Abstract: A haptic stimulator includes a multilayer sheet with a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer layer adapted to mechanically deform upon application of voltage, the multilayer sheet secured to a substrate, and a source of electrical stimulation coupled to drive electrodes on the polymer layer with an AC signal to vibrate the polymer layer. In particular embodiments, the polymer contains polyvinylidene fluoride, and electrodes are patterned to control local electric fields. Another haptic stimulator has first and second electrodes with an air gap and an insulating sheet between first and second electrodes, with an AC voltage driver connecting to the electrodes. In a method of providing haptic stimulation to skin an alternating current supply drives first and second electrodes, the electrodes disposed upon either a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer sheet, vibrating the polymer layer by driving the electrodes; and coupling vibrations of the polymer layer to the sensate skin.

Abstract: Methods and systems using a haptics library to determine whether to provide predefined haptic responses or parametrically-defined haptic responses are disclosed. A method includes receiving a desired semantic attribute for a haptic response to be provided while a user is using an application that is executing on an electronic device.

Abstract: Methods and systems using a haptics library to determine whether to provide predefined haptic responses or parametrically-defined haptic responses are disclosed. A method includes receiving a desired semantic attribute for a haptic response to be provided while a user is using an application that is executing on an electronic device.

Abstract: A method comprises inputting an audio signal into a machine learning circuit to compress the audio signal into a sequence of actuator signals. The machine learning circuit being trained by: receiving a training set of acoustic signals and pre-processing the training set of acoustic signals into pre-processed audio data. The pre-processed audio data including at least a spectrogram. The training further includes training the machine learning circuit using the pre-processed audio data. The neural network has a cost function based on a reconstruction error and a plurality of constraints. The machine learning circuit generates a sequence of haptic cues corresponding to the audio input. The sequence of haptic cues is transmitted to a plurality of cutaneous actuators to generate a sequence of haptic outputs.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating and tuning haptic feedback is provided. The apparatus includes (A) a brace with first and second portions, (B) a vibrotactile actuator, coupled to the first portion of the brace, configured to apply haptic stimulations to a user, and (C) a linear actuator, coupled to the second portion of the brace, configured to (i) obtain a signal generated based on information about the user's body at a target location of the user and (ii) adjust a tension of the brace according to the signal. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes one or more sensors configured to generate the information about the user's body at the target location. Furthermore, a controller may be configured to: (i) generate the signal based on the information about the user's body at the target location generated by the one or more sensors and (ii) provide the signal to the linear actuator.

Abstract: The disclosed wearable apparatus may include (1) a device dimensioned to fit about a body part of a user, (2) a tensioning mechanism that harnesses to the device in a manner that is relative to the fit of the device about the body part of the user, and (3) an actuator couples to the tensioning mechanism that, when actuated, causes substantially tangential movement of the tensioning mechanism relative to a surface of the body part to produce substantially orthogonal movement of the device relative to the surface of the body part. Various other methods, systems, and/or computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A haptic-jamming device may include (1) a first haptic-jamming member having a polarizable first element rotatable about an axis and a first elongated extension outwardly disposed from the first element in a first direction, (2) a second haptic-jamming member having a second element rotatable about the axis and a second elongated extension outwardly disposed from the second element in a second direction, and (3) a variable voltage source for at least one of the first haptic-jamming member or the second haptic-jamming member that, when energized, generates an electrostatic field encompassing at least one of the first or second elements. A level of separation of the first and second elements may be related to a strength of the electrostatic field. Various other methods, systems, and wearable articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A haptic device includes a network of motorized shear actuators. The shear actuators each include a drive mechanism and a lead screw having a threaded outer surface rotatably coupled to the drive mechanism and extending along a primary axis. A carriage is movably coupled to the lead screw by a nut having a threaded inner surface and is disposed within a chassis. One or more flexure springs are attached to the chassis and are configured to exert a reactive force to resist a force applied to the carriage in a direction orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to the primary axis. The flexure springs may cooperate with a stop mechanism to improve the mechanical robustness of the shear actuators under applied loads.

Abstract: A haptic device including an active element and a plurality of passive elements coupled to the active element. Each passive element has a respective response to a wave transmitted by the active element, and is configured to cause a respective haptic effect at a respective location away from the active element. In some embodiments, the respective response includes resonating when energy having a resonant frequency is received. In some embodiments, the wave transmitted by the active element is in the form of a vibration or acoustic energy.

Abstract: A haptic calibration device comprises a signal generator configured to receive the subjective force value and the force location from a subjective magnitude input device. The signal generator also receives from at least one of a plurality of haptic sensors a sensor voltage value, with the at least one of the plurality of haptic sensors corresponding to the force location. The signal generator stores the subjective force value and the corresponding sensor voltage value in a data store. The signal generator generates a calibration curve indicating a correspondence between subjective force values and sensor voltage values for the location where the subjective force was experienced using the data from the data store, wherein the calibration curve is used to calibrate a haptic feedback device.

Abstract: A haptic communication device includes a speech signal generator configured to receive speech sounds or a textual message and generate speech signals corresponding to the speech sounds or the textual message. An envelope encoder is operably coupled to the speech signal generator to extract a temporal envelope from the speech signals. The temporal envelope represents changes in amplitude of the speech signals. Carrier signals having a periodic waveform are generated. Actuator signals are generated by encoding the changes in the amplitude of the speech signals from the temporal envelope into the carrier signals. One or more cutaneous actuators are operably coupled to the envelope encoder to generate haptic vibrations representing the speech sounds or the textual message using the actuator signals.

