# Precisely Stopping Device Vibrations for Better Touch Feedback > This patent describes a method for precisely stopping the tiny vibrations in a device, like a phone, by sending a special 'braking' signal to make touch feedback feel sharper and more controlled. - **Patent:** US 9652041 - **Original title:** Haptic device with linear resonant actuator - **Owner:** Immersion - **Granted:** 2017 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 33 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, software, telecommunications, automotive ## What it does This patent describes a haptic output device that generates precise vibrations. It works by first sending a 'driving signal' to an actuator to start a vibration. The clever part is how it stops the vibration: a processor calculates a specific 'braking signal' based on the driving signal's frequency. This braking signal has a 'reverse phase' and is sent at a precisely determined time and strength to quickly cancel out any lingering vibration. For example, when your smartphone gives a short, crisp 'tap' feedback for a button press, this technology helps ensure that the vibration starts and stops very cleanly, preventing a mushy or prolonged buzz. Claim 1 specifically covers scenarios where the driving signal's frequency is different from the actuator's natural resonant frequency, while Claim 12 covers when it's the same. ## What it does NOT cover - Haptic effects generated by actuators that are not linear resonant actuators, such as eccentric rotating mass (ERM) motors (Claim 7). - Stopping vibrations without using a distinct 'braking signal' that has a reverse phase to the driving signal (Claim 1, 12). - Braking signals whose frequency is not the resonant frequency of the actuator (Claim 1) or the same as the driving signal (Claim 12). - Systems where the starting time and amplitude of the braking signal are not determined based on the driving signal's frequency (Claim 1, 12). - Haptic feedback that relies solely on turning off the driving signal without an active braking pulse to stop the vibration. ## The clever bit The innovation lies in actively and precisely canceling out lingering vibrations using a calculated 'braking signal' with a reverse phase. Instead of just letting the vibration fade naturally, which can feel mushy, this patent teaches how to apply a counter-pulse at exactly the right time and strength to achieve an immediate, crisp stop, even if the initial vibration wasn't perfectly tuned to the actuator's natural resonance. ## Real-world examples 1. Most modern smartphone lock screens and keyboards 2. Gaming controllers with advanced rumble features 3. Smartwatches providing subtle notifications 4. Automotive infotainment systems with touch feedback 5. Medical devices requiring tactile user interfaces ## Why it matters Precise haptic feedback significantly enhances the user experience in many electronic devices. A crisp, immediate vibration feels more responsive and intentional than a prolonged buzz. This technology allows device manufacturers to create more realistic and satisfying touch interactions, making virtual buttons feel more like physical ones and improving the clarity of notifications or alerts. It's a key component in making devices feel more premium and intuitive. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Precisely Stopping Device Vibrations for Better Touch Feedback cover? This patent describes a method for precisely stopping the tiny vibrations in a device, like a phone, by sending a special 'braking' signal to make touch feedback feel sharper and more controlled. ### Who owns patent US 9652041? Immersion owns this patent, granted in 2017. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on November 4, 2036, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 9652041 cited by? This patent has been cited by 33 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? Precise haptic feedback significantly enhances the user experience in many electronic devices. A crisp, immediate vibration feels more responsive and intentional than a prolonged buzz. This technology allows device manufacturers to create more realistic and satisfying touch interactions, making virtual buttons feel more like physical ones and improving the clarity of notifications or alerts. It's a key component in making devices feel more premium and intuitive. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Haptic effects generated by actuators that are not linear resonant actuators, such as eccentric rotating mass (ERM) motors (Claim 7). **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9652041/haptic-device-with-linear-resonant-actuator **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US9652041 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Devices Give Haptic Feedback While You Hover Your Finger](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8898564/siri-intelligent-automated-assistant) — This patent describes a system that triggers physical vibrations or sensations on a device when your finger hovers near the screen without actually touching it. - [How Laptops Create Localized Vibrations on Their Surfaces](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10942571/laptop-computing-device-with-discrete-haptic-regions) — Apple's patent describes a laptop design that delivers tiny, distinct vibrations to specific parts of its surface, like a trackpad or palm rest, without those vibrations being felt in the areas right next to them. - [How Apple Embeds Haptic Actuators Directly Into Device Layers](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10013058/face-id) — A design for touchscreens that embeds vibration-producing actuators directly into a nonconductive material layer, paired with force sensors to detect how hard a user presses. - [Adjusting Touchscreen Sensitivity Based on Device Tilt Angle](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20160291760/contact-discrimination-using-a-tilt-angle-of-a-touch-sensitive-surface) — This patent describes how a computing device can decide if a touch on its screen is intentional or accidental by changing its sensitivity settings based on how much the device is tilted. - [Uniform Scaling of Haptic Forces in Surgical Systems](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12114954/uniform-scaling-of-haptic-actuators) — This patent describes a surgical system that uses a single scaling factor to adjust the strength of touch feedback from multiple motors, ensuring the feedback feels consistent even when one motor reaches its maximum power.