Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to: receive a first haptic effect signal, the first haptic effect signal based at least in part on a haptic event and adapted to cause a first haptic effect to be output by a first haptic output device to a first user, determine a second haptic effect based at least in part on the first haptic effect and a characteristic independent of the haptic event, generate a second haptic effect signal based at least in part on the second haptic effect, and transmit the second haptic signal to a second haptic output device. In the illustrative system, the second haptic output device is in communication with the processor, and the second haptic output device is configured to receive the second haptic effect signal and output the second haptic effect to a second user.

Abstract: A user interface device includes a flexible layer comprising a touch surface configured to receive a touch by a user, a plurality of haptic cells covered by the flexible layer, each haptic cell comprising a haptic output device, a sensor configured to sense an amount and/or rate of deformation of the flexible layer when a user touches the touch surface, and a processor configured to receive an output signal from the sensor, generate a haptic control signal based on the output signal from the sensor, and output the haptic control signal to at least one haptic output device of the plurality of haptic cells to cause the haptic output device to deform an associated haptic cell in response to the sensed deformation of the flexible layer.

Abstract: One illustrative electrostatic actuator disclosed herein includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first insulation layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, a first resilient material between the first electrode and the second electrode, a third electrode, a second insulation layer between the second electrode and the third electrode, and a second resilient material between the second electrode and the third electrode. The first electrode and the third electrode receive power from a power supply and responsively generate a first polarity. The second electrode receives power from the power supply and responsively generates a second polarity that is opposite the first polarity. The first polarity and the second polarity generate a first attractive force between the first electrode and the second electrode and a second attractive force between the second electrode and the third electrode. The electrostatic actuator may be part of a user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring insulation integrity for electrostatic friction are disclosed. One system may include a touch sensitive interface configured to detect user interaction; an electrostatic haptic output device configured to output one or more electrostatic haptic effects to the touch sensitive interface; a processor in communication with the touch sensitive interface and the electrostatic haptic output device, the processor configured to: determine an operating condition associated with the electrostatic haptic output device; determine a corrective action associated with the operating condition; and apply the corrective action.

Abstract: A method of rendering a haptic effect on a haptic output device is provided based on an ambient environmental stimulus signal received from a sensor. A notification event based on the stimulus signal is determined. A haptic effect is rendered on a haptic output devices based on the notification event. A system and computer-readable medium are also provided for rendering a haptic effect on a haptic output device based on an ambient environmental stimulus signal.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a display configured to receive a display signal and output an image, and an image capture device configured to capture an area image and transmit an image signal. The illustrative system also includes a processor in communication with the image capture device and the display, the processor configured to: receive the image signal; determine a virtual object based in part on the image signal; determine the display signal based in part on the image signal, wherein the display signal includes data associated with the virtual object; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the virtual object; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to wearable articles, including wearable suits, etc., for providing haptic feedback to a user. The wearable articles suitably include adjustable interaction elements that can be fluidly connected to a liquid or gas supply, and can also include a haptic actuator. The wearable articles are useful in combination with various devices, including gaming systems and virtual or augmented reality systems.

Abstract: A haptic conversion system is provided that intercepts frames of audio data, such as a digital audio signal, converts the frames into a haptic signal, and plays the created haptic signal through an actuator to produce haptic effects. The haptic signal is based on a maximum value of each audio data frame, which defines a magnitude of the haptic signal. The haptic signal is applied to the actuator configured to receive the haptic signal, where the actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the one or more haptic effects.

Abstract: A haptic actuator is presented. The haptic actuator has an electropermanent magnet having a deactivated state and an activated state for a net magnetic field thereof. A layer of ferromagnetic material or magneto-active polymer is located opposite an end of the electropermanent magnet, and is configured to generate a haptic effect by being actuated toward the end of the electropermanent magnet in response to the net magnetic field of the electropermanent magnet being in the activated state.

Abstract: A flexible device includes a bendable-foldable display that has bendable flaps connected by a hinge. The display has sensors for detecting a folding characteristic between the at least two flaps and for detecting a bending characteristic in at least one flap. The display has a haptic system with haptic output devices, where the haptic system receives input from the sensors indicating deformation of the bendable-foldable display device. A flexible device also includes bendable, foldable, or rollable displays that have sensors and actuators to augment user interaction with the device. Based on one or more measurements provided by the input, the haptic system interprets the input to determine deformation characteristics of the bendable-foldable display device. The haptic system generates haptic feedback based on the deformation characteristics.

