KR100939063B1 - Haptic feedback device and haptic feedback providing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to providing a haptic feedback, and more particularly, by varying the length of the band portion formed with a plurality of micro-projections to change the spacing between the micro-projections, by adjusting the displacement or frequency of the vibration of the micro-projections various haptic feedback to the user It relates to a device for providing a and a haptic feedback providing method. A haptic unit 110 including a band unit 112 in which a plurality of fine protrusions 10 are formed; and a gap adjusting unit 114 for changing a distance between the fine protrusions 10 according to the applied electricity. A vibration unit 140 connected to the haptic unit 110 to vibrate the plurality of fine protrusions 10 at a predetermined frequency or displacement; And a control unit for controlling electricity applied to the vibrator 140 and the gap adjusting unit 114, thereby controlling various haptic feedbacks to the user by adjusting the distance between the micro protrusions 10, the frequency of the vibration, or the displacement of the vibration. to provide.

Surface Pattern, Microprojection, Vibration, Shape Memory Alloy, Haptic Feedback

Description

Haptic feedback providing device and haptic feedback providing method

The present invention relates to providing a haptic feedback, and more particularly, by varying the length of the band portion formed with a plurality of micro-projections to change the interval between the micro-projections, by adjusting the displacement of the vibration of the micro-projections or the frequency of vibration An apparatus for providing haptic feedback and a method for providing haptic feedback are provided.

Haptic feedback, which can be felt when a person touches an object with a finger, includes tactile feedback that the object touches the surface of the skin and kinesthetic force feedback that is felt when the movement of joints and muscles is disturbed. There is this. As used herein, "haptic feedback" is used with this concept.

In particular, when the surface of the object providing the haptic feedback is enlarged, it can be seen that it is composed of a plurality of fine protrusions 10 as shown in FIG. 1. That is, when a person rubs the surface of an object on which the fine protrusions 10 are arranged with a finger 1, the fine protrusions 10 vibrate (for example, left and right vibrations or rotational vibrations), and the person feels through the fine protrusions 10. It becomes aware. The object has different physical properties of the fine protrusions 10 depending on the type thereof. Therefore, objects provide their own unique haptic feedback.

And haptic feedback is perceived differently depending on the speed and force at which the object is rubbed. That is, in order to recognize other haptic feedback, only the speed and force of the finger 1 of the person rubbing the object with the variable, so that the provider of haptic feedback provides a variety of haptic feedback, unless the physical properties of the object are changed. There was a difficult problem.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a device and a haptic feedback providing method that can provide a variety of haptic feedback to an object having a single physical property.

Other objects, specific advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the preferred embodiments described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The object of the present invention as described above, the band portion 112 is formed with a plurality of fine protrusions 10; and the interval adjusting unit 114 for changing the interval between the fine protrusions 10 in accordance with the electricity applied; Haptic unit 110; A vibration unit 140 connected to the haptic unit 110 to vibrate the plurality of fine protrusions 10 at a predetermined frequency or displacement; And a control unit for controlling electricity applied to the vibrator 140 and the gap adjusting unit 114, thereby controlling various haptic feedbacks to the user by adjusting the distance between the micro protrusions 10, the frequency of the vibration, or the displacement of the vibration. It is provided by a haptic feedback providing device.

In addition, the haptic unit 110 is preferably provided in plurality in a parallel direction.

In addition, the lower part of the haptic unit 110 is provided with a haptic unit 110 and a lattice, the vertical adjustment unit 120 for changing the vertical interval between the micro-projections 10 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the haptic unit 110 ) Is further included.

In addition, the vertical adjustment unit 120 may be provided in plurality in a parallel direction.

In addition, the gap adjusting unit 114 is provided at at least one end of both ends of the band unit (112).

And, the gap adjusting unit 114 is composed of a shape memory alloy.

In addition, the band portion 112 is preferably made of a flexible material.

In this case, the band part 112 may use a polymer film.

In addition, the upper part of the vibration unit 140 may be further provided with an amplifier 130 for amplifying and transmitting the vibration of the vibration unit 140.

In addition, the vibration unit 140 may be provided in plural numbers.

