Abstract: A codec operable to process audio data and related data. The codec further operable to receive at least one of an audio, audio auxiliary, program configuration, and data signals from a program source, the audio signals including at least one of single channel audio and multi-channel audio signals, audio auxiliary signals including spatial and motion data and environmental characteristics, the data signals including program related data. The codec further operable to generate a non-transitory encoded bitstream, wherein the bitstream includes at least one of synchronization command data and at least one of a program command data, audio channel data, audio auxiliary data, program content data, and an end of stream data, wherein the encoded bitstream includes an identifier for defining packet type for each data component. The synchronization command data includes a stream start flag defining an entry point for decoding the bitstream and further provides sample rate for the encoded bitstream.

Abstract: A sub-band coder operable to process audio samples for use in a digital encoder. The sub-band coder comprising application code instructions executable on a processor configured to cause the coder to filter the audio samples into a plurality of frequency band components using at least one Pseudo-Quadrature Mirror Filter (PQMF) and modulate the plurality of frequency band components into a plurality of quantized band values using a pulse code modulation technique. The application code instructions further operable to cause the coder to decode the plurality of quantized band values into an approximation signal using an inverse pulse code modulation technique and at least one Inverse Pseudo-Quadrature Mirror Filter (IPQMF). The application code instructions operable to cause the coder generates an output for use by the digital encoder that includes the plurality of quantized band values, the approximation signal, and a plurality of encoded quantized band values.

Abstract: A system is provided that controls a haptic effect experienced at a peripheral device. The system receives a haptic effect definition including haptic data. The system further receives spatialization data including: a distance of the haptic effect; a direction of the haptic effect; or a flow of the haptic effect. The system further includes modifying the haptic effect definition based on the received spatialization data. The system further includes sending a haptic instruction and the modified haptic effect definition to the peripheral device. The system further includes causing one or more haptic output devices to produce one or more haptic effects based on the modified haptic effect definition at the peripheral device in response to the haptic instruction.

Abstract: A haptic actuator assembly includes a haptic actuator configured to output displacement along a perpendicular axis and a pre-load device. The pre-load device is disposed adjacent to the haptic actuator and configured to generate a compressive load on the haptic actuator along the perpendicular axis to oppose expansion of the haptic actuator along the perpendicular axis. The pre-load device includes a casing and at least a first spring component. The casing includes a cover and a base spaced apart from and extending parallel to the cover. The haptic actuator is disposed between the cover and the base, and the first spring component is configured to exert a force in order to create the compressive load on the haptic actuator along the perpendicular axis.

Abstract: A wearable haptic-enabled user interface device comprising a plurality of magnetic elements and at least one electromagnet that are configured to generate a haptic effect at the user interface device by being disposed to generate at least one of an attractive force and a repelling force on each other when the at least one electromagnet is activated. The wearable haptic-enabled user interface device further comprises a processor configured to activate the at least one electromagnet in response to a determination to output the haptic effect.

Abstract: One illustrative computing device disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a physical object and transmit a sensor signal associated with the user interaction. The illustrative computing device also includes a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine a characteristic of the physical object based on the sensor signal; determine a haptic effect associated with the characteristic; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative computing device further includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.

Abstract: A system includes a processor, an audio display, and a haptic peripheral including a haptic output device. The audio display includes a speaker and a headphone connector. The haptic output device is configured to receive a control signal from the processor and output a haptic effect to the haptic peripheral in response to the control signal from the processor. The processor is configured to vary the control signal for the haptic output device depending on an audio output accessory connectivity status of the audio display such that the haptic output device generates and applies a first haptic effect if the audio display is connected to an audio output accessory in order to output audio through the headphone connector and the haptic output device generates and applies a second haptic effect if the audio display is not connected to an audio output accessory in order to output audio through the speaker.

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 long-range interactions for virtual reality are disclosed. One disclosed system includes: a handheld interface device; a sensor configured to detect movement of the handheld interface device and transmit a sensor signal associated with the movement; a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to: determine a haptic signal based in part on the sensor signal; and control, based on the haptic signal, an electromagnetic source remote from the handheld interface device to output a magnetic field to apply a force to magnetic material in the handheld interface device to output a haptic effect to a user of the handheld interface device.

Abstract: A system, comprising a clock generating a timing signal, a magnetometer coupled to the clock and configured to receive the timing signal and to generate first heading data and a gyroscope coupled to the clock and configured to receive the timing signal and to generate second heading data. The system further includes a first adder coupled to the magnetometer and gyroscope and configured to determine a difference signal as a function of the first heading data and the second heading data and a constrain data system coupled to the first adder and configured to apply a limit to the difference signal. A combine delta system is coupled to the constrain data system and configured to combine two or more of the constrained data values to generate a combined delta signal, and a second adder coupled to the gyroscope and the combine delta system and configured to add the combined delta signal to the second heading data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for visual processing of spectrograms to generate haptic effects are disclosed. In one embodiment, a signal comprising at least an audio signal is received. One or more spectrograms may be generated based at least in part on the received signal. One or more haptic effects may be determined based at least in part on the spectrogram. For example, a generated spectrogram may be a two-dimensional image and this image can be analyzed to determine one or more haptic effects. Once a haptic effect has been determined, one or more haptic output signals can be generated. A generated haptic output signal may be output to one or more haptic output devices.

Abstract: A method to assist with decision making, according to which a plurality of information sources, presumed to be useful for analyzing a situation, are recorded in a database of a device, including a digital processing system with display means and interface means in order to perform interactions on information containers and/or on contents of the information containers, presented to the operators in visual form by the display means. Every interaction of an operator with an information container is stored by the digital processing system and is interpreted so as to identify an operation on the corresponding information sources. The device establishes a list of information containers of the database that were not the subject of any interaction during the work session and information sources of the database that were not the subject of any operation during the work session.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine a haptic effect, wherein the haptic effect includes a static ESF effect or a confirmation ESF effect; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes an ESF device in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device including an ESF cell and configured to receive the ESF signal and output 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 device has a user interface that generates a haptic effect in response to user inputs or gestures. In one embodiment, the device receives an indication that the user is scrolling through a list of elements and an indication that an element is selected. The device determines the scroll rate and generates a haptic effect that has a magnitude that is based on the scroll rate.

Abstract: A decoder operable to decode audio signals. The decoder operable to receive an encoded bitstream that includes bitstream synchronization command data and program command data and process the encoded bitstream and identify within the bitstream the synchronization command data. The decoder further operable to decode the program command packet and at least one program related channel data using information provided in the synchronization command data and decode program related channel data using information provided in the program command data.

Abstract: A system generates a haptic signal. The system receives an audio signal, pre-processes the audio signal by modifying the audio signal to create a modified audio signal, and maps the modified audio signal to a haptic signal. The system then sends the haptic signal to an actuator to generate one or more haptic effects.

Abstract: A system includes a wearable electronic device and a strap operatively connected to the wearable electronic device. The strap is configured to allow a user to wear the wearable electronic device on a body part. The system also includes an actuator connected to the strap, and a processor in signal communication with the wearable electronic device and the actuator. The processor is configured to receive a first signal from the wearable electronic device and send a second signal, based on the first signal, to the actuator to cause the strap to move relative to the wearable electronic device and provide a haptic effect to the user.

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: This disclosure relates to haptic actuators, and suitably haptic actuators based on repulsion and attraction between a coil and a magnet. Such haptic actuators are useful in structural materials, such as elements of wearables or accessories.