| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080197901 | Multiple Pulse Width Modulation - A method of generating a MPWM signal for a portable device such as a cellular telephone. For a first duty cycle that includes a MPWM frequency having N magnitude levels, the method generates a first waveform comprising a first and a second On pulse during a first MPWM frequency period. The first and second On pulses are separated by an Off period. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080252594 | Vibration Actuator with a Unidirectional Drive - A haptic feedback generation system includes a linear resonant actuator and a drive circuit. The drive circuit is adapted to output a unidirectional signal that is applied to the linear resonant actuator. In response, the linear resonant actuator generates haptic vibrations. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080303782 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HAPTIC ENABLED FLEXIBLE TOUCH SENSITIVE SURFACE - A method and apparatus for an electronic interactive device having a haptic enabled flexible touch sensitive surface are disclosed. In one embodiment, the electronic interactive device includes a flexible touch sensitive surface, a flexible screen (or display), and an actuator. The flexible touch sensitive surface is deposited over the flexible screen and is capable of receiving an input, such as, for example, from a user. The flexible screen displays an image via a displaying window. The actuator is coupled to the flexible screen and provides haptic feedback in response to the input. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20090313542 | User Interface Impact Actuator - A system generates a haptic effect that simulates a mechanical button. The system receives a signal that indicates that a user has contacted a user interface of the system. The system includes an impact actuator. In response to the signal, a moving element of the impact actuator contacts the user interface, which generates the haptic effect. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20100116562 | Haptic Effect Generation With An Eccentric Rotating Mass Actuator - A haptically-enabled system includes a touch sensitive surface and an eccentric rotating mass (“ERM”) actuator coupled to the touch sensitive surface. The ERM actuator includes a motor, a housing and a constrained mass. The system further includes a drive circuit that creates a haptic effect on the touch sensitive surface by coupling an alternating current signal to the ERM actuator. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100152586 | Spatial Array of Sensors Mounted on A Tool - Systems and methods described herein include an array of sensors positioned on a tool. In one embodiment, among others, a tool includes a handle configured to be manipulated by a user. The tool also includes an end portion arranged in mechanical communication with the handle. In addition, the tool includes an array of sensors mounted on the end portion, in which the array of sensors is configured to sense a property of an object. The tool also comprises a processing device configured to process the properties of the object sensed by the array of sensors and to obtain spatial information of the object. The processing device is further configured to communicate the spatial information to the handle. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100160041 | INTERACTIVE PAINTING GAME AND ASSOCIATED CONTROLLER - A gaming concept in which each user in a single-player or a multi-player game is enabled to create artwork or graffiti work virtually or on actual surfaces using haptic-enhanced controllers. The controllers can emulate the experience of using a marker, a paint brush, a paint spray-can or the like. The components of various controllers may be modularized for easily interchanging components to extend the art or graffiti creation experience. The real life experience of using ink or paint on a surface is simulated by haptic feedback. When a paint spray-can controller is used, the experience of paint consumption is recreated by various peripheral enhancements including audio and haptic sensations communicated to the user. | 06-24-2010 |
| 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 |
| 20100179423 | Palpation Algorithms For Computer-Augmented Hand Tools - A method and system for performing minimally invasive tissue examination with a computer-assisted hand tool. The computer-assisted hand tool is moved into contact with the tissue under examination. An indication is received from a first sensor in the computer-assisted hand tool of each feature detected in a time interval during movement of the hand tool in contact with the tissue under examination. Each feature detected in the preset time interval is processed to determine a haptic feedback to provide to the user. A haptic feedback is generated and provided to the user via an actuator that is responsive to at least one feature detected in the time interval. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100179587 | Providing Haptic Feedback To The Handle Of A Tool - Tools, such as surgical tools, are normally designed to interact with an object, such as a patient. As disclosed herein, one particular tool is implemented such that it comprises a handle having a feedback portion configured to contact one or more digits of a user's hand. The tool also includes a sensor positioned near or in contact with an object. The sensor is configured to measure a property of the object. Also, the tool includes a haptic output mechanism supported by the feedback portion of the handle. The haptic output mechanism is configured to communicate the measured property of the object to the user. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100231367 | Systems and Methods for Providing Features in a Friction Display - A touch-enabled device can simulate one or more features in a touch area. Features may include, but are not limited to, changes in texture and/or simulation of boundaries, obstacles, or other discontinuities in the touch surface that can be perceived through use of an object in contact with the surface. Systems include a sensor configured to detect a touch in a touch area when an object contacts a touch surface, an actuator, and one or more processors. The processor can determine a position of the touch using the sensor and select a haptic effect to generate based at least in part on the position, the haptic effect selected to simulate the presence of a feature at or near the determined position. The processor can transmit a haptic signal to generate the identified haptic effect using the actuator. Some features are simulated by varying the coefficient of friction of the touch surface. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100231508 | Systems and Methods for Using Multiple Actuators to Realize Textures - Systems and methods for using multiple actuators to realize textures are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes, a system including: a first actuator configured to receive a first haptic signal and output a first haptic effect based at least in part on the first haptic signal; a second actuator configured to receive a second haptic signal and output a second haptic effect based at least in part on the second haptic signal; and a processor configured to: determine the first haptic effect and the second haptic effect, the first and second haptic effects configured when combined to output a texture; and transmit the first haptic signal to the first actuator and transmit the second haptic signal to the second actuator. | 09-16-2010 |
