Tactile feedback apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12026316-B2
Application number	US-202118250785-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 28, 2021
Priority date	Oct 30, 2020
Publication date	Jul 2, 2024
Grant date	Jul 2, 2024

Abstract

The present invention provides a tactile feedback device that detects a user operation based on touch without erroneous detection, providing stable tactile feedback. This device includes: an operated section that receives a user operation based on touch; a touch detection section for detecting touch on the operated section; a load detection section that detects a load on the operated section due to touch; a vibration actuator that generates vibration and outputs the vibration to the operated section; and a driving control section that drives, in response to the detection of touch and detection of load, the vibration actuator to vibrate the operated section, feeding back tactile sensation to a user, wherein the load detection section stops detection of a load during vibration.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tactile feedback apparatus, comprising:
an operated part configured to receive a user operation using a contact;
a contact detection part configured to detect the contact on the operated part;
a load detection part configured to detect a load of the contact on the operated part;
a vibration actuator configured to generate a vibration and output the vibration to the operated part; and
a drive control part configured to vibrate the operated part by driving the vibration actuator in accordance with a detection of the contact and a detection of the load, and feed back a tactile sensation to the user,
wherein the load detection part stops the detection of the load during the vibration.

2. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the load detection part continuously stops the detection of the load until the vibration is attenuated.

3. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the load detection part continuously stops the detection of the load until the vibration is attenuated and a displacement amount of the vibration is reduced to a predetermined rate with respect to a maximum displacement amount.

4. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the load detection part continuously stops the detection of the load until a timing after the drive control part inputs a pulse with which an attenuation period of the vibration is adjustable.

5. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the drive control part performs the detection of the load that is in a stopped state when a position of the contact is changed during the vibration.

6. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the load detection part averages data representing the load, and detects the load based on averaged data.

7. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the load detection part resets an initial load value when the apparatus is activated, or each time when a certain period elapses, or, when a non-use period of the apparatus elapses for a certain period or more.

8. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising, an orientation detection part configured to detect an orientation of the apparatus, wherein
the load detection part has a function for correction or zero reset for at least one of a load sensitivity and an initial load value on a basis of a change of the orientation.

9. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising, an attenuation part configured to attenuate a vibration of the operated part.

10. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the attenuation part is an elastomer sandwiched between the operated part and a base part to which the vibration actuator is fixed in a drivable manner.

11. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the attenuation part comprises silicone rubber or butyl rubber.

12. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the attenuation part is disposed at a plurality of positions around a symmetric center of a surface of the operated part where the user operation is received.

13. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operated part is provided in a touch panel.

14. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the load detection part includes a deformation sensor.

15. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the load detection part is disposed between the operated part and the vibration actuator.

16. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the load detection part is provided integrally with the vibration actuator.

17. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the vibration actuator includes:
a fixing body; and
a movable member directly connected to the operated part and configured to vibrate with respect to the fixing body through an electromagnetic interaction.

18. The tactile feedback apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the contact detection part comprises an electrostatic sensor.

Assignees

• Takahashi Yuki
• Kitamura Yasutaka
• Irie Takahiko
• Ishitani Tomoya
• Minebea Mitsumi Inc

Inventors

• Takahashi Yuki
• Kitamura Yasutaka
• Irie Takahiko
• Ishitani Tomoya

Classifications

• B06B1/04

  operating with electromagnetism (dynamo-electric motors with vibrating magnet, armature or coil system H02K33/00) · CPC title

• G06F3/016 Primary

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