Haptic controller

Abstract

An advanced haptic gamepad is provided. A controller having a plurality of surfaces, and a haptic output device located within its housing and coupled to an isolated deformable region disposed at one of the plurality of surfaces is provided. The isolated deformable region expands and contracts in response to the haptic output device. In addition, a controller having a plurality of isolated surface regions, and a plurality of haptic output devices located within its housing and coupled to respective isolated surface regions is provided. Each of the isolated surface regions is configured to provide localized haptic effects.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A haptic device comprising:
 a housing that includes a plurality of surfaces disposed on the housing of the haptic device; and   a haptic output device that is configured to individually control each of the plurality of surfaces,   wherein each of the plurality of surfaces is configured to move in a lateral direction and to provide a localized haptic effect.   
     
     
         2 . The haptic device according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of surfaces includes a plurality of suspension flexures configured to indirectly couple a respective surface region to the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The haptic device according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the suspension flexures includes a Z-shaped mount. 
     
     
         4 . The haptic device according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of suspension flexures dampens an output of the haptic output device to the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The haptic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the haptic output device includes a linear actuator configured to drive a plurality of deformation components that cause expansion and contraction deformations along one or more of the plurality of surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The haptic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the haptic output device comprises an actuator configured to cause the localized haptic effect including a vibration haptic effect on one or more of the plurality of surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The haptic device according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of surfaces provides the localized haptic effect including one of vibration, texture, temperature variation, or rumble effects. 
     
     
         8 . The haptic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the haptic device is one of a gamepad, console, mobile phone, tablet, motion controller, or haptic mouse. 
     
     
         9 . A method for controlling a haptic device, the method comprising:
 defining a plurality of surfaces disposed on a housing of the haptic device; and   individually controlling each of the plurality of surfaces using a haptic output device,   wherein each of the plurality of surfaces is configured to move in a lateral direction and to provide a localized haptic effect.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of surfaces includes a plurality of suspension flexures configured to indirectly couple a respective surface to the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the haptic output device includes a linear actuator configured to drive a plurality of deformation components that cause expansion and contraction deformations along one or more of the plurality of surfaces. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the haptic output device comprises an actuator configured to cause the localized haptic effect including a vibration haptic effect on one or more of the plurality of surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein one or more of the plurality of surfaces provides the localized haptic effect that including one of vibration, texture, temperature variation, or rumble effects. 
     
     
         14 . A haptic device comprising:
 a housing that includes a plurality of isolated surface regions that are configured to be locked together to form a unit; and   a plurality of haptic output devices, each of the plurality of haptic output devices being configured to control a respective isolated surface region of the plurality of isolated surface regions;   wherein a haptic effect is applied to the unit.   
     
     
         15 . The haptic device according to  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of isolated surfaces regions includes a plurality of suspension flexures. 
     
     
         16 . The haptic device according to  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of haptic output devices includes a linear actuator configured to drive a plurality of deformation components that cause expansion and contraction deformations along a respective isolated surface region. 
     
     
         17 . The haptic device according to  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of haptic output devices includes an actuator configured to cause a localized haptic effect that includes a vibration haptic effect on one or more of the plurality of surface regions. 
     
     
         18 . The haptic device according to  claim 14 , wherein one or more of the plurality of isolated surface regions provides a localized haptic effect that includes one of vibration, texture, temperature variation, or rumble effects. 
     
     
         19 . The haptic device according to  claim 14 , wherein the haptic device is one of a gamepad, console, mobile phone, tablet, motion controller, or haptic mouse.