FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0001] The present disclosure relates to electronic devices including but not limited to
portable electronic devices having touch-sensitive displays and their control.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electronic devices, including portable electronic devices, have gained widespread
use and may provide a variety of functions including, for example, telephonic, electronic
messaging and other personal information manager (PIM) application functions. Portable
electronic devices include several types of devices including mobile stations such
as simple cellular telephones, smart telephones (smart phones), Personal Digital Assistants
(PDAs), tablet computers, and laptop computers, with wireless network communications
or near-field communications connectivity such as Bluetooth
® capabilities.
[0003] Portable electronic devices such as PDAs, or tablet computers are generally intended
for handheld use and ease of portability. Smaller devices are generally desirable
for portability. A touch-sensitive display, also known as a touchscreen display, is
particularly useful on handheld devices, which are small and may have limited space
for user input and output. The information displayed on the display may be modified
depending on the functions and operations being performed. Improvements in electronic
devices with touch-sensitive displays are desirable.
SUMMARY
[0004] A method includes detecting touches on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic
device, actuating an actuator to provide tactile feedback for the touches, determining
values associated with force applied by the actuator during actuation of the actuator,
and changing an attribute of actuation of the actuator based on the values associated
with force. An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display operable to detect
a touches thereon, an actuator operable to apply force to the touch-sensitive display
to provide tactile feedback for the touches, at least one force sensor arranged to
determine values associated with the force at the at least one force sensor, and at
least one processor, operably coupled to the touch-sensitive display and to the at
least one force sensor, and configured to determine values associated with force applied
by the actuator, and change an attribute of actuation based on the values associated
with force at the at least one force sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable electronic device in accordance with the
disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a front view of an example of a portable electronic device in accordance
with the disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the portable electronic device including a depressed
touch-sensitive display in accordance with the disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of a piezoelectric actuator of the portable electronic
device in accordance with the disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of a piezoelectric actuator with a force sensor in
accordance with the disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a block including force sensors and actuators of the portable electronic
device in accordance with the disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an electronic device in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 8 is an example illustrating force applied by an actuator during actuation in
accordance with the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The following describes an electronic device and method including detecting touches
on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device, actuating an actuator to provide
tactile feedback for the touches, determining values associated with force applied
by the actuator during actuation of the actuator, and changing an attribute of actuation
of the actuator based on the values associated with force.
[0014] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may be repeated among
the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Numerous details are
set forth to provide an understanding of the examples described herein. The examples
may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures,
and components are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the examples described.
The description is not to be considered as limited to the scope of the examples described
herein.
[0015] The disclosure generally relates to an electronic device, such as a portable electronic
device as described herein. Examples of electronic devices include mobile, or handheld,
wireless communication devices such as pagers, cellular phones, cellular smart-phones,
wireless organizers, personal digital assistants, wirelessly enabled notebook computers,
tablet computers, mobile internet devices, electronic navigation devices, and so forth.
The portable electronic device may also be a portable electronic device without wireless
communication capabilities, such as a handheld electronic game device, digital photograph
album, digital camera, media player, e-book reader, and so forth.
[0016] A block diagram of an example of a portable electronic device 100 is shown in FIG.
1. The electronic device 100 includes multiple components, such as a processor 102
that controls the overall operation of the portable electronic device 100. Communication
functions, including data and voice communications, are performed through a communication
subsystem 104. Data received by the portable electronic device 100 is decompressed
and decrypted by a decoder 106. The communication subsystem 104 receives messages
from and sends messages to a wireless network 150. The wireless network 150 may be
any type of wireless network, including, but not limited to, data wireless networks,
voice wireless networks, and networks that support both voice and data communications.
A power source 142, such as one or more rechargeable batteries or a port to an external
power supply, powers the portable electronic device 100.
[0017] The processor 102 interacts with other components, such as a Random Access Memory
(RAM) 108, memory 110, a touch-sensitive display 118, one or more actuators 120, one
or more force sensors 122, an auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem 124, a data port
126, a speaker 128, a microphone 130, short-range communications 132 and other device
subsystems 134. The touch-sensitive display 118 includes a display 112 and touch sensors
114 that are coupled to at least one controller 116 that is utilized to interact with
the processor 102. Input via a graphical user interface is provided via the touch-sensitive
display 118. Information, such as text, characters, symbols, images, icons, and other
items that may be displayed or rendered on a portable electronic device, is displayed
on the touch-sensitive display 118 via the processor 102. The processor 102 may also
interact with an accelerometer 136 that may be utilized to detect direction of gravitational
forces or gravity-induced reaction forces.
