An electro-permanent magnet (EPM) key assembly of an information handling system may include an electro-permanent magnet (EPM) that may include a low-coercivity magnet and a high-coercivity magnet and a magnetic field sensor to detect the magnitude of the magnetic field of the EPM; and a calibration module to calibrate the magnitude of the magnetic field of the EPM by receiving a sensed magnitude value of the magnetic field of the EPM and adjusting the magnitude value of the magnetic field of the EPM when that magnitude value deviates from an established value by a threshold amount.

There is described a tactile feedback actuator generally having a hammer path having a length extending between two opposite ends, a coil element fixedly mounted relative to the hammer path, a magnetic hammer guidingly mounted for movement along the hammer path. The magnetic hammer is electromagnetically engageable by a magnetic field emitted upon activation of the coil element so as to be longitudinally slid along the hammer path in any one of two opposite directions depending on a polarity of activation of the coil element. The tactile feedback actuator has at least one electropermanent magnet at at least one of the opposite ends of the hammer path, the electropermanent magnet having a magnetization direction aligned with the length of the hammer path, and at least one state toggling device configured for toggling a state of the electropermanent magnet between a magnetized state and an unmagnetized state.

A switch device includes an operation switch including a switch knob formed integrally with a recess configured to allow a finger to be inserted. The operation switch includes a detector configured to detect a change in a physical amount caused by operation of the switch knob.

In one aspect, an apparatus for receiving input and/or generating output comprises a key assembly. The key assembly comprises a key cover, a magnet, and an electromagnet. The magnet is coupled to the key cover. The electromagnet is operable to displace the key cover based on whether the key assembly is in an active state or an inactive state. In the active state, the electromagnet is operable to raise the key cover to a first position based on generation of a magnetic field. In the inactive state, the electromagnet is operable to lower the key cover to a second position based on cessation of the magnetic field.

Electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuators are used to create haptic effects on a user interface deface, such as a keyboard. The keys of the keyboard may be embossed in a top layer to provide better key definition and to house the EMP actuator. Specifically, an EMP actuator is housed inside an embossed graphic layer that covers a key of the keyboard. Such a keyboard has a significant user interface value. For example, the embossed key provides the tactile effect of the presence of a key with edges, while allowing for the localized control of haptic vibrations. For such applications, an EMP transducer provides high strains, vibrations or both under control of an electric field. Furthermore, the EMP transducer can generate strong vibrations. When the frequency of the vibrations falls within the acoustic range, the EMP transducer can generate audible sound, thereby functioning as an audio speaker.

A tactile sensation presenting device includes: a pressure sensation generating unit configured to present pressure information; and a tactile sensation generating unit arranged on the pressure sensation generating unit. The tactile sensation generating unit includes a vibrating element configured to present vibration information; a warmth/coldness presenting element provided above the vibrating element and configured to present warm/cold information. The vibration information, the warm/cold information, and the pressure information are presented to an operating part in contact with a tactile sensation presentation surface of the tactile sensation generating unit.

An input device includes an input structure, a magnet attached to the input structure, and an electromagnet. The magnet rotates when the electromagnet is activated, thereby rotating the input structure. The magnet and input structure rotate about a pivot in order to provide haptic and/or visual feedback to a user. The pivot may attach the magnet and input structure to a body, which in turn may be affixed to, or part of, an electronic device. The electromagnet can encircle the body and/or magnet.

The present disclosure relates to a control device with at least one touch-sensitive input surface that can be activated for haptic feedback with an electromagnetic actuator, where the actuator comprises an actuator coil and an armature that is activated by energizing the actuator coil. The control device is divided into at least two control assemblies at least one of which has a touch-sensitive input surface and an armature connected therewith. These at least two control assemblies are installed at a minimum spacing from each other on a common circuit board, which in turn is connected with a common carrier element, whereby the armatures protrude through the circuit board with play. On each carrier element, an actuator coil at a spacing x from the armature of the respective control assembly is installed. The present disclosure also refers to a process for manufacturing the control device.

A haptic-enabled device having a haptic actuator, a movement sensor, and a control circuit is presented. The control circuit determines a drive signal for the haptic actuator based on desired movement for a haptic effect and based on a model that describes transient behavior of the haptic actuator. The control circuit further measures movement output by the haptic actuator based on the drive signal being applied to the haptic actuator. The control circuit determines a movement error that indicates a difference between the measured movement and the desired movement, and adjusts the drive signal based on the movement error to generate an adjusted drive signal. The adjusted drive signal is applied to the haptic actuator to generate the haptic effect. Numerous other aspects are provided.

A rotary fader apparatus includes a fader control knob that is directly attached to the rotor of a non-contact electrical motor. The apparatus may produce a fade effect based on the rotational position of the fader control knob and may be automated through signals to the motor. Such a rotary fader apparatus may be used, for example, in audio mixing applications to provide automated or manual rotary control of track fading. The motor may also be used to alter the feel of the movement of the fader control knob and/or provide tactile feedback in response to mixing parameters or signal properties.