H01H2003/008

Combining electropermanent magnets and magnetorheological fluid to modify an operation of an input device

Aspects of the invention include a computer peripheral device comprising an input element that operates based on a performance characteristic, an electropermanent magnet (EPM) assembly including a permanent magnet configured to generate a magnetic field and a magnetizing assembly configured to set an intensity of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, and a magnetorheological (MR) material coupled to the input element. The MR material has a viscosity that changes based on the magnetic field and affects the performance characteristic of the input element.

EQUIPMENT CONTROL APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE
20170363200 · 2017-12-21 ·

An equipment control apparatus for a vehicle has: a motor for vibrating that imparts, via a shift knob that contacts a vehicle occupant, vibrations as a stimulus that the vehicle occupant can feel by a somatic sensation; an electrostatic capacity sensor that detects electrostatic capacity as a state of contact of the vehicle occupant with the shift knob; and a control section that controls driving of the motor for vibrating so as to impart, to the vehicle occupant, vibrations of a strength that is determined in advance in accordance with the electrostatic capacity detected by the electrostatic capacity sensor.

INPUT DEVICE
20170358415 · 2017-12-14 ·

In an input device in which an electromagnetic force generated by applying current to a coil acts on an operation knob as a reaction force of an operation force, a repulsion magnet is disposed at one of a coil side yoke, a first yoke, or a second yoke to generate a repulsive force to a first magnet or a second magnet so as to offset the resultant of a first attraction force of the first magnet to the coil side yoke or the first yoke and a second attraction force of the second magnet to the coil side yoke or the second yoke.

Electronic device with coil for wireless charging and haptic outputs

An electronic watch may include a housing, a display positioned at least partially within the housing, a transparent cover coupled to the housing and at least partially covering the display, a battery, and a coil coupled to the battery and configured to, during a battery charging operation, supply a first current to the battery and, during a haptic output operation, receive a second current from the battery to produce a haptic output. The electronic watch may further include a ferromagnetic element positioned at least partially within the housing and movable relative to the housing. The second current may cause the coil to produce a magnetic field, and the haptic output may be produced as a result of an interaction between the magnetic field and the ferromagnetic element that causes the ferromagnetic element to move relative to the housing.

Tactile user interactions for personalized interactions

A processor may identify that a user is interacting with a device, where the interacting is identified from the user touching the device. The processor may receive tactile data associated with the user from one or more tactile sensors. The processor may extract, utilizing an AI model, one or more features of the tactile data. The processor may classify, utilizing the AI model, the tactile data as having a tactile data characteristic. The processor may output the classification to an interaction management module.

SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR MANAGING GLUCOSE LEVELS
20220057868 · 2022-02-24 ·

Systems, devices and methods for the management of glucose levels in the body of patient featuring user interface input mechanisms configured to provide haptic feedback to the user are provided.

Operating device for a vehicle
11669188 · 2023-06-06 · ·

The operating device for a vehicle is provided with a housing having a front face with a receiving opening being delimited by an opening edge, and having a rear wall, and with an operating element being arranged in the receiving opening at a distance from the opening edge thereof and having an operating surface, said operating element having a front face provided with the operating surface, a rear face, and a delimiting edge region. The operating device further comprises a holding element having a bottom wall and support parts which protrude from the bottom wall and end below the delimiting edge region of the operating element and are mechanically coupled to the operating element in the delimiting edge region. The bottom wall of the holding element has a central region which is spaced from the support parts and within which the bottom wall of the holding element is supported against the rear wall of the housing. A manual actuation of the operating element is detected by multiple actuation sensors which are arranged between the bottom wall of the holding element and the rear wall of the housing within the surrounding region that surrounds the central region of the bottom wall of the holding element and is arranged at a distance from the rear wall of the housing. An evaluation unit receives the signals from the actuation sensors and evaluates said signals for the purpose of detecting a manual actuation of the operating element performed with a predefinable minimum pressing force.

Haptic feedback for touchpads and other touch controls

A haptic feedback planar touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch notice that inputs a position signal to a processor of the computer based on a location of user contact on the touch surface. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphic environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user contacting the touch surface. The touch input device can be a touchpad separate from the computer's display screen, or can be a touch screen. Output haptic sensations on the touch input device can include pulses vibrations, and spatial textures. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.

Selection Controller for an Audio Control Device, Audio Control Device and Vehicle
20220305916 · 2022-09-29 ·

A selection controller for manual selection of an operating mode and/or operating characteristics of an audio control device is disposed within an interior of a vehicle. The selection controller includes a selector element that is designed to allow a user to make the manual selection. The selecting element can be arranged at least in a first position that is not elevated from a control surface of the audio control device and in a second position that is elevated from the control surface of the audio control device.

HAPTIC INTERFACE WITH IMPROVED HAPTIC RENDERING

A haptic interface, including: a button which can be rotated by a user; an interaction element interacting with a magnetorheological fluid, secured to the button; a mechanism measuring a current position of the button; a brake including a magnetorheological fluid and a generation system to generate a magnetic field in the fluid; a controller configured to generate orders for the system to generate a magnetic fluid to modify a value of the magnetic field; and a mechanism to detect torque exerted by a user on the button to know direction of the torque and whether the torque is greater than a given value for a given direction, the controller controlling generation of a magnetic field based on obtained information about the torque at least when the button indicates zero or low speed.