(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0082554 A1
`Caine et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Apr. 20, 2006
`
`US 20060O82554A1
`
`(54) INTEGRATED INPUT ROLLER HAVING A
`ROTARY MASS ACTUATOR
`
`(75) Inventors: Michael E. Caine, Needham, MA (US);
`Angela Chang, Cambridge, MA (US);
`David B. Cranfill, Antioch, IL (US);
`Richard A. Thrush, Garwood, NJ (US)
`
`SKERESSENTERFitt
`P.O. BOX 3.188
`ww
`WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33402-3188 (US)
`(73) Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, IL
`21) Appl. No.:
`10/962.3OO
`(21) Appl. No
`9
`(22) Filed:
`Oct. 8, 2004
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`G09G 3/08
`
`(2006.01)
`
`
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 345/167
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An input roller device (50) includes a roller (58), an eccen
`tric rotating mass (59) within the roller, a drive mechanism
`(54, 56 and 57) causing the eccentric rotating mass to rotate
`within the roller, and a processor (52) coupled to the drive
`mechanism. The drive mechanism can also optionally
`include a drive link (57) if not directly driven by the shaft of
`the motor. The input roller device 50 can further include a
`rotary encoder (60) coupled to the roller such that the rotary
`encoder can provide data to the processor on a rotation of the
`roller. Note, the processor can be programmed to cause the
`input roller to provide a varied tactile feedback to the user
`to correspond to different events or to cause the input roller
`to provide a rolling resistance that varies in coordination
`with inputs from a user interface.
`
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 20, 2006 Sheet 1 of 4
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 20, 2006 Sheet 2 of 4
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 20, 2006 Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 2006/0082554 A1
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`
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 20, 2006 Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 2006/0082554 A1
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`
`
`CAUSE AN ECCENTRIC MASS TO ROTATE WITHIN A
`ROLLER OF THE INPUT ROLLER DEVICE RESPONSIVE
`TO MOVEMENT OF THE INPUT ROLLER DEVICE
`
`O2
`
`WARY A TACTILE FEEDBACK TO A USER USING THE ECCENTRIC
`MASS TO CORRESPOND TO DIFFERENT EVENTS OCCURRING
`AT AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING THE INPUT ROLLER DEVICE
`
`lO4
`
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`- - - -
`- - -
`- -
`WARYING A ROLLING RESISTANCE IN COORDINATION
`- - - - - - WITH INPUTS
`INTERFACE
`
`P
`
`-
`
`A 1N
`
`106
`
`a
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`it
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`TENCODNAAORRESPONDING
`TO A ROTATION OF THE ROLLER
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`is
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`US 2006/0O82554 A1
`
`Apr. 20, 2006
`
`INTEGRATED INPUT ROLLER HAVING A
`ROTARY MASS ACTUATOR
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0001. This invention relates generally to user interfaces,
`and more particularly to input roller devices providing
`feedback effects.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002 Many input devices used to control portable elec
`tronic devices provide specific tactile responses to a user that
`do not vary with time or usage modality. Such devices
`typically employ fixed mechanical devices. Such as domed
`popples or mechanical springs and detents to provide tactile
`feedback to a user. Nonetheless, such input devices, such as
`these “passive' scroll wheels, cannot vary their tactile
`feedback under software control. Such passive scroll wheels
`fail to enrich a user's interaction experience to the fullest
`eXtent.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0003. By combining the advantages of a rotary mass
`vibrator with a force-feedback scroll wheel, a richer set of
`tactile responses, triggered by Software, can be experienced
`by a user. Embodiments in accordance with the invention
`provide a means for delivering to a user a time varying,
`mode specific tactile response that can be controlled by
`software to enrich a user's interaction experience by pro
`viding an additional mode of communication between the
`user and their device.
