Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide haptic button assemblies in which the haptic button has a low profile while still providing a satisfying tactile response or sensation to a user. Advantageously, the haptic button assemblies may have a profile that, for example, enables the assembly to be incorporated into the free space along an edge of a portable computing device. The haptic assemblies may, for example, be arranged to move the button perpendicularly with respect to the edge of the device.

Abstract: An SMA actuator assembly (1a) for driving or rotating a movable part (20) in a predetermined direction or sense by a plurality of repeated incremental steps is provided. The SMA actuator assembly comprises the movable part; a first engagement portion (31) for engaging the movable part; two SMA wires (41, 42) arranged to move the first engagement portion such that the first engagement portion repeatedly, for each of said incremental steps, is configured to do the following: engage with the movable part from a starting position, exert a force or torque on the movable part in the predetermined direction and disengage from the movable part and return to the starting position. The exertion of the force or torque on the movable part and the engaging or disengaging with the movable part are caused by contraction or relaxation of the two SMA wires.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, the present techniques provide specific arrangements of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires in SMA actuation apparatuses. In one arrangement, a single straight shape memory alloy actuator wire may be used, which may be inclined at an acute angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a plane normal to the movement direction. In another arrangement, two straight lengths of shape memory alloy actuator wire may be used, where the SMA wires may be inclined at an acute angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a plane normal to the movement direction.

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises: first (20) and second (10) parts, wherein a primary axis (P) is defined with reference to the second part; a plurality of lengths of shape-memory alloy wire (30) connected between the first and second parts, wherein the lengths of wire are configured, when selectively powered, to cause three-dimensional movement of the first part relative to the second part; and a mechanism configured, when the lengths of wire are unpowered, to hold the first part in at least one position and/or orientation relative to the second part against the force of gravity for any orientation of the second part.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide techniques for generating haptic feedback or haptic sensations and, in particular, techniques for scheduling such feedback or sensation when there are possibly conflicting requirements for such feedback or sensations.

Abstract: An SMA haptic assembly comprises relatively movable first and second parts and a length of SMA wire, the ends of which are connected to the first part or second part, wherein the first and second parts comprise at least one contact portion making contact with the length of SMA wire on opposite sides of the length of SMA wire and relatively positioned so as to guide the length of SMA wire along a tortuous path such that the first and second parts are driven in opposite directions along a movement axis on contraction of the length of SMA wire. The at least one contact portion of one or both of the first and second parts is formed from sheet material that is shaped to guide the path of the SMA wire in contact therewith, thereby reducing the overall thickness and simplifying manufacture.

Abstract: A method suitable for use by a time-of-flight (TOF) imaging system (500), wherein the system emits illumination in multiple configurations, each configuration having a different spatially-varying intensity over a field of view of an image sensor (512), the method comprising: moving an actuation mechanism (506) to change the illumination via a first sequence of configurations from a first configuration (A) to a final configuration (B); moving the actuation mechanism (506) to subsequently change the illumination via a second sequence of configurations from the final configuration to the first configuration or a second configuration; and obtaining a set of data from the image sensor (512) for each of the configurations (A, B) in the first and second sequences, thereby obtaining two sets of data for each configuration that are suitable for producing two depth image frames, wherein the two sets of data corresponding to the final configuration are consecutively obtained from the first and second sequences.

Abstract: An actuator assembly (4001) includes a first part (4002), a second part (4004), a bearing arrangement (4003) and a drive arrangement (4005). The bearing arrangement (4003) includes first to fourth flexures (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) arranged about a primary axis (4009) passing through the actuator assembly (4001). The bearing arrangement (4003) supports the second part (4004) on the first part (4002). The second part (4004) is tiltable about first and/or second axes (4011, 4012) which are not parallel and which are perpendicular to the primary axis (4009). The drive arrangement (4005) includes four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (40101, 40102, 40103, 40104). The four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (40101, 40102, 40103, 40104) are coupled to the second part (4004) and to the first part (4002).

Abstract: An SMA haptic assembly comprising: a length of SMA wire; and first and second parts that are movable relative to each other along a movement axis, the length of SMA wire being connected at each end to a respective support portion which is a portion of the first or second part; wherein each of the first and second parts comprises at least one contact portion and a connection portion which connects the at least one contact portion and any support portion of the respective one of the first and second parts; wherein the at least one contact portion of the first part and the at least one contact portion of the second part are relatively positioned so as to make contact with the length of SMA wire on opposite sides of the length of SMA wire along the movement axis and to guide the length of SMA wire along a tortuous path such that the first and second parts are driven apart along the movement axis on contraction of the length of SMA wire; and wherein the connection portion of the first body is a beam disposed on a

