Enhanced haptic controller.

Abstract

Enhanced Haptic Controller: A haptic controller (1) comprising: a base (2); a plurality of actuators (3) arranged aligned along a principal direction, each actuator (3) being movable relative to the base (2); each actuator comprising an upper face adapted for actuation by a user; said haptic controller (1) comprising a continuous membrane extending along the principal direction so as to at least partially cover the upper face of each actuator of said plurality of actuators arranged aligned along the principal direction; said haptic controller (1) comprising a plurality of sensors adapted for measuring the displacement of each actuator; and a processing unit adapted for delivering a signal based on the displacement of the actuators as measured by said plurality of sensors. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Enhanced haptic controller. technical field

[0001] The present exposition relates to the field of controllers used in the musical field, and in particular to devices of the keyboard type or of the electronic drum or pad type commonly referred to as "electronic pad". Prior art

[0002] Haptic controllers are commonly used in the music industry, particularly because of their ability to control and generate multiple and varied sounds and signals. Different types of controllers are available for specific uses.

[0003] However, this equipment is commonly limited to a given application.

[0004] We therefore seek here to propose a controller allowing a wide range of use, with varied applications while maintaining a simple structure and a small footprint. Description of the invention

[0005] The present description relates to a haptic controller comprising: - a base - a plurality of actuators arranged in alignment along a main direction, each actuator being mounted to move relative to the base, each actuator comprising a top face, adapted to be operated by a user, said haptic controller comprising a continuous membrane extending in the principal direction so as to at least partially cover the upper face of each actuator of said plurality of actuators arranged aligned in the principal direction, said haptic controller comprising a plurality of sensors adapted to measure the displacement of each actuator, and a processing unit adapted to deliver a signal as a function of the displacement of the actuators measured by said plurality of sensors.

[0006] According to one example, the continuous membrane has a rigidity such that a pressure greater than or equal to a threshold pressure value applied to an actuator causes a displacement of at least one adjacent actuator in the main direction.

[0007] According to one example, the continuous membrane is a membrane made of fabric, neoprene, silicone, rubber or thermoplastic elastomer.

[0008] According to one example, the processing unit is adapted to perform an interpolation of the measurements taken by the sensors to determine the point of application of a force on the membrane.

[0009] The processing unit is typically adapted to modulate the interpolation as a function of the speed and / or acceleration of the actuators, and / or as a function of the pressure applied to the membrane and its indentation.

[0010] According to one example, the processing unit is adapted to deliver a signal as a function of the displacement and acceleration of the actuators measured by said plurality of sensors, and / or as a function of the pressure applied to the membrane and its indentation.

[0011] According to one example, the processing unit is adapted to distinguish the application of a continuous stress on the membrane from the application of a discrete stress on a portion of the upper face of the actuator not covered by the membrane

[0012] According to one example, the processing unit is adapted to identify a direction of movement of a point of application of force on the continuous membrane, and to deliver a signal as a function of said direction of movement.

[0013] According to one example, each actuator has a connecting portion, an intermediate portion and a free portion, the connecting portion is connected to the base via connecting means, the continuous membrane extends over all or part of the intermediate portion of each actuator of said plurality of actuators arranged aligned along the main direction.

[0014] According to one example, each actuator is connected to the base by linking means allowing a rotational and / or translational movement of each actuator relative to the base.

[0015] According to one example, said continuous membrane is removably mounted on the intermediate portion of the actuators, and extends continuously over the intermediate portion of all the actuators of said plurality of actuators arranged aligned along the main direction.

[0016] According to one example, the haptic controller comprises several pluralities of actuators, each plurality of actuators comprising several actuators aligned along the main direction. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the detailed description below of various embodiments of the invention given to Title of non-exhaustive examples. This description refers to the attached figure pages, on which:

[0018] [Fig. 1] The [Fig.1] represents an example of a device according to one aspect of the invention;

[0019] [Fig.2] Fig.2 represents another example of a device according to one aspect of the invention;

[0020] [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 represents a cross-sectional view of an example of a device according to a aspect of the invention;

[0021] [Fig.4] Fig.4 shows a cross-sectional view of another example of a device according to an aspect of the invention;

[0022] [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 represents a cross-sectional view of another example of a device according to an aspect of the invention;

[0023] [Fig.6] Fig.6 represents another example of a device according to one aspect of the invention.

[0024] Throughout the figures, identical elements are identified by common numerical references. Description of the implementation methods

[0025] Various examples of haptic controllers according to the invention are described with reference to the figures.

[0026] Fig. 1 presents a first embodiment of haptic controller 1 according to the invention.

[0027] This figure shows a device 1 comprising a base 2 and a plurality of actuators 3.

[0028] These actuators 3 are arranged here to define several lines or rows extending along a main direction X.

