Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100173686 | Programmable Game-Based Haptic Enabled Gun Controller - Various systems, game controllers, and methods for simulating various objects such as weapons are provided. For example, a game controller may include a trigger, a processor within the body that receives a trigger signal when the trigger is activated by the user. The processor may communicate with a computer running a software program such as a gaming application, and an actuator coupled to the trigger, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the trigger in response to receiving a control signal from the processor. The game controller may simulate a gun and generate a recoil effect. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by impacting a moving mass from a discharge end of the gun to a handle end of the gun. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by using a body part of a user as a tether. | 07-08-2010 |
20100231539 | Systems and Methods for Interfaces Featuring Surface-Based Haptic Effects - Systems and methods for interfaces featuring surface-based haptic effects are described. One described system includes a sensor configured to detect a touch in a touch area when an object contacts a touch surface. The touch surface may correspond to the display area or may correspond to a non-display surface of a computing device or peripheral interfaced to a computing device. The system can further include an actuator in communication with the processor and coupled to the touch surface, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect and a processor configured to select a haptic effect to generate. The haptic effect can be selected based on a position of the touch and recognizing an input gesture provided by the touch and/or content displayed in a graphical user interface at a location mapped to a position in the touch area at or near the touch. The haptic effect may provide a texture, simulate an obstacle, and/or adjust the coefficient of friction of the surface. | 09-16-2010 |
20100231541 | Systems and Methods for Using Textures in Graphical User Interface Widgets - Systems and methods for using textures in graphical user interface widgets are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: a system including: an actuator configured to receive a haptic signal and output a haptic effect based at least in part on the haptic signal, the haptic effect configured to simulate a texture; a touch-sensitive interface configured to detect a user interaction and output a interface signal; and a processor in communication with the actuator and the touch-sensitive interface, the processor configured to: receive the interface signal; receive a display signal including a plurality of pixels defining a display area; determine a first texture associated with a first group of pixels defining a first section of the display area; determine a second texture associated with a second group of pixels defining a second section of the display area; and transmit a haptic signal configured to cause the actuator to: output a first haptic effect configured to simulate the first texture if the user interaction is associated with the first section of the display area, and output a second haptic effect configured to simulate the second texture if the user interaction is associated with the second section of the display area. | 09-16-2010 |
20110025609 | Systems And Methods For Piezo-Based Haptic Feedback - Systems and methods for piezo-based haptic feedback are disclosed. For example, one described apparatus for piezo-based haptic feedback includes a polymer matrix, and a piezoelectric actuator at least partially embedded within the polymer matrix, the piezoelectric actuator configured to output a haptic effect. | 02-03-2011 |
20110043454 | HAPTIC FEEDBACK USING COMPOSITE PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR - Human-computer interface devices are described in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, among several embodiments, a human-computer interface includes a display device configured to visually display images to a user and a touch sensitive device configured to sense contact with the user. Furthermore, the human-computer interface includes a composite piezoelectric layer positioned between the display device and the touch sensitive device. The composite piezoelectric layer is configured to provide haptic feedback to the user. | 02-24-2011 |
20110090070 | Systems And Methods For Providing Haptic Feedback At Multiple Resonance Frequencies - Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback at multiple resonance frequencies are disclosed. For example, one disclosed apparatus includes a resonator with a base and a plurality of projections, a first projection of the plurality of projections having a first resonance frequency and a second projection of the plurality of projections having a second resonance frequency, and a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the resonator and operable to output a haptic feedback effect at the first resonance frequency and at the second resonance frequency. | 04-21-2011 |
