(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0295739 A1
`Nagara
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Dec. 3, 2009
`
`US 20090295739A1
`
`(54) HAPTIC TACTILE PRECISION SELECTION
`(76) Inventor:
`Wes Albert Nagara, Commerce
`Twp., MI (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`FRASER CLEMENS MARTIN & MILLER LLC
`28366 KENSINGTON LANE
`PERRYSBURG, OH 43551 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`12/127,337
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`May 27, 2008
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`G06F 3/04
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................................ 345/173
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A feedback control system and a method for controlling a
`tactile feedback are disclosed, wherein the feedback control
`system provides users with full precise control of infinite
`tactile feedback settings. The tactile feedback control system
`includes a user interface adapted to generate and transmit an
`information signal including data and information represent
`ing a user-provided input, wherein the user interface also
`generates a tactile sensation to the user, a controller adapted to
`receive the information signal, analyze the information sig
`nal, and generate and transmit a control signal for controlling
`a tactile feedback in response to the information signal, and a
`haptic system adapted to receive the control signal and gen
`erate the tactile feedback.
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`O
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`A.
`f
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`2
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`CONTROLLER
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`16
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`28
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`USER INTERFACE
`MMMMW-m-m-m-m-M m
`FEEDBACK
`DEVICE
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`PROCESSOR 1 N-1 22
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`STORAGE
`SYSTEM
`NSTRUCTION
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`24
`N
`26
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`HAPTC
`DEVICE
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`Exhibit 1034 - Page 1 of 6
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 3, 2009 Sheet 1 of 2
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`US 2009/0295739 A1
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`USER INTERFACE
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`INTERFACE E.
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`FEEDBACK
`DEVICE
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`22
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`-
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`CONTROLLER
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`processor
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`PROCESSOR
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`SIORAGE
`SYSTEM
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`NSTRUCTION
`SET
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`2
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`F.G. 1
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`Exhibit 1034 - Page 2 of 6
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 3, 2009 Sheet 2 of 2
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`US 2009/0295739 A1
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`
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`FIG.2
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`Exhibit 1034 - Page 3 of 6
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`

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`US 2009/0295739 A1
`
`Dec. 3, 2009
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`HAPTC TACTILE PRECISION SELECTION
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0001. The present invention relates to haptics. More par
`ticularly, the invention is directed to a feedback control sys
`tem and a method for controlling a tactile feedback.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002 Currently, in Human Machine Interface (HMI), hap
`tic tactile feedback sensitivity settings are limited to a prede
`termined number of presets. Each preset is programmed with
`a specific tactile feedback force, amplitude, and frequency.
`Once haptic products are programmed at the factory with the
`feedback presets, the end-user is limited to the pre-pro
`grammed feedback and is not able to directly change any
`undesirable presets. Typically, the only way to reprogram the
`haptic products is to return the products to the manufacturing
`location. Further, there is the possibility that the haptic prod
`ucts will be programmed with incorrect tactile feedback
`forces. If a large number of consumers complain about the
`predetermined forces, a team would have to be assembled to
`quickly address Such concerns. This not only tarnishes the
`company's reputation, but also costs time and money. Also,
`much time and cost for various HMI studies are usually
`required to determine these presets.
`0003. In summary, tactile feedback forces generated by
`haptic products are typically pre-defined, pre-determined,
`and pre-programmed by the manufacturer prior to the end
`users interaction. This leads to risks such as incorrect pro
`gramming, choice limitation, and an undesirable tactile feed
`back for some consumers.
`0004. It would be desirable to have a tactile feedback
`control system and a method for controlling a tactile feed
`back, wherein the feedback control system provides users
`with full precise control of the infinite tactile feedback set
`tings.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`0005 Concordant and consistent with the present inven
`tion, a feedback control system and a method for controlling
`a tactile feedback, wherein the feedback control system pro
`vides users with full precise control of the infinite tactile
`feedback settings, has Surprisingly been discovered.
`0006. In one embodiment, a tactile feedback control sys
`tem comprises a user interface adapted to generate and trans
`mit an information signal including data and information
`representing a user-provided input, wherein the user interface
`also generates a tactile sensation to the user, and a controller
`adapted to receive the information signal, analyze the infor
`mation signal, and generate and transmit a control signal for
`controlling a tactile feedback in response to the information
`signal.
`0007. In another embodiment, a tactile feedback control
`system comprises a user interface adapted to generate and
`transmit an information signal including data and information
`representing a user-provided input, wherein the user interface
`also generates a tactile sensation to the user, a controller
`adapted to receive the information signal, analyze the infor
`mation signal, and generate and transmit a control signal for
`controlling a tactile feedback in response to the information
`signal, and a haptic system adapted to receive the control
`signal and generate the tactile feedback.
