Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140198034 | MUSCLE INTERFACE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR INTERACTING WITH CONTENT DISPLAYED ON WEARABLE HEAD MOUNTED DISPLAYS - There is disclosed a muscle interface device and method for interacting with content displayed on wearable head mounted displays. In an embodiment, the muscle interface device comprises a sensor worn on the forearm of a user, and the sensor is adapted to recognize a plurality of gestures made by a user's hand and or wrist to interact with content displayed on the wearable head mounted display. The muscle interface device utilizes a plurality of sensors, including one or more of capacitive EMG, MMG, and accelerometer sensors, to detect gestures made by a user. The detected user gestures from the sensors are processed into a control signal for allowing the user to interact with content displayed on the wearable head mounted display in a discreet manner. | 07-17-2014 |
20140198035 | WEARABLE MUSCLE INTERFACE SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS THAT INTERACT WITH CONTENT DISPLAYED ON AN ELECTRONIC DISPLAY - Systems, devices and methods that enable a user to access and interact with content displayed on a portable electronic display in an inconspicuous, hands-free manner are described. There is disclosed a completely wearable system comprising a wearable muscle interface device and a wearable head-mounted display, as well as methods for using the wearable system to effect interactions between the user and content displayed on the wearable head-mounted display. The wearable muscle interface device includes muscle activity sensors worn on an arm of the user to detect muscle activity generated when the user performs a physical gesture. The wearable system is adapted to recognize a plurality of gestures made by the user and, in response to each recognized gesture, to effect one or more interaction(s) with content displayed on the wearable head-mounted display. | 07-17-2014 |
20140240103 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR COMBINING MUSCLE ACTIVITY SENSOR SIGNALS AND INERTIAL SENSOR SIGNALS FOR GESTURE-BASED CONTROL - There is disclosed a wearable electronic device for use with controllable connected devices. The wearable electronic device includes a band worn on, for example, the forearm of a user, and the band carries at least one muscle activity sensor, at least one inertial sensor, and a processor communicatively coupled to the sensors. The on-board processor is operable to identify, a plurality of gestures made by a user, based on muscle activity detected by the muscle activity sensor(s) and motion detected by the inertial sensor(s). In response to identifying a gesture, the wearable electronic device wirelessly transmits one or more signal(s) in order to interact with a controllable connected device. | 08-28-2014 |
20140240223 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING CAPACITIVE EMG AND IMU SENSOR SIGNALS FOR GESTURE CONTROL - There is disclosed a muscle interface device for use with controllable connected devices. In an embodiment, the muscle interface device comprises a sensor worn on the forearm of a user, and the sensor is adapted to recognize a plurality of gestures made by a user to interact with a controllable connected device. The muscle interface device utilizes a plurality of sensors, including one or more of capacitive EMG sensors and an IMU sensor, to detect gestures made by a user. Other types of sensors including MMG sensors may also be used. The detected user gestures from the sensors are processed into a control signal for allowing the user to interact with content displayed on the controllable connected device. | 08-28-2014 |
20140249397 | DIFFERENTIAL NON-CONTACT BIOPOTENTIAL SENSOR - A differential non-contact sensor system for measuring biopotential signals is described. The sensor is a low-noise, non-contact capacitive sensor system to measure electrical voltage signals generated by the body comprising two capacitive electrodes and outputting a differential signal. | 09-04-2014 |
20150051470 | SYSTEMS, ARTICLES AND METHODS FOR SIGNAL ROUTING IN WEARABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Wearable electronic devices that employ techniques for routing signals between components are described. An exemplary wearable electronic device includes a set of pod structures with each pod structure positioned adjacent and physically coupled to at least one other pod structure. The set of pod structures includes multiple sensor pods and at least one processor pod. Each sensor pod includes an on-board sensor to in use detect user-effected inputs and provide signals in response to the user-effected inputs. The signals are serially routed via successive ones of adjacent pod structures by respective communicative pathways until the signals are routed from the sensor pods to the processor pod. A processor on-board the processor pod processes the signals. Systems, articles, and methods for routing electrical signals and/or optical signals, including analog signals and/or digital signals, between pod structures are described. | 02-19-2015 |
20150057770 | SYSTEMS, ARTICLES, AND METHODS FOR HUMAN-ELECTRONICS INTERFACES - Human-electronics interfaces in which a wearable electromyography (“EMG”) device is operated to control virtually any electronic device are described. In response to detected muscle activity and/or motions of a user, the wearable EMG device transmits generic gesture identification flags that are not specific to the particular electronic device(s) being controlled. An electronic device being controlled is programmed with user-definable instructions for how to interpret and respond to the gesture identification flags. | 02-26-2015 |