[0018] To identify a subscriber for network access, the portable electronic device 100 may
utilize a Subscriber Identity Module or a Removable User Identity Module (SIM/RUIM)
card 138 for communication with a network, such as the wireless network 150. Alternatively,
user identification information may be programmed into memory 110.
[0019] The portable electronic device 100 includes an operating system 146 and software
programs, applications, or components 148 that are executed by the processor 102 and
are typically stored in a persistent, updatable store such as the memory 110. Additional
applications or programs may be loaded onto the portable electronic device 100 through
the wireless network 150, the auxiliary I/O subsystem 124, the data port 126, the
short-range communications subsystem 132, or any other suitable subsystem 134.
[0020] A received signal such as a text message, an e-mail message, or web page download
is processed by the communication subsystem 104 and input to the processor 102. The
processor 102 processes the received signal for output to the display 112 and/or to
the auxiliary I/O subsystem 124. A subscriber may generate data items, for example
e-mail messages, which may be transmitted over the wireless network 150 through the
communication subsystem 104. For voice communications, the overall operation of the
portable electronic device 100 is similar. The speaker 128 outputs audible information
converted from electrical signals, and the microphone 130 converts audible information
into electrical signals for processing.
[0021] The touch-sensitive display 118 may be any suitable touch-sensitive display, such
as a capacitive, resistive, infrared, surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch-sensitive
display, strain gauge, optical imaging, dispersive signal technology, acoustic pulse
recognition, and so forth. A capacitive touch-sensitive display includes one or more
capacitive touch sensors 114. The capacitive touch sensors may comprise any suitable
material, such as indium tin oxide (ITO).
[0022] One or more touches, also known as touch contacts or touch events, may be detected
by the touch-sensitive display 118. The processor 102 may determine attributes of
the touch, including a location of the touch. Touch location data may include data
for an area of contact or data for a single point of contact, such as a point at or
near a center of the area of contact. The location of a detected touch may include
x and y components, e.g., horizontal and vertical components, respectively, with respect
to one's view of the touch-sensitive display 118. For example, the x location component
may be determined by a signal generated from one touch sensor, and the y location
component may be determined by a signal generated from another touch sensor. A touch
may be detected from any suitable input member, such as a finger, thumb, appendage,
or other objects, for example, a stylus, pen, or other pointer, depending on the nature
of the touch-sensitive display 118. Multiple simultaneous touches may be detected.
[0023] One or more gestures may also be detected by the touch-sensitive display 118. A gesture,
such as a swipe, also known as a flick, is a particular type of touch on a touch-sensitive
display 118 and may begin at an origin point and continue to an end point, for example,
a concluding end of the gesture. A gesture may be identified by attributes of the
gesture, including the origin point, the end point, the distance travelled, the duration,
the velocity, and the direction, for example. A gesture may be long or short in distance
and/or duration. Two points of the gesture may be utilized to determine a direction
of the gesture. A gesture may also include a hover. A hover may be a touch at a location
that is generally unchanged over a period of time or is associated with the same selection
item for a period of time.
[0024] The actuator(s) 120 may be depressed by applying sufficient force to the touch-sensitive
display 118 to overcome the actuation force of the actuator 120. The actuator 120
may be actuated by pressing anywhere on the touch-sensitive display 118. The actuator
120 may provide input to the processor 102 when actuated. Actuation of the actuator
120 may result in provision of tactile feedback. Other different types of actuators
120 may be utilized than those described herein. When force is applied, the touch-sensitive
display 118 is depressible, pivotable, and/or movable.
[0025] A cross section of a portable electronic device 100 taken through the centers of
piezoelectric ("piezo") actuators 120 is shown in FIG. 2. The portable electronic
device 100 includes a housing 202 that encloses components such as shown in FIG. 1.
The housing 202 may include a back 204, sidewalls 208, and a frame 206 that houses
the touch-sensitive display 118. A base 210 extends between the sidewalls 208, generally
parallel to the back 204, and supports the actuators 120. The display 112 and the
overlay 114 are supported on a support tray 212 of suitable material, such as magnesium.
Optional spacers 216 may be located between the support tray 212 and the frame 206,
may advantageously be flexible, and may also be compliant or compressible, and may
comprise gel pads, spring elements such as leaf springs, foam, and so forth.