Abstract: A method of controlling power delivered to a shape memory alloy, SMA, actuator wire arrangement, wherein the arrangement comprises a plurality of SMA actuator wires, comprising: the steps of: applying, at a PWM frequency, to each of the SMA actuator wires during respective active periods a succession of voltage pulses; and applying, during a resistance measurement period, to one of the plurality of SMA actuator wires a resistance measurement current pulse, wherein the resistance measurement period corresponds to the respective active period of one of the plurality of SMA actuator wires.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide techniques for generating haptic feedback or haptic sensations, and in particular to techniques for outputting haptic feedback which varies depending on the input. The haptic feedback is delivered by a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator that controls the movement of a component based on the required haptic feedback/sensation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of synchronising an image sensor with a PWM driver operable to drive an arrangement associated with the image sensor, wherein at least one synchronisation signal produced by the image sensor is used to reset the PWM driver and the at least one synchronisation signal is delayed before being used to reset the PWM driver such that the switching on or off of the at least one synchronisation signal occurs at a defined time in relation to a sensitive period of the image sensor's operation.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide haptic button assemblies with a shape memory alloy actuator (SMA) in which the haptic button has a low profile while still providing a satisfying tactile response or sensation to a user. Advantageously, the haptic button assemblies may have a profile that, for example, enables the assembly to be incorporated into the free space along an edge of a portable computing device. The haptic assemblies may for example, be arranged to move the button perpendicularly with respect to the edge of the device.

Abstract: An SMA actuator (10) comprising SMA wires (31, 32) in which the wire arrangement is asymmetrical, allowing a greater range of motion from a rest position in a first direction than in a second direction, which may be opposite or orthogonal to the first direction. Where the directions are opposite, the angle between a principal axis and the wires providing motion in the first direction may be different from the angle between the principal axis and the wires providing motion in the second direction.

Abstract: An SMA actuator is arranged to tilt the mirror in a zoom camera to effect optical image stabilization. The actuator may comprise four angled-V SMA wires. The actuator may alternatively comprise a gimbal flexure and SMA wires. In this case there may be four SMA wires or two SMA wires and two springs. The SMA wires may be straight wires or wires hooked in a V shape.

Abstract: An SMA actuation apparatus (1) comprises a support structure (2) and a movable element (3) supported thereon by a suspension system (8, 10) that supports the movable element on the support structure and guides movement of the movable element along a movement axis. Two closely spaced lengths of SMA wire (4) that are close to parallel and inclined at the same acute angle with respect to a plane normal to the movement axis are connected to the support structure and to the movable element so as to apply respective forces to the movable element with respective components parallel to the movement axis that are in opposite directions. The two lengths of shape memory alloy wire apply a couple to the movable element perpendicular to the movement axis and the suspension system includes a pair of flexures or bearings that resist the resultant couple applied to the movable element by the lengths of SMA wire.

Abstract: There is provided a method of driving a shape memory alloy haptic assembly comprising an actuator comprising shape memory alloy that is arranged on actuation to provide a haptic effect, the method comprising supplying drive current to the actuator successively during a pre-heating period in which the temperature of the shape memory alloy is raised without causing the shape memory alloy to provide the haptic effect and during an actuation period in which the temperature of the shape memory alloy is raised so as to cause the shape memory alloy to provide the haptic effect. A shape memory alloy haptic assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator assembly comprises a first part, including a surface, a second part which moves relative to the first part across the surface and a resilient biasing element that biases the second part into contact with the first part so as to generate frictional forces therebetween for retaining the second part on the surface. At least one shape memory alloy actuator wire is connected between the first part and the second part and arranged to, on contraction thereof, apply a force to the second part with a component parallel to the surface that drives movement of the second part relative to the first part across the surface. Thus, the second part is retained on the surface when no power is applied to the shape memory alloy wire, and movement is achieved when power is applied.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, the present techniques provide specific arrangements of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires in SMA actuation apparatuses. In one arrangement, a single straight shape memory alloy actuator wire may be used, which may be inclined at an acute angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a plane normal to the movement direction. In another arrangement, two straight lengths of shape memory alloy actuator wire may be used, where the SMA wires may be inclined at an acute angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a plane normal to the movement direction.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator assembly (2) is disclosed. The actuator assembly comprises a support (21), a first stage (22) moveable in at least two different non-parallel directions in a first plane relative to the support, a first set of at least two shape memory alloy wires (271) configured to move the first stage in the first plane, a second stage (23) moveable in at least two different non-parallel in a second plane parallel to or coplanar with the first plane relative to the first stage, and a second set of at least two shape memory alloy wires (272) configured to move the second stage in the second plane. The first stage is coupled to the support via the first set of shape memory alloy wires and the second stage is coupled to the first stage via the second set of shape memory alloy wires such that movement of the second stage in the second plane with respect to the support is a combination of movement of the first stage relative to support and the second stage relative to the first stage.