Abstract: A haptic-jamming device may include (1) a first haptic-jamming member having a polarizable first element rotatable about an axis and a first elongated extension outwardly disposed from the first element in a first direction, (2) a second haptic-jamming member having a second element rotatable about the axis and a second elongated extension outwardly disposed from the second element in a second direction, and (3) a variable voltage source for at least one of the first haptic-jamming member or the second haptic-jamming member that, when energized, generates an electrostatic field encompassing at least one of the first or second elements. A level of separation of the first and second elements may be related to a strength of the electrostatic field. Various other methods, systems, and wearable articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A haptic stimulator includes a multilayer sheet with a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer layer adapted to mechanically deform upon application of voltage, the multilayer sheet secured to a substrate, and a source of electrical stimulation coupled to drive electrodes on the polymer layer with an AC signal to vibrate the polymer layer. In particular embodiments, the polymer contains polyvinylidene fluoride, and electrodes are patterned to control local electric fields. Another haptic stimulator has first and second electrodes with an air gap and an insulating sheet between first and second electrodes, with an AC voltage driver connecting to the electrodes. In a method of providing haptic stimulation to skin an alternating current supply drives first and second electrodes, the electrodes disposed upon either a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer sheet, vibrating the polymer layer by driving the electrodes; and coupling vibrations of the polymer layer to the sensate skin.

Abstract: A haptic communication device includes an array of cutaneous actuators to generate haptic sensations corresponding to actuator signals received by the array. The haptic sensations include at least a first haptic sensation and a second haptic sensation. The array includes at least a first cutaneous actuator to begin generating the first haptic sensation at a first location on a body of a user at a first time. A second cutaneous actuator begins generating the second haptic sensation at a second location on the body of the user at a second time later than the first time.

Abstract: A haptic device comprises a signal generator that is configured to receive an input word that is a unit of a language. The signal generator converts the input word into one or more phonemes of the input word. The signal generator further converts the one or more phonemes into a sequence of actuator signals. The sequence of actuator signals is formed from a concatenation of sub-sequences of actuator signals. Each phoneme corresponding to a unique sub-sequence of actuator signals. The haptic device further comprises a two dimensional array of cutaneous actuators configured to receive the sequence of actuator signals from the signal generator, each of the actuator signals mapped to a cutaneous actuator of the two dimensional array of cutaneous actuators.

Abstract: A haptic stimulator includes a multilayer sheet with a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer layer adapted to mechanically deform upon application of voltage, the multilayer sheet secured to a substrate, and a source of electrical stimulation coupled to drive electrodes on the polymer layer with an AC signal to vibrate the polymer layer. In particular embodiments, the polymer contains polyvinylidene fluoride, and electrodes are patterned to control local electric fields. Another haptic stimulator has first and second electrodes with an air gap and an insulating sheet between first and second electrodes, with an AC voltage driver connecting to the electrodes. In a method of providing haptic stimulation to skin an alternating current supply drives first and second electrodes, the electrodes disposed upon either a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer sheet, vibrating the polymer layer by driving the electrodes; and coupling vibrations of the polymer layer to the sensate skin.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to enhancing haptic communication by using two or more cutaneous actuators to create constructive or destructive interference patterns on the receiving user's skin. The actuator signals for the two or more cutaneous actuators are shaped and generated so that the two or more cutaneous actuators cause vibrations on the receiving user's patch of skin to increase or decrease. In this way, various enhancement to haptic communication can be achieved.

Abstract: A haptic device is provided that includes a first haptic assembly, comprising (i) a first end effector, and (ii) a first actuator coupled with the first end effector. The first actuator is configured to move the first end effector in first direction(s). The first haptic assembly is configured to create a first haptic stimulation or a second haptic stimulation, felt by a wearer of the haptic device, when the first actuator moves the first end effector in the first direction(s). The haptic device includes a second haptic assembly, comprising: (i) a second end effector, and (ii) a second actuator coupled with the second end effector. The second actuator is configured to move the second end effector in second direction(s). The second haptic assembly is configured to create a third haptic stimulation, felt by the wearer, when the second actuator moves the second end effector in the second direction(s).

Abstract: The disclosed wearable apparatus may include wearable apparatus includes a (1) device dimensioned to fit about a body part of a user, (2) a tensioning mechanism that harnesses to the device in a manner that is relative to the fit of the device about the body part of the user, and (3) an actuator couples to the tensioning mechanism that, when actuated, causes substantially tangential movement of the tensioning mechanism relative to a surface of the body part to produce substantially orthogonal movement of the device relative to the surface of the body part. Various other methods, systems, and/or computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to operating multiple cutaneous actuators to provide the sensation of motions or actions occurring within the body. A part of receiving user's body (e.g., limb or head) is placed between the cutaneous actuators. The cutaneous actuators are operated in sequence, causing the illusion of motions or actions occurring inside the body part, as opposed to patches of skin where the cutaneous actuators are located. By differing the time interval between the activation of the cutaneous actuators and/or amplitude of vibrations generated by the cutaneous actuators.