A tactile sense presenting device that includes a piezoelectric film, a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm. The piezoelectric film deforms in a planar direction when a voltage is applied thereto. The first diaphragm and the second diaphragm sandwich the piezoelectric film. Opposed ends of the first diaphragm and opposed ends of the second diaphragm are fixed, respectively, to opposed ends of the piezoelectric film such that the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are in a warped state.

A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.

A feedback or a user-perceived feedback of an input device is modified using one or more output devices. The output devices include one or more speakers and/or one or more actuators. The output (e.g., acoustic and/or haptic) produced using the output device may enhance, amplify, mask, obscure, or cancel an inherent sound or tactile feedback produced by the input device.

Haptic feedback is provided by rendering haptic effects on a haptically-enabled device that includes a front screen, a back cover coupled to the front screen, and a haptic output device attached to or formed within the front screen or the back cover. The haptic output device is configured to render a high-definition (HD) vibratory haptic effect, a low-frequency vibratory haptic effect, and a deformation haptic effect.

Methods of making an electronic device and a keyboard are disclosed. One method including providing a flexible film; providing a first electrode underneath the flexible film, the first electrode coupled to a high voltage signal source; providing a second electrode located beneath the first electrode, the second electrode coupled to an input detector; providing a spacer configured to maintain at least a threshold distance between the first electrode and the second electrode; providing a piezoelectric actuator beneath the second electrode, a top surface of the piezoelectric actuator coupled to the second electrode, wherein contact between the first electrode and the second electrode couples the high voltage signal source to the input detector and the piezoelectric actuator; and providing a base plane beneath the piezoelectric actuator, the base plane coupled to a bottom surface of the piezoelectric actuator and a signal ground.

A motor vehicle operating device (10) for an interior of a motor vehicle has an operating surface (26) which has a plurality of switching symbols (28) displayed thereon, each of which having a touch sensor (38) associated therewith. The touch sensors (38) are each configured to detect an approach to and/or a touch of the operating surface (26). The motor vehicle operating device (10) further comprises a plurality of pressure sensors (40) which are associated with the switching symbols (28), the number of pressure sensors (40) being smaller than the number of touch sensors (38).

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.

Haptic feedback is provided by rendering haptic effects on a haptically-enabled device that includes a front screen, a back cover coupled to the front screen, and a haptic output device attached to or formed within the front screen or the back cover. The haptic output device is configured to render a high-definition (HD) vibratory haptic effect, a low-frequency vibratory haptic effect, and a deformation haptic effect.

The invention relates to an operating device for a motor vehicle, comprising an operating element, which can be lowered by application of force; a snap dome arranged below the operating element for applying haptic feedback to the operating element when the snap dome is deformed by means of the operating element lowering; a blocking body made of an electroactive polymer arranged below the operating element and next to the snap dome, the shape of which blocking body can be altered depending on an electrical voltage applied thereto such that lowering of the operating element is blocked or lowering of the operating element for deforming the snap dome is enabled; a detection apparatus for detecting a contact position of a finger on the operating element; a control apparatus which is set up to adjust a voltage at the blocking body depending on the detected contact position of the finger. The invention further relates to a method for operating an operating device and to a motor vehicle comprising an operating device of this kind.

A method for actuating a control device for a transportation vehicle with a control element. A spring-elastic element is disposed underneath the control element and is indirectly or directly moved and/or deformed by a piezo element to give an operator at least a haptic feedback during the operation of the control element. The spring-elastic element is moved toward the control element when the piezo element is actuated and is brought into working contact with the control element. This enables the spring-elastic element to be transferred from a stable initial position into an unstable deformation position when the control element is operated. When the control element is released, the spring-elastic element automatically passes from the deformation position back to the initial position. A haptic feedback is produced by the spring-elastic element in each case in response to a change from the initial position to the deformation position and vice versa.