20150070270 | SYSTEMS, ARTICLES, AND METHODS FOR ELECTROMYOGRAPHY-BASED HUMAN-ELECTRONICS INTERFACES - Human-electronics interfaces in which at least two wearable electromyography (“EMG”) devices are operated to control virtually any electronic device are described. A first wearable EMG device is worn on a first part/location of a user's body and a second wearable EMG device is worn on a second part/location of the user's body. Muscle activity is detected by the two wearable EMG devices and corresponding communication signals are transmitted to an electronic device to control functions thereof. The two wearable EMG devices may communicate with one another. This configuration enables a user to perform elaborate gestures having multiple components (e.g., “two-arm” gestures) with each wearable EMG device detecting a different component, as well as separate gestures (e.g., separate “one-arm” gestures) individually detected and processed by each wearable EMG device. | 03-12-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090278735 | FREQUENCY AIDING METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NAVIGATION SATELLITE RECEIVER WITH CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR FREQUENCY HYSTERESIS - A method and apparatus for estimating oscillator signal variation due to temperature and for providing an estimated frequency to a GPS receiver in order to assist the GPS receiver to acquire the signals quickly is disclosed. A temperature sensor is closely thermally coupled with the crystal oscillator in the GPS receiver and during GPS tracking mode, when the error in the oscillator signal is known with precision, outer bounds of TCXO frequency at given temperatures are maintained, which may correspond to rising and falling temperature conditions. During acquisition mode, an estimated frequency value is provided to the GPS receiver based on a determined average of these bounds. Optionally, an uncertainty factor associated with the frequency estimated may also be provided. The two bounds take into account the hysteresis effects of the oscillator signal drift due to temperature so that a more accurate initial frequency estimate can be provided to the GPS receiver, thus reducing its average time to first fix. | 11-12-2009 |
20100328111 | METHOD TO DETECT AND RECOVER FROM STUCK KEYS ON AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE KEYBOARD - A method of detecting and recovering from stuck keys on an electronic device keyboard comprises receiving one or more messages by a processor based upon a predetermined periodic scan rate and each message corresponding to a pressed key, determining one of the pressed keys is a stuck key based upon the received one or more messages corresponding to a pressed key, sending a mock key-up message from the processor to a keyboard controller in response to the determined stuck key, operating the keyboard controller at a changed scan rate in response to the mock key-up message, detecting the electronic device keyboard is in a released key state by the processor; and operating the keyboard controller at the predetermined periodic scan rate in response to the detected released key state. The processor can include two components, such as a keyboard processor and a keyboard controller. | 12-30-2010 |
20110080349 | METHOD OF WAKING UP AND A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE CONFIGURED TO PERFORM THE SAME - The present disclosure provides a method of waking a portable electronic device and a portable electronic device configured to perform the same. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method of conserving power on a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having a device housing which comprises a touch-sensitive display, an accelerometer, and a force sensing transducer, the method comprising: causing the portable electronic device to enter a sleep mode in response to a trigger condition, wherein the touch-sensitive display is deactivated in the sleep mode and the force sensing transducer measures forces applied to the touch-sensitive display at a reduced rate relative to a rate of a full power mode when in the sleep mode; detecting an inertial event using the accelerometer; causing the force sensing transducer to measure forces applied to the touch-sensitive display at the rate of the full power mode in response to detection of an inertial event; detecting forces applied to the touch-sensitive display using the force sensing transducer at the rate of the full power mode; causing the touch-sensitive display to be reactivated in response to detection of a force which is greater than a predetermined wake force threshold; detecting touch events on the touch-sensitive display; and causing the portable electronic device to wake from the sleep mode in response to detection of a touch event within a first predetermined duration of the detection of the force which is greater than a predetermined wake force threshold. | 04-07-2011 |
20110148608 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROL - A method includes generating an actuation signal for tactile feedback, wherein the tactile feedback comprises a ramp-up segment that comprises at least one ramp-up characteristic that changes during the ramp-up segment and providing tactile feedback to a display in response to the actuation signal. | 06-23-2011 |
