GB2508137A

GB2508137A - Handheld haptic feedback device

Info

Publication number: GB2508137A
Application number: GB201220075A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart George Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-11-07
Filing date: 2012-11-07
Publication date: 2014-05-28
Also published as: GB201220075D0

Abstract

A haptic feedback device (1) e.g. a games controller, mobile phone or tablet includes at least four vibration emitters (e.g. 2) located within the controller to be adjacent to a different region (7, 9) of a users hand for applying a vibration feedback signal to that region. The emitters may be individually activated. Six, eight, or ten emitters may be used. The device may further include dimple like vibrating elements projecting from the body of the device or moveable panels. The controller may include a padded material to enhance the localisation of feedback.

Description

1-IAPTIC FEEDBACK DEVICE [001] The present invention concerns a haptic feedback device and in particular a haptic feedback device for providing directional haptic feedback to a user using a device such as a video game controller, mobile phone or

tablet.

[002] Haptic feedback concerns providing a user with a physically detectable response to their actions using their sense of touch.

[003] The provision of haptic feedback in a device offers a user improved usability by providing a tactile feedback to an otherwise inanimate article. It is often used in combination with other stimuli to enhance the interaction between the user and the device. For example, haptic feedback can be used to provide tactile confirmation of a user's actions, creating a more responsive user experience.

[004] Tn the video games industry in particular, haptic feedback has been adopted as a way of allowing a user to feel more immersed in the virtual environment of the video game, thereby enhancing the realism and allowing a user to "feel" the game. This is particularly relevant for users who are visually impaired, where the effect of the game's visual appearance is diminished.

[005] The most common form of haptic feedback in the video games industry is the vibration of a controller for a video game console. Such controllers typically include a vibration unit which produces a vibrating effect by using small motors to rotate an off centre mass at high speed, usually 100-150 RPM. Other units, such as the Playstation (RTM) "dual shock" system, include two vibration units in order to produce a stronger vibrational force.

[006J Unfortunately, the feedback gained from such conventional haptic feedback systems is, in practice, not very intuitive or irnmersive. This is because, when activated, conventional systems provide a generally standard vibration effect and therefore the vibrational stimulus applied to a user does not vary with different actions. For example, in a driving game, the controller may vibrate both when the car crashes and when the user activates a booster. However, because the vibrations applied in both instances are identical or substantially identical, a user is rarely able to distinguish between the different stimuli through touch alone. This limits the immersive effect felt by the user as it does not greatly add to the gaming experience.

[007J To improve upon the above systems, some investigation has been made into more advanced haptic feedback systems which attempt to produce different vibrational effects in response to different actions. For example, some proposed systems have looked to vary the balance of vibration signals applied across two vibration emitters in order to produce a stronger vibration on the left than the right side, or vice versa, depending on the action occurring on screen. However, it is believed that such systems have not taken off commercially because they are overly complex and, in reality, produce small identifiable difference between different feedback responses.

[008j The present invention seeks to overcome the above

problems associated with the prior art.

[009J According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a haptic feedback device comprising:-a body configured for being held by a user at one or more holdable surface regions; at least four vibration emitters, each being located within the body adjacent to a different position within the one or more holdable surface regions, the vibration emitters each being independently activatable for applying a localised vibration through its respective adjacent surface position within the holdable surface region to an adjacent region of a user's hand for applying haptic feedback to the user's hand in a direction associated with the respective location of that region.

