Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080198139 | Haptic Feedback System with Stored Effects - A haptic feedback system that includes a controller, a memory coupled to the controller, an actuator drive circuit coupled to the controller, and an actuator coupled to the actuator drive circuit. The memory stores at least one haptic effect that is executed by the controller in order to create a haptic effect. | 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 |
20080283024 | Haptic Device In A Vehicle And Method Thereof - A system and method for providing a haptic device in a vehicle. The system comprises a foot operated pedal of a vehicle. A sensor is coupled to the pedal and is configured to sense a position of the pedal during use. The sensor is configured to output a sensor signal associated with the position of the pedal. A processor is coupled to the sensor and is configured to receive the sensor signal. The processor outputs a control signal upon the pedal moving past a threshold position. An actuator is coupled to the processor, wherein the actuator is configured to output a haptic feedback force to the pedal upon receiving the control signal from the processor. | 11-20-2008 |
20080287147 | Haptically Enabled Messaging - A mobile terminal device receives a haptically enabled message that includes text and at least one haptic feedback command. The device determines the timing of the haptic feedback command within the message. When the device receives an indication that the message is being displayed by a user, the device synchronizes a haptic effect corresponding to the haptic feedback command. The synchronizing is based on the timing and the indication. | 11-20-2008 |
20090009492 | Medical Simulation Interface Apparatus And Method - A system and method of providing a surgical training apparatus which comprises a plurality of mechanical interfaces each of which is configured to receive a user tool operable by a user. Each mechanical interface of the plurality is configured to allow movement of its respective user tool in a rotational degree of freedom and a linear degree of freedom. The apparatus includes one or more sensors which are coupled to the mechanical interfaces and configured to simultaneously sense positional information of each user tool during movement. A computer coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to run a software application simulating each user tool as a respective simulated surgical tool operating on a simulated body part in a displayed graphical environment, wherein the computer updates movement of each simulated user tool in the graphical environment based on said positional information. | 01-08-2009 |
20090231113 | Products and Processes For Providing Haptic Feedback In Resistive Interface Devices - Products and processes for providing haptic feedback in a user interface are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment of an apparatus comprises a first element comprising a first surface, a second element comprising a second surface, and an actuator configured vary a force between the first and second surfaces. In one embodiment, the second element may be configured to be displaced relative to first element in a degree of freedom. In another embodiment, at least one of the first surface and the second surface may comprise a thermoplastic polymer. | 09-17-2009 |
20090231271 | Haptically Enabled User Interface - A device has a user interface that generates a haptic effect in response to user inputs or gestures. In one embodiment, the device receives an indication that the user is scrolling through a list of elements and an indication that an element is selected. The device determines the scroll rate and generates a haptic effect that has a magnitude that is based on the scroll rate. | 09-17-2009 |
20100090966 | Capacitive Sensor Gloves - A glove usable to activate a capacitive touch screen comprises a body configured to cover the palm and back of the hand and a plurality of finger sheaths configured to cover the fingers and thumb. An electrically conductive material is disposed preferably at the tip of at least one of the finger sheaths. The conductive material may be a thin sheet of conductive material, a disc of conductive material, or a fibrous conducting material woven into the fabric of the finger sheath. When the tip of the finger sheath is brought toward contact with a capacitive touch screen, the electrically conducting material effects the touch screen in a manner similar to the tip of a bear fingertip to cause the touch screen to recognize the gloved touch. | 04-15-2010 |
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 |
20110090070 | Systems And Methods For Providing Haptic Feedback At Multiple Resonance Frequencies - Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback at multiple resonance frequencies are disclosed. For example, one disclosed apparatus includes a resonator with a base and a plurality of projections, a first projection of the plurality of projections having a first resonance frequency and a second projection of the plurality of projections having a second resonance frequency, and a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the resonator and operable to output a haptic feedback effect at the first resonance frequency and at the second resonance frequency. | 04-21-2011 |
20110102162 | 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. | 05-05-2011 |
20110118779 | Surgical Instrument Providing Haptic Feedback - A surgical instrument is disclosed having a distal end connected to a handle via an elongated mechanical linkage. The handle includes a first grip portion and a second grip portion pivotably coupled such that the distal end is controllable by manipulation of the handle. At least one sensor is coupled to the distal end of the surgical instrument, wherein the sensor detects a condition at the distal end. An actuator is coupled to one of the first and second grip portions is configured to provide haptic effects to the one of the first and second grip portions. A controller is electrically coupled to the sensor and electrically coupled to the actuator, wherein the controller controls operation of the actuator such that the haptic effects are feedback relating to the sensed condition. | 05-19-2011 |