[0026] The touch-sensitive display 118 is moveable and depressible with respect to the housing
202. A force 302 applied to the touch-sensitive display 118 moves, or depresses, the
touch-sensitive display 118 toward the base 210. When sufficient force is applied,
the actuator 120 is depressed or actuated as shown in FIG. 3. The touch-sensitive
display 118 may also pivot within the housing to depress the actuator 120. The actuators
120 may be actuated by pressing anywhere on the touch-sensitive display 118. The processor
102 receives a signal when the actuator 120 is depressed or actuated.
[0027] A cross section taken through the center of a piezo actuator 120 is shown in FIG.
4. The actuator 120 may comprise one or more piezo devices or elements 402. The piezo
actuator 120 is shown disposed between the base 210 and the touch-sensitive display
118. The piezo actuator 120 includes a piezoelectric element 402, such as a piezoelectric
ceramic disk, fastened to a substrate 404, for example, by adhesive, lamination, laser
welding, and/or by other suitable fastening method or device. The piezoelectric material
may be lead zirconate titanate or any other suitable material. Although the piezo
element 402 is a ceramic disk in this example, the piezoelectric material may have
any suitable shape and geometrical features, for example a non-constant thickness,
chosen to meet desired specifications.
[0028] The substrate 404, which may also be referred to as a shim, may be comprised of a
metal, such as nickel, or any other suitable material such as, for example, stainless
steel, brass, and so forth. The substrate 404 bends when the piezo element 402 contracts
diametrically, as a result of build up of charge at the piezo element 402 or in response
to a force, such as an external force applied to the touch-sensitive display 118.
[0029] The substrate 404 and piezo element 402 may be suspended or disposed on a support
406 such as a ring-shaped frame for supporting the piezo element 402 while permitting
flexing of the piezo actuator 120 as shown in FIG. 4. The supports 406 may be disposed
on the base 210 or may be part of or integrated with the base 210, which may be a
printed circuit board. Optionally, the substrate 404 may rest on the base 210, and
each actuator 120 may be disposed, suspended, or preloaded in an opening in the base
210. The actuator 120 is not fastened to the support 406 or the base 210 in these
embodiments. The actuator 120 may optionally be fastened to the support 406 through
any suitable method, such as adhesive or other bonding methods.
[0030] A pad 408 may be disposed between the piezo actuator 120 and the touch-sensitive
display 118. The pad 408 in the present example is a compressible element that may
provide at least minimal shock-absorbing or buffering protection and may comprise
suitable material, such as a hard rubber, silicone, and/or polyester, and/or other
materials. The pad 408 are advantageously flexible and resilient and may provide a
bumper or cushion for the piezo actuator 120 as well as facilitate actuation of the
piezo actuator 120 and/or one or more force sensors 122 that may be disposed between
the piezo actuators 120 and the touch-sensitive display 118. When the touch-sensitive
display 118 is depressed, the force sensor 122 generates a force signal that is received
and interpreted by the microprocessor 102. The pad 408 is advantageously aligned with
a force sensor 122 to facilitate the focus of forces exerted on the touch-sensitive
display 118 onto the force sensors 122. The pads 408 transfer forces between the touch-sensitive
display 118 and the actuators 120 whether the force sensors 122 are above or below
the pads 408. The pads 408 facilitate provision of tactile feedback from the actuators
120 to the touch-sensitive display 118 without substantially dampening the force applied
to or on the touch-sensitive display 118.
[0031] A force sensor 122 is disposed between the piezo actuator 120 and the touch-sensitive
display 118 as shown in FIG. 5. The force sensor 122 may be disposed between the touch-sensitive
display 118 and the pad 408 or between the pad and the piezo actuator 120, to name
a few examples. The force sensors 122 may be force-sensitive resistors, strain gauges,
piezoelectric or piezoresistive devices, pressure sensors, or other suitable devices.
Force as utilized throughout the specification, including the claims, refers to force
measurements, estimates, and/or calculations, such as pressure, deformation, stress,
strain, force density, force-area relationships, thrust, torque, and other effects
that include force or related quantities. A piezoelectric device, which may be the
piezo element 402, may be utilized as a force sensor.
[0032] Force information associated with a detected touch may be utilized to select information,
such as information associated with a location of a touch. For example, a touch that
does not meet a force threshold may highlight a selection option, whereas a touch
that meets a force threshold may select or input that selection option. Selection
options include, for example, displayed or virtual keys of a keyboard; selection boxes
or windows, e.g., "cancel," "delete," or "unlock"; function buttons, such as play
or stop on a music player; and so forth. Different magnitudes of force may be associated
with different functions or input. For example, a lesser force may result in panning,
and a higher force may result in zooming.