20110205113 | FREQUENCY AIDING METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NAVIGATION SATELLITE RECEIVER WITH CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR FREQUENCY HYSTERESIS - A method and apparatus for estimating oscillator signal variation due to temperature and for providing an estimated frequency to a GPS receiver in order to assist the GPS receiver to acquire the signals quickly is disclosed. A temperature sensor is closely thermally coupled with the crystal oscillator in the GPS receiver and during GPS tracking mode, when the error in the oscillator signal is known with precision, outer bounds of TCXO frequency at given temperatures are maintained, which may correspond to rising and falling temperature conditions. During acquisition mode, an estimated frequency value is provided to the GPS receiver based on a determined average of these bounds. Optionally, an uncertainty factor associated with the frequency estimated may also be provided. The two bounds take into account the hysteresis effects of the oscillator signal drift due to temperature so that a more accurate initial frequency estimate can be provided to the GPS receiver, thus reducing its average time to first fix. | 08-25-2011 |
20110248839 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME - A method includes detecting a touch at a touch location on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device, identifying a first threshold value associated with the touch location, comparing the first threshold value to a force value related to the touch, and providing a first tactile feedback in response to determining that the force value meets the first threshold value. | 10-13-2011 |
20110248930 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME TO PROVIDE TACTILE FEEDBACK - A method includes detecting a touch at a touch location on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device, identifying a first tactile feedback associated with the touch location, and providing the first tactile feedback in response to determining that a force value related to the touch meets a first threshold value. | 10-13-2011 |
20110248931 | TACTILE FEEDBACK FOR TOUCH-SENSITIVE DISPLAY - An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display, an actuator configured to impart a force on the touch-sensitive display to provide tactile feedback, and a controller configured to detect a touch based on input from the touch-sensitive display and to initiate the tactile feedback by the actuator. | 10-13-2011 |
20110279380 | METHOD OF PROVIDING TACTILE FEEDBACK AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A method includes detecting, at a first time, a first touch associated with a first touch value that meets one of a first touch threshold and a second touch threshold, detecting, at a second time, a second touch associated with a second touch value that meets one of the first touch threshold and the second touch threshold, providing first tactile feedback at the first time, and providing second tactile feedback at the second time when the time period between the first time and the second time meets a time threshold. | 11-17-2011 |
20140058685 | METHOD AND DEVICES FOR TEMPERATURE-BASED DETERMINATION OF GYROSCOPE BIAS - In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a processor-implemented method of determining a bias for an axis of a gyroscope. The method includes: obtaining a temperature reading; maintaining a plurality of bias estimators for the axis, each bias estimator associated with a temperature and configured to estimate a bias at the associated temperature, the plurality of bias estimators including a number of short term bias estimators for estimating biases for recently obtained temperatures and a number of long term bias estimators for estimating biases for temperatures obtained over a comparatively longer period of time; and determining a bias for the axis of the gyroscope based on the temperature reading and one or more of the bias estimators. | 02-27-2014 |
20140130361 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE MAGNETIC INTERFERENCE INDICATION METHOD - A method of indicating an interference magnetic field at an electronic device includes: displaying a first arrow indicating a direction of magnetic north on a display of the electronic device, the direction of the first arrow corrected to remove interference caused by an interference magnetic field; and displaying a second arrow indicating a direction of a source of the interference magnetic field on a display of the electronic device. | 05-15-2014 |
20140156227 | TIME STAMPING A SENSOR SAMPLE - Methods and devices for determining a timestamp that represents a time a sensor sample was generated are described. In one aspect, a method includes: obtaining a sampling rate estimate for the sensor; determining an expected sample time based on the sampling rate estimate; detecting a sensor sample and assigning a reporting time to the detected sensor sample, the reporting time representing the time when the sensor sample was detected; and determining the timestamp for the sensor sample based on the expected sample time and the reporting time. | 06-05-2014 |
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 |
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 |
20100153845 | HAPTIC FEEDBACK GENERATION BASED ON RESONANT FREQUENCY - A system that generates a haptic effect generates a drive cycle signal that includes a drive period and a monitoring period. The drive period includes a plurality of drive pulses that are based on the haptic effect. The system applies the drive pulses to a resonant actuator during the drive period and receives a signal from the resonant actuator that corresponds to the position of a mass in the actuator during the monitoring period. | 06-17-2010 |
20100277430 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING HAPTIC FEEDBACK TO NON-INPUT LOCATIONS - A handheld apparatus includes a top surface that includes a touch screen defining a plurality of keys, and a bottom surface on an opposite side of the first surface. The apparatus further includes a processor and an actuator coupled to the processor and located on the bottom surface. The processor is adapted to detect an object moving across the keys and in response generate an actuation signal to the actuator to generate a haptic feedback on the back surface. | 11-04-2010 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
