Laptop computing device with discrete haptic regions

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10942571-B2
Application number	US-201916262754-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 30, 2019
Priority date	Jun 29, 2018
Publication date	Mar 9, 2021
Grant date	Mar 9, 2021

Abstract

Embodiments described herein relate to an electronic device that provides discrete haptic output in separate regions of a device housing. These regions may both accept input and provide haptic output. Typically, a haptic output provided in a first region is imperceptible to a user touching an abutting region.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A laptop computing device, comprising:
an upper portion; and
a lower portion hingably connected to the upper portion, the lower portion comprising a member defining, along a top surface of the member:
a keyboard region configured to accept a first input;
a trackpad region configured to accept a second input and defining:
a first discrete haptic region;
a second discrete haptic region abutting the first discrete haptic region; and
a third discrete haptic region abutting the second discrete haptic region;

a first haptic actuator coupled to the member and configured to produce a first haptic output in the first discrete haptic region;
a second haptic actuator coupled to the member and configured to produce a second haptic output in the second discrete haptic region; and
a third haptic actuator coupled to the member and configured to produce a third haptic output in the third discrete haptic region; wherein:

the first haptic output is imperceptible in the second discrete haptic region and in the third discrete haptic region to a user;
the second haptic output is imperceptible in the first discrete haptic region and the third discrete haptic region to the user; and
the third haptic output is imperceptible in the first discrete haptic region and the second discrete haptic region to the user.

2. The laptop computing device of claim 1 , wherein:
the trackpad region is touch-sensitive;
the second input is a touch on the first discrete haptic region;
the lower portion comprises an outer surface;
the outer surface defines the trackpad region, the first discrete haptic region, the second discrete haptic region, and the third discrete haptic region;
the first haptic output deforms the outer surface in the first discrete haptic region by at least 10 microns; and

the first haptic output deforms the outer surface in the second discrete haptic region less than 10 microns.

3. The laptop computing device of claim 1 , wherein the trackpad region is visually indistinguishable from a rest of the toe surface of the member.

4. The laptop computing device of claim 1 , wherein the first haptic actuator and the second haptic actuator are linear reluctance actuators.

5. The laptop computing device of claim 1 , wherein the first haptic output is imperceptible in the second discrete haptic region in an absence of the second haptic output.

6. The laptop computing device of claim 5 , wherein the second haptic output destructively interferes with the first haptic output.

7. A method for providing haptic output through a housing of a laptop computing device, comprising:
receiving an input in a trackpad area;
determining that a haptic output is to be provided; and
generating the haptic output in the trackpad area through operation of a haptic actuator; wherein:
the trackpad area includes a first haptic output region, a second haptic output region, and a third haptic output region;
the first haptic output region and the second haptic output region abut one another;
the second haptic output region and the third haptic output region abut one another; and
the haptic output is provided in the first haptic output region but not the second haptic output region or the third haptic output region.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the haptic output causes a deformation of the first haptic output region but not the second haptic output region or the third haptic output region.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the first haptic output region is a palm rest area; and
the second haptic output region receives the input.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first haptic output region receives the input.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the haptic output occurs while the input is received.

12. A laptop computing device, comprising:
an upper portion;
a display housed in the upper portion;
a lower portion hingably coupled to the upper portion and comprising:
a top case defining an outer surface;
a bottom case coupled to the top case;
a keyboard on or extending through the top case; and
a trackpad region defined along the outer surface of the top case and defining:
a first haptic region;
a second haptic region abutting the first haptic region;
a third haptic region abutting the second haptic region;
a first haptic actuator coupled to the top case within the first haptic region and configured to provide a first haptic output in only the first haptic region;
a second haptic actuator coupled to the top case within the second haptic region and configured to provide a second haptic output in only the second haptic region; and
a third haptic actuator coupled to the top case within the third haptic region and configured to provide a third haptic output in only the third haptic region; and

the first haptic region, the second haptic region, and the third haptic region are defined by a continuous portion of the outer surface.

13. The laptop computing device of claim 12 , wherein the first haptic region, the second haptic region, and the third haptic region are visually indistinguishable from one another.

14. The laptop computing device of claim 12 , wherein:
the first haptic region is tactilely indistinguishable from a portion of the outer surface that is outside the trackpad region in an absence of the first haptic output;
the second haptic region is tactilely indistinguishable from the portion of the outer surface that is outside the trackpad region in an absence of the second haptic output; and
the third haptic region is tactilely indistinguishable from the portion of the outer surface that is outside the trackpad region in an absence of the third haptic output.

15. The laptop computing device of claim 12 , further comprising:
a first stiffener at a boundary between the first haptic region and the second haptic region; and
a second stiffener at a boundary between the second haptic region and the third haptic region; wherein:
the first stiffener damps the first haptic output, thereby preventing perception of the first haptic output in the second haptic region;
the first stiffener and the second stiffener damp the second haptic output, thereby preventing perception of the second haptic output in the first haptic region and the third haptic region; and
the second stiffener damps the third haptic output, thereby preventing perception of the third haptic output in the second haptic region.

16. The laptop computing device of claim 15 , further comprising:
a first battery adjacent the first haptic region;
a second battery adjacent the second haptic region; and
a third battery adjacent the third haptic region; wherein:
the first battery and the second battery are separated by the first stiffener; and
the second battery and the third battery are separated by the second stiffener.

17. The laptop computing device of claim 15 , wherein the first haptic region, the second haptic region, and the third haptic region are touch-sensitive.

18. The laptop computing device of claim 12 , wherein:
the first haptic region is touch-sensitive; and
the second haptic output is provided in response to an input in the first haptic region.

19. The laptop computing device of claim 12 , further comprising a fourth haptic region on the upper portion.

20. The laptop computing device of claim 1 , further comprising a fourth discrete haptic region on the top surface of the member.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Hendren Keith J
• Mathew Dinesh C
• Posner Bryan W
• Endisch Denis H
• Lehmann Alex J
• Cao Robert Y

Classifications

• G06F1/1681

  Details related solely to hinges (hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683) · CPC title

• G06F1/1616 Primary

  with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position · CPC title

• G06F3/016 Primary

  Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user · CPC title

• G06F1/1671

  Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop (G06F1/1666 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G06F3/03547

  Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface · CPC title