20110138277 | HAPTIC EFFECTS WITH PROXIMITY SENSING - A method of generating haptic effects on a device includes detecting the presence of an object near an input area of the device and generating a haptic effect on the device in response to the presence detection. | 06-09-2011 |
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 |
20110310043 | HAPTIC FEEDBACK SYSTEM WITH STORED EFFECTS - A haptic feedback system that includes a controller, a memory coupled to the controller, an actuator drive circuit coupled to the controller, and an actuator coupled to the actuator drive circuit. The memory stores at least one haptic effect that is executed by the controller in order to create a haptic effect. | 12-22-2011 |
20120041436 | Electrosurgical Tool Having Tactile Feedback - A surgical tool system including a laparoscopic surgical tool for heating, ablating, sealing, and/or dissecting tissue, a control system for monitoring impedance of the tissue during treatment thereof, and a tactile feedback system integrated onto a handle of the tool that generates relevant feedback from the control system in at least the form of haptic effects to the user. The tactile feedback alerts the tool user of changes in tissue properties, i.e., when the impedance of the tissue indicates that the treatment procedure is complete. In addition, the tactile feedback provided may supply information relating to the operating status of the control system to the user. | 02-16-2012 |
20120056825 | Systems And Methods For Pre-Touch And True Touch - Systems and methods for pre-touch and true touch are disclosed. For example, in one described system for pre-touch and true touch includes a touch-sensitive interface configured to detect a user interaction and transmit a first interface signal based at least in part on the user interaction. The system also includes a processor in communication with the touch-sensitive interface and configured to receive the first interface signal and determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the first interface signal. The processor is further configured to preload a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The system also includes a cache in communication with the processor and configured to store the preloaded haptic signal for a time period and then transmit the haptic signal and a haptic effect generator in communication with the cache and configured to receive the haptic signal from the cache and, in response, output a haptic effect based at least in part on the haptic signal. | 03-08-2012 |
20120138658 | SURGICAL STAPLER HAVING HAPTIC FEEDBACK - A surgical tool system includes a surgical tool for cutting and stapling tissue and a tactile feedback system integrated onto a handle of the tool that generates relevant feedback in at least the form of haptic effects to the user. The tactile feedback alerts the user of tissue properties, i.e., the type of tissue or other structures located within the jaws of the stapler, whether the quantity or thickness of tissue located within the jaws of the stapler is appropriate for the selected stapler cartridge, whether the proper length of staples has been fired based on the length of tissue located in the jaws, whether a blood vessel is located within the jaws of the stapler, whether the stapling process has successfully sealed the tissue located within the jaws of the stapler, the position of the cutting element, and/or when the stapling procedure or firing cycle is completed. | 06-07-2012 |
20120143182 | ELECTROSURGICAL SEALING TOOL HAVING HAPTIC FEEDBACK - A surgical tool system includes an electrosurgical tool for sealing and transecting tissue and a tactile feedback system integrated onto a handle of the tool that generates relevant feedback in at least the form of haptic effects to the user. The tactile feedback alerts the user of tissue properties, i.e., when tissue located within jaws of the tool is completely sealed, when the tissue is ready to be cut, the cutting rate or speed, the quantity of tissue located within jaws of the tool, and whether a blood vessel is fully located within jaws of tool. In addition, the tactile feedback alerts the user to the operating status of energy application during the procedure. | 06-07-2012 |
20120299857 | Haptic Feedback for Button and Scrolling Action Simulation in Touch Input Devices - A planar touch control is used to provide input to a computer and haptic feedback is provided thereto. A touch control includes a touch input device with a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor associated with the computer based on a location of user implemented contact on the touch surface. The computer can position or modify a cursor or image in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user via the touch surface. | 11-29-2012 |
20130045761 | Haptically Enabled Messaging - Method, device, and computer readable medium for generating haptically enabled messages. One disclosed method comprises the steps of receiving a user generated input, mapping the user generated input to a predetermined haptic feedback, assigning a haptic feedback command to the predetermined haptic feedback, inserting the haptic feedback command into a text message, and sending the text message. | 02-21-2013 |
20130194219 | Systems and Methods for Providing Haptic Feedback At Multiple Resonance Frequencies - Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback at multiple resonance frequencies are disclosed. For example, one disclosed apparatus includes a resonator with a base and a plurality of projections, a first projection of the plurality of projections having a first resonance frequency and a second projection of the plurality of projections having a second resonance frequency, and a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the resonator and operable to output a haptic feedback effect at the first resonance frequency and at the second resonance frequency. | 08-01-2013 |
20150054768 | HAPTIC EFFECTS WITH PROXIMITY SENSING - A method of generating a haptic effect on a device includes detecting a position of an object relative to the device. The method further includes, based at least on the position, determining a gesture indicated by the object, and generating the haptic effect on the device based on the determined gesture, where the haptic effect is generated without the object contacting the device. | 02-26-2015 |