20120038582 | Systems and Methods for Providing Haptic Feedback to Touch-Sensitive Input Devices - Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback to touch-sensitive input devices are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes an input device having a housing having an exterior surface; a touch-sensitive surface configured to transmit a contact signal indicating a contact with the touch-sensitive surface; a sensor disposed within the housing, the sensor configured to sense movement of the input device and to transmit a sensor signal indicating movement of the input device; an actuator disposed within the housing, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect based on an actuator signal, the actuator signal based at least in part on the contact signal. | 02-16-2012 |
20120194472 | Systems and Methods for Adaptive Interpretation of Input From a Touch-Sensitive Input Device - Systems and methods for adaptively interpreting a user's intent based on parameters supplied by a touch-sensitive input device are described. In one of the methods described, a processor is programmed for receiving contact data from an input device; determining whether to output a haptic effect based on the contact data; and outputting the haptic effect based on the contact data. | 08-02-2012 |
20130265286 | SOUND TO HAPTIC EFFECT CONVERSION SYSTEM USING MULTIPLE ACTUATORS - A haptic conversion system is provided that analyzes an audio signal, generates a plurality of haptic signals based on the analysis of the audio signal, and plays the generated plurality of haptic signals through a plurality of actuators to produce one or more haptic effects. The haptic conversion system maps the generated plurality of haptic signals to the plurality of actuators based on one or more audio characteristics of the audio signal. Each generated haptic signal includes one or more haptic parameters, and is played at its mapped actuator to generate the one or more haptic effects. | 10-10-2013 |
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 |
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 |
20140098043 | Systems and Methods for Providing Haptic Feedback to Touch-Sensitive Input Devices - Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback to touch-sensitive input devices are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes an input device having a housing having an exterior surface; a touch-sensitive surface configured to transmit a contact signal indicating a contact with the touch-sensitive surface; a sensor disposed within the housing, the sensor configured to sense movement of the input device and to transmit a sensor signal indicating movement of the input device; an actuator disposed within the housing, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect based on an actuator signal, the actuator signal based at least in part on the contact signal. | 04-10-2014 |
20140218184 | WEARABLE DEVICE MANAGER - A system for managing a plurality of wearable devices on a user receives information to be conveyed using haptic effects and determines an intent of the information. The system then determines, for each of the plurality of wearable haptic devices, a location of the wearable haptic device on the user and a haptic capability. The system then maps the information as a haptic effect to one or more of the wearable haptic devices based at least on the determined locations on the user and the haptic capabilities. | 08-07-2014 |
20140232534 | MOBILE DEVICE WITH INSTINCTIVE ALERTS - A haptically enabled system receives information and determines that a user of the system should be notified of the information. The system further receives and analyzes inputs to determine a context of the user. The system then generates an instinctive alert based on the context, where the instinctive alert is configured to impart a desired emotion on the user. The system then displays the instinctive alert based on the context. | 08-21-2014 |
20140257536 | PACING SYSTEM WITH FEEDBACK BASED ADJUSTMENTS - A pacing system for pacing an activity receives a desired pace that includes a timing interval and generates a first pace signal based on the desired pace and corresponding to the timing interval. The system receives feedback on an actual pace of the activity and determines if the actual pace is different than the desired pace. When the actual pace is different, the system generates a second pace signal having a timing that is different than the timing interval. When the actual pace is not different, the system generates the second pace signal in accordance with the timing interval. | 09-11-2014 |
20140258318 | AUTOMATIC FITTING OF HAPTIC EFFECTS - A system is provided that automatically generates one or more haptic effects from source data, such as audio source data. The system fits the one or more haptic effects to the source data by analyzing the source data and identifying one or more haptic effects that are the most similar to the source data. The system matches the identified one or more haptic effects with the source data. The system subsequently outputs the identified one or more haptic effects. | 09-11-2014 |
