KR100957005B1 - Haptic feedback providing module using heterogeneous actuators, mobile device having same and providing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator capable of delivering various types of haptic to a user, a portable device having the same, and a method of providing the same. To this end, location input means for receiving location information from the user; A first actuator means (10) provided at one side of the position input means and configured to convert applied electricity into a magnetic field to generate a magnetic reaction force; And a second actuator means 400 which is provided at the other side of the position input means and converts the applied electricity into mechanical vibration to generate a vibration reaction force, and provides at least one of magnetic reaction force and vibration reaction force as haptic feedback. A haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator is provided.

Haptic, Feedback, Heterogeneous, Actuator, Permanent Magnet, Magnetic, Coil, Portable

Description

Haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, a portable device having the same and a method for providing the same haptic feedback providing module using hybrid actuator, handheld therewith and providing method

The present invention relates to a haptic feedback providing apparatus, and more particularly, to a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator capable of delivering various types of haptics to a user, a portable device having the same, and a method of providing the same.

Haptic feedback is a tactile sensation that can be felt by a human fingerer tip (fingertip or stylus pen) when touching an object, and the tactile feedback that the skin touches the surface of the object and the joint and muscle It is a concept that encompasses kinesthetic force feedback that is felt when movement is disturbed. As used herein, "haptic feedback" is used in this generic concept.

A haptic device using haptics is a dynamic response (such as touching a real object (actual button) when a person touches a virtual object (for example, displaying a button on a window screen) with a finger when a button is pressed. It is ideal to be able to reproduce transmitted vibrations, tactile feelings, and operation sounds). To improve the performance of such haptic devices, until now, mechatronic equipment using a motor and a link mechanism has been used.

And, the haptic devices that are being developed recently are all composed of only one type of actuator. For example, only vibration motors or piezo actuators were used. As such, when only one type of actuator is mounted, only a narrow bandwidth frequency is used. Therefore, it was not possible to provide various types of haptics, but could only provide some fragmentary forms of haptics. These limitations may also be incompatible with the diversification of content (eg games, operating software, communication programs, etc.).

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention, heterogeneous actuators that can provide various types of haptics as feedback through the combination drive of the different types of actuators installed It provides a haptic feedback providing module, a mobile device having the same and a method of providing the same.

Other objects, specific advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the preferred embodiments described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

An object of the present invention as described above, location input means for receiving location information from the user;

A first actuator means (10) provided at one side of the position input means and configured to convert applied electricity into a magnetic field to generate a magnetic reaction force; And

A second actuator means 400 which is provided on the other side of the position input means and converts the applied electricity into mechanical vibration to generate a vibration reaction force, thereby providing at least one of magnetic reaction force and vibration reaction force as haptic feedback. It can be achieved by a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator characterized.

The position input means may be a touch screen 200 or a touch pad.

In addition, the first actuator means 10 and the second actuator means 400 may be installed on one surface of the touch screen or the touch pad.

In addition, the first actuator means 10,

First magnetic force generating means installed at one edge of the position input means; And

And a second magnetic force generating means installed magnetically adjacent to the first magnetic force generating means.

In addition, it is preferable that the first magnetic force generating means is a permanent magnet 100 and the second magnetic force generating means is the coil unit 140.

The substrate 180 may further include a substrate 180 on which the second magnetic force generating means is installed.

In addition, the second actuator means 400, the piezoelectric layer 440 provided on one side of the position input means; And an electrode 420 for applying power to the piezoelectric layer 440.

In addition, a metal plate 430 provided on one surface of the piezoelectric layer 440 is further provided, and the first plate spring 410 having a c-shaped cross section to amplify the vibration between the metal plate 430 and the position input means. This is further provided.

At least one of the first actuator means 10 and the second actuator means 400 is provided with a plurality.

An object of the present invention as described above, as another embodiment, location input means for receiving location information from the user;

A first actuator means (10) which is provided at one side of the position input means and converts an applied current into a magnetic field to generate a magnetic reaction force;

A second actuator means 400 which is provided on the other side of the position input means and converts an applied current into mechanical vibration to generate a vibration reaction force; And

A control unit 250 for controlling electricity applied to the first actuator means 10 and the second actuator means 400 based on the position information of the position input means, the position input of at least one of magnetic reaction force and vibration reaction force. It can be achieved by a mobile device having a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that the haptic feedback provided by means.

