Vibration Motor Induced Voltage Slope for Haptic Feedback Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing haptic feedback systems in electronic devices struggle to accurately determine when vibrations generated by vibration motors have stopped, leading to inefficient braking periods and potential user experience issues.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a series of braking pulses to stop vibrations, with a hysteresis comparator determining the rate of change of the induced voltage during high impedance periods to cease braking pulses when a specific requirement is met, ensuring precise control over haptic feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the braking period is extended to ensure vibrations have stopped, then the reliability of vibration cessation detection is improved, but the loss of time increases due to prolonged braking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration cessation detection accuracyVSAvoidbraking period duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the induced voltage generated by the vibration motor during braking and uses this feedback to dynamically determine when vibrations have ceased. The comparator circuit compares the induced voltage against a threshold, automatically ending the braking period when the threshold is met, thus resolving the contradiction by making braking duration responsive to actual vibration status rather than fixed or overly conservative

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical vibration sensing methods with electrical measurement of induced voltage. By measuring the electrical signal generated by the motor's back-EMF during braking, the system can accurately detect vibration cessation without relying on extended mechanical sensing periods, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the braking period is shortened to reduce time loss, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability of vibration cessation detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic feedback response efficiencyVSAvoidvibration cessation detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical vibration detection with electrical measurement of induced voltage. This substitution enables rapid and accurate detection of vibration cessation through electrical signals, allowing the braking period to be shortened without compromising reliability, thus improving productivity while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The continuous electrical feedback from monitoring induced voltage allows the system to detect vibration cessation immediately when it occurs, enabling shorter braking periods that maintain high reliability. The feedback mechanism ensures the braking period ends precisely when vibrations stop, eliminating the need for conservative timing margins

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If simple timing methods are used to determine vibration cessation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of vibration stop detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking control system complexityVSAvoidvibration stop detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical vibration sensing systems with a simpler electrical measurement approach. By measuring the induced voltage signal already present in the motor circuit during braking, the system achieves precise vibration stop detection without adding complex mechanical sensors or processing systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The induced voltage acts as an intermediary signal that indirectly indicates vibration status. Instead of directly measuring mechanical vibration, the system measures the electrical voltage generated by the motor's motion, providing accurate vibration cessation detection through this intermediary electrical parameter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 allows for accurate and efficient stopping of vibrations, enhancing user experience by ensuring timely cessation of haptic feedback, thus improving the responsiveness and reliability of electronic devices like smartphones and tablets.

Implementation Method 1

determining a rate of change of an induced voltage associated with the vibration motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9467085B1Monitoring vibration motor induced voltage slope to control haptic feedback

Publication Date: 2016.10.11 SEMICON COMPONENTS IND LLC

AI summary

A method for controlling haptic feedback in an electronic device, in some embodiments, comprises: generating a series of braking pulses to stop vibrations generated by a vibration motor in the electronic device; during a high impedance period between at least one pair of pulses in said series of braking pulses, determining a rate of change of an induced voltage associated with the vibration motor; and if said rate of change meets a requirement, ceasing said generation of the series of braking pulses.