[0033] A block diagram including force sensors and actuators of the portable electronic
device 100 is shown in FIG. 6. In this example, each force sensor 122 is electrically
connected to a controller 602, which includes an amplifier and analog-to-digital converter
(ADC) 604. Each force sensor 122 may be, for example, a force-sensing resistor wherein
the resistance changes as force applied to the force sensor 122 changes. As applied
force on the touch-sensitive display 118 increases, the resistance decreases. This
change is determined via the controller 116 for each of the force sensors 122, and
a value representative of the force at each of the force sensors 122 may be determined.
[0034] The piezo actuators 120 are electrically connected to a piezo driver 604 that communicates
with the controller 602. The controller 602 is also in communication with the main
processor 102 of the portable electronic device 100 and may exchange signals with
the main processor 102. The piezo actuators 120 and the force sensors 122 are operatively
connected to the main processor 102 via the controller 602. The controller 602 controls
the piezo driver 606 that controls the current/voltage to the piezoelectric devices
402 of the actuator 120, and thus the controller 602 controls the force applied by
the piezo actuators 120 on the touch-sensitive display 118. The piezoelectric devices
402 may be controlled individually via a separate control line between each actuator
120 and the controller 602. Different signals may be sent to each different actuator
120. Alternatively, the piezoelectric devices 402 may be controlled substantially
equally and concurrently, for example, by the same signal that may be provided through
a common control line that extends to each actuator 120 or by individual control lines
such as shown in FIG. 6.
[0035] The tactile feeling of switches, actuators, keys, other physical objects, and so
forth may be simulated, or a non-simulated tactile feedback may be provided by controlling
the piezoelectric devices 402. For example, when a force applied on the touch-sensitive
display 118 exceeds a depression threshold, the voltage/charge at the piezo actuators
120 is modified such that the piezo actuator 120 imparts a force on the touch-sensitive
display 118, which force may, for example, simulate depression of a dome switch. When
the force applied on the touch-sensitive display 118 falls below a release threshold,
the voltage/charge at the piezo actuators 120 is modified such that the piezo actuator
120 imparts a force or discontinues imparting a force on the touch-sensitive display
118, which may, for example, simulate release of a dome switch.
[0036] A flowchart illustrating an example of a method of detecting touches on the touch-sensitive
display 118 is shown in FIG. 7. The method may be carried out by software executed,
for example, processor 102 and/or the controller 116. Coding of software for carrying
out such a method is within the scope of a person of ordinary skill in the art given
the present description. The method may contain additional or fewer processes than
shown and/or described, and may be performed in a different order. Computer-readable
code executable by at least one controller or processor of the portable electronic
device to perform the method may be stored in a computer-readable medium, such as
a non-transitory computer-readable medium.
[0037] When a touch is detected 702, the location of touch on the touch-sensitive display
118 is determined. Signals from the force sensors 122 are received and a value associated
with the force on the touch-sensitive display 118 is repeatedly determined 704 during
the touch, based on the signals from the force sensors 122.
[0038] The value associated with the force on the touch-sensitive display 118 may be determined,
for example, by summing the values at each of the force sensors 122. The sum of the
values is equal to the total force applied at the touches, prior to actuation of the
actuator 120. When a single touch is detected, the force applied at the touch is equal
to the sum of the values at each of the force sensors 122. When two touches are detected,
the force at each touch may be determined based on the locations of the touches, the
locations of the force sensors, and the value associated with the force at each of
the force sensors 122.
[0039] Signals from the microphone 130 are also received and a value associated with the
sound detected utilizing the microphone is determined 706. The value associated with
the sound is continually detected during the touch.
[0040] The force associated with a touch is compared 708 to a first force threshold. When
the force value associated with a touch does not exceed the first threshold, the process
returns to 702, and the actuators 120 are not actuated. When a force value associated
with a touch meets the first threshold, also referred to as the actuation force of
the actuators 120, the actuators 120 are actuated 710. A value meets a threshold when
the value is equal to or exceeds the threshold.
[0041] A value associated with the force imparted by the actuators during actuation is determined
712. The value associated with the force imparted by the actuators 120 is determined
by subtracting the value associated with the force immediately prior to actuation
from the value associated with the force during actuation. The value associated with
the force imparted by the actuators during actuation is repeatedly determined to determine
values associated with attributes of actuation such as duration of actuation.