In addition, the lower portion of the haptic unit 110 may further include a position detecting unit 150 for detecting a user's contact and outputting a detection signal to the control unit.

The controller stores a database or a table related to haptic feedback according to the distance between the micro-projections 10, the frequency of vibration, or the displacement of vibration.

In addition, the control unit preferably controls the interval adjusting unit 114 independently so that the length extension of the plurality of band unit 112 is implemented differently.

In addition, the control unit preferably controls the plurality of vibration units 140 independently.

An object of the present invention as described above is another category, the position detecting unit 150 detects a user's touch and outputs a detection signal (S100, S200);

The control unit applying predetermined electricity to the vibrator 140 and the interval adjusting unit 114 and 124 based on the detection signal (S300);

The interval between the plurality of fine protrusions 10 is widened by the length change of the band portions 112 and 122 due to the length contraction of the gap adjusting portions 114 and 124, and the minute protrusions 10 are disposed by the vibration unit 140. Vibrating at a predetermined frequency (S400, 500); And

It can also be achieved by a haptic feedback providing method comprising a; step (S600) so that the vibration of the fine projection 10 is transmitted to the user to be recognized.

In addition, in the control step (S300), it is preferable that the control unit independently controls a plurality of vibration unit 140 and a plurality of the space adjusting unit (114,124), respectively.

Then, in the control step (S300), the controller is based on the vibration unit 140 and the database based on a database or table in which information about the haptic feedback according to the interval between the micro-projections 10, the displacement of the vibration or the frequency of the vibration is stored in advance. The electricity applied to the gap controller 114 and 124 may be determined.

Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention as described above, by adjusting the interval between the plurality of micro-projections and the frequency of vibration or the displacement of vibration, it is possible to provide a user with various haptic feedback as an object having a single physical property. .

In addition, despite being manufactured in a limited material and a limited size, it can be applied to a wide range of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, PMPs, etc. because it can transmit a variety of touch.

Other objects, specific advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the preferred embodiments described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

(Configuration)

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described with respect to the configuration of the haptic feedback providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a basic configuration diagram of a haptic feedback providing apparatus according to the present invention, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view when the haptic feedback providing apparatus is mounted on a portable device (for example, a mobile phone). 2 and 3, the haptic feedback providing apparatus includes a haptic unit 110, a vertical adjusting unit 120 and a vibrating unit 140, a position detecting unit 150, a control unit, and the like.

4 shows the configuration of the haptic unit 110, Figure 5 is a state in which a plurality of the haptic unit 110 is provided in a side-by-side direction, the arrow to both ends of the band portion 112 by the contraction of the gap adjusting unit 114 The tensile force acting is shown. As shown in FIG. 4, the haptic part 110 includes a band part 112 in which a plurality of fine protrusions 10 are formed, and a gap adjusting part 114 extending or contracting the band part 112.

Since the band part 112 is elongated or contracted by a predetermined displacement by the gap adjusting part 114, it is preferable that the band part 112 is a material having elasticity and flexibility, and more preferably, is formed of a polymer film. A plurality of fine protrusions 10 are formed in the band part 112, and the spacing between the fine protrusions 10 is constant.

The gap adjusting part 114 is provided at at least one end of both ends of the band part 112 and is deformed when a predetermined electricity is applied to induce a change in the length of the band part 112. For example, when the gap adjusting part 114 is contracted, the band part 112 coupled by the first fixing part 201 is extended by a predetermined length. That is, the gap adjusting part 114 provides a tension force to the band part 112. On the contrary, when the gap adjusting part 114 is extended, the band part 112 coupled by the first fixing part 201 is contracted by a predetermined length. The gap adjusting unit 114 may be formed of a shape memory alloy. The shape memory alloy has a property of rapidly shrinking when heat is applied using predetermined electricity (voltage or current).

That is, the gap adjusting part 114 is coupled to the band part 112 by the first fixing part 201 and fixed to the housings 210 and 220 by the second fixing part 202. As the second fixing part 202 is fixed to the housings 210 and 220, the band part 112 is pulled to both sides by the length contraction of the gap adjusting part 114 as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the band portion 112 is extended by a predetermined displacement. Thus, the interval between the fine protrusions 10 formed in the band portion 112 is widened.

