Single actuator haptic effects

Abstract

A haptic enabled device that is configured to render one or more haptic effects is provided. The haptic enabled device includes an actuator and a plurality of user input elements. Each of the plurality of user input elements is configured to be selectively coupled to the actuator. In addition, the actuator is configured to be positioned to render the one or more haptic effects at each of the plurality of user input elements.

1 . A haptically enabled device configured to render one or more haptic effects, the haptically enabled device comprising:
 an actuator;   a first user input element that is configured to be selectively coupled to the actuator, and   a second user input element that is configured to be selectively coupled to the actuator,   wherein the actuator is configured to be positioned to render the one or more haptic effects at each of the first user input element and the second user input element.   
     
     
         2 . The haptically enabled device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a clutch system coupled to the actuator via a moveable shaft,   wherein the clutch system comprises a plurality of drive gears,   wherein the actuator is switchable between at least two positions of the clutch system comprising
 a first position in which the actuator is coupled to the first user input element via a first drive gear of the clutch system and to a first linkage or gearbox of the first user input element; and 
 a second position in which the actuator is coupled to the second user input element via a second drive gear of the clutch system and to a second linkage or gearbox of the second user input element. 
   
     
     
         3 . The haptically enabled device of  claim 2 , wherein the first drive gear and the second drive gear have different respective sizes. 
     
     
         4 . The haptically enabled device of  claim 2 , wherein the first drive gear and the second drive gear have different respective diameters. 
     
     
         5 . The haptically enabled device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to move a moveable shaft in a first lateral direction to laterally position the clutch system at a first position, and to move the moveable shaft in a second lateral direction to laterally position the clutch system at a second position. 
     
     
         6 . The haptically enabled device of  claim 1 , wherein the haptically enabled device comprises a portable or handheld device, wherein the portable or handheld device comprises a toy, gaming console, handheld video game system, gamepad, game controller, desktop computer, portable multifunction device such as a cell phone, smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), eReader, portable reading device, handheld reading device, laptop, tablet computer, digital music player, remote control, or medical instrument. 
     
     
         7 . The haptically enabled device of  claim 1 , wherein the haptically enabled device is embedded in another device. 
     
     
         8 . The haptically enabled device of  claim 7 , wherein the another device comprises a vehicle or a wearable device. 
     
     
         9 . The haptically enabled device of  claim 8 , wherein the wearable device comprises a wrist watch, jewelry, arm band, or gloves. 
     
     
         10 . A haptically enabled device comprising a clutch system coupled to a single actuator via a shaft, the clutch system configured to selectively position the single actuator at a plurality of positions within a housing, each of the plurality of positions corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of user input elements. 
     
     
         11 . The haptically enabled device of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of positions comprises:
 a first position in which the clutch system couples the single actuator to a first user input element via a first drive gear of the clutch system and to a first linkage or gearbox of the first user input element; and   a second position in which the clutch system couples the single actuator to a second user input element via a second drive gear of the clutch system and to a second linkage or gearbox of the second user input element.   
     
     
         12 . The haptically enabled device of  claim 11 , wherein
 in the first position, the single actuator is configured to render one or more haptic effects at the first user input element, and   in the second position, the single actuator is configured to render one or more haptic effects at the second user input element.   
     
     
         13 . The haptically enabled device of  claim 12 , wherein
 in the first position, the single actuator is configured to render one or more haptic effects at the first user input element upon a movement of the first user input element with respect to the housing, and   in the second position, the single actuator is configured to render one or more haptic effects at the second user input element upon a movement of the second user input element with respect to the housing.   
     
     
         14 . The haptically enabled device of  claim 10 , wherein the haptically enabled device comprises a portable or handheld device, wherein the portable or handheld device comprises a toy, gaming console, handheld video game system, gamepad, game controller, desktop computer, portable multifunction device such as a cell phone, smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), eReader, portable reading device, handheld reading device, laptop, tablet computer, digital music player, remote control, or medical instrument. 
     
     
         15 . The haptically enabled device of  claim 10 , wherein the haptically enabled device is embedded in another device. 
     
     
         16 . The haptically enabled device of  claim 15 , wherein the another device comprises a vehicle or a wearable device, wherein the wearable device comprises a wrist watch, jewelry, arm band, or gloves. 
     
     
         17 . A haptic feedback method comprising:
 selectively positioning a clutch system using a single actuator at one of a plurality of positions of the single actuator within a housing; and   rendering one or more haptic effects at one or more of a plurality of user input elements at one or more of the plurality of positions.   
     
     
         18 . The haptic feedback method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 coupling, at a first of the plurality of positions, the clutch system to a first of the plurality of user input elements via a first drive gear of the clutch system, via a first linkage or gearbox of the first user input element; and   coupling, at a second of the plurality of positions, the clutch system to a second of the plurality of user input elements via a second drive gear of the clutch system, via a second linkage or gearbox of the second user input element.   
     
     
         19 . The haptic feedback method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 rendering, using the single actuator, one or more of the haptic effects at the first user input element when the clutch system is in the first position, and   rendering, using the single actuator, one or more of the haptic effects at the second user input element when the clutch system is in a second position.   
     
     
         20 . The haptic feedback method of  claim 19 , wherein
 in the first position, the rendering of one or more of the haptic effects at the first user input element occurs upon a movement of the first user input element with respect to the housing, and   in the second position, the rendering of one or more of the haptic effects at the second user input element occurs upon a movement of the second user input element with respect to the housing.