`
`0008. The invention also provides methods for controlling
`a tactile feedback.
`0009. One method comprises the steps of receiving at
`least one user-provided input; generating an information sig
`nal including data and information representing the at least
`one user-provided input; analyzing the information signal;
`generating a control signal in response to the analysis of the
`information signal; and generating a tactile feedback to a user
`in response to the control signal.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0010. The above, as well as other advantages of the present
`invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the
`art from the following detailed description of the preferred
`embodiment when considered in the light of the accompany
`ing drawings in which:
`0011
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a feedback
`control system according to an embodiment of the present
`invention; and
`0012 FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a user interface
`of the feedback control system illustrated in FIG. 1.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY
`EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
`0013 The following detailed description and appended
`drawings describe and illustrate various embodiments of the
`invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one
`skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not
`intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. In
`respect of the methods disclosed, the steps presented are
`exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps is not
`necessary or critical.
`0014 FIG. 1 shows a tactile feedback control system 10
`according to an embodiment of the present invention. As
`shown, the tactile feedback control system 10 includes a
`haptic system 12, a controller 14, and a user interface 16.
`0015 The haptic system 12 is adapted to generate a tactile
`feedback 18 to a user. As shown, the haptic system 12
`includes a pair of haptic devices 19, each haptic device 19
`adapted to produce a tactile feedback 18 to the user. However,
`any number of the haptic devices 19 may be included, as
`desired. As a non-limiting example, each of the haptic devices
`19 may be a haptic generator integrated with at least one of a
`vehicle Surface, a steering wheel, a touch screen, a shifter, a
`control button, and a rotary knob. Other surfaces and devices
`may be adapted to produce the tactile feedback 18, as desired.
`It is further understood that the tactile feedback 18 generated
`by each of the haptic devices 19 of the haptic system 12 may
`include a variable frequency, a variable amplitude, and a
`variable pulse pattern, for example. Other dynamic tactile
`feedback 18 sensations may be provided to the user by the
`haptic system 12, as desired. As a non-limiting example, the
`haptic system 12 may be installed in a vehicle during a manu
`facturing process of the vehicle. It is further understood that
`the haptic system 12 may be installed in the vehicle by a
`post-production process. As shown, the haptic system 12 is in
`communication with the controller 14. As such, the haptic
`system 12 is adapted to receive a control signal 20 from the
`controller 14 for managing, regulating and controlling the
`tactile feedback 18 generated by the haptic devices 19 of the
`haptic system 12.
`0016. The controller 14 is adapted to receive an informa
`tion signal 21, analyze the information signal 21, and transmit
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`Exhibit 1034 - Page 4 of 6
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`US 2009/0295739 A1
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`Dec. 3, 2009
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`a control signal 20 to the haptic system 12 in response to the
`analysis of the information signal 21. The information signal
`21 represents a user-provided input 27 for modifying the
`tactile feedback 18 generated by the haptic system 12. Spe
`cifically, the information signal 21 may include data and
`information related to a desired tactile feedback 18 to be
`generated by the haptic system 12. The controller 14 is further
`adapted to transmit an interface feedback control signal 23 to
`the user interface 16. The interface feedback control signal 23
`includes information and data that is received by the user
`interface 16 for controlling a tactile sensation 25 of the user
`interface 16. The controller 14 may be any device adapted to
`receive the information signal 21, analyze the vehicle infor
`mation signal 21, and transmit the control signal 20 and the
`interface feedback control signal 23 Such as a microcomputer,
`for example. Other devices may be used, as appropriate. It is
`understood that the analysis of the information signal 21 by
`the controller 14 may be pre-determined. It is further under
`stood that the analysis of the information signal 21 may by
`modified, as desired. In certain embodiments the controller
`14 may be adapted to provide individual control of the tactile
`feedback 18 of a particular haptic device 19. For example, the
`controller 14 may include individualized control signals 20
`for selectively controlling the tactile feedback 18 of each
`haptic device 19 of the haptic system 12.
`0017. In certain embodiments, the controller 14 includes a
`processor 22 and a storage system 24. The processor 22 is
`adapted to analyze the information signal 21 based upon an
`instruction set 26. The instruction set 26, which may be
`embodied within any computer readable medium, includes
`processor executable instructions for configuring the proces
`Sor 22 to perform a variety of tasks. As a non-limiting
`example, the processor 22 may be adapted to generate and
`transmit the control signal 20 and the interface feedback
`control signal23 in response to the analysis of the information
`signal 21. The storage system 24 may be a single storage
`device or may be multiple storage devices. Portions of the
`storage system 24 may also be located on the processor 22.