[0010] With the above arrangement, a plurality of vibration emitters are dispersed throughout the regions of the device's body which a user grips with their hands. As such, when a particular emitter vibrates, it applies this vibration to the adjacent part of the user's hand through the surface of the gripped region of the body. As the vibrations are naturally dampened as the distance from the vibration emitter increases, the vibration signal felt by the user is thereby focussed and localised to a particular part of the user's hand. This thereby allows vibrations to be selectively applied to specific areas of a user's hand as a directional feedback signal. That is, the position of the vibration applied to the user's hand or hands allows them to perceive the direction of the feedback stimuli. For example, vibration from an emitter located adjacent to where the user grips the device with their index finger of their right hand could be used to designate a stimulus in a front, right hand direction. Conversely, vibration from an emitter located adjacent to where the base of the user's left palm grips the device could be used to designate a stimulus in a bottom, left direction. Therefore, with the present invention, the location of the vibration emitters allows the user to determine the direction of the stimuli. This contrasts with conventional systems where the whole feedback device vibrates. Indeed, even in systems where two vibration emitters are provided, these are configured so that the vibrations produced vibrate the whole device.

[0011] Conveniently, the body of the haptic feedback device may be a video game controller, mobile phone or tablet.

[0012] Preferably, the haptic feedback device further comprises a controller for providing a control signal to each of the vibration emitters for controlling the activation of the vibration emitters.

[0013] Conveniently, the control signals from the controller activate each vibration emitter at the same fixed amplitude.

In this way, each vibration emitter emits the same strength vibration and therefore complexity is reduced whilst maintaining the user's ability to differentiate between different stimuli and detect the directional feedback.

[0014] Alternatively, each vibration emitter is activatable at either a high amplitude or low amplitude. Alternatively, each vibration emitter is activatable at a variable amplitude. In this way, the strength of vibrations applied by each emitter can be adjusted to deliver different feedback responses.

[0015] Preferably, the feedback device comprises six, eight or ten vibration emitters. In this way, the provision of additional vibration emitters allows for more accurate directional haptic feedback.

[0016] Conveniently, the vibration emitters may be arranged in a curved configuration corresponding to the shape of the contacting regions of a user's hand or hands when gripping the feedback device. When a user grips the feedback device, their hand tends to form a curved shape around the edge of the holdabie surface region. As such, the vibration emitters are positioned in a corresponding curved arrangement so that the locaticns of the applied localised vibrations are matched to the user's band positions in use.

[0017] Preferably, the feedback device further comprises a padding material. In this way, the padding material enhances the localisation of vibrations in the feedback device by helping to minimise vibrational "crosstalk" where the vibrations from one emitter are felt by a user at another location. Further, the padding material insulates the vibration emitters from shock.

[0018] Preferably, the padding material identifies the holdable surface regions on the body of the device.

[0019] In embodiments, only one vibration emitter vibrates at any time. In this way, the feedback device is capable of providing more accurately detectable directional haptic feedback to a user.

[0020] Alternatively, multiple vibration emitters may vibrate at the same time. In this way, the feedback device is capable of providing multiple directional haptic feedbacks to a user simultaneously.

[0021] Preferably, half of the vibration emitters are located within a first holdable surface region and half of the vibration emitters are located within a second holdable surface region. In this way, the vibration emitters are shared equally between the opposing holdable surface regions for applying balanced directional feedback across both of a user's hands.

[0022] In some embodiments, the haptic feedback device further comprises vibrating elements projecting from the body and being connected to the vibration emitters for delivering vibration signals to the user's hand. In this way, the vibration signals from each emitter are focussed through the vibrating elements to enhance the localised transmission of the vibration signal to the contacting region of the user's hand.

[0023] Preferably, the vibrating elements are provided as dimple like projections. These can be, for example, provided as bumps on the surface of the controller to assist emitted vibrations to be felt more prominently.

[0024] Preferably, the haptic feedback device further comprises a connection element connecting between each vibrating element and its vibration emitter for transmitting vibration signals there between. In this way, direct transmission of the vibration signals to the adjacent region of the user's hand is enhanced.

[0023] In some embodiments, the haptio feedback device further comprises one or more movable panels on the body, the one or more movable panels being moveable by vibrations of the vibration emitters. This allows more pronounced distortion of the holdable surface of the device to deliver a more enhanced vibrational stimulus.

[0026] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game controller for a video games system, the controller comprising:-at least four vibration emitters, each being located within the game controller to be adjacent to a different region of a user's hand holding the game controller for applying a vibrational feedback signal to that region.

