Patent · US Active

Elastomeric wave tactile interface

US8253703B2 · kind B2 · utility

58Cited by
9References
26Claims
0Family size

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Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 3, 2009
Grant dateAug 28, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 4, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F2203/014
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A tactile interface includes a plurality of individually controllable drivers positioned about a perimeter of a tensioned elastomeric material. Each driver includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric material. A top surface of the first electrode is coupled to the tensioned elastomeric material. The piezoelectric material is disposed between a top surface of the second electrode and a bottom surface of the first electrode. Driver circuitry can apply control information to each of the plurality of individually controllable drivers to produce a wave pattern in the tensioned elastomeric material. Some example methods of providing a tactile image on a tactile interface include producing a time-varying potential difference across the top electrode and the bottom electrode of the drivers so that a standing wave pattern can be created in the elastomeric material. The tactile image can be formed by modulating a subset of the plurality of drivers.

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