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

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating haptic surface texture with a deformable surface layer are disclosed. The haptic device includes a flexible surface layer, a haptic substrate, and a deforming mechanism. The flexible surface layer is made of elastic materials and is capable of reconfiguring its surface characteristics. The haptic substrate, in one embodiment, provides a first pattern in response to a first activating signal. Alternatively, the haptic substrate is capable of providing a second pattern in accordance with a second activating signal. The deforming mechanism is configured to change the flexible surface from a first surface characteristic to a second surface characteristic in accordance with the first pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of generating haptic cues for pacing and monitoring are disclosed. After sensing an event via a component, a process for generating haptic cues generates an input in response to the event. The component, in one example, may be a sensor or a combination of a sensor and a haptic actuator. Upon receipt of the input, the process retrieves a haptic signal from a tactile library in response to the input. A haptic feedback in response to the haptic signal is subsequently generated.

Abstract: A haptic signal distribution system capable of distributing haptic synchronous signals includes a master haptic device and groups of slave haptic devices. In one embodiment, the master haptic device is configured to distribute haptic synchronous signals to slave haptic devices. The haptic synchronous signals, for instance, may include information relating to a tempo for a piece of music. A haptic signal distribution system, for example, allows a master wearable haptic device to selectively distribute haptic synchronous signals to one or more groups of slave wearable haptic devices via a wireless communications network. Upon receipt of the haptic synchronous signals, each slave wearable haptic device generates a series of haptic feedback having a rhythm of beats in response to the haptic synchronous signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic interface device capable of providing a fixed relief touch screen with locating features using deformable haptic surfaces are disclosed. The device, in one embodiment, includes a haptic mechanism and a touch-sensitive surface. The haptic mechanism provides haptic feedback in response to an activating command. The touch-sensitive surface is capable of changing its surface texture from a first surface characteristic to a second surface characteristic in response to the haptic feedback. For example, the first surface characteristic may be coarse texture while the second surface characteristic may be smooth texture.

Abstract: A force feedback cursor control interface for use with a computer that provides locative data to a computer for tracking a user manipulatable physical object and provides feedback to the user through output forces. The physical object is movable in multiple degrees of freedom and is tracked by sensors for sensing the location and/or orientation of the object. A multi-processor system architecture is disclosed wherein the host computer is interfaced with a device microprocessor which is responsive to the output of the sensors and provides the host computer with information derived from the sensors. The host computer runs an application program and provides images on a display, where the program responds to the provided sensor information and force feedback is correlated with the displayed images via force feedback commands from the host computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing safe and low-cost force feedback peripherals for consumer applications. A device microprocessor local to an interface device is coupled to the host by a first interface bus. The microprocessor receives host commands from the host computer on the first interface bus, such as an RS-232 interface, and commands an actuator to apply a force to a user object, such as a joystick, in response to host commands. A sensor detects positions of the user object and outputs signals to the host on a second interface bus, such as a PC game port bus, separate from the first bus. In a “recoil” embodiment, a user initiates force feedback by pressing a button on the joystick, which sends an activation signal to the actuator. In other recoil embodiments, the host computer can transmit one or more enable signals and/or activation signals to the actuator to enable or command forces.

Abstract: Haptic feedback control devices of the present invention include several embodiments. One embodiment includes a housing and a pair of moveable pincher members coupled to the housing. Each pincher member is contacted by a finger of the user when the device is operated and moveable in a degree of freedom approximately within a single plane. An actuator outputs force feedback on the pincher members and a sensor detects a position of the pincher members in the degrees of freedom. The device housing can include a fixed portion and a moveable portion, where the user contacts both fixed and moveable portions. A coupling, such as a flexure, allows the moveable portion to move relative to the fixed portion in a direction parallel to an outer surface of the moveable portion contacted by the user. An actuator outputs a force on the flexure to cause the moveable portion to move, such as an oscillating force to cause vibration.