`Furthermore, the storage system 24 may be a solid state
`storage system, a magnetic storage system, an optical storage
`system or any other Suitable storage system. It is understood
`that the storage system 24 is adapted to store the instruction
`set 26. Other data and information may be stored in the
`storage system 24, as desired. As a non-limiting example,
`user-defined presets may be stored on and retrieved from the
`storage system 24.
`0.018. The user interface 16 is in communication with the
`controller 14 and adapted to transmit the information signal
`21 to the controller 14 in response to the user-provided input
`27. The user interface 16 is also adapted to receive the inter
`face feedback control signal 23 for controlling the tactile
`sensation 25 of the user interface 16. The user interface 16
`includes an interface feedback device 28 adapted to generate
`and transmit the tactile sensation 25 directly to the user as the
`user engages the user interface 16. For example, where the
`user is in contact with the user interface 16, the interface
`feedback device 28 of the user interface 16 generates a vibra
`tory sensation to the user's hand. It is understood that the
`interface feedback device 28 may be adapted to directly
`receive the interface feedback control signal 23 for control
`ling the tactile sensation 25. It is further understood that the
`user interface 16 may include an internal processor (not
`shown) for directly receiving at least one of the user provided
`
`input 27 and the interface feedback control signal 23 for
`controlling the interface feedback device 28.
`0019. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, the user inter
`face 16 is a touchscreen window slider. Specifically, the user
`interface 16 is a touch sensitive screen having a slider 30, an
`audio output (not shown), and a display 32. As the user moves
`his/her finger across the slider 30, the tactile sensation 25 of
`the user interface 16 varies in response to the slider 30 motion.
`0020 Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, the tactile
`sensation 25 generated by the interface feedback device 28
`may increase in one direction of the slider 30 motion and
`decrease in the other direction. The variation of the generated
`tactile sensation 25 may be modified, as desired. As the slider
`30 moves, the tactile sensation 25 varies and the user interface
`16 transmits new information and data to the controller 14
`through the information signal 21. As a non-limiting
`example, the information signal 21 represents the user-pro
`vided input 27, wherein the user-provided input 27 is embod
`ied by the slider 30 motion.
`0021. In use, the user engages the user interface 16. In
`certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the user may
`“slide” his/her finger across the slider 30 of the user interface
`16. Other user interfaces 16 may be used such as a touch
`screen having dedicated increase and decrease buttons and a
`rotary knob, for example. Once the user engages the user
`interface 16, the information signal 21 is generated and trans
`mitted to the controller 14. The controller 14 receives the
`information signal 21, analyzes the information signal 21,
`and generates the control signal 20 in response to the analysis
`of the information signal 21. The control signal 20 is received
`by the haptic system 12 for managing, regulating and con
`trolling the tactile feedback 18 generated by the haptic
`devices 19 of the haptic system 12. It is understood that the
`controller may also generate the interface feedback control
`signal 23 in response to the analysis of the information signal
`21. The interface feedback control signal 23 is received by the
`interface feedback device 28 for managing, regulating and
`controlling the tactile sensation 25 of the user interface 16. It
`is understood that the tactile sensation 25 of the user interface
`16 is consistent with the tactile feedback 18 generated by the
`haptic system 12. For example, the tactile sensation 25 that a
`user feels on the user interface 16 is substantially the same
`sensation of the tactile feedback 18 generated by the haptic
`devices 19 of the haptic system 12. As the user provides the
`user-provided input 27 to the user interface 16, and thereby
`modifies the tactile feedback 18 generated by the haptic sys
`tem 12, the tactile sensation 25 of the user interface 16 is
`adjusted in real-time and transmitted to the user. Therefore,
`the user has control of the desired “feeling they would like to
`receive from the haptic devices 19 of the haptic system 12 by
`the real-time interface feedback transmitted from the user
`interface 16 in the form of the tactile sensation 25. As a
`non-limiting example, where the user-provided input 27 rep
`resents an increase in the amplitude of the desired tactile
`feedback 18, the information signal 21 transmitted to the
`controller 14 also represents the desired increase in amplitude
`and the controller 14 therefore increases the amplitude of the
`tactile feedback 18 of the haptic system 12. Simultaneously,
`the amplitude of the tactile sensation 25 of the user interface
`16 increases to mirror the tactile feedback 18 generated by the
`haptic system 12. It is understood that the user interface 16
`may be adapted to provide individual control of the tactile
`feedback 18 of a particular haptic device 19. For example, the
`user interface 16 may include a menu function, wherein the
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`Exhibit 1034 - Page 5 of 6
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`US 2009/0295739 A1
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`Dec. 3, 2009
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`user may selectively control the tactile feedback 18 of each
`haptic device 19 of the haptic system 12.