The lower housing 220 is provided with basic electronic devices necessary for the operation of the portable electronic device, and in particular, may be provided with a liquid crystal panel (LCD panel, OLED panel or electronic ink panel). In this case, the vibrator 140 may be disposed at the edge of the lower housing 220 so as not to impair the function of the liquid crystal panel.

When the shape memory alloy is used as the gap adjusting unit 114, a wiring (not shown) for applying heat to the shape memory alloy using electricity is, of course. Examples of such shape memory alloys include nickel-titanium alloys and copper-zinc-aluminum alloys. An elastic part (not shown) such as a spring may be further added between the band part 112 and the gap adjusting part 114 to increase the shrinkage speed of the shape memory alloy.

6 illustrates that a plurality of vertical adjustment units 120 are provided below the plurality of haptic units 110. Similar to the haptic part 110, the vertical adjuster 120 may be configured of the band part 122 and the gap adjusting part 124, and may be made of the same material. The configuration, operation, and material characteristics of the vertical adjustment unit 120 are the same, and replaced with the above description.

 The vertical adjustment unit 120 is connected to the haptic unit 110, and serves to change the vertical interval between the fine protrusions 10 formed on the haptic unit 110. In order to adjust the vertical spacing of the micro-projections 10 formed in the haptic unit 110, as shown in Figure 6, the vertical adjustment unit 120 is provided with a grid to be perpendicular to the haptic unit 110 desirable. More specifically, the spacing and position between the micro-projections 10 formed in the band portion 112 may be variously controlled by controlling each of the gap adjusting units 114 and 124 provided in the haptic unit 110 and the vertical adjusting unit 120. have.

As shown in FIG. 6, the length of the vertical adjusting part 120 is changed in the vertical direction, and the length of the haptic part 110 is changed in the left and right directions. When heat is applied to the gap adjusting unit 124 of the vertical adjusting unit 120 using electricity, the length of the band 122 coupled to the gap adjusting unit 124 is extended in the vertical direction. Then, when heat is applied to the gap adjusting unit 114 of the haptic unit 110 using electricity, the length of the band 112 coupled to the gap adjusting unit 114 is extended in the left and right directions. As shown in FIG. 6 by controlling the vertical adjustment unit 120 and the haptic unit 110 at the same time, by extending the length in the left and right and up and down directions, the vertical and horizontal of the micro-projections 10 formed in the haptic unit 110 Can cause a change in spacing.

The vibrator 140 may provide a source through which the plurality of fine protrusions 10 formed on the band 112 may vibrate at a predetermined frequency or a predetermined displacement. That is, the vibration of the vibration unit 140 is transmitted to the micro-projections 10 so that the micro-projections 10 vibrate at a predetermined frequency or a predetermined displacement, and thus haptic feedback is transmitted to the user. The vibrator 140 may be a vibrator or the like that is generally used by being mounted on an actuator or a terminal such as a mobile phone. As the actuator, a piezo actuator, an ultrasonic actuator, a solenoid actuator, or the like may be used.

It is preferable that the amplifier 130 is further added to the upper portion of the vibrator 140. The amplifying unit 130 amplifies the vibration generated by the vibrating unit 140 and transmits the amplified vibration to the microprojections 10 of the haptic unit 110. As the amplifier 130, a metal plate (eg, an iron plate) may be used.

The controller (not shown) controls the electricity applied to the gap adjusting unit 114 and 124 and the vibration unit 140. That is, in order to adjust the gap between the fine protrusions 10 formed in the bands 112 and 122, the control unit is applied to the gap adjusting unit 124 of the haptic unit 110 or the gap adjusting unit 124 of the vertical adjustment unit 120. Control the electricity. In addition, since the vibration of the micro-projections 10 is caused by the vibration of the vibration unit 140, the control of the displacement or the frequency of the vibration of the micro-projections 10 may be implemented by controlling the displacement or the frequency of the vibration of the vibration unit 140. Can be.