20110193824 | Systems And Methods For Haptic Feedback Using Laterally Driven Piezoelectric Actuators - Systems and methods for haptic feedback using laterally driven piezoelectric actuators are disclosed. For example, one described apparatus for haptic feedback using laterally driven piezoelectric actuators includes: a base; a touch-sensitive interface comprising an interface surface, the touch-sensitive interface affixed to the base and configured to move in a direction lateral to the interface surface; and a piezoelectric actuator mounted to the base and to the touch-sensitive interface and configured to receive a haptic signal and output a force in a direction lateral to the interface surface. | 08-11-2011 |
20120056733 | Systems And Methods For Haptic Information Preview - Systems and methods for haptic information preview are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment a method for haptic information preview includes: receiving a message including data; receiving a data quality metric associated with the data; determining a quality of the data based at least in part on the data quality metric; determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the data quality; and transmitting a signal corresponding to the haptic effect to a haptic effect generator configured to output the haptic effect. Another embodiment includes a computer-readable medium comprising processor-executable code for executing such a method. | 03-08-2012 |
20130113715 | Systems and Methods for Multi-Pressure Interaction on Touch-Sensitive Surfaces - Systems and methods for multi-pressure interaction on touch-sensitive surfaces are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment of a method comprises receiving a first sensor signal from a touch-sensitive input device in response to a first contact of a first object on the touch-sensitive input device, the first sensor signal comprising a first location and a first pressure of the first contact, receiving a second sensor signal from the touch-sensitive input device in response to a second contact of a second object on the touch-sensitive input device substantially simultaneously with the first contact, the second sensor signal comprising a second location of the second contact and a second pressure of the second contact, generating a signal based at least in part on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, the signal configured to cause a haptic effect, and outputting the signal. | 05-09-2013 |
20130194219 | Systems and Methods for Providing Haptic Feedback At Multiple Resonance Frequencies - Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback at multiple resonance frequencies are disclosed. For example, one disclosed apparatus includes a resonator with a base and a plurality of projections, a first projection of the plurality of projections having a first resonance frequency and a second projection of the plurality of projections having a second resonance frequency, and a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the resonator and operable to output a haptic feedback effect at the first resonance frequency and at the second resonance frequency. | 08-01-2013 |
20140282051 | Method and Devices for Displaying Graphical User Interfaces Based on User Contact - Method and devices for displaying graphical user interface configurations based detected user contact are disclosed. One disclosed method comprises displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) according to a first GUI configuration on a display of a handheld device, receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, the sensor coupled to the handheld device, the sensor signal indicating a contact with the handheld device, determining a grasping contact based at least in part on the sensor signal, determining a second GUI configuration based at least in part on the grasping contact, and displaying the GUI on the display according to the second GUI configuration. | 09-18-2014 |
20140306904 | Systems and Methods for Piezo-Based Haptic Feedback - Systems and methods for piezo-based haptic feedback are disclosed. For example, one described apparatus for piezo-based haptic feedback includes a polymer matrix, and a piezoelectric actuator at least partially embedded within the polymer matrix, the piezoelectric actuator configured to output a haptic effect. | 10-16-2014 |
20140320431 | System and Method for a Haptically-Enabled Deformable Surface - One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a first haptic output device configured to receive a first haptic signal and output a first haptic effect to a deformable surface and a second haptic output device configured to receive a second haptic signal and output a second haptic effect to the deformable surface. The illustrative system further includes a processor coupled to the first haptic output device and the second haptic output device, the processor configured to: determine an event, determine a first haptic effect and a second haptic effect based at least in part on the event, transmit a first haptic signal associated with the first haptic effect to the first haptic output device, and transmit a second haptic signal associated with the second haptic effect to the second haptic output device. | 10-30-2014 |