In addition, the first actuator means 10 may be provided in the corner region of the position input means that is rectangular.

In addition, the housing 120 is further provided on the outer side of the first actuator means 10.

In addition, the second magnetic force generating means further includes a substrate 180, and the coil unit 140 may be wired to the substrate 180.

An object of the present invention as described above, as another category, the position input means is pressed by the position input means to receive the position information from the user (S100);

The control unit 250 outputting power to be applied to at least one of the first actuator means 10 and the second actuator means 400 based on the position information (S200);

Generating a magnetic reaction force by converting the power applied by the first actuator means 10 into a magnetic field (S310) and converting the power applied by the second actuator means 400 into mechanical vibration to generate a vibration reaction force ( Step S300 of executing at least one of the steps S320;

 At least one of the magnetic reaction force and the vibration reaction force may be achieved by a method of providing a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, including the step S400 of providing haptic feedback through a position input means.

In addition, the power output step (S200),

Calculating, by the controller 250, the distance from the first and second actuator means 10 and 400 from the position information (S210);

The control unit 250 outputs power to be applied in proportion to or inversely proportional to the calculated distance (S230).

In addition, the power output step (S200) may further include a step (S250) of the control unit commanding the execution of the application program previously linked with the location information.

In addition, in the power output step (S200), the control unit 250 generates a vibration by applying a PWM signal to at least one of the first actuator means 10 and the second actuator means 400.

In addition, the control unit 250 applies a signal of the first frequency f1 to the first actuator means 10, and the control unit 250 is a second different from the first frequency f1 to the second actuator means 400. A signal of frequency f2 is applied to generate vibration.

The first frequency f1 may be selected in the range of 1 Hz to 150 Hz, and the second frequency f2 may be selected in the range of 1 Hz to 500 Hz.

Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, by implementing the reaction force alone or in combination of two different types of actuators can provide a variety of haptics as feedback.

Therefore, in the case of a game, a more realistic haptic can be delivered to the user, and even in the case of an operating program, various haptic reactions according to an operation (for example, an OK button, a cancel button, a move, an open, a copy, etc.) can be delivered.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various other modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is obvious that all modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

First, the configuration of the haptic feedback providing module used in an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Configuration of the First Actuator Means)

5 is a cross-sectional view of the first actuator means 10 which is an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the first actuator means 10 shown in FIG. As shown in Figures 5 to 6, the first actuator means 10 of the present invention is composed of a permanent magnet 100, a housing 120, a coil portion 140.

Permanent magnet 100 is a first magnetic force generating means, a cylindrical shape, one surface is fixed to the second leaf spring (340).

The coil unit 140 serves as a second magnetic force generating means and serves as an electromagnet. To this end, the coil unit 140 is wound in a hollow cylindrical shape, the center is configured so that the permanent magnet 100 can freely enter.

The housing 120 surrounds a side surface and an upper surface of the coil unit 140, and a hole is formed in the upper surface thereof so that the permanent magnet 100 can enter and exit.

The bottom cover 160 is positioned below the coil part 140 and is configured to surround the coil part 140 through a shape fitting with the lower end of the housing 120. The housing 120 and the bottom cover 160 may be formed of the same material (eg, metals), and may be coupled by welding or bonding.

The bottom cover 160 is installed on the upper surface of the substrate 180. In addition, a wiring connected to the coil unit 140 through the bottom cover 160 is formed on the substrate 180.