In the case where the gap adjusting parts 114 and 124 are provided at both ends of the band parts 112 and 122 of the haptic part 110 or the vertical adjusting part 120 or when the haptic part 110 is provided in plural, the gap adjusting part 114 of the control part is provided. The electrical control of the furnace is preferably independent of each other. In the case where a plurality of vertical adjustment part 120 and the eastern part 140 are provided, it is preferable to control independently as well. Various haptic feedbacks are provided to the user by adjusting the spacing of the micro-projections 10 and the frequency of vibration or the displacement of vibration with various numbers of cases.

In addition, the control unit is preferably stored in advance a database or a table on which haptic feedback is provided according to the distance between the micro-projections 10, the displacement or frequency of vibration of the micro-projections 10. For example, the band portion 112 at a certain position is elongated to some extent, and the distance between the fine protrusions 10 formed on the band portion 112 is a certain value, and the displacement or frequency of vibration of the fine protrusions 10 is a certain value. In this case, data such as whether to convey a rough feeling or a soft feeling is stored.

The position sensing unit 150 may be located below the haptic unit 110. The position detecting unit 150 is a member that a user gives an operation or position command, and detects a contact to output a detection signal. The detection signal is transmitted to the controller in the form of contact position data (eg, x, y data) or in the form of contact trace data. The contact trace data may be expressed as a function of contact position data over time, for example.

In addition, the position sensing unit 150 may be a touch pad or a touch screen. Preferably, the touch pad or the touch screen is a piezoelectric type in which an electric signal is generated by a user's touch. Even if the haptic unit 110 and the vertical control unit 120 of the polymer film does not affect the function or structure of the piezoelectric position sensing unit 150.

When the position detecting unit 150 is provided, the control of the vibration unit 140 of the control unit is preferably based on the detection signal received from the position detecting unit 150. In addition, the electricity applied to the gap adjusting unit 114 may be controlled based on a detection signal of the position detecting unit 150.

(How to provide haptic feedback)

Hereinafter, a haptic feedback providing method using the haptic feedback providing apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a haptic feedback providing method using a haptic feedback providing apparatus according to the present invention. First, the user comes into contact with the top of the haptic feedback providing apparatus (S100). The position sensing unit 150 provided in the haptic feedback providing apparatus outputs coordinate data or contact trace data of the contacted position to the controller (S200).

Next, the controller controls the electricity applied to the plurality of vibration units 140 and the plurality of interval adjusting units 114 and 124 based on the detection signal, that is, the contact position data or the contact trace data (S300). At this time, the electricity applied to each of the vibration unit 140 and each of the spacing adjuster (114,124) can be controlled independently of each other to provide a variety of haptic feedback. Since the control unit stores information about the haptic feedback in a database or a table, it controls to apply electricity corresponding to the value.

By the electrical control of the gap adjusting unit 114 of the control unit, the gap adjusting unit 114 is contracted in length, the length of the band portion 112 is extended by the length contraction of the gap adjusting unit 114. As the length of the band part 112 extends, the interval between the fine protrusions 10 also increases (S400). In addition, by the electric control of the vibration unit 140 of the control unit, the vibration unit 140 is vibrated at a predetermined frequency or a predetermined displacement, the vibration of the vibration unit 140 is a minute projection via the amplifier 130 Is passed to (10). Thus, the fine protrusion 10 vibrates with the same or amplified displacement or frequency as the vibrator 140 (S500).

As such, the haptic feedback is transmitted to the user by the vibration of the fine protrusion 10 having a wider interval, and the user senses various haptic feedbacks (S600).

The haptic feedback providing method described above has been described with respect to the case where the spacing between the fine protrusions 10 is widened. However, the case where the spacing between the fine protrusions 10 is also narrowed is a matter of the present invention.

(Variation)

In another embodiment of the present invention, the embodiment of the present invention, the haptic feedback providing device can be used in various ways, such as a mobile device, a portable electronic device such as a PDA, a game or a simulation device that provides a variety of touch.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various other modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Are all within the scope of the appended claims.