Abstract: A system includes a sensor, a processor configured to receive a signal output by the sensor, determine a position and descriptor of the sensor, determine a scene selection of a video, and create a haptic signal based on the selected scene, the signal output by the sensor, and the position and descriptor of the sensor, and a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and generate a haptic effect based on the haptic signal. A system includes a sensor, a processor configured to receive a signal from the sensor, determine a type of event and activity associated with the sensor, and generate a haptic signal based on the signal from the sensor and the type of event and activity associated with the sensor, and a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect based on the haptic signal.

Abstract: A system includes a flexible display configured to display an image and a sensor connected to the flexible display. The sensor is configured to sense an amount of flexure of the flexible display. A haptic output device is connected to the flexible display and is configured to change a resistance to movement of a first portion of the flexible display relative to a second portion of the flexible display upon receipt of a haptic control signal. The system includes a processor in signal communication with the flexible display, the sensor and the haptic output device. The processor is configured to receive an output signal from the sensor based on the amount of flexure and generate the haptic control signal based on the output signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A haptic output device includes a substrate, an array of electrodes disposed on the substrate, and a layer of dielectric material disposed on the array of electrodes. The layer of dielectric material has an exposed outer surface comprising a micro-patterned texture configured to increase adhesion between the exposed outer surface and a contact surface in contact with the exposed outer surface. The haptic output device includes a controller configured to direct a voltage potential across the array of electrodes to generate an electrostatic adhesive force between the exposed outer surface and the contact surface as a haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for haptic fiddling are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor signal indicating an interaction with an electronic device is received by the electronic device. In response to receiving the sensor signal, the electronic device may output an output signal. The output signal may be output to a display, a haptic output device, an audio device, and/or another output device. The output signal can correspond to a modality. After outputting the output signal, another sensor signal indicating another interaction with the electronic device may be received by the electronic device. This interaction may be associated with the previously-received interaction. In response to receiving this interaction, the electronic device may output another output signal to the same output device(s) and/or different output device(s). The second output signal may correspond to one or more different modalities than the previous output signal.

Abstract: A flexible haptic actuator and corresponding method. The flexible haptic actuator comprises a core formed with a flexible material. The core defines a volume and is bendable. An electrical conductor is coiled around the core and is bendable. A casing surrounds the electrical conductor and at least a part of the core. The casing includes a plurality of flexible sections and a plurality of stiff sections. The casing is bendable. A haptic mass is suspended in the volume, the haptic mass being at least partially formed with a magnetic material. The haptic mass is movable in the volume in response to the electrical conductor generating a magnetic field.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine an ESF-based haptic effect and transmit a haptic signal associated with the ESF-based 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. Further, the illustrative system includes an inducing electrode configured to receive the ESF signal and induce an electric charge on an induced electrode, wherein the inducing electrode does not contact the induced electrode, and wherein the induced electrode is configured to output the ESF-based haptic effect to a surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for force-based object manipulation and haptic sensations are disclosed. One disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a first signal indicating a location of a user interaction and receiving a second signal indicating a first force. The method also includes, if the location of the user interaction corresponds to an object displayed on a display screen: outputting a first haptic signal to a haptic output device to cause a first haptic effect; and outputting a second haptic signal to the haptic output device to cause a second haptic effect if the first force meets or exceeds a first force threshold.

Abstract: A haptic effect enabled apparatus is presented. The apparatus comprises a surface, a first haptic effect output device, a stretch sensor, a second haptic effect output device, and one or more processors. The surface has a stretch input area. The first haptic effect output device is a stretch haptic effect output device disposed at the stretch input area. The stretch sensor is coupled to the stretch haptic effect output device and to the stretch input area. The stretch sensor is configured to sense a stretch input, and the first haptic effect output device is at least coextensive with the stretch sensor. The second haptic effect output device is disposed at a location outside of the stretch input area. The one or more processors are configured to determine whether a haptic effect output response should occur in response to a stretch input signal received from the stretch sensor.

Abstract: A system includes a wearable device configured to be worn by a user. The wearable device includes a flexible mounting, and a haptic output device connected to the flexible mounting. The system includes a signal generator configured to generate a haptic signal and communicate the haptic signal to the haptic output device. The haptic signal includes a short duration control pulse configured to create a small deformation sensation to the user.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to receive a sensor signal from a neural interface configured to detect an electrical signal associated with a nervous system. The processor is also configured to determine an interaction in with a virtual object in a virtual environment based on the sensor signal. The processor is also configured to determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the interaction with the virtual object in the virtual environment. The processor is also configured to transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.