Haptic system with localized response

摘要

A localized multimodal haptic system includes one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers, each including an EMP layer, such as an electrostrictive polymer active layer. In some applications the EMP transducer may perform an actuator function or a sensor function, or both. The EMP polymer layer has a first surface and a second surface on which one or more electrodes are provided. The EMP layer of the EMP actuator may be 5 microns thick or less. The EMP transducers may provide local haptic response to a local a stimulus. In one application, a touch sensor may be associated with each EMP transducer, such that the haptic event at the touch sensor may be responded to by activating only the associated EMP transducer. Furthermore, the EMP transducer may act as its own touch sensor. A variety of haptic responses may be made available. The EMP transducers may be used in various other applications, such as providing complex surface morphology and audio speakers.

主权项

1. A system, comprising:
a touch-sensing element; a plurality of individually controlled electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuators positioned in the vicinity of pre-determined positions on the touch-sensing element, each EMP actuator comprising a plurality of EMP layers formed out of an electrostrictive polymer and a plurality of electrodes for activation of the EMP layers, each EMP layer having a thickness of less than 10 um; and a controller coupled to receiving sensing signals from the touch-sensing element, wherein when the controller detects from the sensing signal that a user has touched a position within a predetermined distance of one of the pre-determined positions, the controller activates the EMP actuator associated with that predetermined position to provide a haptic response.