20140267069 | Systems and Methods For Syncing Haptic Feedback Calls - Systems and methods for syncing haptic feedback calls are disclosed. For example, one described method includes: receiving an input signal associated with a user interface event; determining a haptic feedback signal based at least in part on the input signal; and determining whether or not to output the haptic feedback signal to haptic output device based at least in part on a haptic feedback rate. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267911 | Systems and Methods for Enhanced Television Interaction - Systems and methods for enhanced television interaction are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes receiving notification information, the notification information indicating an event associated with video content displayed by a television device; determining a haptic effect associated with the notification information; generating and transmitting a haptic signal to a haptic output device, the haptic signal configured to cause the haptic output device to output the haptic effect. | 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 |
20140320393 | HAPTIC FEEDBACK FOR INTERACTIONS WITH FOLDABLE-BENDABLE DISPLAYS - A flexible device includes a bendable-foldable display that has bendable flaps connected by a hinge. The display has sensors for detecting a folding characteristic between the at least two flaps and for detecting a bending characteristic in at least one flap. The display has a haptic system with haptic output devices, where the haptic system receives input from the sensors indicating deformation of the bendable-foldable display device. A flexible device also includes bendable, foldable, or rollable displays that have sensors and actuators to augment user interaction with the device. Based on one or more measurements provided by the input, the haptic system interprets the input to determine deformation characteristics of the bendable-foldable display device. The haptic system generates haptic feedback based on the deformation characteristics. | 10-30-2014 |
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 |
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 |
20150042573 | Systems and Methods for Haptic Fiddling - Systems and methods for haptic fiddling are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor signal indicating an interaction with an electronic device is received by the electronic device. In response to receiving the sensor signal, the electronic device may output an output signal. The output signal may be output to a display, a haptic output device, an audio device, and/or another output device. The output signal can correspond to a modality. After outputting the output signal, another sensor signal indicating another interaction with the electronic device may be received by the electronic device. This interaction may be associated with the previously-received interaction. In response to receiving this interaction, the electronic device may output another output signal to the same output device(s) and/or different output device(s). The second output signal may correspond to one or more different modalities than the previous output signal. | 02-12-2015 |
20150070144 | AUTOMATIC REMOTE SENSING AND HAPTIC CONVERSION SYSTEM - A system is provided that automatically converts an input into one or more haptic effects in near real-time. The system senses the input in near real-time. The system automatically converts the sensed input into one or more haptic signals in near real-time. The system generates the one or more haptic effects based on the one or more haptic signals. | 03-12-2015 |
20150070145 | ELECTRICAL STIMULATION HAPTIC FEEDBACK INTERFACE - A haptic drive circuit for an electrical muscle stimulation electrode has an input for receiving a haptic signal based on a haptic effect from a haptic effects processor. The drive circuit contains logic for generating a electrical muscle stimulation current based on the haptic signal. An electrode in contact with a user's skin receives the electrical muscle stimulation current, causing a haptic effect by contraction and relaxation of muscles near the electrode. | 03-12-2015 |
20150130706 | HAPTIC TRIGGER CONTROL SYSTEM - A system that controls a haptic effect experienced at a trigger is provided. The system receives a haptic effect definition including haptic data. The system further receives trigger data including at least one of: a position of a trigger of a peripheral device; or a range of the trigger of the peripheral device. The system further determines whether a trigger condition is reached based on the received trigger data. The system further sends a haptic instruction and the haptic effect definition to the peripheral device when the trigger condition is reached. The system further causes a haptic output device (or multiple haptic output devices) to produce haptic effects that are based on the haptic effect definition at the peripheral device in response to the haptic instruction. | 05-14-2015 |
20150130707 | HAPTIC SPATIALIZATION SYSTEM - A system is provided that controls a haptic effect experienced at a peripheral device. The system receives a haptic effect definition including haptic data. The system further receives spatialization data including: a distance of the haptic effect; a direction of the haptic effect; or a flow of the haptic effect. The system further includes modifying the haptic effect definition based on the received spatialization data. The system further includes sending a haptic instruction and the modified haptic effect definition to the peripheral device. The system further includes causing one or more haptic output devices to produce one or more haptic effects based on the modified haptic effect definition at the peripheral device in response to the haptic instruction. | 05-14-2015 |
20150205352 | DISTRIBUTED CONTROL ARCHITECTURE FOR HAPTIC DEVICES - A widely distributed control architecture for haptic devices is provided. In one embodiment, an architecture of a device or peripheral has a main communication and control processor (e.g. a host or device processor), and each actuator also has a dedicated processor. A device can have a single or multiple actuators all of the same type or of different types. In another embodiment, individual processors for actuators are provided without a separate coordinating processor. | 07-23-2015 |
