Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100013653 | Systems And Methods For Mapping Message Contents To Virtual Physical Properties For Vibrotactile Messaging - Systems and methods for mapping message contents to virtual physical properties for vibrotactile messaging are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, the sensor configured to detect an interaction with a messaging device, determining a virtual physical property of a virtual message object based at least in part on the sensor signal, determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the virtual physical parameter; and generating a haptic signal configured to cause an actuator to output the haptic effect. | 01-21-2010 |
20100013761 | Systems And Methods For Shifting Haptic Feedback Function Between Passive And Active Modes - Systems and methods for shifting haptic feedback function between passive and active modes are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes receiving a first signal from a sensor, the first signal associated with a mode of interaction with a graphical user interface; receiving a second signal associated with an interaction with the graphical user interface; determining a haptic feedback effect based at least in part on the mode of interaction with the graphical user interface and the interaction with the graphical user interface; and generating a haptic signal configured to output the haptic feedback effect. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017489 | Systems and Methods For Haptic Message Transmission - Systems and methods for haptic message transmission are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor configured to sense a physical interaction with a messaging device, determining a virtual force based at least in part on the sensor signal, and applying the virtual force to a virtual message object within a virtual message environment. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017759 | Systems and Methods For Physics-Based Tactile Messaging - Systems and methods for physics-based tactile messaging are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor configured to sense a physical interaction with a messaging device; determining an interaction between one or more virtual message objects and a virtual message environment, the interaction based at least in part on the sensor signal and a virtual physical parameter of at least one of the one or more virtual message objects; and determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the interaction. The method additionally includes the step of generating a haptic signal configured to cause an actuator to output the haptic effect. | 01-21-2010 |
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 |
20100214243 | Systems and Methods For Interpreting Physical Interactions With A Graphical User Interface - Embodiments of systems and methods for interpreting physical interactions with a graphical user interface are disclosed. For example, one system for interpreting physical interactions with a graphical user interface is a device having a housing configured to be grasped by a user, a display disposed in the housing, the display configured to display a graphical user interface, and a sensor disposed in the housing, the sensor configured to detect a movement of the housing in a degree of freedom. The device also includes a processor disposed in the housing and in communication with the display and the sensor, the processor configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor, the sensor signal comprising a parameter associated with the movement, to determine a command associated with the graphical user interface based on the parameter, to determine a function to be executed based on the command, and to execute the function. | 08-26-2010 |
20100245232 | Handheld Computer Interface With Haptic Feedback - A handheld computer interface includes an enclosure, a mass coupled to the enclosure, and an actuator coupled to the mass to change a position of the mass relative to the enclosure. When the actuator receives a signal indicating a change in the center of mass of the interface, it changes the position of the mass. | 09-30-2010 |
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 |
20110018697 | Interactive Touch Screen Gaming Metaphors With Haptic Feedback - A game is provided on one or more portable computing device in which a virtual object travels through views of the game displayed on the interfaces of the one or more portable computing devices. Haptic effects corresponding to the travel of the virtual object through the views are provided on the individual portable computing devices. The haptic effects may be determined based on one or more parameters of the travel of the virtual object, one or more parameters of objects and/or features with which the virtual object interacts, and/or other parameters. The haptic effects may include haptic effects to be provided on portable computing devices that are not currently displaying the virtual object corresponding to the haptic effects. | 01-27-2011 |
20110021272 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING COMPLEX HAPTIC STIMULATION DURING INPUT OF CONTROL GESTURES, AND RELATING TO CONTROL OF VIRTUAL EQUIPMENT - A system is configured to provide haptic stimulation to a user. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with the performance of one or more control gestures through which the user controls, for example, a game, a real world component or piece of equipment, and/or other entity. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with control of virtual equipment by the user. | 01-27-2011 |
20110102332 | Method for Haptic Display of Data Features - A method is disclosed for transferring digital information from a first electronic device to a second electronic device. In one example, the first device is a computer having a touch screen and the second device is a personal memory device carried or worn by an individual. The method includes selecting information on the first electronic device to be transferred, which can be done by touching the touch screen and performing a predefined finger gesture on the screen. Next, communication is established between the first electronic device and the second electronic device, preferably through a wireless connection such as Bluetooth. The selected information from the first electronic device then begins to upload to the second electronic device. As the information is transferred, vibrotactile sensations are imparted to the body of an individual with the vibrotactile sensations being indicative of the upload of information. For instance, sensations might be sequentially imparted in a line along an individual's arm to convey the progress of information upload to the individual. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102462 | Systems and Methods For Compensating For Visual Distortion Caused By Surface Features On A Display - Systems and methods for compensating for visual distortion caused by surface features on a display are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: a display including one ore more surface features; a processor configured to: receive a display signal including graphical data; determine a location of the surface feature; transform the display signal based at least in part on the location of the surface feature; and cause the transformed display signal to be displayed. | 05-05-2011 |
