Abstract: A haptically-enabled system retrieves a haptic effect definition in response to a request for a haptic effect and receives a power consumption management mode. The system modifies the haptic effect definition based at least in part on the power consumption management mode and converts the modified haptic effect definition into a haptic effect signal. The system then applies the haptic effect signal to a haptic output device.

Abstract: An audio playback device may be capable of operating in a “shuffle” mode in which audio or other content items are randomly selected. Environmental factor(s) such as ambient conditions or forces applied to the device or a peripheral can be used to identify one or more subsets of available content items from which content items are selected to thereby provide an “ambient shuffle” mode. By including or excluding items from the subset, the randomly-selected content items may more likely match the conditions under which the playback device is operating and/or match input provided by a user via tapping on, shaking, or otherwise applying force to the device or components in communication with the device.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a touch-sensitive surface, which includes: a first surface on a first plane; and a second surface adjacent to the first surface, wherein the second surface is on a second plane different from the first plane. The illustrative system also includes a haptic output device configured to receive a haptic signal and output a haptic effect. Further, the illustrative system includes a processor coupled to the haptic output device and the touch-sensitive surface, the processor configured to: determine an event; determine the haptic effect based at least in part on the event; determine the haptic signal based at least in part on the haptic effect; and transmit the haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to the haptic output device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interfaces featuring surface-based haptic effects are described. One described system includes a sensor configured to detect a touch in a touch area when an object contacts a touch surface. The touch surface may correspond to the display area or may correspond to a non-display surface of a computing device or peripheral interfaced to a computing device. The system can further include an actuator in communication with the processor and coupled to the touch surface, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect and a processor configured to select a haptic effect to generate. The haptic effect can be selected based on a position of the touch and recognizing an input gesture provided by the touch and/or content displayed in a graphical user interface at a location mapped to a position in the touch area at or near the touch. The haptic effect may provide a texture, simulate an obstacle, and/or adjust the coefficient of friction of the surface.

Abstract: A system is provided that encodes one or more dynamic haptic effects. The system defines a dynamic haptic effect as including a plurality of key frames, where each key frame includes an interpolant value and a corresponding haptic effect. An interpolant value is a value that specifies where an interpolation occurs. The system generates a haptic effect file, and stores the dynamic haptic effect within the haptic effect file.

Abstract: Systems and methods for physics-based tactile messaging are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor configured to sense a physical interaction with a messaging device; determining an interaction between one or more virtual message objects and a virtual message environment, the interaction based at least in part on the sensor signal and a virtual physical parameter of at least one of the one or more virtual message objects; and determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the interaction. The method additionally includes the step of generating a haptic signal configured to cause an actuator to output the haptic effect.

Abstract: Interactive content may be presented to a user that is manipulating a peripheral. One or more state parameters that are related to the position of the peripheral may be determined. The peripheral may be identified from a plurality of possible peripherals. The interactive content may be adjusted based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral. Haptic feedback to be provided to the user may be determined based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral.

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 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: A system determines a mood of an associated user. Based on the determined mood, an action to be performed by the system is determined. The system then initiates the determined action by transmitting an object that corresponds to the determined mood to another system.

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: A system provides overlaid haptic effects. The system determines a primary content and a primary haptic effect associated with the primary content. The system also determines a secondary content and a secondary haptic effect associated with the secondary content. Subsequently, the system outputs the secondary content concurrently with the primary content, and also outputs the secondary haptic effect concurrently with the primary haptic effect on at least one haptic output device.

Abstract: A device comprises a housing, a sensor, a controller and an actuator. The sensor is configured to detect a contact force exerted on the housing. The controller is communicatively coupled to the sensor and is configured to determine a change in a haptic effect caused by the contact force. The controller is additionally configured to generate an output instruction to deliver the haptic effect in a compensated form that is operable to correct the change. The actuator is configured to receive the output instruction and deliver the compensated haptic effect at the housing.

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: A haptic representation system is provided that generates a haptic effect in response to sensor input. The sensor input is mapped to a haptic signal. The haptic signal is sent to an actuator configured to receive the haptic signal. The actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the haptic effect.

Abstract: A user interface device having a user input component, a mechanical metamaterial region, one or more actuators, and a control unit is presented. The mechanical metamaterial region is located over the user input component. The one or more actuators are coupled to the mechanical metamaterial region, which has an internal structure that is mechanically alterable with the one or more actuators, and has a mechanical property that changes in response to the alteration of the internal structure by the one or more actuators. The control unit is in communication with the one or more actuators, and is configured to determine whether the user input component is to be hidden from tactile perception, and to activate the one or more actuators to mechanically alter the internal structure of the mechanical metamaterial region.

Abstract: A force feedback system provides components for use in a force feedback system including a host computer and a force feedback interface device. An architecture for a host computer allows multi-tasking application programs to interface with the force feedback device without conflicts. One embodiment of a force feedback device provides both relative position reporting and absolute position reporting to allow great flexibility. A different device embodiment provides relative position reporting device allowing maximum compatibility with existing software. Information such as ballistic parameters and screen size sent from the host to the force feedback device allow accurate mouse positions and graphical object positions to be determined in the force feedback environment. Force feedback effects and structures are further described, such as events and enclosures.

Abstract: A system for generating haptic effects in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a seat and a seat belt, is provided. The system comprises one or more haptic output devices positioned at or attached to the seat belt. The system further comprises a processor configured to receive a sensor signal from a sensor that is configured to sense information associated with the vehicle's environment or the vehicle's condition. The system is further configured to determine whether to generate a haptic effect based on the sensor signal, and to output a haptic control signal and communicate the haptic control signal to the one or more haptic output devices in response to a determination to generate the haptic effect. The one or more haptic output devices are configured to generate the haptic effect based on the haptic control signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving public broadcasts and haptic effects comprises a receiver having at least first and second communication channels, the first channel configured to receive a wireless transmission of a non-haptic signal, and the second channel configured to receive a wireless transmission of a haptic signal. A transducer is in electrical communication with the receiver, the transducer being configured to receive and present the public message broadcast through the first channel. A haptic effect actuator in electrical communication with the receiver, the haptic actuator responsive to the haptic signal to generate a haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced haptic effects are described. One described method includes receiving an input signal having haptic information and multimedia data, the input signal formatted in a first format, decoding the haptic information from the input signal, and determining a parameter associated with an actuator in a haptic device. The method further includes generating an actuator signal based at least in part on the parameter and the haptic information, and generating an output signal comprising the multimedia data and the actuator signal, the output signal formatted in a second format.