`0004. In accordance with a first embodiment of the
`present invention, an input roller device can include a roller,
`an eccentric rotating mass within the roller, a drive mecha
`nism causing the eccentric rotating mass to rotate within the
`roller, and a processor coupled to the drive mechanism. The
`roller can be mounted in the hinge of a clam shaped
`electronic device for example or a roller on a different
`portion of an electronic device and the drive mechanism can
`include at least one among an electric motor, a drive circuit
`coupled to the electric motor, and software to control the
`processor and drive circuit. The eccentric rotating mass can
`include at least one magnet coupled to the roller. More
`specifically, the eccentric rotating mass can include a mag
`netic clutch that couples the motor to the roller. The input
`roller device can further include a rotary encoder coupled to
`the roller such that the rotary encoder can provide data to the
`processor on a rotation of the roller. Note, the processor can
`be programmed to cause the input roller to provide a varied
`tactile feedback to the user to correspond to different events
`or to cause the input roller to provide a rolling resistance that
`varies in coordination with inputs from a user interface.
`0005. In a second embodiment of the present invention,
`an electronic device having an input roller device can
`include a roller, an eccentric rotating mass within the roller,
`a drive mechanism causing the eccentric rotating mass to
`rotate within the roller, and a processor coupled to the drive
`mechanism. The input roller device can further include a
`rotary encoder coupled to the roller that can provide data to
`the processor on a rotation of the roller. The electronic
`device can be a cellular phone, a two-way radio, a messaging
`device, a mouse, a personal digital assistant, a lap top
`computer, an MP3 player, a video player or almost any
`
`electronic device having a roller-type input device. As noted
`above, the processor can be programmed to cause the input
`roller to provide a varied tactile feedback to the user to
`correspond to different events or to cause the input roller to
`provide a rolling resistance that varies in coordination with
`inputs from a user interface.
`0006.
`In a third embodiment of the present invention, a
`method of providing user feedback using an input roller
`device can include the steps of causing an eccentric mass to
`rotate within a roller of the input roller device responsive to
`movement of the input roller device and varying a tactile
`feedback to a user using the eccentric mass to correspond to
`different events occurring at an electronic device having the
`input roller device. The step of varying the tactile feedback
`can optionally include the step of varying a rolling resistance
`in coordination with inputs from a user interface. The
`method can further include the step of encoding data cor
`responding to a rotation of the roller.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0007 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device in a closed
`position having an integrated input roller and rotary mass
`actuator in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`0008 FIG. 2 is a perspective of the device of FIG. 1 in
`an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the
`present invention
`0009 FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the device of
`FIG. 1 illustrating the components of an integrated input
`roller and rotary mass actuator in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention.
`0010 FIG. 4 is the schematic diagram of the device of
`FIG. 3 further illustrating a mode of use of the integrated
`input roller and rotary mass actuator in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention
`0011 FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the device of
`FIG. 1 further illustrating the operation of the integrated
`input roller and rotary mass actuator in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention.
`0012 FIG. 6 is a block diagram of another device having
`an integrated input roller and rotary mass actuator in accor
`dance with an embodiment of the present invention.
`0013 FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of
`providing user feedback using an input roller device in
`accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0014 While the specification concludes with claims
`defining the features of embodiments of the invention that
`are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will
`be better understood from a consideration of the following
`description in conjunction with the figures, in which like
`reference numerals are carried forward.
`0015 Input devices such as rollers or scroll wheels are
`used to encode input from a human user as part of the
`physical user interface of electronic devices such as portable
`electronic devices. The data from such input devices is
`interpreted by a processor as part of the operating software
`of the device. In one embodiment in accordance with the
`
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`US 2006/0O82554 A1
`
`Apr. 20, 2006
`
`present invention and with reference to FIGS. 1-5, a small
`electric motor 18 and an eccentric rotating mass 24 is
`integrated into a roller 16 used to scroll through lists of data
`on a portable electronic device 10. In this instance, the
`portable electronic device 10 can be a flip phone having a
`flip 12 and base potion 14 with a hinge roller 16 coupled
`between the flip 12 and base portion 14. In one mode of
`operation, the motor 18 can be used to spin the eccentric
`rotating mass 24 to a prescribed rotational velocity. During
`this mode of operation, the user's finger is not in contact
`with the roller, so that the resulting vibratory effect produced
`by the roller is felt by the user holding the electronic device.