The second leaf spring 340 is disposed between the touch screen 200 and the permanent magnet 100. The cross-sectional shape of the leaf spring 340 is c-shaped, and is made of a metal material (steel material) or a synthetic resin material having good bending elasticity. The second leaf spring 340 further amplifies the reaction force or vibration generated by the first actuator means 10 to generate a surface wave of greater amplitude in the touch screen 200. In particular, when the first actuator means 10 generates a vibration equal to the resonant frequency of the second leaf spring 340, a large haptic feedback can be provided even with a small vibration. This in turn serves as a more realistic haptic feedback to the user. The second leaf spring 340 may be installed for each of the first actuator means 10, or may be installed only in some of the first actuator means (10). In addition, the second leaf spring 340 may be provided between the first actuator means 10 and the substrate 180, or may be embedded in the first actuator means 10. In addition, the second leaf spring 340 may be omitted.

(Configuration of Second Actuator Means)

4 is a perspective view of a second actuator means 400 which is an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 4, a first leaf spring 410 is attached to one side of a lower surface of the touch screen 200. The first leaf spring 410 amplifies the vibration of the piezoelectric layer 440 and the metal plate 430 and transmits the vibration to the touch screen 200. Since a specific shape or material of the first leaf spring 410 is similar to the second leaf spring 340 described above, a detailed description of the configuration will be omitted.

The piezoelectric layer 440 has a thin band shape and is made of a material such as piezo and Pb (ZrTi) O ₃ . Therefore, vibration is generated when electricity is applied from the outside. To this end, electrodes 420 are connected to both ends of the piezoelectric layer 440.

The metal plate 430 is provided between the piezoelectric layer 440 and the first leaf spring 410. The metal plate 430 may be manufactured in a slightly larger size than the piezoelectric layer 440 to maintain the shape of the piezoelectric layer 440 and to transmit the generated vibration to the first leaf spring 410. For this purpose, the metal plate 430 is made of thin steel, such as elastic, good restorative steel, stainless steel.

(Configuration of mobile device)

1 is an upward exploded perspective view of a portable device 240 having a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, and FIG. 2 is a downward exploded perspective view of the idler shown in FIG. 1. . 1 and 2, a touch screen 200 for inputting a location is provided on one surface of the mobile device 240.

The portable device 240 of the present invention may be a mobile phone, a notebook, a PMP, a PDA, a smartphone, a navigation device, or the like.

Two first actuator means 10 are installed on one side of the bottom surface of the touch screen 200, and one second actuator means 400 is installed on the other side of the bottom surface of the touch screen 200. The number and position of the installation of the actuator means 10, 400 can be adjusted and adjusted according to the design and the product.

A display 220 such as an LCD or an OLED is provided on the bottom surface of the touch screen 200. The lower surface of the display 220 is provided with a substrate 180 for wiring and power supply. Accordingly, the first and second actuator means 10 and 400 are provided between the touch screen 200 and the substrate 180.

7 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile device 240 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 7, position data (eg, x and y coordinate values) of the touch screen 200 is transmitted to the controller 250. The controller 250 may be a microcomputer, a CPU, or a dedicated driving chip of the mobile device 240. The controller 250 calculates a distance or executes a predetermined program according to an embedded program, and generates an appropriate haptic driving signal (for example, PWM). The output of the controller 250 is configured to be transmitted in parallel to the first actuator 10 and the second actuator 400, respectively.

(Control method of haptic feedback module)

Hereinafter, a control method of a haptic feedback providing module having the above configuration will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a haptic providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, first, when the user presses the touch screen 200, location information is input from the user (S100). That is, the user presses a part of the upper surface of the touch screen 200 by using a finger or a stylus pen, and the position values (x coordinate value and y coordinate value) of the pressed point are output as position information.

Next, the controller 250 calculates distances from the first and second actuator means 10 and 400 based on the pressed position information (S210).

Next, the controller 250 applies each power (drive signal) to the first and second actuator means 10 and 400 in proportion to or inversely proportional to the calculated distance (S220). Then, a current is applied to the coil unit 140 of the first actuator means 10 to generate a magnetic force (S300). Then, power is applied to the electrode 420 of the second actuator means 400 to vibrate the piezoelectric layer 440 (S300).

When power is applied to the coil unit 140, the coil unit 140 turns into an electromagnet, causing attraction or repulsive force to the permanent magnet 100. Therefore, the permanent magnet 100 is to enter the coil unit 140 or to exit to the outside. At this time, the haptic feedback is transmitted to the user's fingertip or stylus pen while the second leaf spring 340 fixed to the permanent magnet 100 (corresponding to FIG. 5) and the touch screen 200 move together (S400). . That is, the magnetic reaction force between the permanent magnet 100 and the coil unit 140 is transmitted to the user through the second leaf spring 340 and the touch screen 200.