20140320435 | Systems and Methods for Haptically-Enabled Conformed and Multifaceted Displays - One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a touch-sensitive surface, which includes: a first surface on a first plane; and a second surface adjacent to the first surface, wherein the second surface is on a second plane different from the first plane. The illustrative system also includes a haptic output device configured to receive a haptic signal and output a haptic effect. Further, the illustrative system includes a processor coupled to the haptic output device and the touch-sensitive surface, the processor configured to: determine an event; determine the haptic effect based at least in part on the event; determine the haptic signal based at least in part on the haptic effect; and transmit the haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to the haptic output device. | 10-30-2014 |
20150070148 | Systems and Methods for Generating Haptic Effects Associated With Audio Signals - Systems and methods for generating haptic effects associated with audio signals are disclosed. One disclosed system for outputting haptic effects includes a processor configured to: receive an audio signal; determine a haptic effect based in part on the audio signal by: identifying one or more components in the audio signal; and determining a haptic effect associated with the one or more components; and output a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. | 03-12-2015 |
20150070150 | Method and System For Providing Haptic Effects Based on Information Complementary to Multimedia Content - The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for providing haptic effects based on information complementary to multimedia content. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving multimedia data comprising multimedia content and complementary data, wherein the complementary data describes the multimedia content, determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the complementary data, and outputting the haptic effect while playing the multimedia content. | 03-12-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100283727 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHAPE DEFORMATION AND FORCE DISPLAY OF DEVICES - Various systems, devices, and methods for shape deformation of a haptic deformation display device are provided. For example, the haptic deformation display device may receive an input signal when the shape of the haptic deformation display device is in a first shape configuration. In response to the input signal, the haptic deformation display device may activate an actuator of the haptic deformation display device. The actuator may move a deformation component of the haptic deformation display device. The deformation component may at least partially defining a shape of the haptic deformation display device, thereby causing the shape of the haptic deformation display device to deform into a second shape configuration different from the first shape configuration. The second shape configuration may be substantially maintained. | 11-11-2010 |
20100283731 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A HAPTIC FEEDBACK SHAPE-CHANGING DISPLAY - A haptic device includes a processor, a communication module coupled to the processor for receiving a shape input, and a housing for housing the communication module and including a deformable portion. The deformable portion includes a deformation actuator, and the processor provides a signal to the deformation actuator in response to the shape input to deform the housing. The shape of other areas of the device may also change in response to the signal. The shape changes may provide haptic effects, provide information, provide ergonomic changes, provide additional functionality, etc., to a user of the device. | 11-11-2010 |
20110261021 | TRANSPARENT COMPOSITE PIEZOELECTRIC COMBINED TOUCH SENSOR AND HAPTIC ACTUATOR - A haptic device includes a substantially transparent composite piezoelectric cell configured to measure a deformation of a surface of the cell and to provide a haptic feedback effect as a result of the deformation. | 10-27-2011 |
20120138658 | SURGICAL STAPLER HAVING HAPTIC FEEDBACK - A surgical tool system includes a surgical tool for cutting and stapling tissue and a tactile feedback system integrated onto a handle of the tool that generates relevant feedback in at least the form of haptic effects to the user. The tactile feedback alerts the user of tissue properties, i.e., the type of tissue or other structures located within the jaws of the stapler, whether the quantity or thickness of tissue located within the jaws of the stapler is appropriate for the selected stapler cartridge, whether the proper length of staples has been fired based on the length of tissue located in the jaws, whether a blood vessel is located within the jaws of the stapler, whether the stapling process has successfully sealed the tissue located within the jaws of the stapler, the position of the cutting element, and/or when the stapling procedure or firing cycle is completed. | 06-07-2012 |
20120143182 | ELECTROSURGICAL SEALING TOOL HAVING HAPTIC FEEDBACK - A surgical tool system includes an electrosurgical tool for sealing and transecting tissue and a tactile feedback system integrated onto a handle of the tool that generates relevant feedback in at least the form of haptic effects to the user. The tactile feedback alerts the user of tissue properties, i.e., when tissue located within jaws of the tool is completely sealed, when the tissue is ready to be cut, the cutting rate or speed, the quantity of tissue located within jaws of the tool, and whether a blood vessel is fully located within jaws of tool. In addition, the tactile feedback alerts the user to the operating status of energy application during the procedure. | 06-07-2012 |
