Immersion Corporation
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A THERMAL EFFECT WITH A DRIVING SIGNAL HAVING A KICK-IN PORTION AND/OR A BRAKING PORTION

Abstract:

A user interface device comprising a heat pump, a signal generating circuit, and a control circuit is presented. The control circuit is configured to control the signal generating circuit to generate a driving portion of a driving signal. All of the driving portion has a first polarity and causes the heat pump to generate the thermal effect, and causes heat flux to flow in a first direction. The control circuit is further configured to control the signal generating circuit to generate a braking portion of the driving signal, wherein all of the braking portion of the driving signal has a second polarity opposite the first polarity and causes the heat pump to stop the thermal effect.