Haptic Controller Timing for Vibration-Sensor Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haptic systems suffer from latency issues in processing signals from force sensors, leading to delayed haptic responses, and interference between vibrational output systems and input sensory systems, which affects the accuracy of feedback, particularly in devices like mobile phones and video game controllers.
Innovation Solution
A controller is introduced to manage the operation of vibrational output systems and input sensor systems, incorporating an adjustment module that receives indications of activation or deactivation to reduce interference by filtering signals and adjusting operations dynamically, ensuring integer harmonic tones fall outside the input sensor's frequency band.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the vibrational output system operates at high amplitude to provide strong haptic feedback, then the haptic response intensity is improved, but interference with the input sensor system increases causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary component that manages the interaction between the vibrational output system and input sensor system. The controller coordinates their operations to reduce mutual interference, allowing strong haptic feedback while maintaining sensor measurement accuracy through controlled timing and signal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by using duty cycles to control the vibrational output system. By activating the vibrational system only during specific time intervals (when duty cycle > 0) and keeping it inactive during other intervals (when duty cycle = 0), the system provides strong haptic feedback when needed while minimizing interference with sensor operations during inactive periods.
2Loss of time
If the processing latency is reduced to provide timely haptic response, then the responsiveness is improved, but the complexity of coordinating sensor and actuator operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of the vibrational output system and input sensor system into a single controller. This unified controller simultaneously manages both systems, reducing communication overhead and coordination complexity while enabling low-latency response by directly processing sensor signals and immediately controlling the vibrational output without multiple processing stages.
3Speed
If the vibrational actuator operates continuously to maintain readiness, then the response time is improved, but the interference with sensor input increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the vibrational output system's operational state variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the duty cycle of the vibrational system based on real-time conditions, switching between active (duty cycle > 0) and inactive (duty cycle = 0) states. This dynamic control allows the system to be ready to respond quickly while minimizing interference during inactive periods.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatuses for controlling an operation of a vibrational output system and/or an operation of an input sensor system, wherein the controller is for use in a device comprising the vibrational output system and the input sensor system. A controller comprises an input configured to receive an indication of activation or de-activation of an output of the vibrational output system; and an adjustment module configured to adjust the operation of the vibrational output system and/or the operation of the input sensor system based on the indication to reduce an interference expected to be caused by the output of the vibrational output system on the input sensory system.