Haptic Output Device Power Budget Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices that provide haptic feedback struggle with efficient power management, leading to excessive current consumption and potential overheating, which can negatively impact user experience and device longevity.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a system that calculates a power budget for haptic output devices based on their operational characteristics and applies a drive signal to optimize power consumption, limiting current and power drawn by these devices to ensure efficient haptic effects while reducing peak current spikes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If haptic output devices operate at high power to deliver strong haptic effects, then haptic feedback quality is improved, but current consumption increases and overheating occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic feedback qualityVSAvoidcurrent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the drive signal parameters (amplitude, frequency, duration) based on real-time power budget calculations. The haptic output device operates at varying power levels rather than fixed high power, optimizing the balance between haptic effect quality and current consumption throughout the operation cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters of the haptic output device by calculating a power budget that limits peak current and average power. The drive signal parameters are modified within acceptable ranges to maintain haptic feedback quality while ensuring current consumption remains within safe thresholds, preventing overheating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple haptic output devices operate simultaneously to provide comprehensive haptic feedback, then user experience is enhanced, but total power consumption exceeds available power budget

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoidtotal power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by selectively activating only the necessary subset of haptic output devices at any given time based on power budget availability. Rather than running all devices at full capacity simultaneously, the system adjusts the number and intensity of active devices to match available power, maintaining acceptable user experience while preventing power overload.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic power budget calculations and drive signal adjustments across multiple haptic output devices. By alternating activation patterns and timing of different devices within periodic cycles, the system distributes power consumption over time, allowing multiple devices to operate comprehensively without exceeding instantaneous power limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Speed

If peak current is increased to achieve rapid haptic response, then response speed is improved, but device longevity decreases due to thermal stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic response speedVSAvoiddevice lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary power budget calculation and drive signal optimization before activating haptic output devices. By pre-calculating safe current limits and adjusting drive parameters in advance, the system achieves rapid haptic response without suddenly applying excessive peak current that would cause thermal shock and reduce device lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by implementing power budget constraints and gradual drive signal ramping before full haptic activation. This prevents abrupt high current spikes that would generate excessive heat, thereby protecting the haptic output devices from thermal stress while still achieving fast response times within safe operational limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach effectively reduces overall power and current consumption, preventing overheating and extending device lifespan while maintaining a high-quality haptic experience.

Implementation Method 1

a drive signal to the target haptic output device to produce a haptic effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10452170B2Controlling power distribution to haptic output devices

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 IMMERSION CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods for controlling power and/or current consumption for multiple haptic output devices are provided. Various features of the haptic output device may be described within a data structure. In response to a haptic instruction, a power budget for the haptic output device may be determined in accordance with its operational characteristics. A drive signal may then be applied to the haptic output device to produce the haptic effect in accordance with the calculated power budget. The calculated power budget may be configured to limit the current or power drawn by the haptic output device.