[0029] Each actuator 3 has an upper face 31 projecting or flush with an upper face of the base 2, and adapted to be operated by a user, in particular by applying pressure.

[0030] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], the device 1 thus comprises 3 rows of actuators 3, each row comprising several actuators 3 aligned along the principal direction X. These rows are offset here along a transverse direction Y, perpendicular to the principal direction X. It is understood that this example is not limiting, and that the device may comprise one or more rows of actuators 3 aligned along the principal direction X. A vertical direction, perpendicular to the plane defined by the principal direction X and the transverse direction Y, is also defined.

[0031] The rows of actuators may be identical or distinct, in particular in terms of the number of actuators, the dimensions of the actuators for each row, or the type of actuators.

[0032] Each actuator 3 is mounted movable relative to the base 2 via connecting means, in particular connecting means ensuring a pivot connection between each actuator 3 and the base 2, or a translational movement between each actuator 3 and the base 2, or more generally any movement allowing movement of the upper face 31 of the actuator 3 relative to the base 2 when pressure is applied to said upper face 31, typically applied in the vertical direction Z.

[0033] Fig. 2 illustrates another example of an embodiment of haptic controller 1 according to the invention.

[0034] In this embodiment, the actuators 3 form a keyboard of the piano keyboard type.

[0035] We thus distinguish an alternation of two types of actuators 3 of distinct dimensions and shapes, these actuators being aligned along the main direction X and each having an elongated shape along a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the main direction X.

[0036] The actuators 3 are typically connected to the base 2 by a connecting portion 32 extending from a first end of each actuator 3, which is opposed by a free portion 34 extending from a free end of each actuator 3. An intermediate portion 33 is arbitrarily defined between the connecting portion and the free portion.

[0037] In such a configuration similar to a piano keyboard, the free portion 34 defines the portion of the piano keys intended to be operated by the user for use of the device as a piano or synthesizer by a user positioned in front of the device, in front of the free portions 34 of the actuators 3.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device includes one or more membranes 4 positioned so as to at least partially cover the upper face of each actuator 3 in a row of actuators 3. In the case where the device includes several rows of actuators, all or part of the rows of actuators may be provided with such a membrane 4. The membranes 4 may be mounted in a removable manner, thus allowing simplified replacement of the membranes 4.

[0039] The membranes can for example be made of fabric, neoprene, silicone, rubber or thermoplastic elastomer.

[0040] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], each row of actuators comprises a membrane partially covering all the actuators in the row. In this example, each membrane 4 covers approximately half of the upper face of each actuator.

[0041] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 2], the row of actuators defining the keys includes a membrane partially covering all the actuators in the row. In the illustrated embodiment, the membrane 4 covers the intermediate portion 33 of the actuators 3. It is understood that this embodiment is not limiting, and that the membrane can also be positioned on another portion of the actuators 3, in particular a "rear" portion near the connection with the base 2, or a "front" portion, for example at the free end of the actuators 3, or even on an additional portion of each actuator 3, for example a flat portion positioned below the upper face 31 of the actuators 3 in the vertical direction Z, thus defining a second level for the actuators 3 as will be schematically illustrated later with reference to [Fig. 4].

[0042] Fig. 3 presents an example of a connection between an actuator 3 and the base 2.

[0043] In the illustrated example, the actuator has an elongated shape, and is connected by its link portion 32 to the base 2.

[0044] The linking portion 32 includes linking means 320 adapted to allow movement of the actuator 3 relative to the base 2, typically according to a rotational movement and / or one or more translational movements.

[0045] According to one example, the linking means 320 are adapted to allow translation along the vertical direction Z and / or rotation around an axis extending along the main direction X. The linking means can also allow translation along the main direction X, which makes it possible to obtain a vibrato effect, i.e. a lateral translation effect of the actuator 3, typically of low amplitude.

[0046] Figure 4 shows a variant of Figure 3, in which the actuator 3 has a front section 35 forming a platform positioned below the upper face 31 of the actuator 3, and on which the membrane 4 is positioned. Such an embodiment thus makes it possible to define an actuation zone by means of the membrane 4 positioned towards the front of the device. Figure 6 illustrates a variant of Figure 2 with such actuators 3 and such a membrane 4. It is understood that for such an embodiment, in the case of a device having a piano keyboard configuration, the membrane 4 may only extend over a portion of the actuators 3, namely the actuators having a free end extending to the front part of the device.

[0047] [Fig.5] presents another variant of [Fig.3], in which the connecting portion 32 has a flat surface extending from the intermediate portion 33, and thus covering the connecting means 320. The membrane 4 can thus be positioned on this flat surface of the connecting portion 32.

[0048] These different embodiments can be combined, the device can have several membranes extending over different areas of the actuators 3.

[0049] In the different embodiments, the actuators 3 can thus be manipulated by a user in order to cause a movement of the actuator 3 in a direction which is referred to as sinking.

