third conductive layer also being formed between the spacing layer and the actuation layer, the actuation layer being sensitive to electrical current, at least one of the layers being sufficiently flexible to bend when a pressure is applied to the structure, the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer being normally separated by the spacing layer;
- a power source electrically coupled to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer;
- wherein a normally open electrical circuit is formed from the structure and the power source;
- wherein, when an adequate pressure is applied to the structure to bring the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer into contact with each other, the electrical circuit is completed, allowing the current to flow through the structure and causing the actuation layer to provide a haptic effect.
A layered structure comprising:
- a first conducting layer electrically coupled to a first terminal of a power source;
- a second conducting layer electrically coupled to a second terminal of the power source;
- a third conductive layer formed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer;
- a spacing layer electrically isolating the first conducting layer from the second conducting layer;
- and
- an actuation layer positioned between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer;
- wherein the actuation layer includes a material that reacts to an electrical stimulus;
- and
- wherein the third conductive layer is formed between the spacing layer and the actuation layer.
A method comprising:
- providing a layered structure including first and second conductive layers electrically coupled to a power source, the layered structure further including an electrically-sensitive actuation layer and a third conductive layer formed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the layered structure being configured as a normally open circuit where the first and second conductive layers are normally separated by a spacing layer;
- allowing sufficient pressure to be applied to the layered structure to bring the first and second conductive layers normally separated by the spacing layer into contact with each other;
- and conducting current through the actuation layer when sufficient pressure is applied;
- and
- wherein the third conductive layer is formed between the spacing layer and the actuation layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.