Abstract: A system and method for generating a haptic feedback signal correlated to a music signal and providing the haptic feedback signal to a musical instrument. The music signal can created by the musical instrument or from a file, e.g., a MIDI file. A processor can generate the haptic feedback signal using a look-up table in which the music signal is mapped to a corresponding haptic feedback signal or can compute the corresponding haptic feedback signal based on the parameters of the music signal. The processor provides the haptic feedback signal to an actuator for causing a haptic effect at the musical instrument in response to receiving the haptic feedback signal. The haptic feedback signal can be applied to an input member, such as a key on a keyboard or a string on a guitar, or to the housing of the musical instrument, such as the neck of a guitar.

Abstract: System and method for a rotary control in a device that comprises a knob, a shaft supporting the knob and coupled to rotate therewith a base supporting the shaft. A sensor, operationally coupled to the base, is configured to detect an aspect of manipulation of the knob, which may include information relating to position, velocity, acceleration, torque, rate of rotation, time of rotation, or a combination thereof. A mechanical haptic assembly is operationally coupled between the base and the shaft to provide mechanical based haptic effects in response to movement of the knob with respect to the base. A programmable electronic-based actuator is operationally coupled to the knob and provides electronic-based haptic force feedback to the knob.

Abstract: A touch panel provides an indication of a reference key and non-reference keys to a user. The touch panel senses a touch and determines the location of the touch. The touch panel then generates a haptic effect if the location is the reference key, and generates a different haptic effect if the location is a non-reference key.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a haptic feedback signal correlated to a music signal and providing the haptic feedback signal to a musical instrument. The music signal can created by the musical instrument or from a file, e.g., a MIDI file. A processor can generate the haptic feedback signal using a look-up table in which the music signal is mapped to a corresponding haptic feedback signal or can compute the corresponding haptic feedback signal based on the parameters of the music signal. The processor provides the haptic feedback signal to an actuator for causing a haptic effect at the musical instrument in response to receiving the haptic feedback signal. The haptic feedback signal can be applied to an input member, such as a key on a keyboard or a string on a guitar, or to the housing of the musical instrument, such as the neck of a guitar.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a haptic effect to a musical instrument is described. One method described comprises receiving a first signal having a set of parameters relating to sound, determining a haptic effect associated with at least one predetermined parameter from the set of parameters, and outputting a second signal associated with the haptic effect. The haptic effect can be determined using at least one predetermined parameter from the set of parameters to select the haptic effect from a database having one or more look-up tables. The second signal is provided to an actuator for causing a haptic effect at the musical instrument in response to receiving the second signal. The second signal can be applied to an input member, such as a key on a keyboard or a string on a guitar, or to the housing of the musical instrument, such as the neck of a guitar.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Products and processes for providing multimodal feedback in a user interface device are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises a manipulandum and an actuator in communication with the manipulandum. In one embodiment, the actuator may be operable to provide haptic feedback to the manipulandum and to produce an audible sound correlated with the haptic feedback.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a characterization module configured to receive data associated with operational characteristics of a mechanical device, the operational characteristics being associated with a perceptual experience of the mechanical device. A conversion module is coupled to the characterization module. The conversion module is configured to automatically produce, substantially without user intervention, a parametric data set associated with the mechanical device based on the data. In another embodiment, a method includes receiving data associated with operational characteristics of a mechanical device. The operational characteristics are associated with a perceptual experience of the mechanical device. A parametric data set associated with the mechanical device is produced automatically, without user intervention. The parametric data set is associated with the mechanical device based on the data.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a haptic effect to a musical instrument is described. One method described comprises receiving a first signal having a set of parameters relating to sound, determining a haptic effect associated with at least one predetermined parameter from the set of parameters, and outputting a second signal associated with the haptic effect. The haptic effect can be determined using at least one predetermined parameter from the set of parameters to select the haptic effect from a database having one or more look-up tables. The second signal is provided to an actuator for causing a haptic effect at the musical instrument in response to receiving the second signal. The second signal can be applied to an input member, such as a key on a keyboard or a string on a guitar, or to the housing of the musical instrument, such as the neck of a guitar.

Abstract: 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 receives a pressure signal indicating a pressure from an input device, such as a touchpad, compares the pseudo pressure signal to a pressure threshold value, and outputs a signal if the pseudo pressure signal is greater than the pressure threshold value. In another embodiment, the processor also calculates the speed of movement of a conductor, for instance a user's finger, across the input device, and compares the speed to a threshold. If the speed is greater than the threshold, the processor determines that although the pressure may be great enough to signal a press, no press is intended. The various parameters supplied by the input device may be digitally filtered to increase the accuracy of the determination of user intent.

Abstract: A hand controller arm assembly provides for the sensing of the position of a handle at the end of an arm in the X and Y direction through supporting linkages, and in the Z direction through a hinge which permits the arm to rotate upwardly. The joints of this controller may be actuated to provide haptic feed-back.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling haptic feedback to enhance navigation of a cursor or other controlled displayed object in a graphical environment. An interface device is capable of communicating with a computer running an application program and generating a graphical environment includes an actuator for outputting a haptic effect to a user of the interface device. A modulator modulates the magnitude of the haptic effect in relation to, in various embodiments, a velocity of the cursor or user manipulatable object; a rate of interaction of the cursor with graphical objects; or an amount of time that the cursor engages the graphical object.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling haptic feedback to enhance navigation of a cursor or other controlled displayed object in a graphical environment. An interface device is capable of communicating with a computer running an application program and generating a graphical environment includes an actuator for outputting a haptic effect to a user of the interface device. A modulator modulates the magnitude of the haptic effect in relation to, in various embodiments, a velocity of the cursor or user manipulatable object; a rate of interaction of the cursor with graphical objects; or an amount of time that the cursor engages the graphical object.