[0050] In the illustrated example, this movement in the direction of penetration is damped by a damping element 5 positioned between each actuator 3 and the base 2. The device 1 thus typically comprises as many damping elements 5 as there are actuators 3.

[0051] The various damping elements 5 can be separate, or grouped into sub-assemblies connected by a base or tab. For example, all or part of the damping elements 5 can be made in a single piece, the various damping elements 5 being connected by a tab or bar extending along the principal direction X.

[0052] In the example shown, the damping elements 5 are positioned below the free portion 34 of the actuators 3. In the illustrated example, a lower face of each actuator 3, opposite the upper face 31, includes a protrusion 36 having a free end adapted to come into contact with the associated damping element 5.

[0053] For each damping element 5, an initial configuration is defined, corresponding to the shape of the damping element in the absence of deformation, typically when no force is applied to the associated actuator 3, and a final configuration, corresponding to the maximum deformation of the damping element 5 during the movement of the associated actuator 3. This final configuration may, for example, be determined by a stop associated with the actuator 3. Such a structure of damping elements is notably presented in document WO2020016536, to which reference may be made when reading this patent application. As presented in that document, the damping elements 5 can be configured to define variable damping profiles depending on the degree of penetration of the actuator 3 and therefore on the degree of compression of the damping element 5.

[0054] The damping element 5 typically comprises a body 51 made of a deformable material, for example silicone or an elastomeric material, having a general cylindrical shape. The body 51 typically has at least one recess, or two separate recesses 55 and 57 having distinct shapes, said recesses typically being through and superimposed in the direction defined by the compression movement of the actuator 3.

[0055] The shape and structure of the damping elements 5 can be modulated according to the desired damping effect.

[0056] More generally, each actuator 3 may include return means or any other suitable element to ensure that the actuators 3 return to an initial position in the absence of user input. The damping elements 5 as shown may thus be replaced by any suitable means, in particular springs, or means resulting from the structure of the connecting means 320 that can perform this return function.

[0057] The device 1 typically comprises a plurality of sensors adapted to measure the rotational and translational displacement of the actuators 3 and deliver a signal as a function of this displacement.

[0058] The sensors can, for example, be magnetic sensors coupled to a magnetic element such as a magnet positioned on each actuator 3. The sensors can also be sensors measuring the force applied to the associated actuator 3.

[0059] In the example shown in Figures 3 to 5, each actuator 3 comprises a measuring portion 37 extending from the lower surface of the actuator 3. The measuring portion 37 comprises a flat surface which may, for example, be provided with visual markers such as graduations or indentations. The base 2 comprises an optical sensor 23 positioned opposite each measuring portion 37, in order to measure the displacement of the measuring portion 37 and thus the displacement of the actuator 3. The actuators 3 may also have a reflective surface, which allows, with the help of an optical sensor, the displacement of the tactile portion 3 of the actuator 3 to be measured. Other types of sensors may be used, in particular magnetic or capacitive sensors, the actuators 3 then having, where appropriate, a measuring portion 37 provided with suitable additional means.

[0060] In general, the device 1 includes a set of sensors adapted to provide information relating to the movement of the actuator 3 relative to the base 2, this information may include in particular the position of each actuator 3 at a given instant, as well as the speed of movement of each actuator 3, and its acceleration.

[0061] The device 1 may also include a computer 6 or, more generally, a processing unit 6, adapted to correlate the movement of the actuators 3 with predetermined gestures such as musical gestures. The device 1 can then modulate the signal delivered based, in particular, on the speed and acceleration during the movement of each actuator 3, in addition to its position.

[0062] Device 1 as proposed aims to allow different modes of use by a user.

[0063] A first mode of use corresponds to a conventional use of such a device, in which the user applies a variable force to the different actuators 3 to actuate them individually. The user then applies a discrete force to the different actuators 3.

[0064] A second mode of use is made possible by the positioning of the membrane 4 on the actuators 4. The user can indeed apply a continuous force on different actuators, by moving a support point on the membrane 4.

[0065] Applying a force to the membrane 4 will indeed cause a force to be applied to one or more actuators 3 at the point of application of the force, but also to the adjacent actuators 3 depending in particular on the rigidity of the membrane 4. The membrane 4 is typically configured so as to define a threshold value of force from which the application of a force will cause the application of the force to the actuator 3 positioned at the point of application, and also to at least one adjacent actuator 3.

[0066] These two modes of use can be combined, and can thus be used independently or simultaneously.

[0067] The processing unit 6 is particularly suitable for processing a signal resulting from the application by a user of an effort on the membrane 4 or directly on the actuators 3 (i.e. on an area of ​​an actuator 3 not covered by the membrane 4).

