# US 8,542,216 B2 · Multi-touch device having dynamic haptic effects

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- Number: US 8,542,216 B2
- Document ID: US8542216B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/324,350
- Filed: 2011-12-13
- Published: 2012-04-05
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2007-09-28
- Assignees: Immersion Corporation
- Applicants: Robert W. Heubel; Danny A. Grant
- Inventors: Robert W. Heubel; Danny A. Grant
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8542216B2

## CPC

- G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user}
- G06F 3/04883: for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
- G06F 2203/04808: Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

A system for generating haptic effects senses at least two generally simultaneous touches on a touchscreen and, in response, generates a dynamic haptic effect.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A multi-touch device comprising:
a touchscreen;
a processor coupled to the touchscreen; and
a haptic feedback system coupled to the processor;
wherein the processor is adapted to sense at least two generally concurrent touches on a touchscreen; and
the processor is adapted to generate through the haptic feedback system a dynamic haptic effect in response to the sensing;
wherein the dynamic haptic effect is a vibration that comprises a variation of at least one parameter.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that the concurrent touches apply pressure at each contact point.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein the concurrent touches apply different pressure at each contact point.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises a determination of the concurrent touches as touches from different fingers.

### Claim 5

A computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to:
sense at least two generally concurrent touches on a touchscreen; and
generate a dynamic haptic effect in response to the sensing;
wherein the dynamic haptic effect is a vibration that comprises a variation of at least one parameter.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that the concurrent touches apply pressure at each contact point.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein the sensing comprises a determination of the concurrent touches as touches from different fingers.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein the sensing comprises determining a location of the touches.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein the sensing comprises determining a number of touches on the touchscreen.

### Claim 10 (depends on 5)

The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein the at least one parameter is one or more of amplitude, frequency and duration.

### Claim 11 (depends on 5)

The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein the dynamic haptic effect is generated by at least one actuator.

### Claim 12 (depends on 5)

The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein the sensing comprises a first determination that a first finger and a second finger are being moved, and the dynamic haptic effect comprises changing the parameter.

### Claim 13 (depends on 5)

The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that a first finger and a second finger created a boundary box and the box is being dragged, wherein the dynamic haptic effect comprises generating a dragging.

### Claim 14 (depends on 5)

The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein the dynamic haptic effect is generated substantially solely at points of contact of the touches.

### Claim 15

A method of generating haptic effects comprising:
sensing at least two generally concurrent touches on a touchscreen; and
generating a dynamic haptic effect in response to the sensing;
wherein the dynamic haptic effect is a vibration that comprises a variation of at least one parameter.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the sensing comprises a determination that the concurrent touches apply pressure at each contact point.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the concurrent touches apply different pressure at each contact point.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the sensing comprises a determination of the concurrent touches as touches from different fingers.