`In another mode of operation, the user's finger is in contact
`with the roller 16, thereby producing a resistance to the
`rotation of the roller 16. In this mode, the sense of tactile
`feedback experienced by the user is produced by the force
`applied to the user's finger by the torque of the motor 18. A
`rotary encoder 32 can be used to transmit data on the rotation
`of the roller 16 back to a processor (not shown, but see FIG.
`6). This data could include inputs from the user when the
`user is actively scrolling the device, or data on the position
`or velocity and acceleration of the roller 16, to be used for
`control purposes, when the roller 16 is used to generate
`vibration effects. Depending on the design and size of the
`motor 18, the connection between the motor and the roller
`is made through a mechanical transmission to both reduce
`the speed and increase the effective torque of the motor at
`the roller. The rotary encoder 32 could be driven directly
`from the roller, or can be mounted as part of the motor
`system. The motor system can further include a keeper
`bearing 30 and keeper spring 34 as well as a keeper bearing
`22. Additionally, the motor 18 can be powered and con
`trolled via wiring 20 as illustrated in FIG. 4.
`0016 Referring once again to FIG. 4, roller 16 can serve
`as a mechanism for providing haptic feedback via a user
`interface. Note that the flip form factor allows access to the
`roller 16 in the open or closed positions although embodi
`ments in accordance with the present invention are not
`necessarily limited to electronic devices in a flip form. A
`monolith form factor or other form factors can also utilize
`the benefits claimed and discussed herein. As can be seen in
`FIGS. 4 and 5, the vibrator motor 18 inside the hinge roller
`16 uses a magnetic flux coupling to transmit torque to spin
`the roller 16 with 2 degrees of freedom. In one instance the
`roller 16 and motor counter weight 24 spin together or in
`another instance the motor counter weight 24 spins and the
`roller stays still. To generate Sufficient coupling in this Small
`space, magnets 26 and 28 Such as powerful Neodymium
`Iron-Boron magnets are used. As shown in FIG. 5, the
`centerline of the magnets 42 and of the representative flux
`coupling 44 is offset from the motor (and roller) centerline
`40 to transmit the required torque. Also note that the keeper
`30 can be hollowed and slotted to accommodate flex cir
`cuitry (not shown).
`0017. As previously explained above, the forces felt by
`the user can have two modes. In a first mode, the mass of
`magnets 26 and 28 can form part of the vibrator counter
`weight which produces the acceleration forces felt by the
`user, as experienced in a typical phone vibrator. In a second
`mode, when the user is using the roller 16, tactile feedback
`can be directly applied to the user's finger as shown in FIG.
`3. The magnetic flux coupling 44 illustrated in FIG. 5 can
`provide the user with a resistance force against the rotation
`of the roller 16 by the user.
`
`0018. As in other applications using haptics, if additional
`haptic texture is desired, the motor 18 can be bi-directionally
`driven using H-Bridge circuitry to be able to apply torque
`against the direction of Scrolling, or with, or to Superimpose
`a subtle vibration texture. If the bi-directional option is
`applied, then this mechanism could be used to implement
`real-time interactive haptics between two phone users. In a
`simple example, if a message Such as "LOL for "laugh out
`load in a Instant Messaging Application between two users
`is sent, the receiving phone can vibrate automatically upon
`detecting Such message.
`0019. There are many additional use case examples of
`which only a few are presented. In the case where a phone
`is in a user's pocket and the vibrator alert goes off, if the
`roller 16 can move, it spins and shakes the phone due to its
`off center counter weighting (magnets and motor counter
`weight). If the roller 16 can't move (constrained by the
`user's pocket or otherwise), the motor spins anyway and
`shakes the phone due to its magnet and counterweight and
`overcomes the magnetic coupling with the roller. In another
`instance, when the phone is not in a vibrate alert mode, the
`coupling of the roller/vibrator magnets can keep the motor
`directly coupled to the roller, allowing for subtle vibrotactile
`user feedback. More specifically, if a user is scrolling
`through a menu with the roller and software can indicate that
`the user has reached the end of the list, the motor can be
`programmed to “fight the direction the user is spinning the
`roller by applying a pulse of torque in the opposite direction.