`0022. The feedback control system 10 provides the user
`the ability to easily program and vary infinitely the tactile
`feedback 18 generated by the haptic system 12 using various
`user interfaces 16, such as a window slider, shown in FIG. 2.
`The feedback control system 10 and the method for control
`ling the tactile feedback 18 addresses and substantially elimi
`nates the concerns and limitations of the predetermined and
`preset haptic technology currently manufactured. Now, the
`control is in the users hands rather than preprogrammed by
`the manufacturer. The feedback control system 10 provides
`greater flexibility for both the users and the manufacturer. All
`the HMI studies and associated costs required to predeter
`mine the forces can be eliminated.
`0023. From the foregoing description, one ordinarily
`skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential character
`istics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit
`and scope thereof, make various changes and modifications to
`the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A tactile feedback control system comprising:
`a user interface adapted to generate and transmit an infor
`mation signal including data and information represent
`ing a user-provided input, wherein the user interface also
`generates a tactile sensation to the user; and
`a controller adapted to receive the information signal, ana
`lyze the information signal, and generate and transmit a
`control signal for controlling a tactile feedback in
`response to the information signal.
`2. The tactile feedback control system according to claim 1,
`further comprising a haptic system adapted to receive the
`control signal and generate the tactile feedback in at least one
`of a plurality of haptic devices.
`3. The tactile feedback control system according to claim 2,
`wherein the user interface provides individual and selective
`control of at least one of the haptic devices.
`4. The tactile feedback control system according to claim 1,
`wherein the controller generates an interface feedback con
`trol signal for controlling the tactile sensation of the user
`interface in response to the information signal.
`5. The tactile feedback control system according to claim 1,
`wherein the tactile sensation of the user interface is substan
`tially similar to the tactile feedback.
`6. The tactile feedback control system according to claim 1,
`wherein the user interface is a touch screen slider window.
`7. The tactile feedback control system according to claim 1,
`wherein the controller includes a processor adapted to ana
`lyze the information signal.
`8. The tactile feedback control system according to claim 7.
`wherein the controller includes an instruction set having pro
`cessor executable instructions for configuring the processor
`to perform the analysis of the information signal.
`
`9. The tactile feedback control system according to claim 1,
`wherein the controller includes a storage system for storing
`data and information.
`10. A tactile feedback control system comprising:
`a user interface adapted to generate and transmit an infor
`mation signal including data and information represent
`inga user-provided input, wherein the user interface also
`generates a tactile sensation to the user;
`a controller adapted to receive the information signal, ana
`lyze the information signal, and generate and transmit a
`control signal for controlling a tactile feedback in
`response to the information signal; and
`a haptic system adapted to receive the control signal and
`generate the tactile feedback.
`11. The tactile feedback control system according to claim
`10, wherein the haptic system generates the tactile feedback
`in at least one of a plurality of haptic devices.
`12. The tactile feedback control system according to claim
`11, wherein the user interface provides individual and selec
`tive control of at least one of the haptic devices.
`13. The tactile feedback control system according to claim
`10, wherein the controller generates an interface feedback
`control signal for controlling the tactile sensation of the user
`interface in response to the information signal.
`14. The tactile feedback control system according to claim
`10, wherein the tactile sensation of the user interface is sub
`stantially similar to the tactile feedback.
`15. The tactile feedback control system according to claim
`10, wherein the user interface is a touchscreen slider window.
`16. A method for controlling a tactile feedback, the method
`comprising the steps of
`receiving at least one user-provided input;
`generating an information signal including data and infor
`mation representing the at least one user-provided input;
`analyzing the information signal;
`generating a control signal in response to the analysis of the
`information signal; and
`generating a tactile feedback to a user in response to the
`control signal.
`17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the infor
`mation signal is generated by a user interface adapted to
`receive the user-provided input.
`18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the user
`interface is adapted to generate a tactile sensation in response
`to the user-provided input.
`19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the tactile
`sensation generated by the user interface is substantially simi
`lar to the tactile feedback.
`20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the tactile
`feedback is generated by a haptic system adapted to receive
`the control signal.
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`Exhibit 1034 - Page 6 of 6
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