Haptic interface for touch screen embodiments

Abstract

A haptic feedback touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that provides position information to a computer based on a location of user contact. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position information, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user. The actuator can move the touchpad laterally, or a separate surface member can be actuated. A flat E-core actuator, piezoelectric actuator, or other types of actuators can be used to provide forces. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A portable communication device, comprising:
 a housing;   a first touch input element coupled to the housing, the first touch input element configured to display at least one graphical object;   a first sensor coupled to the first touch input element and configured to receive an input associated with the at least one graphical object and generate a first sensor signal based on the received input; and   one or more actuators coupled to the housing, the one or more actuators configured to output a haptic effect based on the first sensor signal.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the housing comprises a front surface coupled to the first touch input element, a back surface, and at least two side surfaces disposed between the front and back surfaces, the device further comprising:
 a second touch input element coupled to at least one of the at least two side surfaces, the second touch input element configured to display at least a second graphical object; and   a second sensor coupled to the second touch input element and configured to receive a second input associated with the at least one second graphical object and generate a second sensor signal based on the received second input.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the touch input element comprises a planar touch surface. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the planar touch surface comprises a touch pad or a touch screen 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the received input causes control of at least one function of a remote device. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the remote device comprises at least one of a television, a video player, an internet computer, or a network computer. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the remote device displays a graphical user interface accessed over a network. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the control of at least one function of the remote device causes the haptic effect based on a controlled event or value at the remote device. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the control of at least one function of the remote device comprises control of a graphical user interface of the remote device. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the control of the graphical user interface of the remote device comprises a directional control. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the directional control comprises a cursor control that controls a movement of a cursor of the graphical user interface. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the cursor control is associated with a selection or manipulation of at least one of an icon, a window, a menu item, a graphical button, a slider bar, or a scroll bar of the graphical user interface. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein substantially all of the area of the touch input element is configured to provide the cursor control. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein a portion of the area of the touch input element is configured to provide the cursor control and at least one other portion of the area of the touch input element is configured to provide at least one other control function. 
     
     
         20 . A method for providing haptic effects at a portable communication device, comprising:
 displaying, by a first touch input element, at least one graphical object;   receiving, by a first sensor coupled to the first touch input element, an input associated with the at least one graphical object;   generating, by the first sensor, a first sensor signal based on the received input; and   outputting, by one or more actuators, a haptic effect based on the first sensor signal.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , the method further comprising:
 displaying, by a second touch input element, at least a second graphical object; and   receiving, by a second sensor coupled to the second touch input element, a second input associated with the at least one second graphical object; and   generating, by the second sensor, a second sensor signal based on the received second input.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the touch input element comprises a planar touch surface. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the planar touch surface comprises a touch pad or a touch screen 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 controlling, by the portable communication device, at least one function of a remote device based on the input associated with the at least one graphical object.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the remote device comprises at least one of a television, a video player, an internet computer, or a network computer. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the remote device displays a graphical user interface accessed over a network. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein controlling the at least one function of the remote device causes the haptic effect based on a controlled event or value at the remote device. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein controlling the at least one function of the remote device comprises:
 controlling, by the portable communication device, a graphical user interface of the remote device.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein controlling the at least one function of the remote device comprises:
 directionally controlling, by the portable communication device, the graphical user interface.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein directionally controlling the graphical user interface comprises:
 controlling, by the portable communication device, a cursor of the graphical user interface.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein controlling the cursor of the graphical user interface is associated with selection or manipulation of at least one of an icon, a window, a menu item, a graphical button, a slider bar, or a scroll bar of the graphical user interface. 
     
     
         32 . A system for providing haptic effects based on control of a remote device by a portable communication device, comprising:
 a remote device; and   a portable communication device communicably coupled to the remote device, the portable communication device comprising:
 a first touch input element configured to display at least one graphical object; 
 a first sensor coupled to the first touch input element and configured to receive an input associated with the at least one graphical object and generate a first sensor signal based on the received input, wherein the received input causes control of at least one function of the remote device; and 
 one or more actuators configured to output a haptic effect based on the first sensor signal. 
   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the remote device comprises at least one of a television, a video player, an internet computer, or a network computer. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the remote device is configured to generate a graphical user interface. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the received input causes at least the control of the graphical user interface by the portable communication device.