`In another example, as a user scrolls over names in a user
`interface phonebook, a short, Subtle torque pulse can give a
`“speed bump' effect as each name is scrolled by. In yet
`another use case, graphics can be printed on the roller, so
`that when it spins quickly, it forms desired images and
`patterns that cannot be seen when the roller is still. Control
`of the rotational velocity of the roller 16 via software can
`enable viewing of Such images and patterns. Different pat
`terns and images can also be presented at different rotation
`speeds. Further note, any time the roller is spinning it can be
`touched and stopped by the users hand, causing no harm to
`the user or the motor (the motor never stalls because it is
`stronger than the magnetic coupling).
`0020. The device described above including the motor 18
`can certainly be used as a rotary alert vibrator. If the roller
`16 is mounted in a clam-style cellular telephone, for
`example, then this mode of operation would be applied
`while the phone is in the closed configuration as shown in
`FIG. 1. When the phone is in the open configuration as
`shown in FIG. 2, and the user's finger is placed on the
`surface of the roller as shown in FIG. 3, then the resulting
`force may be used to provide tactile feedback to the user. In
`a phonebook application, for example, the force applied to
`the user's finger may be used to signify that the user has
`scrolled from names beginning with “B” to names beginning
`with “C”. Since the force is controlled by software, it may
`be varied as necessary to correspond to different events or
`actions.
`0021. In another application where the user's finger is not
`in contact with the roller, and when the motor is accelerated
`or decelerated under software control, the user would per
`ceive an acceleration that is a combination of the accelera
`tion of the motor and acceleration due to the rotation of the
`eccentric mass. Variations in timing between the application
`of acceleration/deceleration pulses, and the relative position
`
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`Apr. 20, 2006
`
`of the eccentric, mass may be used to create richer tactile
`responses as discussed above.
`0022 Referring to FIG. 6, a block diagram of an input
`roller device 50 including a roller 58, an eccentric rotating
`mass 59 within the roller 58, a drive mechanism (54, 56 and
`57) causing the eccentric rotating mass 59 to rotate within
`the roller, and a processor 52 coupled to the drive mecha
`nism is shown. The roller 58 once again can be a hinge roller
`on a clam shaped electronic device for example (as previ
`ously shown in FIGS. 1-5) or a roller on a different portion
`of an electronic device and the drive mechanism can include
`at least one among an electric motor 56, a drive circuit 54
`coupled to the electric motor 56, and software to control the
`processor 52 and drive circuit 54. Based on the configuration
`of the drive mechanism, the drive mechanism can also
`optionally include a drive link 57 if not directly driven by the
`shaft of the motor 56. The software driving the motor 56 can
`be resident on the processor 52 itself or in other memory
`configurations (ROM, RAM, EPROM, Flash memory, etc.)
`as commonly found in many portable electronic devices.
`The eccentric rotating mass 59 can include at least one
`magnet coupled to the roller 58. The input roller device 50
`can further include a rotary encoder 60 coupled to the roller
`58 such that the rotary encoder 60 can provide data to the
`processor 52 on a rotation of the roller 58. Note, the
`processor 52 can be programmed to cause the input roller 58
`to provide a varied tactile feedback to the user to correspond
`to different events or to cause the input roller 58 to provide
`a rolling resistance that varies in coordination with inputs
`from a user interface. Note, some embodiments herein will
`not provide a roller with a variable resistance. Although the
`rotational position on the roller can change by moving the
`position of the eccentric mass and/or magnet on the motor
`using the magnetic torque transmitted, the magnetic torque
`is not necessarily varied. For variable magnetic torque on the
`roller, the magnetic flux coupling can be changed to vary the
`resistance or torque strength of the roller using any number
`of methods such as applying a variable current to an elec
`tromagnet (instead of a ferromagnet or permanent magnet)
`or changing the positioning between magnets for example.
`0023 Referring to FIG. 7, a method 100 of providing
`user feedback using an input roller device can include the
`step 102 of causing an eccentric mass to rotate within a roller
`of the input roller device responsive to movement of the
`input roller device and the step 104 of varying a tactile
`feedback to a user using the eccentric mass to correspond to
`different events occurring at an electronic device having the
`input roller device. The step 104 of varying the tactile
`feedback can optionally include the step 106 of varying a
`rolling resistance in coordination with inputs from a user
`interface. The method 100 can further include the step 108
`of encoding data corresponding to a rotation of the roller.