[0042] The values associated with the attributes determined at 712 may be stored 714 in
memory, such as RAM 108. Data associated with the sound may also be stored 716 in
memory, such as RAM 108. The data may be a value, such as a maximum value, or the
value associated with the greatest volume of sound.
[0043] The number of actuations for which data is stored is compared 718 to a threshold,
and when the number of actuations meets the threshold, the process continues at 718.
The process does not continue at 718 each time the actuators 120 are actuated. Values
associated with the attributes and values associated with the sound are collected
for multiple actuations. This threshold is utilized to determine when sufficient data
is collected to determine characteristics of actuation with a high level of confidence.
[0044] The attributes of actuation are adjusted 720 based on the values associated with
the attributes. For example, a representative value, such as an average value, may
be determined based on the values associated with the attributes and the average value
may be compared to a target value. The current/voltage waveform or signal sent to
the actuators may be adjusted to change the duration of all or part of the actuation
such that the value associated with the attribute more closely approximates the target
value. For example, a duration of actuation may be increased or decreased to a value
that is closer to the target value. Alternatively, the representative value may be
compared to a low attribute threshold and to a high attribute threshold, and the signal
to the actuators may be adjusted until the representative value is between the attribute
thresholds.
[0045] The maximum value associated with the force may also be adjusted 722 based on the
values associated with the sound. A representative value may be determined, for example
by calculating an average value based on the data associated with the sound. The average
value may be compared to a target value. The current/voltage signal to the piezo actuators
120 may be increased or decreased, changing a magnitude of the force imparted by the
actuators 120. The change in magnitude of the force increases or decreases the sound
to more closely approximate the target value. Alternatively, the representative value
may be compared to a low sound threshold and to a high sound threshold and the magnitude
of the signal to the actuators may be adjusted by increasing the force when the value
does not meet a low threshold, and decreasing the force when the value exceeds a high
threshold.
[0046] A simplified example of a graph of force imparted by the piezo actuators 120 versus
time is illustrated in FIG. 8. The force applied by the piezo actuators 120 is related
to the current/voltage that is sent to the piezo actuators 120. Prior to actuation,
no force is imparted by the piezo actuators 120 to the touch-sensitive display 118
in this example. When a force value associated with a touch meets the threshold, actuation
of the actuator begins at 802. The current/voltage to the piezo actuators 120 is controlled
to ramp up the force imparted by the piezo actuators 120 between time 802 and time
804. The force is decreased between time 804 and time 806. The force is decreased
to zero or no applied force over a much shorter period of time relative to the period
of time to ramp up the force. The period of time to decrease the force is relatively
short to simulate collapse of a dome switch.
[0047] The values associated with the attributes of the actuation include, for example,
duration of ramp-up and duration of the decrease in force. Time values associated
with the ramp-up and decrease are stored in memory. A value associated with the sound
produced by the actuation is also stored in memory. When the actuator is actuated
a threshold number of times, the ramp-up period of time and the period of time during
which the force is decreased may be adjusted. The two periods of time may be adjusted
together or individually to adjust the duration of actuation. The maximum force at
time 804 may also be increased or decreased based on the value associated with the
sound produced by the actuation. The duration and the maximum force value may be adjusted
by adjusting the current/voltage waveform to the piezo actuators 120.
[0048] The example of FIG. 8 illustrates force imparted by the actuators to simulate collapse
of a dome switch. The method described may also be utilized to adjust attributes and
values of force during simulation of release of a dome switch. The release may be
simulated when the force associated with a touch meets or falls below a second threshold.
The second threshold is lower than the first threshold. Alternatively, the attributes
and values of force during simulation of release of a dome switch may be adjusted
based on the adjustments to the attributes and values of force during simulation of
depression of a dome switch.
[0049] After adjusting the signal to adjust a duration of the actuation and adjusting the
magnitude or maximum force value, new values associated with attributes and values
associated with sound may be collected and old values discarded or removed from memory.
Optionally, the values may continue to be collected along with previously collected
values. For example, the values may be added to other values in a first-in first-out
(FIFO) arrangement.
[0050] In the above description, a single touch is described. The method of FIG. 7 is equally
applicable to multiple touches that at least partially overlap in time. When multiple
touches that at least partially overlap in time are received, the value of force at
each touch may be determined utilizing any suitable method, based on the values associated
with force determined at each of the force sensors 122, the location of each of the
force sensors 122, and the locations of the touches. The process may continue for
each touch.
