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 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: 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 braking pulse to provide a damping effect for a short mechanical type of haptic effect.

Abstract: A device includes a housing, a processor that is coupled to the housing, the processor is configured to process a software program stored in a memory. A touch screen is coupled to the housing and configured to display graphical objects, wherein a sensor signal associated with a user's interaction with the touch screen is provided to the processor. A first actuator is coupled to the touch screen and positioned within the housing. The first actuator is configured to output a first haptic effect to the touch screen upon receiving a first activating signal from the processor. A second actuator is coupled to the housing and configured to output a second haptic effect to the housing upon receiving a second activating signal from the processor. The first activating signal is associated with a foreground event and the second activating signal is associated with a background event occurring in the software program.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of actuator mechanisms for a multi-touch tactile touch panel are disclosed. The tactile touch panel includes an electrical insulated layer and a tactile layer. The top surface of the electrical insulated layer is capable of receiving an input from a user. The tactile layer includes a grid or an array of haptic cells. The top surface of the haptic layer is situated adjacent to the bottom surface of the electrical insulated layer, while the bottom surface of the haptic layer is situated adjacent to a display. Each haptic cell further includes at least one piezoelectric material, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (“MEMS”) element, thermal fluid pocket, MEMS pump, resonant device, variable porosity membrane, laminar flow modulation, or the like. Each haptic cell is configured to provide a haptic effect independent of other haptic cells in the tactile layer.

Abstract: Haptic information in a series of frames of a media transport stream is identified and time stamps corresponding thereto are determined in accordance with a master time code signal embedded in the media transport stream. Each media transport stream frame containing haptic information is subsequently assigned a time stamp so that it will be used to activate an actuator at a proper time responsive to the time stamp to generate a haptic effect in accordance with the haptic information.

Abstract: The system and method described is directed to receiving digital audio files and automatically converting the received files into haptic events. In an embodiment, the received files are of sampled digital or digitized analog audio files. The system and method separates the audio signal into a plurality of sub-band signals and segments the sub-band signals into a plurality of events. The system and method then assigns haptic effects to the events to produce haptic event signals which are to be output by an actuator. The system and method utilizes clipping and minimum time separation parameters along with physical parameters of the actuator and frequency characteristics in the audio signal to analyze and provide discrete haptic events which correspond with the audio.