Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a case configured to mechanically couple with a mobile device and position the mobile device such that the mobile device serves as a display for the case. The system also includes a processor coupled to the case and configured to generate a haptic signal based at least in part on a characteristic of the case. The system also includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor and configured to receive the haptic signal and output a haptic effect in response to the haptic signal.

Abstract: A system and method of generating a set of preferred haptic settings for a user based on haptic settings chosen by other similar users is presented. The method includes maintaining a database of haptic software applications with associated haptic configuration settings. When a user loads a haptic software application such as a computer game or video, a server receives a communication identifying the particular computer game or video and the identity of the user. The server searches the database for other users of the computer game or video where the other users have similar setting preferences as the user. The server calculates a preferred set of configuration settings and sends those settings to the user where a haptic output device produces haptic effects based on the preferred set of configuration settings. A system that generates haptic setting based on similar users is also presented.

Abstract: A haptic enabled device that is configured to render one or more haptic effects is provided. The haptic enabled device includes an actuator and a plurality of user input elements. Each of the plurality of user input elements is configured to be selectively coupled to the actuator. In addition, the actuator is configured to be positioned to render the one or more haptic effects at each of the plurality of user input elements.

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: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a computing device in communication with a sensor configured to detect a display device near the sensor, the computing device, or within a field of view of a user of the computing device. The sensor can also be configured to transmit a signal associated with the display device to a processor in communication with the sensor. The processor is configured to determine an availability of the display device to display or output content (e.g., texts, images, sounds, videos, etc.) and a location of the display device based on the signal. The processor is also configured to determine a haptic effect based on the availability and the location of the display device and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes a haptic output device 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: 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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deformation and haptic effects are disclosed. For example, one method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, the sensor signal indicating a contact with a device and a location of the contact on the device; determining a deformation effect based on the contact and the location of the contact, the deformation effect configured to cause a change in a shape of the device; and outputting the deformation effect to a deformation device configured to change the shape of the device.

Abstract: Examples of externally-activated devices and systems are disclosed. One example system includes a first device having an actuation component; and a second device having a haptic output component, wherein: the first device and the second device are configured to be physically separable from each other; the actuation component is configured to transmit an actuation signal to the haptic output component while the first device and the second device are physically separated from each other, and the haptic output component configured to output a haptic effect in response to receiving the actuation signal and while the first device and the second device are physically separated from each other, the haptic effect based on the actuation signal.

Abstract: A system having a haptic control unit, a haptic delivery cluster, and an electric field generator, magnetic field generator, or pneumatic actuator is presented. The haptic delivery cluster comprises a plurality of haptic delivery nodes, wherein each haptic delivery node of the plurality of haptic delivery nodes is separate from other haptic delivery nodes of the plurality of haptic delivery nodes, is at least one of a wireless communication device, a sensor, or a computing device, and has a dimension that is less than or equal to 5 mm. The electric field generator, magnetic field generator, or pneumatic actuator is in communication with the haptic control unit and is configured, when activated, to generate an electric field or a magnetic field in a physical environment in which the haptic delivery cluster is located, or to output a pulse of air in the physical environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating haptic effects associated with audio signals are disclosed. One disclosed system for outputting haptic effects includes a processor configured to: receive an audio signal; determine a haptic effect based in part on the audio signal by: identifying one or more components in the audio signal; and determining a haptic effect associated with the one or more components; and output a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect.

Abstract: A method and system for avoiding haptic effects conflict is presented. A haptic enabled device configured to generate haptic effects associated with a first signature is used by a user. The system detects an additional source of haptic effects and determines a second signature associated with the haptic effects produced by the source. The system determines a preferred set of haptic configurations and modifies either the first or second signature based on the preferred set of haptic configurations to achieve a minimal conflict between the first and second signatures.

Abstract: A system includes an electronic device that includes a display screen, a cover configured to cover the display screen, a sensor configured to sense an input gesture comprising deformation and/or movement of the cover relative to the electronic device, and a processor configured to determine an action for the electronic device to perform based on the input gesture, to determine a haptic effect to generate based on the input gesture and/or the action for the electronic device to perform, and to initiate the action. The system also includes a haptic output device configured to generate the haptic effect.

Abstract: A haptic system includes a structure having a conductive layer and a reactive layer. The conductive layer is coupled to a power source and the reactive layer is coupled to a switch having a first state and a second state. The power source enables the conductive layer to generate a charge. The first state of the switch operates the reactive layer to block the establishment of a tissue-stimulating electric field. The second state of the switch operates the reactive layer to enable the establishment of a tissue-stimulating electric field to generate a touchless haptic effect.

Abstract: A notification manager is provided that manages notifications for a user. The notification manager detects a notification event and determines a context of the notification event. The notification manager determines a target device for the notification event based on the determined context and one or more available displays. The notification manager then generates a notification on one or more of the one or more available displays to direct the user's attention to the target device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for location-based notifications for shopping assistance. One disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a list of items for a shopping list; obtaining a location of at least one of the items in the list; responsive to a determination that a proximity of a user device to the location is within a threshold proximity of the location: generating a notification signal based on the proximity of the user device to the location; and outputting the notification signal to cause the user device to output a notification.

Abstract: An interface device configured to provide an electrostatic friction (ESF) effect is disclosed. The interface device comprises a plurality of electrodes disposed at a surface of the interface device. It further comprises a signal generating circuit configured to generate a first drive signal at an output of the signal generating circuit, and comprises a plurality of frequency filter units or delay elements electrically connected to the signal generating circuit and to the plurality of electrodes. The interface device further comprises a control unit configured to use the plurality of frequency filter units or delay elements: (i) to cause only a subset of one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes to output one or more respective ESF effects with the first drive signal, or (ii) to cause at least two electrodes to output respective ESF effects with the first drive signal in different respective manners.

Abstract: A system configured to activate a hidden control includes a sensor configured to sense an input by a user. The input includes a gesture. The system includes a haptic output device configured to output a haptic feedback as the input is being sensed, and a processor configured to determine if the sensed input corresponds to a predetermined gesture associated with activation of a control, and if the sensed input corresponds to the predetermined gesture to activate the control.

Abstract: A system includes a haptic output device constructed and arranged to generate a haptic effect to a user of the system, and a chemical delivery device constructed and arranged to deliver a chemical to the user of the system.