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 haptic system and a method of manufacturing a haptic system are provided. The haptic system includes a substrate and a haptic actuator. The substrate includes a region having a residual stress. The haptic actuator is associated with the substrate on or near the region and is configured to generate a haptic effect in response to receiving a haptic effect signal. The haptic effect generated by the haptic actuator is amplified by the residual stress associated with the region. The method of manufacturing the haptic system includes deforming an substrate into a deformed shape, applying an epoxy to the substrate, affixing a haptic actuator to the epoxy and curing the epoxy while holding the substrate in the deformed shape, and, after curing, releasing the substrate to create the region having the residual stress.

Abstract: A haptic output device includes a substrate, an array of electrodes disposed on the substrate, and a layer of dielectric material disposed on the array of electrodes. The layer of dielectric material has an exposed outer surface comprising a micro-patterned texture configured to increase adhesion between the exposed outer surface and a contact surface in contact with the exposed outer surface. The haptic output device includes a controller configured to direct a voltage potential across the array of electrodes to generate an electrostatic adhesive force between the exposed outer surface and the contact surface as a haptic effect.

Abstract: A haptic-enabled user interface device comprising a user input component, an elastomer suspension, a signal generating circuit, a signal sensing circuit, one or more switches, and a control unit is presented. The elastomer suspension is formed by at least one stack that includes an elastomeric layer, wherein the at least one stack forms at least one capacitor. The control unit is configured, in an actuation mode, to cause the one or more switches to electrically connect the signal generating circuit to the at least one capacitor and to electrically disconnect the signal sensing circuit from at least one capacitor, and to cause the signal generating circuit to apply a drive signal to the at least one capacitor. The control unit is further configured, in a sensing mode, to cause the one or more switches to electrically connect the signal sensing circuit to the at least one capacitor.

Abstract: A haptically enabled system is provided. The system receives a haptic effect primitive including a plurality of input parameters that define a haptic effect. The system also receives an input from a sensor that varies over a time duration. The system generates a dynamic haptic effect signal based on the haptic effect primitive and the input, which includes generating a plurality of output parameters including an amplitude of the dynamic haptic effect signal, and varying the amplitude of the dynamic haptic effect signal continuously over the time duration using frequency modulation. The system then applies the dynamic haptic effect signal to an actuator to generate the haptic effect.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to haptic feedback generators, including bistable materials for providing haptic feedback to a user. Such haptic feedback generators are useful in structural materials, such as elements of wearables or accessories.

Abstract: A haptic actuator comprising a base and a haptic transducer at least partially suspended by the base. The haptic transducer comprises a substrate and a smart material operably connected to the substrate. The smart material has resonance in response to an electrical signal having a determined frequency, and the resonance causes the haptic transducer to vibrate and deliver a haptic effect.

Abstract: A system includes a sensor, a processor configured to receive a signal output by the sensor, determine a position and descriptor of the sensor, determine a scene selection of a video, and create a haptic signal based on the selected scene, the signal output by the sensor, and the position and descriptor of the sensor, and a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and generate a haptic effect based on the haptic signal. A system includes a sensor, a processor configured to receive a signal from the sensor, determine a type of event and activity associated with the sensor, and generate a haptic signal based on the signal from the sensor and the type of event and activity associated with the sensor, and a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect based on the haptic signal.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to conformable displays, including macro-fiber composite (MFC) actuators. The MFC actuators are configured to displace the conformable displays in a linear direction. The conformable displays can be thin, flexible and deformable.

Abstract: A haptic conversion system is provided that intercepts frames of audio data, such as a digital audio signal, converts the frames into a haptic signal, and plays the created haptic signal through an actuator to produce haptic effects. The haptic signal is based on a maximum value of each audio data frame, which defines a magnitude of the haptic signal. The haptic signal is applied to the actuator configured to receive the haptic signal, where the actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the one or more haptic effects.

Abstract: A bi-functional apparatus for sensing touch and delivering a haptic signal. The bi-functional apparatus comprises first and second electrodes. The first electrode provides a haptic interface for delivering an electrostatic force and has a top surface and a bottom surface. A dielectric insulator covers the top surface of the first electrode. A sensor is positioned between the bottom surface of the first electrode and the second electrode. The sensor selectively provides electrical conductivity between the first and second electrodes in response to at least a threshold amount of pressure exerted against the dielectric insulator. A method of sensing touch and delivering a haptic signal with a single device.

Abstract: A haptic actuator comprising a first actuation component and a second actuation component is presented. The first actuation component comprises a first layer of actuatable material and electrodes on opposite sides of the first layer, wherein the actuatable material is configured to deform upon any electrical signal being applied to at least one of the electrodes. The haptic actuator further comprises a second layer separated from the first actuation component by one or more spacers. The second actuation component comprises a magnetized material and one or more electromagnets. Either the magnetized material or the one or more electromagnets are disposed on the first actuation component, and relative movement between the magnetized material and the one or more electromagnets is generated upon any electrical signal being applied to the one or more electromagnets, wherein the relative movement causes vibration of the first actuation component.

Abstract: A method for dynamically converting an input signal into a haptic signal that causes a haptic output device to output one or more haptic effects is provided. The method includes generating a plurality of effect objects that are orderable in any order at runtime, receiving an input signal including a data signal and metadata defining an order that the effect objects are applied to the data signal at runtime, applying the effect objects to the data signal based on the order, and sending the haptic signal to the haptic output device. The effect objects applied to the data signal include an effect object that determines a threshold magnitude value by mapping the data signal to one of a plurality of bins, and an effect object that applies a dynamic range compression algorithm to the data signal based on the threshold magnitude value.

Abstract: A haptic actuator assembly comprising a haptic actuator and a pre-load device is presented. The haptic actuator is configured to generate a displacement along a first axis, wherein the haptic actuator is a piezoelectric actuator. The pre-load device is adjacent to the haptic actuator and configured to generate a compressive load on the haptic actuator along the first axis. The pre-load device includes a first component and a second component that are disposed on opposing surfaces of the haptic actuator, and are configured to generate a magnetic force that attracts the first component and the second component to each other in order to generate the compressive load on the haptic actuator along the first axis. The first component is a permanent magnet, and the second component is at least one of another permanent magnet, an electromagnet, or a ferromagnetic component that comprises ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a smart material for providing haptic feedback, as well as haptic actuators, and suitably haptic actuation resulting from electroactive materials. Such haptic actuators are useful in structural materials, including as elements of wearables or accessories.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a computing device with an electrostatic force (“ESF”) haptic output device coupled to a surface of the computing device. The ESF haptic output device comprises a signal electrode that includes an insulation layer and a conductive layer positioned proximate to the insulation layer and the conductive layer is electrically coupled to a voltage supply to receive an amount of voltage for generating an ESF haptic effect, which can include a dynamic ESF haptic effect or a static ESF haptic effect. The ESF haptic output device can output the ESF haptic effect to the surface of the computing device to which the ESF haptic output device is coupled.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to haptic devices for implantation in a human subject. Such haptic devices can include various actuators, including both active and passive haptic actuators, for providing feedback to a user.

Abstract: An actuator system configured to generate a haptic effect, the actuator system including a housing of an electronic device, the housing being configured to form a mechanical ground, a first actuator disposed between a first moving mass and the mechanical ground, the first actuator being configured to render the haptic effect, and a second actuator disposed between a second moving mass and the mechanical ground, the second actuator being configured to dampen the haptic effect.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for providing haptic effects based on information complementary to multimedia content. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving multimedia data comprising multimedia content and complementary data, wherein the complementary data describes the multimedia content, determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the complementary data, and outputting the haptic effect while playing the multimedia content.