Abstract: A multifunctional haptic actuator (1) having a plurality of functional actuation modes, comprising an actuation arrangement (2) and at least one moveable energy storage (3). The actuation arrangement (2) provides and/or facilitates movement of the energy storage (3) along and/or around a plurality of actuation axes. The energy storage (3) is adapted for supplying electric charge to drive the actuation arrangement (2), and storing electric charge generated by the actuation arrangement (2). A first functional actuation mode comprises generating mechanical vibrations by supplying electric charge from the energy storage (3) to the actuation arrangement (2), the electric charge generating movement of the energy storage (3). A second functional actuation mode comprises generating electric charge by means of mechanical vibrations of the energy storage (3), the vibrations generating electric charge in the actuation arrangement (2), the electric charge being stored in the energy storage (3).

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a method for creating a fast vanishing light scattering surface/volume to which an image is projected. The method includes: creating two portions of atomized particles of a given particle size that does not allow an incident light having a visible spectrum from being scattered, reflected and/or dissipated; and ejecting these two portions of the atomized particles from two opposite directions towards each other. The atomized particles collide/contact with each other to aggregate, thereby creating the fast vanishing light scattering surface/volume at a specific spatial region in which the aggregated particles allow the incident light to be scattered, reflected and/or dissipated.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a haptic stylus includes: a stylus housing; a stylus tip attached to one end of the stylus housing, so as to be in contact with an interaction surface, such as a touchscreen; a stylus covering attached to a circumference of the stylus housing, so as to be movable with respect to the stylus housing along a longitudinal direction of the haptic stylus and so as to be gripped/held by user's fingers; and a first actuator configured to activate the stylus housing to thereby cause a stick-slip phenomenon between the stylus covering and the user's fingers gripping/holding the stylus covering thereby allowing the user's fingers to grip/hold the stylus covering while moving along the longitudinal direction of the haptic stylus.

Abstract: A method for testing user experience, comprising steps of: acquiring test indicating information; releasing a main task and an auxiliary task according to the test indicating information, each auxiliary task includes the main task and a corresponding physical signal providing prompting effect or inhibiting effect to the main task; acquiring feedback response information of a subject corresponding to the main task and the auxiliary task. In the technical solution of the present disclosure, through comparison of feedback response information of the subject between the auxiliary task and the main task, the perception situation of the subject on physical signals can be determined, and through comparison of feedback response information of the subject between the auxiliary tasks, the perception situation of the subject on different physical signals can be determined, thereby improving the effectiveness of the test result on perception attributes of physical signals.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a haptic device including a flexible and deformable tube, a liquid or gel-like substance, a sensor and an actuator. The flexible and deformable tube is affixed to a grip area to be gripped by a user. The liquid or gel-like substance is sealed within the tube and configured to transmit a pressure or/and pressure vibration vibration/pressure therethrough. The sensor is configured to detect the pressure or/and pressure vibration vibration/pressure generated in the tube. The actuator is configured to generate a haptic signal in the tube and/or the substance so as to be transmitted to the user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in order to provide navigational instructions in a manner that does not require the user to view the navigational instructions. In the context of a method, user input is received that is representative of an estimation by the user of a navigational instruction. The method also determines whether the estimation by the user matches the navigational instruction. Further, the method causes feedback to be generated at least in an instance in which the estimation by the user fails to match the navigational instruction. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a tactile imaging system. The tactical imaging system includes: a receptive field tactile control unit; and a connecting module configured to connect the tactile imaging system with a host system. In addition, the receptive field tactile control unit includes: a monitoring module configured to monitor a property of a human skin; and a tactile stimulation providing module configured to provide a tactile stimulation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a living body stimulation device including: an envelope body having a living body contact surface which is to be brought into contact with a stimulation-target site of a living body; a propagation medium sealed in the envelope body and made of a liquid or gel material capable of transmitting a vibration and/or pressure; and an actuator configured to apply the vibration and/or pressure to the propagation medium. The vibration and/or pressure applied to the propagation medium by the actuator propagates through the propagation medium to the living body contact surface of the envelope body, to thereby stimulate the living body.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a haptic stylus includes: a stylus housing; a stylus tip attached to one end of the stylus housing, so as to be in contact with an interaction surface, such as a touchscreen; a stylus covering attached to a circumference of the stylus housing, so as to be movable with respect to the stylus housing along a longitudinal direction of the haptic stylus and so as to be gripped/held by user's fingers; and a first actuator configured to activate the stylus housing to thereby cause a stick-slip phenomenon between the stylus covering and the user's fingers gripping/holding the stylus covering thereby allowing the user's fingers to grip/hold the stylus covering while moving along the longitudinal direction of the haptic stylus.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a method for creating a fast vanishing light scattering surface/volume to which an image is projected. The method includes: creating two portions of atomized particles of a given particle size that does not allow an incident light having a visible spectrum from being scattered, reflected and/or dissipated; and ejecting these two portions of the atomized particles from two opposite directions towards each other. The atomized particles collide/contact with each other to aggregate, thereby creating the fast vanishing light scattering surface/volume at a specific spatial region in which the aggregated particles allow the incident light to be scattered, reflected and/or dissipated.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a living body stimulation device including: an envelope body having a living body contact surface which is to be brought into contact with a stimulation-target site of a living body; a propagation medium sealed in the envelope body and made of a liquid or gel material capable of transmitting a vibration and/or pressure; and an actuator configured to apply the vibration and/or pressure to the propagation medium. The vibration and/or pressure applied to the propagation medium by the actuator propagates through the propagation medium to the living body contact surface of the envelope body, to thereby stimulate the living body.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a haptic device to be overlaid on a manipulation face for receiving a manipulation from a user. The haptic device includes a pouch, a liquid or gel-like substance and an actuator. The pouch is formed from the manipulation face and a transparent sheet overlaid thereon with a gap. The liquid or gel-like substance is sealed within the pouch and configured to transmit a pressure or/and pressure vibration therethrough. The actuator is configured to generate a haptic signal in the transparent sheet and/or the substance so as to be transmitted to the user.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a tactile imaging system. The tactical imaging system includes: a receptive field tactile control unit; and a connecting module configured to connect the tactile imaging system with a host system. In addition, the receptive field tactile control unit includes: a monitoring module configured to monitor a property of a human skin; and a tactile stimulation providing module configured to provide a tactile stimulation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a haptic device including a flexible and deformable tube, a liquid or gel-like substance, a sensor and an actuator. The flexible and deformable tube is affixed to a grip area to be gripped by a user. The liquid or gel-like substance is sealed within the tube and configured to transmit a pressure or/and pressure vibration vibration/pressure therethrough. The sensor is configured to detect the pressure or/and pressure vibration vibration/pressure generated in the tube. The actuator is configured to generate a haptic signal in the tube and/or the substance so as to be transmitted to the user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in order to provide navigational instructions in a manner that does not require the user to view the navigational instructions. In the context of a method, user input is received that is representative of an estimation by the user of a navigational instruction. The method also determines whether the estimation by the user matches the navigational instruction. Further, the method causes feedback to be generated at least in an instance in which the estimation by the user fails to match the navigational instruction. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: For providing a tactile feedback to a user of a device, textual or graphical information is converted into instructions for a sequence of pulses representing the information. An actuator is then caused to move at least a part of a display according to the obtained instructions.

Abstract: For providing a tactile feedback to a user of a device, textual or graphical information is converted into instructions for a sequence of pulses representing the information. An actuator is then caused to move at least a part of a display according to the obtained instructions.