Patent · US Expired

Haptic interface for laptop computers and other portable devices

US6822635B2 · kind B2 · utility

532Cited by
63References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 26, 2001
Grant dateNov 23, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 1, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2215/052
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A haptic feedback touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that provides position information to a computer based on a location of user contact. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position information, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user. The actuator can move the touchpad laterally, or a separate surface member can be actuated. A flat E-core actuator, piezoelectric actuator, or other types of actuators can be used to provide forces. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.