On the other hand, the piezoelectric layer 440 causes mechanical vibration due to the voltage applied to the electrode 420 (S300). At this time, the metal plate 430 adhered to the piezoelectric layer 440 vibrates together. The vibration generated in this way is amplified while passing through the first leaf spring 410 and then transmitted to the touch screen 200. That is, the haptic feedback is transmitted to the fingertip or the stylus pen of the user who is pressed while the first leaf spring 410 and the touch screen 200 move together (S400).

3 is a waveform diagram showing an example of two frequencies f1 and f2 combined by heterogeneous actuators. As shown in FIG. 3, since the first actuator means 10 uses electromagnetic reaction force, the first actuator means has a low frequency of 1 Hz to 150 Hz and exhibits a relatively large force (large amplitude). In addition, since the second actuator means 400 uses the vibration reaction force of the piezoelectric element, the second actuator means has a high frequency of 1 Hz to 500 Hz and exhibits a characteristic of a relatively small force (small amplitude). Thus, as in the present invention, when the first and second actuator means 10 and 400 operate simultaneously, the respective reaction force characteristics are combined to provide haptic feedback of the waveform as shown in FIG. 3. In other words, while haptic feedback, which is a low frequency big force, can be felt, high frequency haptic feedback of fine force can be felt at the same time.

In various operation methods, the second actuator means 400 may be selectively or intermittently operated while the first actuator means 10 is operated, and the first actuator means 10 is operated while the second actuator means 400 is operated. It can also be activated selectively or intermittently. Of course, only the first actuator means 10 or only the second actuator means 400 may be operated. In particular, the height of the applied current can be various ways, for example, when you want to feel the vibration is applied to the PWM type current.

Another operation method of the present invention is applied to a case where a user presses an icon of an application while looking at the display 220 in the mobile device 240 having the touch screen 200 and the display 220 as in step S250 of FIG. 8. Can be. That is, the user presses one of several icons displayed on the display 220. Then, the control unit 250 commands the execution of the application program previously linked with the input position information (S250).

In addition, the controller 250 applies power to the first and second actuator means 10 and 400 to generate a reaction force. The PWM signal is included in the applied power so that the user can feel the vibration at his fingertips. Thus, the user can have confidence in icon pressing through haptic feedback.

Modification Example

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a mobile device, it can be applied to a stationary electronic product (computer, etc.).

In the case of a notebook PC, a touch pad may be replaced instead of a touch screen.

The heterogeneous actuator that can be applied to the present invention is not necessarily limited to generating magnetic reaction force and vibration reaction force. That is, heterogeneous actuators may be formed by combining various types of actuators, such as actuators using shape memory alloys, actuators using electroactive polymers, ultrasonic actuators, motor actuators, and the like, and may be applied to portable devices.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a portable device having a haptic feedback providing module using heterogeneous actuators according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is an exploded downward perspective view of the mobile device shown in FIG. 1;

3 is a waveform diagram showing an example of two frequencies f1 and f2 combined by heterogeneous actuators;

4 is a perspective view of a second actuator means 400 which is an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a cross-sectional view of the first actuator means 10 which is an embodiment of the present invention;

6 is an exploded perspective view of the first actuator means 10 shown in FIG.

7 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a flowchart illustrating a haptic providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: first actuator means,

100: permanent magnet,

120: housing,

140: coil portion,

160: bottom cover,

180: substrate,

200: touch screen,

220: display,

240: mobile device,

250: control unit,

260: notebook,

280: touch pad,

300: surface wave generating film,

320: spacer,

340: second leaf spring,

400: second actuator means,

410: the first leaf spring,

420: electrode,

430: metal plate,

440: piezoelectric layer,

f1: first frequency,

f2: second frequency.

