Interface apparatus for touch input and tactile output communication
US9123258B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 2009 |
| Grant date | Sep 1, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 9, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/9622
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An interface apparatus (1600A) comprises a surface (1642) touchable by a finger (120). The surface has a touch-sensitive area with a predetermined position (1646), to which a function is assigned. The finger's presence at the predetermined position (1646) is detected. An electrosensory stimulus is generated to the finger by applying an alternating electrical drive to one or more electrodes (1662). Each electrode is provided with an insulator, which prevents DC flow from the electrode to the finger and a capacitive coupling over the insulator is formed between the electrode (1662) and the finger (120). The capacitive coupling and electrical drive are dimensioned to produce an electrosensory sensation, independently of mechanical vibration of the electrode. The electrosensory stimulus is varied temporally based on the detected presence or absence of the of the finger (120) near the at least one touch-sensitive area having the predetermined position (1646).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.