[0027] The invention will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 shows a cross section schematic view of a game controller unit according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the game controller unit shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a plan view of a game controller unit according to a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4 shows a plan view of a game controller unit according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of a game controller unit according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0028] Figures 1 and 2 show a haptic feedback device according to a first embodiment of the present invention in the form of a handheld game controller unit 1 for a video games console. In this embodiment, the game controller unit 1 comprises a game controller housing 3 having two holdable surface regions 7, 9 where the unit is gripped. In this embodiment the two holdable surface regions 7, 9 are identified by a padding material which extends over the plastic body of the housing 3 up to the dashed line markings in the figures. The padding material helps to localise any vibration signals transmitted through the housing 3, by damping its progression to other areas of the controller.

[0029] Inside the unit 1 is a vibration control unit 8 connected to six vibration emitters 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11. The vibration emitters 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 are located beneath the two holdable surface regions 7, 9, dispersed across the lateral peripheries of the controller housing 3. Three vibration emitters 2, 10, 11 are therefore located adjacent to different positions within the left holdable surface region 9 and three vibration emitters 4, 5, 6 are therefore located adjacent to different positions within the right holdable surface region 7. when the unit is held by a user, their hands grip the two holdable surface regions 7 and 9, thereby aligning vibration emitters 6 and 10 with the base of their palms, vibration emitters 5 and 11 with the middle of their palms, and vibration emitters 4 and 2 with their finger tips.

[0030] When a control signal is transmitted by the vibration control unit 8 to one of the vibration emitters 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, it outputs a vibration signal. This vibration signal is transmitted through the housing to the respective adjacent surface of the holdable surface regions, which in turn applies this vibrational force to the adjacent region of the user's hand.

[0031] In use, a user's game console (not shown) can transmit a control signal to The vibration control unit 8 to effect directional haptic feedback using one or more of emitters 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11. Tor example, in a driving game, if the front right bumper of user's car hits another vehicle, the control signal could cause the vibration control unit 8 to activate emitter 4. This then delivers a vibration feedback signal to the user's index finger of their right hand. This therefore produces a feedback stimulus in a front, right hand side direction. Similarly, if the left hand side wheels of a user's car drive over an uneven surface in the game, fhe control signal could cause the vibration control unit 8 to activate emitters 2, 11 and 10 simultaneously. This then delivers a vibration feedback signal to the entire of user's left hand. As the user's oar pulls away from the uneven surface in the game, the emitters 2, 11 and 10 could then be deactivated in turn to replicate the effect of the car's front wheel first pulling away, followed by the rear.

As such, the vibrational stimuli directionally matches events occurring on screen, leading to a more immersive gaming experience.

[0032] Figures 3 and 4 show game controller units according to second and third embodiments of the present invention, respectively. These embodiments function in substantially the same way as the first embodiment, except that different numbers of emitters are provided, Specifically, in Figure 3, eight emitters are provided, which thereby allows a greater variety of feedback responses to be produced. Conversely, Figure 4 shows a more basic embodiment where four vibration emitters 22, 23, 24, 25 are provided.

[0033] Figure 5 shows a game controller unit according to fourth embodiment of the present invention. Firstly, in this embodiment, the game controller itself has a different shape, in line with a different brand of games console. Secondly, each of the controller's two holdable surface regions 7, 9, is provided with a flexible strip or panel 26 along the length of the grip. In this embodiment, the flexible strips 26 extend along the entire sides of the controller, from the trigger at the top of the controller housing, down to the base of the housing at the bottom. Beneath the surface of each flexible strip 26 are a plurality of emitters, which are independently activatable to apply vibrations through the flexible strip material. In this way, when a user grips the holdable surface regions 7, 9, the palms of their hands and the finger tips of their index fingers contact the flexible strips 26, providing a direct physical connection with the emitters underneath. Any vibrations applied by the emitters are therefore transmitted though the flexible stir material to the corresponding location on the user's hand for providing directional haptic feedback. It will be understood that such an arrangement allows for a relatively large number -10 -of emitters to be incorporated and utilised. For example, a continuous strip of emitters could be provided along the length of each flexible strip. This is because the emitters are able to directly apply vibrations to a localised region of the user's hands. Consequently, even if the vibrational emitters are small and have a relatively low output strength, because the vibrations from each emitter are not required to vibrate to the whole unit, a user is still able to easily detect and interpret this feedback.