Claims (22)

Location input means for receiving location information from a user; A first actuator means (10) provided at one side of the position input means and configured to convert applied electricity into a magnetic field to generate a magnetic reaction force; And A second actuator means 400 which is provided at the other side of the position input means and converts applied electricity into mechanical vibration to generate a vibration reaction force, and includes at least one of the magnetic reaction force and the vibration reaction force as haptic feedback. Haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that providing. The method of claim 1, The position input means is a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that the touch screen 200 or a touch pad. The method of claim 2, The first actuator means (10) and the second actuator means (400) is a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that installed on one surface of the touch screen or the touch pad. The method of claim 1, The first actuator means 10, First magnetic force generating means installed at one edge of the position input means; And Haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that consisting of; the second magnetic force generating means magnetically installed adjacent to the first magnetic force generating means. The method of claim 4, wherein Haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that the first magnetic force generating means is a permanent magnet (100). The method according to claim 4 or 5, Haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that the second magnetic force generating means is a coil unit (140). The method of claim 4, wherein Haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that it further comprises a substrate 180, the second magnetic force generating means is installed. The method of claim 1, The second actuator means 400, A piezoelectric layer 440 provided on one side of the position input means; And Haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that the electrode (420) for applying power to the piezoelectric layer (440). The method of claim 8, Haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that the metal plate 430 provided on one surface of the piezoelectric layer 440 is further provided. The method of claim 9, Haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that the first plate spring 410 is further provided between the metal plate 430 and the position input means to amplify the vibration. The method of claim 10, The first leaf spring 410 is a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that the cross-section c-shaped. The method of claim 1, At least one of the first actuator means (10) and the second actuator means (400) is provided with a plurality of haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator. Location input means for receiving location information from a user; A first actuator means (10) provided at one side of the position input means and configured to convert applied electricity into a magnetic field to generate a magnetic reaction force; A second actuator means (400) provided at the other side of the position input means and converting the applied electricity into mechanical vibration to generate a vibration reaction force; And And a control unit 250 for controlling electricity applied to the first actuator means 10 and the second actuator means 400 based on the position information of the position input means. Portable device having a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that to provide at least one as haptic feedback through the position input means. The method of claim 13, The first actuator means (10) is a mobile device having a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that provided in the corner region of the position input means that is rectangular. The method of claim 13, Portable device having a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that the housing 120 is further provided on the outer side of the first actuator means (10). The method of claim 13, A portable device having a haptic feedback providing module, further comprising a substrate (180) on which a second magnetic force generating means is installed, wherein a coil unit (140) is wired to the substrate (180). Receiving position information from the user by pressing the position input means (S100); Outputting power to be applied to at least one of the first actuator means (10) and the second actuator means (400) by the controller (250) based on the position information (S200); Generating a magnetic reaction force by converting the power applied by the first actuator means 10 into a magnetic field (S310) and converting the power applied by the second actuator means 400 into mechanical vibration to generate a vibration reaction force. At least one of the step (S320) to execute (S300); At least one of the magnetic reaction force and the vibration reaction force is provided as haptic feedback through the position input means (S400). The method of claim 17, The power output step (S200), Calculating (S210) the control unit (250) from the position information from the first and second actuator means (10, 400); The control unit 250 outputs a power to be applied in proportion to or inversely proportional to the calculated distance (S230); Providing a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator comprising a. The method of claim 17, The power output step (S200), The control method of the haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator further comprises the step of instructing the execution of the application program linked to the position information in advance (S250). The method of claim 17, In the power output step (S200), The control unit 250 provides a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that for generating a vibration by applying a PWM signal to at least one of the first actuator means 10 and the second actuator means 400. Way. The method of claim 17, The controller 250 applies a signal of a first frequency f1 to the first actuator means 10, and the controller 250 transmits a signal of the first frequency f1 to the second actuator means 400. Method of providing a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that for generating a vibration by applying a signal of another second frequency (f2). The method of claim 21, The first frequency f1 is selected in the range of 1 Hz to 150 Hz, The second frequency (f2) is a method of providing a haptic feedback providing module using a heterogeneous actuator, characterized in that selected in the range of 1 Hz to 500 Hz.

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