20110121953 | Handheld Computer Interface with Haptic Feedback - Various systems, devices, and methods are provided for generating an impact and/or surface haptic effect for a handheld computer interface such as a video game controller. For example, the handheld computer interface may include a handle coupled to an impact actuator. The impact actuator includes a movable mass and an end stop. The impact actuator may receive a haptic effect signal and in response cause the mass to contact the end stop to generate a haptic effect. A smart material that outputs a surface haptic effect may be coupled to a surface of the handle such that the surface haptic effect is output substantially from the smart material rather than the handle. The handle may be coupled to an end piece having a shape that simulates an object such as a tennis racket, golf club, or other object. | 05-26-2011 |
20110187498 | System and Method of Haptically Communicating Vehicle Information From a Vehicle to a Keyless Entry Device - Various systems, devices, and methods for communicating vehicle information from a vehicle to a keyless entry device are provided. The system may include a keyless entry device for communicating vehicle information from a vehicle to a user. The keyless entry device may include a haptic actuator and one or more processors that may establish a communication channel with a vehicle, communicate, via the communication channel, a command to the vehicle, receive a response to the command from the vehicle, and cause the haptic actuator to output a first haptic effect based on the response. The vehicle may include a vehicle device that may obtain vehicle information that relates to a vehicle, determine and output a control signal that corresponds to the vehicle information. The control signal may cause the keyless entry device to output a first haptic effect that haptically communicates the vehicle information to the user. | 08-04-2011 |
20110264491 | Systems and Methods for Providing Haptic Effects - Systems and methods for providing haptic effects are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes a computer-readable medium having program code, the program code including program code defining a haptic widget. The haptic widget includes program code defining a haptic effect; program code defining an interface for the haptic widget; program code for receiving, via the interface, a configuration of at least one parameter of the haptic widget; program code for receiving, via the interface, a play command for the haptic effect; and program code for outputting, via the interface, a signal configured to cause the haptic effect, the signal based on the at least one parameter and in response to the play command. | 10-27-2011 |
20120084467 | HAPTICALLY ENHANCED INTERACTIVITY WITH INTERACTIVE CONTENT - Interactive content may be presented to a user that is manipulating a peripheral. One or more state parameters that are related to the position of the peripheral may be determined. The peripheral may be identified from a plurality of possible peripherals. The interactive content may be adjusted based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or, the identification of the peripheral. Haptic feedback to be provided to the user may be determined based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral. | 04-05-2012 |
20130104040 | HAPTICALLY ENHANCED INTERACTIVITY WITH INTERACTIVE CONTENT - Interactive content may be presented to a user that is manipulating a peripheral. One or more state parameters that are related to the position of the peripheral may be determined. The peripheral may be identified from a plurality of possible peripherals. The interactive content may be adjusted based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral. Haptic feedback to be provided to the user may be determined based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral. | 04-25-2013 |
20130201141 | Systems and Methods For Shifting Haptic Feedback Function Between Passive And Active Modes - Systems and methods for shifting haptic feedback function between passive and active modes are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes receiving a first signal from a sensor, the first signal associated with a mode of interaction with a graphical user interface; receiving a second signal associated with an interaction with the graphical user interface; determining a haptic feedback effect based at least in part on the mode of interaction with the graphical user interface and the interaction with the graphical user interface; and generating a haptic signal configured to output the haptic feedback effect. | 08-08-2013 |
20130278401 | KEYLESS ENTRY DEVICE FOR HAPTIC COMMUNICATIONS - A keyless entry device includes a user interface configured to receive an input from a user of the device; a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect to the user; and a processor configured to receive a command based on the input from the user through the user interface, to communicate the command to another entity, to receive information from the another entity, and to output a control signal to a drive circuit coupled to the haptic output device to cause the haptic output device to generate the haptic effect to the user based on the information received from the another entity. | 10-24-2013 |
20130328814 | INTERACTIVE TOUCH SCREEN METAPHORS WITH HAPTIC FEEDBACK - A system and computer-implemented method of providing haptic effects to a first user of a multi-user application. The method includes executing a first instance of the multi-user application on a first computing platform associated with the first user. The multi-user application is configured to interface with an object based on control inputs received from the first user and based on control inputs received from a second user via a second computing platform executing a second instance of the multi-user application, and responsive to performance of a first control input by the second user on the second computing platform, the method includes generating a first haptic effect for the first user on the first computing platform, the first haptic effect conveying information to the first user about the effect of the first control input. | 12-12-2013 |
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 |
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 |