[0034] It will be understood that the embodiments illustrated above show applications of the invention only for the purposes of illustration. In practice the invention may be applied to many different configurations, the detailed embodiments being straightforward for those skilled in the art to implement.

[0035] For example, the present invention could be applied to different types, shapes and configurations of game controller. In such instances, the location of the emitters may be varied depending on the configuration of the controller's holdable regions and buttons.

[0036] Furthermore, the vibration emitters may be provided with vibrating elements which project from the surface of the device's body for delivering vibration signals to the user's hand. For instance, the housing may have rounded dimple like projections on the exterior surface, adjacent to each vibration emitter. A column may also be provided beneath each dimple or projection to enhance the transmission of vibration signals between the adjacent emitter and the dimple apex.

[0037] Similarly, in more advanced embodiments like that shown in Figure 5, the device's body may be provided with one or more movable panels, so that its surface profile is -1_i -distorted by the vibrations of the vibration emicters. For example, each emitter may have movable projections which extends to a movable panel on the exterior of the device's body. When the emitter vibrates, the movable projections thereby move or distort the movable panel to apply vibrations to a contacting region of the user's hand.

Claims

-12 -CLAIMS1. A haptic feedback device comprising:-a body configured for being held by a user at one or more holdable surface regions; at least four vibration emitters, each being located within the body adjacent to a different position within the one or more holdable surface regions, the vibration emitters each being independently activatable for applying a localised vibration through its respective adjacent surface position within the holdable surface region to an adjacent region of a user's hand for applying haptic feedback to the user's hand in a direction associated with the respective location of that region.
2. A haptic feedback device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body is a video game controller, mobilephone or tablet.
3. A haptic feedback device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a controller for providing a control signal to each of the vibration emitters for controlling the activation of the vibration emitters.
4. A haptic feedback device according to any preceding claim, wherein the control signals from the controller activate each vibration emitter at the same fixed amplitude.
5. A haptic feedback device according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein each vibration emitter is activatable at a variable amplitude.
6. A haptic feedback device according to any preceding claim, wherein the feedback device comprises six, eight or ten vibration emitters.-13 -
7. A haptic feedback device according to any preceding claim, wherein the vibration emitters are arranged in a curved configuration corresponding to the shape of the contacting regions of a user's hand or hands when gripping the feedback device
8. A haptic feedback device according to any preceding claim, wherein the feedback device further comprises a padding material.
9. A haptic feedback device according to any preceding claim, wherein only one vibration emitter is activatable at any one time.
10. A haptic feedback device according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein multiple vibration emitters may vibrate at the same time.
11. A haptic feedback device according to any preceding claim, wherein half of the vibration emitters are located in a first holdable surface region and half of the vibration emitters are located in a second holdable surface region.
12. A haptic feedback device according to any preceding claim, further comprising vibrating elements projecting from the body and being connected to the vibration emitters for delivering vibration signals to the user's hand.
13. A haptic feedback device according to claim 12, wherein the vibrating elements are provided as dimple like projections.
14. A haptic feedback device according to claims 12 or 13, further comprising a connection element connecting -14 -between each vibrating element and its vibration emitter for transmitting vibration signals there between.
15. A haptic feedback device according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more movable panels on the body, the one or more movable panels being moveable by vibrations of the vibration emitters.
16. A game controller for a video games system, the controller comprising:-at least four vibration emitters, each being located within the game controller to be adjacent to a different region of a user's hand holding the game controller for applying a vibrational feedback signal to that region.
17. A haptic feedback device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. A game controller substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.