20150268722 | Systems and Methods for a Shared Haptic Experience - One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to: receive a first haptic effect signal, the first haptic effect signal based at least in part on a haptic event and adapted to cause a first haptic effect to be output by a first haptic output device to a first user, determine a second haptic effect based at least in part on the first haptic effect and a characteristic independent of the haptic event, generate a second haptic effect signal based at least in part on the second haptic effect, and transmit the second haptic signal to a second haptic output device. In the illustrative system, the second haptic output device is in communication with the processor, and the second haptic output device is configured to receive the second haptic effect signal and output the second haptic effect to a second user. | 09-24-2015 |
20150268724 | Systems and Methods for Haptically-Enabled Curved Devices - One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a curved device that includes a curved outer housing, The illustrative system also includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with the curved device and transmit a sensor signal associated with the user interaction. The illustrative system additionally includes a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal from the sensor; determine a user interaction based on the sensor signal, determine a first haptic effect based at least in part on the user interaction, and transmit a haptic signal associated with the first haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the first haptic effect. | 09-24-2015 |
20150268725 | Systems and Methods for Force-Based Object Manipulation and Haptic Sensations - Systems and methods for force-based object manipulation and haptic sensations are disclosed. One disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a first signal indicating a location of a user interaction and receiving a second signal indicating a first force. The method also includes, if the location of the user interaction corresponds to an object displayed on a display screen: outputting a first haptic signal to a haptic output device to cause a first haptic effect; and outputting a second haptic signal to the haptic output device to cause a second haptic effect if the first force meets or exceeds a first force threshold. | 09-24-2015 |
20150316985 | Systems and Methods for Viewport-Based Augmented Reality Haptic Effects - One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a display configured to receive a display signal and output an image, and an image capture device configured to capture an area image and transmit an image signal. The illustrative system also includes a processor in communication with the image capture device and the display, the processor configured to: receive the image signal; determine a virtual object based in part on the image signal; determine the display signal based in part on the image signal, wherein the display signal includes data associated with the virtual object; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the virtual object; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect. | 11-05-2015 |
20150331488 | NON-COLLOCATED HAPTIC CUES IN IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENTS - A device for delivering non-collocated haptic feedback includes at least one haptic playback device and a drive circuit for controlling the haptic playback device. A processor coupled to the drive circuit receives manipulation haptic information based on data received from a user interface. The processor generates a haptic signal is based on the manipulation haptic information. The haptic signal is provided to the drive circuit to produce the non-collocated haptic feedback. | 11-19-2015 |
20150338921 | 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. | 11-26-2015 |
20150347075 | HAPTIC NOTIFICATION MANAGER - A notification manager is provided that manages notifications for a user. The notification manager detects a notification event and determines a context of the notification event. The notification manager determines a target device for the notification event based on the determined context and one or more available displays. The notification manager then generates a notification on one or more of the one or more available displays to direct the user's attention to the target device. | 12-03-2015 |
20150362994 | MOBILE DEVICE WITH MOTION CONTROLLING HAPTICS - A haptically enabled device includes a haptic output device used to control motion. The haptically enabled device determines a desired motion, and then generates a haptic effect on the haptic output device to cause the desired motion. | 12-17-2015 |
20150378437 | 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. | 12-31-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100042111 | TRAJECTORY GUIDE - A trajectory guide for providing access to a target site of a living subject along a desired path comprises a baseplate including a clamp lock, a guide member at least partially contained within the baseplate and having a channel therein, a plurality of adjustable legs each including a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the baseplate, and a leg lock coupled to each adjustable leg and moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position in order to set a desired length of the adjustable leg, wherein the adjustable legs and the guide member are structured to be adjusted to provide an infinite number of trajectories in thee-dimensional space extending through the channel in the guide member toward a target. | 02-18-2010 |