20130162579 | HAPTIC FEEDBACK USING COMPOSITE PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR - An input/output device includes a touch sensitive layer configured to sense if an object touches the touch sensitive layer and to sense where the touch sensitive layer is contacted, a first electrode layer and second electrode layer, at least a portion of one of the first electrode layer and second electrode layer connected to at least a portion of the touch sensitive layer, and a composite piezoelectric layer connected between the first electrode layer and second electrode layer. The composite piezoelectric layer has a plurality of piezoelectric rods arranged in a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix provides the composite piezoelectric layer with a predetermined property. A drive circuit is configured to apply an alternating voltage to the first electrode layer and second electrode layer in response to the sensed object. | 06-27-2013 |
20130331157 | PROGRAMMABLE GAME-BASED HAPTIC ENABLED GUN CONTROLLER - Various systems, game controllers, and methods for simulating various objects such as weapons are provided. For example, a game controller may include a trigger, a processor within the body that receives a trigger signal when the trigger is activated by the user. The processor may communicate with a computer running a software program such as a gaming application, and an actuator coupled to the trigger, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the trigger in response to receiving a control signal from the processor. The game controller may simulate a gun and generate a recoil effect. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by impacting a moving mass from a discharge end of the gun to a handle end of the gun. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by using a body part of a user as a tether. | 12-12-2013 |
20130335209 | HAPTIC EFFECT CONVERSION SYSTEM USING GRANULAR SYNTHESIS - A system is provided that converts an input, such as audio data, into one or more haptic effects. The system applies a granular synthesis algorithm to the input in order to generate a haptic signal. The system subsequently outputs the one or more haptic effects based on the generated haptic signal. The system can also shift a frequency of the input, and also filter the input, before the system applies the granular synthesis algorithm to the input. | 12-19-2013 |
20130335454 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPRESENTING USER INTERFACE METAPHORS AS PHYSICAL CHANGES ON A SHAPE-CHANGING DEVICE - An electronic device having a user interface device that has a flexible surface, a haptic output device operatively coupled to the flexible surface and configured to cause a deformation of the flexible surface, and a controller in signal communication with the haptic output device. The controller is configured to trigger the haptic output device to cause the deformation of the flexible surface based on a simulated physical behavior of a virtual element represented on the user interface. | 12-19-2013 |
20140062682 | SYSTEM FOR HAPTICALLY REPRESENTING SENSOR INPUT - A haptic representation system is provided that generates a haptic effect in response to sensor input. The sensor input is mapped to a haptic signal. The haptic signal is sent to an actuator configured to receive the haptic signal. The actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the haptic effect. | 03-06-2014 |
20140270681 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENCODING AND DECODING HAPTIC INFORMATION IN MULTI-MEDIA FILES - A method for encoding haptic information inside a multi-media file having content includes changing a portion of the content in the multi-media file, and adding the haptic information to the changed portion of the content, the haptic information corresponding to a haptic signal for generating a haptic effect upon playback of the multi-media file. A method for decoding haptic information from inside a multi-media file having content includes locating the haptic information inside the multi-media file, and generating a haptic signal based on the located haptic information during playback of the content of the multi-media file. A method includes receiving a multi-media signal comprising an audio signal and a haptic signal with a receiver of a haptic device, and outputting a haptic effect with a haptic output device of the haptic device based on the haptic signal in the multi-media signal. | 09-18-2014 |
20140320400 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHAPE DEFORMATION AND FORCE DISPLAY OF DEVICES - Various systems, devices, and methods for shape deformation of a haptic deformation display device are provided. For example, the haptic deformation display device may receive an input signal when the shape of the haptic deformation display device is in a first shape configuration. In response to the input signal, the haptic deformation display device may activate an actuator of the haptic deformation display device. The actuator may move a deformation component of the haptic deformation display device. The deformation component may at least partially defining a shape of the haptic deformation display device, thereby causing the shape of the haptic deformation display device to deform into a second shape configuration different from the first shape configuration. The second shape configuration may be substantially maintained. | 10-30-2014 |