Thin profile user interface device and method providing localized haptic response
US10088936B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 7, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 2, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N30/857
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuators are used to create haptic effects on a user interface deface, such as a keyboard. The keys of the keyboard may be embossed in a top layer to provide better key definition and to house the EMP actuator. Specifically, an EMP actuator is housed inside an embossed graphic layer that covers a key of the keyboard. Such a keyboard has a significant user interface value. For example, the embossed key provides the tactile effect of the presence of a key with edges, while allowing for the localized control of haptic vibrations. For such applications, an EMP transducer provides high strains, vibrations or both under control of an electric field. Furthermore, the EMP transducer can generate strong vibrations. When the frequency of the vibrations falls within the acoustic range, the EMP transducer can generate audible sound, thereby functioning as an audio speaker.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.