`0024. In light of the foregoing description, it should be
`recognized that embodiments in accordance with the present
`invention can be realized in hardware, Software, or a com
`bination of hardware and software. A network or system
`according to the present invention can be realized in a
`centralized fashion in one computer system or processor, or
`in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread
`across several interconnected computer systems or proces
`sors (such as a microprocessor and a DSP). Any kind of
`computer system, or other apparatus adapted for carrying out
`the functions described herein, is suited. A typical combi
`
`nation of hardware and Software could be a general purpose
`computer system with a computer program that, when being
`loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that
`it carries out the functions described herein.
`0025. In light of the foregoing description, it should also
`be recognized that embodiments in accordance with the
`present invention can be realized in numerous configurations
`contemplated to be within the scope and spirit of the claims.
`Additionally, the description above is intended by way of
`example only and is not intended to limit the present
`invention in any way, except as set forth in the following
`claims.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. An input roller device, comprising:
`a roller;
`an eccentric rotating mass within the roller,
`a drive mechanism causing the eccentric rotating mass to
`rotate within the roller; and
`a processor coupled to the drive mechanism.
`2. The input roller device of claim 1, wherein the roller is
`a hinge roller on a clam shaped electronic device.
`3. The input roller device of claim 1, wherein the drive
`mechanism comprises an electric motor.
`4. The input roller device of claim 1, wherein the drive
`mechanism comprises at least one among an electric motor,
`a drive circuit coupled to the electric motor, and software to
`control the processor and drive circuit.
`5. The input roller device of claim 1, wherein the input
`roller device further comprises a rotary encoder coupled to
`the roller.
`6. The input roller device of claim 5, wherein the rotary
`encoder provides data to the processor on a rotation of the
`roller.
`7. The input roller device of claim 1, wherein the eccentric
`rotating mass comprises at least one magnet coupled to the
`roller.
`8. The input roller device of claim 1, wherein the pro
`cessor is programmed to cause the input roller to provide a
`varied tactile feedback to the user to correspond to different
`eVentS.
`9. The input roller device of claim 1, wherein the pro
`cessor is programmed to cause the input roller to provide a
`rolling resistance that varies in coordination with inputs
`from a user interface.
`10. An electronic device having an input roller device,
`comprising:
`a roller;
`an eccentric rotating mass within the roller,
`a drive mechanism causing the eccentric rotating mass to
`rotate within the roller; and
`a processor coupled to the drive mechanism.
`11. The input roller device of claim 10, wherein the roller
`is a hinge roller and the electronic device is a clam shaped
`electronic device.
`12. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the drive
`mechanism comprises at least one among an electric motor,
`a drive circuit coupled to the electric motor, and software to
`control the processor and drive circuit.
`
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`Apr. 20, 2006
`
`13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the input
`roller device further comprises a rotary encoder coupled to
`the roller.
`14. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the elec
`tronic device is selected among a cellular phone, a two-way
`radio, a messaging device, a mouse, a personal digital
`assistant, a lap top computer, an MP3 player, and a video
`player.
`15. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the pro
`cessor is programmed to cause the input roller to provide a
`varied tactile feedback to the user to correspond to different
`eVentS.
`16. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the pro
`cessor is programmed to cause the input roller to provide a
`rolling resistance that varies in coordination with inputs
`from a user interface.
`17. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the elec
`tronic motor serves as a rotary alert vibrator.
`
`18. A method of providing user feedback using an input
`roller device, comprising the steps of:
`responsive to movement of the input roller device, caus
`ing an eccentric mass to rotate within a roller of the
`input roller device;
`varying a tactile feedback to a user using the eccentric
`mass to correspond to different events occurring at an
`electronic device having the input roller device.
`19. The method of claim 18, wherein the method further
`comprises the step of encoding data corresponding to a
`rotation of the roller.
`20. The method of claim 18, wherein the method further
`comprises the step of varying a rolling resistance in coor
`dination with inputs from a user interface.
`
`Lenovo EX-1036, Page 009
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