20140009273 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING COMPLEX HAPTIC STIMULATION DURING INPUT OF CONTROL GESTURES, AND RELATING TO CONTROL OF VIRTUAL EQUIPMENT - A system is configured to provide haptic stimulation to a user. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with the performance of one or more control gestures through which the user controls, for example, a game, a real world component or piece of equipment, and/or other entity. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with control of virtual equipment by the user. | 01-09-2014 |
20140015862 | Systems And Methods For Compensating For Visual Distortion Caused By Surface Features On A Display - Systems and methods for compensating for visual distortion caused by surface features on a display are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: a display including one ore more surface features; a processor configured to: receive a display signal including graphical data; determine a location of the surface feature; transform the display signal based at least in part on the location of the surface feature; and cause the transformed display signal to be displayed. | 01-16-2014 |
20140091914 | Systems And Methods For Mapping Message Contents To Virtual Physical Properties For Vibrotactile Messaging - Systems and methods for mapping message contents to virtual physical properties for vibrotactile messaging are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, the sensor configured to detect an interaction with a messaging device, determining a virtual physical property of a virtual message object based at least in part on the sensor signal, determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the virtual physical parameter; and generating a haptic signal configured to cause an actuator to output the haptic effect. | 04-03-2014 |
20140139450 | System and Method for Simulated Physical Interactions With Haptic Effects - A system of the present disclosure may include a sensor configured to detect user interaction with a touch surface and transmit a sensor signal associated with the user interaction; a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: determine a position of the user interaction based on the sensor signal, determine a feature associated with the position of the user interaction, control a device associated with the feature, modify a display signal based in part on the user interaction, select a haptic effect to generate based at least in part on user interaction and the position, the haptic effect selected to simulate the feature, and transmit a haptic signal to generate the haptic effect, and a haptic output device in communication with the processor and coupled to the touch surface, the haptic output device configured to receive a haptic signal and output a haptic effect. | 05-22-2014 |
20140139451 | Systems and Methods For Providing Mode or State Awareness With Programmable Surface Texture - Systems and methods of mode or state awareness with programmable surface texture are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, a system of the present disclosure may include a sensor configured to detect an interaction with a touch surface and transmit a sensor signal associated with the interaction; a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: determine a mode of operation; control at least one feature of a system based on the mode of operation and the interaction; determine a simulated texture associated with the mode of operation; output a haptic signal associated with the simulated texture; and a haptic output device in communication with the processor and coupled to the touch surface, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and simulate the texture on the touch surface based in part on the haptic signal. | 05-22-2014 |
20140189506 | Systems And Methods For Interpreting Physical Interactions With A Graphical User Interface - Embodiments of systems and methods for interpreting physical interactions with a graphical user interface are disclosed. For example, one system for interpreting physical interactions with a graphical user interface is a device having a housing configured to be grasped by a user, a display disposed in the housing, the display configured to display a graphical user interface, and a sensor disposed in the housing, the sensor configured to detect a movement of the housing in a degree of freedom. The device also includes a processor disposed in the housing and in communication with the display and the sensor, the processor configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor, the sensor signal comprising a parameter associated with the movement, to determine a command associated with the graphical user interface based on the parameter, to determine a function to be executed based on the command, and to execute the function. | 07-03-2014 |
20140281954 | Systems and Methods For Haptic And Gesture-Driven Paper Simulation - Systems and methods for haptic and gesture-driven paper simulation are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving an electronic document; receiving metadata associated with the electronic document, the metadata comprising a characteristic indicating a type of paper; generating and transmitting a display signal configured to cause display of the at least a portion of the document; and generating and transmitting a haptic signal based on the type of paper, the haptic signal configured to cause a haptic output device to generate a haptic effect. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281958 | HAPTICALLY ENHANCED INTERACTIVITY WITH INTERACTIVE CONTENT - Interactive content may be presented to a user that is manipulating a peripheral. One or more state parameters that are related to the position of the peripheral may be determined. The peripheral may be identified from a plurality of possible peripherals. The interactive content may be adjusted based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral. Haptic feedback to be provided to the user may be determined based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral. | 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 |
20150070154 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF CONVERTING CONTROL TRACKS FOR PROVIDING HAPTIC FEEDBACK - Disclosed are systems and methods for converting a control track designed for use with a number and/or type of haptic output devices to be used with other numbers and/or types of haptic output devices. For example, a computing device may convert the control track into another control track that can be applied to other types and/or numbers of haptic output devices. The converted control track may be compatible for use with a smartphone or other system that includes a different number and/or type of haptic feedback devices than the system for which the haptic track was originally designed. In this manner, the user of the smartphone or other system may experience haptic feedback using a device that is different from another haptic feedback system for which the control track was originally designed for use. The conversion may occur locally at the smartphone or other system and/or remotely at another device. | 03-12-2015 |