1 is a conceptual diagram in which a person feels through a finger;

2 is a basic configuration diagram of a haptic feedback providing apparatus according to the present invention,

3 is an exploded perspective view when the haptic feedback providing apparatus according to the present invention is mounted on a portable electronic device,

4 is a block diagram of a haptic unit according to the present invention;

5 is a state diagram in which a plurality of haptic parts are disposed according to the present invention;

6 is a layout view of the haptic unit and the vertical adjustment unit according to the present invention;

7 is a flowchart illustrating a haptic feedback providing method using a haptic device according to the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: finger,

10: microprotrusion,

102: First Government,

104: Second Government,

110: the haptic part,

112,122: band section,

114,124: spacing adjuster,

120: vertical adjustment unit,

130: amplification unit,

140: vibrating unit,

150: position detection unit,

210: upper housing,

220: lower housing.

Claims (17)

A haptic unit 110 including a band unit 112 having a plurality of fine protrusions 10 formed therein; and a spacing adjusting unit 114 for changing an interval between the fine protrusions 10 according to an applied electricity; A vibration unit 140 connected to the haptic unit 110 to vibrate the plurality of fine protrusions 10 at a predetermined frequency or displacement; And The control unit for controlling the electricity applied to the vibration unit 140 and the gap adjusting unit 114; Haptic feedback providing device, characterized in that to provide a variety of haptic feedback to the user by adjusting the interval, the frequency of vibration or the displacement of vibration between the micro-projections (10). The method of claim 1, The haptic unit 110 is a haptic feedback providing device, characterized in that provided in a plurality in a parallel direction. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Under the haptic unit 110 The haptic unit 110 and the grid is provided, the vertical adjustment unit 120 for changing the vertical interval of the micro-projections 10 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the haptic unit 110; Haptic feedback providing device characterized in that. The method of claim 3, wherein  The vertical adjustment unit 120 is a haptic feedback providing device, characterized in that provided in a plurality in a parallel direction. The method of claim 1, The gap adjusting unit 114 is haptic feedback providing device, characterized in that provided on at least one end of both ends of the band (112). The method according to claim 1 or 5, The gap adjusting unit 114 is a haptic feedback providing device, characterized in that the shape memory alloy. The method of claim 1, The band unit 112 is a haptic feedback providing device, characterized in that the elastic material. The method of claim 7, wherein The band unit 112 is a haptic feedback providing device, characterized in that the polymer film. The method of claim 1, The haptic feedback providing device, characterized in that the upper portion of the vibration unit 140 is further provided with an amplification unit 130 for amplifying and transmitting the vibration of the vibration unit. The method of claim 1, The vibrator 140 is provided with a plurality of haptic feedback providing device. The method of claim 1, Haptic feedback providing device further comprises; a lower portion of the haptic unit 110, the position detecting unit for detecting the user's touch and outputs a detection signal to the control unit. The method of claim 1, The control unit stores a database or table on the haptic feedback according to the distance between the micro-projections, the frequency of vibration or the displacement of the vibration. The method of claim 2, The control unit is a haptic feedback providing device, characterized in that for controlling the interval adjusting unit 114 so that the length elongation of the plurality of band section 112 is implemented differently. The method of claim 10, The control unit provides a haptic feedback, characterized in that for controlling the plurality of vibration unit 140 independently. Position detection unit 150 detects the user's touch and outputs a detection signal (S100, S200); The control unit applying predetermined electricity to the vibrator 140 and the interval adjusting unit 114 and 124 based on the detection signal (S300); The interval between the plurality of fine protrusions 10 is widened by the length change of the band parts 112 and 122 due to the length contraction of the gap adjusting part 114 and 124, and the fine protrusions 10 are defined by the vibration part 140. Vibrating at a predetermined frequency or displacement (S400,500); And Haptic feedback providing method comprising a; step (S600) so that the vibration of the fine projection 10 is transmitted to the user to be recognized. The method of claim 15, In the control step (S300), The control unit provides a haptic feedback, characterized in that for controlling each of the plurality of vibration unit 140 and the plurality of interval adjusting unit (114,124) independently. The method of claim 15, In the control step (S300), The control unit is based on a database or a table in which information about the haptic feedback according to the interval between the micro-projections 10, the displacement of the vibration or the frequency of the vibration in advance stored in the vibration unit 140 and the gap adjusting unit 114, 124 Haptic feedback providing method characterized in that for determining the electricity to be applied.

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