[0051] Attributes of actuation, such as duration, and the magnitude or maximum value of
force are changed based on values measured at the force sensors and based on signals
from the microphone. The changes may be made during use of the portable electronic
device and without entering a separate calibration routine. Changes in tactile feedback
provided by the actuators due to age or other factors, for example, may be compensated
for by application of the above method.
[0052] The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing
from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be
considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the present disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than
by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of
equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
1. A method comprising:
detecting touches on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device;
actuating an actuator to provide tactile feedback for the touches;
determining values associated with force imparted by the actuator during actuation
of the actuator;
changing an attribute of actuation of the actuator based on the values associated
with force.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein changing comprises changing a duration of
actuation of the actuator.
3. The method according to claim 2, comprising:
determining a value associated with sound detected during actuation of the actuator;
changing a magnitude of the force based on the value associated with sound.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein changing comprises changing an electrical
signal applied to the actuator.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining comprises identifying values
associated with force imparted by the actuator in response to a plurality of the detected
touches.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining comprises subtracting a value
measured prior to actuation, from values measured during actuation.
7. The method according to claim 1, comprising changing a magnitude of the force based
on a value associated with sound.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the magnitude of force is increased when
the value associated with sound not meet a first threshold and the magnitude of force
is decreased when the value associated with sound exceeds a second threshold.
9. The method according to claim 7, wherein changing a magnitude comprises increasing
an electrical signal applied to the actuator.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein changing comprises decreasing a duration
of an electrical signal utilized to actuate the actuator.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is actuated when an applied
force for any of the touches meets a threshold.
12. The method according to claim 1, wherein changing comprises changing based on the
determined values for a threshold number of actuations.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein changing comprises changing the attribute
based on a comparison of a value of the attribute with a target value.
14. A computer-readable medium having computer-readable code executable by at least one
processor of a portable electronic device to perform the method according to any one
of claims 1 to 13.
15. An electronic device comprising:
a touch-sensitive display operable to detect touches;
an actuator operable to apply force to the touch-sensitive display to provide tactile
feedback for the touches;
at least one force sensor arranged to determine values associated with force at the
at least one force sensor;
at least one processor, operably coupled to the touch-sensitive display and to the
at least one force sensor, and configured to determine values associated with force
applied by the actuator, and change an attribute of actuation based on the values
associated with force at the at least one force sensor.
Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.
1. A method comprising:
detecting touches on a touch-sensitive display (118) of an electronic device (100);
actuating an actuator (120) to provide tactile feedback for the touches;
determining values associated with force imparted by the actuator (120) during actuation
of the actuator (120);
changing an attribute of actuation of the actuator (120) based on the values associated
with force.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein changing comprises changing a duration of
actuation of the actuator (120).
3. The method according to claim 2, comprising:
determining a value associated with sound detected during actuation of the actuator
(120);
changing a magnitude of the force based on the value associated with sound.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein changing comprises changing an electrical
signal applied to the actuator (120).
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining comprises identifying values
associated with force imparted by the actuator (120) in response to a plurality of
the detected touches.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining comprises subtracting a value
measured prior to actuation, from values measured during actuation.
7. The method according to claim 1, comprising changing a magnitude of the force based
on a value associated with sound.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the magnitude of force is increased when
the value associated with sound does not meet a first threshold and the magnitude
of force is decreased when the value associated with sound exceeds a second threshold.
9. The method according to claim 7, wherein changing a magnitude comprises increasing
an electrical signal applied to the actuator (120).
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein changing comprises decreasing a duration
of an electrical signal utilized to actuate the actuator (120).
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (120) is actuated when an applied
force for any of the touches meets a threshold.
12. The method according to claim 1, wherein changing comprises changing based on the
determined values for a threshold number of actuations.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein changing comprises changing the attribute
based on a comparison of a value of the attribute with a target value.
14. A computer-readable medium having computer-readable code executable by at least one
processor (102) of an electronic device (100) to perform the method according to any
one of claims 1 to 13.
15. An electronic device (100) comprising:
a touch-sensitive display (118) operable to detect touches;
an actuator (120) operable to apply force to the touch-sensitive display (118) to
provide tactile feedback for the touches;
at least one force sensor (122) arranged to determine values associated with force
at the at least one force sensor (122);
at least one processor (102), operably coupled to the touch-sensitive display (118)
and to the at least one force sensor (122), and configured to determine values associated
with force applied by the actuator (120), and change an attribute of actuation based
on the values associated with force at the at least one force sensor (122).