Abstract: Systems and methods long-range interactions for virtual reality are disclosed. One disclosed system includes: a handheld interface device; a sensor configured to detect movement of the handheld interface device and transmit a sensor signal associated with the movement; a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to: determine a haptic signal based in part on the sensor signal; and control, based on the haptic signal, an electromagnetic source remote from the handheld interface device to output a magnetic field to apply a force to magnetic material in the handheld interface device to output a haptic effect to a user of the handheld interface device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for differential optical position sensing for a haptic actuator are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: an actuator configured to receive a drive signal and move an object to output a haptic effect; a first sensor configured to monitor a position of the object and output a first position signal; a second sensor configured to monitor the position of the object and output a second position signal different from the first position signal; a circuit configured to receive the first position signal and the second position signal and output a difference signal; and a processor configured to receive the difference signal and output a control signal to the actuator based on the difference signal.

Abstract: 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. Some features are simulated by varying the coefficient of friction of the touch surface.

Abstract: A system is provided to process a source signal and generate one or more haptic effects for various haptic devices based on the source signal. The system operates to convert the source signal to meet different architectures of respective haptic devices and enables haptic effect designers to create haptic data without being concerned about low level details of different haptic devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-user shared virtual and augmented reality-based haptics are disclosed. One illustrative method for multi-user shared virtual and augmented reality-based haptics includes determining a position of an object; determining a viewpoint of at least one observer with respect to the object; determining a haptic effect to be output based at least in part on the position and the viewpoint; and outputting the haptic effect.

Abstract: Embodiments that generate multiple haptic effects receive a first haptic effect signal having a first priority and corresponding to a first haptic effect, and receive a second haptic effect signal having a second priority and corresponding to a second haptic effect. When the first priority is less than the second priority, embodiments generate an interaction parameter using the second haptic effect signal. When the second priority is less than the first priority, embodiments generate the interaction parameter using the first haptic effect signal. Embodiments then apply a drive signal to a haptic output device according to the interaction parameter, where the drive signal causes the first haptic effect and the second haptic effect to be generated by the haptic output device concurrently.

Abstract: The embodiments are directed toward techniques for isolating a user input signal at a haptic output device. A signal originating from a user input element associated with the haptic output device is received. The received signal is separated into a first component including the user input signal, and a second component including a haptic feedback signal. While the first component is processed, the second component can be discarded or otherwise ignored.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authoring and encoding haptic effects are provided for space-dependent content, such as 360-degree videos, three-dimensional videos, or virtual or augmented reality contents. The systems and methods can generate one or more haptic layers for encoding or modifying haptic effects for the content.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a computing device that comprises a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The system also includes an xPC target machine that is capable of achieving sampling rates of at least 100 khz and in communication with the computing device and a user device that includes a sensor and a haptic output device. The processor generates a simulate reality environment and determines a haptic effect based on the simulated reality environment or a sensor signal from the sensor. The processor transmits data about a parameter of the haptic effect or the sensor signal to the xPC target machine, which determines the parameter of the haptic effect and generates, in substantially real time, a haptic signal. The xPC target machine transmits the haptic signal to the haptic output device, which is configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.

Abstract: A system provides haptic functionality over a networked system. The system receives information from a first device registered at the networked system and determines a notification to be provided to a user based on the information. The system then selects a second device registered at the networked system and provides the notification to the user by producing a haptic effect on the second device.

Abstract: Embodiments hereof are directed to a haptic device having a pressure-sensitive suspension system. The haptic device includes a housing, a touch surface component mounted to the housing to be movable relative thereto, and a haptic actuator for providing haptic feedback to the touch surface component. At least one suspension component is disposed between the touch surface component and the housing. The suspension component is formed from an elastomer and includes pressure-sensing particles integrated into the elastomer. The pressure-sensing particles are configured to sense pressure applied to the touch surface component.

Abstract: One embodiment provides haptic functionality. The embodiment receives an encoded value that encodes an actuator drive value, where the actuator drive value corresponds to a strength of a haptic effect. The embodiment converts the encoded value into a pattern of ON/OFF durations, and plays back the pattern of ON/OFF durations on an actuator to produce the haptic effect.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a system that comprises a sensor, a memory, and a processor in communication with each of these elements. The sensor can capture information about a user's motion or environment at a point in time associated with a content and transmit a signal about the captured user motion or environment to the processor. The processor determines a haptic effect associated with the detected user motion or environment. The processor can also transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to be output at the particular time during output of the content. The illustrative system also includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating environmental haptic effects in virtual reality are disclosed. One illustrative system described herein includes a sensor for detecting an environmental condition, the environmental condition associated with an environmental haptic effect, and generating a sensor signal. The system also includes a virtual reality display configured to output a virtual reality effect. The system also includes a processor coupled to the sensor and a virtual reality display, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal, determine a modification to the virtual reality effect based in part on the sensor signal, and transmit a display signal associated with the modification to the virtual reality display. Another illustrative system includes a sensor for detecting an environmental condition, the environmental condition associated with an environmental haptic effect, and generating a sensor signal, and a virtual reality display configured to output a virtual reality effect.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a computing device that comprises a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The processor generates an interactive user interface and obtains an input parameter and a haptic parameter via the interactive user interface. The processor maps the input parameter to the haptic parameter using a mapping algorithm and designs a dynamic haptic effect based at least in part on mapping the input parameter to the haptic parameter. The processor can then generate a plurality of dynamic haptic effects for a plurality of user devices based at least in part on the designed dynamic haptic effect.

Abstract: A touch input system comprising a touch input device and an actuation and sensing system is presented. The actuation and sensing system has a transfer structure adjacent to a first surface of the touch input device, the transfer structure having a first portion and a beam extending from an edge of the first portion. The actuation and sensing system further has a transducer patch disposed on the beam. The transfer structure is configured to transfer forces between the touch input device and the transducer patch, such that movement of the touch input device by an external force causes deformation of the beam and of the transducer patch, and such that actuation output by the transducer patch causes movement of the touch input device. The transducer patch has a layer of transducer material that is configured to act as a sensor, and is configured to act as an actuator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating haptics overlay in augmented reality are disclosed. One illustrative system described herein includes a haptic output device. The system also includes a display configured to output a visual effect. The system also includes a sensor for tracking a position of a proxy object. The system also includes a processor configured to: determine a modified visual effect based in part on data received from the sensor, determine a haptic effect based in part on data received from the sensor, transmit a display signal associated with the modified visual effect to the display, transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to the haptic output device; and output the haptic effect using the haptic output device.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A multi-device system includes at least one media server system, a primary viewing device including a display screen, and a secondary device including a haptic output device. The at least one media server system includes a source of audio-video content and haptic content and is configured to transfer the audio-video content and the haptic content. The haptic content is associated with the audio-video content. The primary viewing device is configured to output the audio-video content received from the at least one media server system. The secondary device is configured to output the haptic content received from the at least one media server system as a haptic effect via the haptic output device.

Abstract: 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.