20150202008 | IMAGE-GUIDED THERAPY OF A TISSUE - Image-guided therapy of a tissue can utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or another medical imaging device to guide an instrument within the tissue. A workstation can actuate movement of the instrument, and can actuate energy emission and/or cooling of the instrument to effect treatment to the tissue. The workstation and/or an operator of the workstation can be located outside a vicinity of an MRI device or other medical imaging device, and drive means for positioning the instrument can be located within the vicinity of the MRI device or the other medical imaging device. The instrument can be an MRI compatible laser probe that provides thermal therapy to, e.g., a tissue in a brain of a patient. | 07-23-2015 |
20150265216 | IMAGE-GUIDED THERAPY OF A TISSUE - In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a head fixation apparatus including a number of support posts, and a curved ring portion including a number of connectors configured to adjustably and releasably mount support posts on the lower ring portion, such that the support posts are selectively mounted to a subset of the connectors in a customized arrangement for a patient. The apparatus may include a ring mount configured for fixation to a platform, including a curved channel substantially matching a curvature of the curved ring portion, and a mount locking mechanism for locking the curved ring portion within the channel of the ring mount. The curved ring portion may be configured to rotate within the channel of the ring mount while the ring mount is fixed to the platform, an angular head position of the patient being selectably adjustable while the patient is laying on the platform. | 09-24-2015 |
20150265290 | IMAGE-GUIDED THERAPY OF A TISSUE - Image-guided therapy of a tissue can utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or another medical imaging device to guide an instrument within the tissue. A workstation can actuate movement of the instrument, and can actuate energy emission and/or cooling of the instrument to effect treatment to the tissue. The workstation and/or an user of the workstation can be located outside a vicinity of an MRI device or other medical imaging device, and drive means for positioning the instrument can be located within the vicinity of the MRI device or the other medical imaging device. The instrument can be an MRI compatible laser or high-intensity focused ultrasound probe that provides thermal therapy to, e.g., a tissue in a brain of a patient. | 09-24-2015 |
20150265306 | IMAGE-GUIDED THERAPY OF A TISSUE - Thermal monitoring of tissue during a thermal therapy may include identifying an imaging plane bisection axis lying along at least one of a longitudinal axis of a thermal therapy instrument and a vector through a region of interest. The method may include identifying multiple thermal monitoring planes used in monitoring thermal therapy of the volume, where each thermal monitoring plane intersects the region of interest, where a first thermal monitoring plane intersects a second thermal monitoring plane at the imaging plane bisection axis, and the first thermal monitoring plane is offset from the second thermal monitoring plane by an angle of intersection. The method may include and performing thermal monitoring of the thermal therapy by obtaining magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained from the first monitoring plane and the second monitoring plane, and calculating, based on the images, temperature data of the volume. | 09-24-2015 |
20150265353 | IMAGE-GUIDED THERAPY OF A TISSUE - Image-guided therapy of a tissue can utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or another medical imaging device to guide an instrument within the tissue. A workstation can actuate movement of the instrument, and can actuate energy emission and/or cooling of the instrument to effect treatment to the tissue. The workstation and/or an operator of the workstation can be located outside a vicinity of an MRI device or other medical imaging device, and drive means for positioning the instrument can be located within the vicinity of the MRI device or the other medical imaging device. The instrument can be an MRI compatible laser or high-intensity focused ultrasound probe that provides thermal therapy to, e.g., a tissue in a brain of a patient. | 09-24-2015 |
20150265365 | IMAGE-GUIDED THERAPY OF A TISSUE - Image-guided therapy of a tissue can utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or another medical imaging device to guide an instrument within the tissue. A workstation can actuate movement of the instrument, and can actuate energy emission and/or cooling of the instrument to effect treatment to the tissue. The workstation and/or an user of the workstation can be located outside a vicinity of an MRI device or other medical imaging device, and drive means for positioning the instrument can be located within the vicinity of the MRI device or the other medical imaging device. The instrument can be an MRI compatible laser or high-intensity focused ultrasound probe that provides thermal therapy to, e.g., a tissue in a brain of a patient. | 09-24-2015 |
