The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 17, 2019
Filed:
Dec. 28, 2016
Immersion Corporation, San Jose, CA (US);
Vahid Khoshkava, Montreal, CA;
Abdelwahab Hamam, San Jose, CA (US);
Juan Manuel Cruz Hernandez, Montreal, CA;
Immersion Corporation, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A bi-functional apparatus for sensing touch and delivering a haptic signal. The bi-functional apparatus comprises first and second electrodes. The first electrode provides a haptic interface for delivering an electrostatic force and has a top surface and a bottom surface. A dielectric insulator covers the top surface of the first electrode. A sensor is positioned between the bottom surface of the first electrode and the second electrode. The sensor selectively provides electrical conductivity between the first and second electrodes in response to at least a threshold amount of pressure exerted against the dielectric insulator. A method of sensing touch and delivering a haptic signal with a single device. The method comprises receiving an input at a touch surface of a dielectric insulator layered over a first electrode; in response to receiving the input at the touch surface, increasing the electrical conductivity of a sensor positioned between the first electrode and a second electrode; in response to increasing electrical conductivity of the sensor, conducting an electrical current between the first and second electrodes; and in response to conducting an electrical current between the first and second electrodes, applying a haptic drive signal to the first electrode, the haptic drive signal creating an electrostatic force in the dielectric insulator.