| 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 |
| 20100231540 | Systems and Methods For A Texture Engine - Systems and methods for a texture engine are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: a processor configured to receive a display signal including a plurality of pixels, determine a haptic effect comprising a texture, and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to an actuator in communication with the processor, the actuator configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect. | 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 |
| 20100231550 | Systems and Methods for Friction Displays and Additional Haptic Effects - Systems, methods, and computer program products for providing composite haptic effects are disclosed. One disclosed method includes detecting a touch occurring in a touch area when an object contacts a touch surface and selecting a composite haptic effect to generate in response to the touch, the composite haptic effect including at least one surface-based haptic effect and at least one other effect. Based on the selected composite haptic effect, a first haptic signal can be sent to cause an actuator to vary a coefficient of friction of the touch surface and a second actuator can be caused to provide a second haptic output in addition to the variation in the coefficient of friction. The second haptic signal can be sent to a second actuator or the same actuator(s) used to vary the coefficient of friction can generate the second haptic output. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100253487 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING HAPTIC DEVICES HAVING MULTIPLE OPERATIONAL MODES - A haptic device having a plurality of operational modes, including a first operational mode and a second operational mode is provided. The first operational mode is associated with a frequency range. The second operational mode is associated with a frequency range that is different from the frequency range of the first operational mode. A controller is coupled to the haptic device, and is configured to send the haptic device a plurality of control schemes. Each control scheme is uniquely associated with an operational mode from the plurality of operational modes. | 10-07-2010 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 20100287311 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ORDERING HAPTIC EFFECTS - A signal associated with multiple haptic effects is received, each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects being associated with a time slot from multiple time slots. Each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects is associated with an effect slot from multiple effect slots at least partially based on the time slot associated with that haptic effect. An output signal is sent for each effect slot from the multiple effect slots, when the associated haptic effect is scheduled for its time slot. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100309141 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING HAPTIC EFFECTS USING ACTUATORS - A method and apparatus of actuator control mechanisms for haptic effects are disclosed. The apparatus can include an actuator and a controller for controlling a haptic cell. Depending on the type of haptic effect desired, as well as the damping characteristics of the system, the controller can generate a kick-in pulse followed by a main pulse to create an increased acceleration response, and/or a braking pulse to provide a damping effect for a short mechanical type of haptic effect. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100309142 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING HAPTIC EFFECTS USING ACTUATORS - A method and apparatus of actuator control mechanisms for haptic effects are disclosed. The apparatus can include an actuator and a controller for controlling a haptic cell. Depending on the type of haptic effect desired, as well as the damping characteristics of the system, the controller can generate a kick-in pulse followed by a main pulse to create an increased acceleration response, and/or a breaking pulse to provide a damping effect for a short mechanical type of haptic effect. | 12-09-2010 |
| 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 |
| 20110115709 | Systems And Methods For Increasing Haptic Bandwidth In An Electronic Device - Systems and methods for increasing the haptic bandwidth of an electronic device are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment of a system is an apparatus having a first actuator; a second actuator; and a processor coupled to the first and second actuators, the processor configured to apply a first command signal to the first actuator to output a first haptic effect from a first start time to a first stop time, the processor configured to apply a second command signal to the second actuator to output a second haptic effect from a second start time to a second stop time. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110115754 | Systems and Methods For A Friction Rotary Device For Haptic Feedback - Systems and methods for a friction rotary device for haptic feedback are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: a haptic device including: a passive actuator including: a rotatable plate; a fixed plate configured to apply friction to the rotatable plate; a piezoelectric material mounted to one of the fixed plate or the rotatable plate, the piezoelectric material configured to receive a first haptic signal and vibrate; and a rotatable object configured to be connected to the rotatable plate. | 05-19-2011 |
| 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 |