[0068] The processing unit 6 can be adapted to detect the point of application of a force on the membrane 4, typically based on the resulting displacement on a group of adjacent actuators 3. The processing unit 6 is thus typically configured to perform interpolation of sensor data to determine the applied force, its magnitude, and its location on the membrane 4, including the coordinates of a point of application of the force along the principal direction X and along the transverse direction Y.

[0069] The processing unit 6 is thus typically configured to determine the direction of movement of a point of application of a force on the membrane 4.

[0070] The processing of data relating to the movement of actuators 3 by the processing unit can be modulated according to the measured values, in particular according to the speed and acceleration values ​​of the actuators 3.

[0071] According to one example, the accuracy of the processing is reduced as a function of the measured speed and / or acceleration value.

[0072] The processing unit 6 is thus typically configured to detect and distinguish between these two modes of use. In particular, the processing unit 6 is typically configured to distinguish a mode of use in which the Actuators 3 are subjected to discrete forces in a mode of use where a continuous sliding effect is applied between several actuators.

[0073] Indeed, the application of a continuous force on the membrane 4 results in the application of a pressure profile on the actuators 3 which can be characterized, in particular in terms of the amplitude of pressure exerted, the continuity of the application between adjacent keys, and by the fact that the application of a force on the membrane 4 will result in a force on a plurality of actuators 3 depending on the stiffness of the membrane 4.

[0074] The device 1 as presented thus makes it possible to offer different modes of use while maintaining a simple device structure. In particular, the proposed device 1 makes it possible to offer a second mode of use to devices offering conventional use with discrete activation of the actuators 3, via the addition of a membrane 4 on a potentially underutilized portion of the actuators 3 and an adaptation of the processing unit 6 so that it can identify and process the different modes of use, and thus deliver an output signal that takes into account the different effects applied to the actuators 3 by a user.

[0075] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is evident that modifications and changes can be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the various embodiments illustrated / mentioned can be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0076] It is also evident that all the characteristics described with reference to a process are transposable, alone or in combination, to a device, and conversely, all the characteristics described with reference to a device are transposable, alone or in combination, to a process.

Claims

Demands

1. Haptic controller (1) comprising - a base (2) - a plurality of actuators (3) arranged aligned along a principal direction (X), each actuator (3) being mounted movable relative to the base (2), each actuator (3) comprising an upper face (31), adapted to be actuated by a user, said haptic controller (1) comprising a continuous membrane (4) extending along the principal direction (X) so as to cover at least partially the upper face (31) of each actuator (3) of said plurality of actuators (3) arranged aligned along the principal direction (X), said haptic controller (1) comprising a plurality of sensors (23) adapted to measure the displacement of each actuator (3), and a processing unit (6) adapted to deliver a signal as a function of the displacement of the actuators (3) measured by said plurality of sensors (23).

2. Haptic controller (1) according to claim 1, wherein the membrane (4) has a rigidity such that a pressure greater than or equal to a threshold pressure value applied to said membrane (4) causes a displacement of at least two actuators (3) adjacent to each other in the principal direction (X).

3. Haptic controller (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the membrane (4) is a membrane made of fabric, neoprene, silicone, rubber or thermoplastic elastomer.

4. Haptic controller (1) according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit (6) is adapted to perform an interpolation of the measurements taken by the sensors (23) to determine the point of application of a force on the membrane (4).

5. Haptic controller (1) according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit (6) is adapted to modulate the interpolation as a function of the speed and / or acceleration of the actuators (3).

6. Haptic controller (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the processing unit (6) is adapted to deliver a signal as a function of the displacement and acceleration of the actuators (3) measured by said plurality of sensors (23).

7. Haptic controller (1) according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit (6) is adapted to distinguish the application of a continuous stimulus on the membrane (4) from the application of a discrete stimulus on a portion of the upper face (31) of the actuator (3) not covered by the membrane (4).

8. Haptic controller (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 7, wherein the processing unit (6) is adapted to identify a direction of movement of a point of application of force on the membrane (4), and to deliver a signal according to said direction of movement.

9. Haptic controller (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each actuator (3) has a linking portion (32), an intermediate portion (33) and a free portion (34), the linking portion (32) is connected to the base (2) via linking means (320), the membrane (4) extends over all or part of the intermediate portion (33) of each actuator (3) of said plurality of actuators (3) arranged aligned along the principal direction (X).

10. Haptic controller (1) according to claim 9, wherein each actuator (3) is connected to the base by linkage means (320) allowing rotational and / or translational movement of each actuator (4) relative to the base (2).

11. Haptic controller (1) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein said membrane (4) is removably mounted on the intermediate portion (33) of the actuators (3), and extends continuously over the intermediate portion (33) of the set of actuators (3) of said plurality of actuators arranged aligned along the principal direction (X).

12. Haptic controller (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising several pluralities of actuators, each plurality of actuators comprising several actuators (3) aligned along the principal direction (X).

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