A haptic actuator includes mechanical links defining a first J-trajectory and mechanical links defining a second J-trajectory as well as a motor coupled to the mechanical links so as to synchronously accelerate a first mass over the first J-trajectory and a second mass over the second J-trajectory. During a first time interval, reactive forces of the first mass accelerating substantially balance reactive forces of the second mass accelerating and during a second time interval reactive forces of the first mass accelerating do not substantially balance reactive forces of the second mass accelerating. This un-balanced condition results in a tap signal being produced.

The present invention relates to shaking devices and in particular to shaking devices for use in earthquake simulations. The shaking devices may be capable of imposing movement along more than one axis. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices described herein have a broad range of applications.

The present invention relates to shaking devices and in particular to shaking devices for use in earthquake simulations. The shaking devices may be capable of imposing movement along more than one axis. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices described herein have a broad range of applications.

Controlling a direction in which a housing is to be vibrated causes a user to easily recognize that the housing is vibrating. An information processing apparatus includes a housing, a sensor, a vibration unit, and a control unit. The housing has a first direction, and a second direction different from the first direction. The sensor is provided in the housing. The vibration unit is capable of vibrating the housing in the first direction and the second direction. The control unit determines a current situation of the housing on a basis of output from the sensor, and controls, on a basis of the current situation of the housing, the vibration unit to vibrate the housing in one of the first direction and the second direction.

Controlling a direction in which a housing is to be vibrated causes a user to easily recognize that the housing is vibrating. An information processing apparatus includes a housing, a sensor, a vibration unit, and a control unit. The housing has a first direction, and a second direction different from the first direction. The sensor is provided in the housing. The vibration unit is capable of vibrating the housing in the first direction and the second direction. The control unit determines a current situation of the housing on a basis of output from the sensor, and controls, on a basis of the current situation of the housing, the vibration unit to vibrate the housing in one of the first direction and the second direction.

An electronic device includes an enclosure, a display positioned with the enclosure and defining a front face of the electronic device, and a haptic actuator positioned within the enclosure. The haptic actuator includes a housing comprising a wall and a movable mass positioned within the housing and configured to move within the housing to cause the haptic actuator to produce a vibrational response. The vibrational response includes a first component within a frequency range and a second component outside of the frequency range and providing a haptic output portion of the vibrational response. The haptic actuator also includes a tuning feature incorporated with the wall and configured to reduce the first component of the vibrational response while substantially maintaining the haptic output portion of the vibrational response.

An electronic device includes an enclosure, a display positioned with the enclosure and defining a front face of the electronic device, and a haptic actuator positioned within the enclosure. The haptic actuator includes a housing comprising a wall and a movable mass positioned within the housing and configured to move within the housing to cause the haptic actuator to produce a vibrational response. The vibrational response includes a first component within a frequency range and a second component outside of the frequency range and providing a haptic output portion of the vibrational response. The haptic actuator also includes a tuning feature incorporated with the wall and configured to reduce the first component of the vibrational response while substantially maintaining the haptic output portion of the vibrational response.

A vibrating apparatus includes a base, a frame, two axles and four connectors. The axles are connected to the base and rotatable synchronously. Each of the axles includes two eccentric portions. Each of the connectors is pivotally connected to the frame at an end and receives one of the eccentric portions of one of the axles at another end. The axles are allowed to pivot the connectors, thereby reciprocating the frame relative to the base.

A vibrating apparatus includes a base, a frame, two axles and four connectors. The axles are connected to the base and rotatable synchronously. Each of the axles includes two eccentric portions. Each of the connectors is pivotally connected to the frame at an end and receives one of the eccentric portions of one of the axles at another end. The axles are allowed to pivot the connectors, thereby reciprocating the frame relative to the base.

A haptic actuator may include first and second bodies movable along an arcuate path of travel. The haptic actuator may also include a biasing member coupled between the first and second bodies. At least one electrical coil may be configured to move the first and second bodies to produce a haptic effect.