20150265366 | IMAGE-GUIDED THERAPY OF A TISSUE - Image-guided therapy of a tissue can utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or another medical imaging device to guide an instrument within the tissue. A workstation can actuate movement of the instrument, and can actuate energy emission and/or cooling of the instrument to effect treatment to the tissue. The workstation and/or an operator of the workstation can be located outside a vicinity of an MRI device or other medical imaging device, and drive means for positioning the instrument can be located within the vicinity of the MRI device or the other medical imaging device. The instrument can be an MRI compatible laser or high-intensity focused ultrasound probe that provides thermal therapy to, e.g., a tissue in a brain of a patient. | 09-24-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140128881 | IMAGE-GUIDED THERAPY OF A TISSUE - Image-guided therapy of a tissue can utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or another medical imaging device to guide an instrument within the tissue. A workstation can actuate movement of the instrument, and can actuate energy emission and/or cooling of the instrument to effect treatment to the tissue. The workstation and/or an operator of the workstation can be located outside a vicinity of an MRI device or other medical imaging device, and drive means for positioning the instrument can be located within the vicinity of the MRI device or the other medical imaging device. The instrument can be an MRI compatible laser probe that provides thermal therapy to, e.g., a tissue in a brain of a patient. | 05-08-2014 |
20150087961 | IMAGE-GUIDED THERAPY OF A TISSUE - Image-guided therapy of a tissue can utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or another medical imaging device to guide an instrument within the tissue. A workstation can actuate movement of the instrument, and can actuate energy emission and/or cooling of the instrument to effect treatment to the tissue. The workstation and/or an operator of the workstation can be located outside a vicinity of an MRI device or other medical imaging device, and drive means for positioning the instrument can be located within the vicinity of the MRI device or the other medical imaging device. The instrument can be an MRI compatible laser probe that provides thermal therapy to, e.g., a tissue in a brain of a patient. | 03-26-2015 |
20150087962 | IMAGE-GUIDED THERAPY OF A TISSUE - Image-guided therapy of a tissue can utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or another medical imaging device to guide an instrument within the tissue. A workstation can actuate movement of the instrument, and can actuate energy emission and/or cooling of the instrument to effect treatment to the tissue. The workstation and/or an operator of the workstation can be located outside a vicinity of an MRI device or other medical imaging device, and drive means for positioning the instrument can be located within the vicinity of the MRI device or the other medical imaging device. The instrument can be an MRI compatible laser probe that provides thermal therapy to, e.g., a tissue in a brain of a patient. | 03-26-2015 |
20150087963 | MONITORING AND NOISE MASKING OF THERMAL THERAPY - Image-guided therapy of a tissue can utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or another medical imaging device to guide an instrument within the tissue. A workstation can actuate movement of the instrument, and can actuate energy emission and/or cooling of the instrument to effect treatment to the tissue. The instrument can be an MRI compatible laser probe that provides thermal therapy to, e.g., a tissue in a brain of a patient. By tracking a probe position within tissue through feedback, multiple data slices provided around the probe position can be processed to monitor treatment and view thermal data. The operator selects treatment area reference points with the assistance of noise masking. | 03-26-2015 |
20150088108 | PROBE DRIVER - Image-guided therapy of a tissue can utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or another medical imaging device to guide an instrument within the tissue. A workstation can actuate movement of the instrument via a probe driver, and can actuate energy emission and/or cooling of the instrument to effect treatment to the tissue. The workstation and/or an operator of the workstation can be located outside a vicinity of an MRI device or other medical imaging device, and drive means for positioning the instrument can be located within the vicinity of the MRI device or the other medical imaging device. The instrument can be an MRI compatible laser probe that provides thermal therapy to, e.g., a tissue in a brain of a patient. The probe driver allows for precise positioning, stabilization and manipulation of a probe. | 03-26-2015 |
20150216599 | IMAGE-GUIDED THERAPY OF A TISSUE - Image-guided therapy of a tissue can utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or another medical imaging device to guide an instrument within the tissue. A workstation can actuate movement of the instrument, and can actuate energy emission and/or cooling of the instrument to effect treatment to the tissue. The workstation and/or an operator of the workstation can be located outside a vicinity of an MRI device or other medical imaging device, and drive means for positioning the instrument can be located within the vicinity of the MRI device or the other medical imaging device. The instrument can be an MRI compatible laser probe that provides thermal therapy to, e.g., a tissue in a brain of a patient. | 08-06-2015 |
20150257830 | IMAGE-GUIDED THERAPY OF A TISSUE - Image-guided therapy of a tissue can utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or another medical imaging device to guide an instrument within the tissue. A workstation can actuate movement of the instrument, and can actuate energy emission and/or cooling of the instrument to effect treatment to the tissue. The workstation and/or an operator of the workstation can be located outside a vicinity of an MRI device or other medical imaging device, and drive means for positioning the instrument can be located within the vicinity of the MRI device or the other medical imaging device. The instrument can be an MRI compatible laser probe that provides thermal therapy to, e.g., a tissue in a brain of a patient. | 09-17-2015 |