Abstract: A system includes a sensor configured to sense an input at a skin surface, a processor configured to receive an output signal from the sensor and generate a haptic control signal based on the output signal, and a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect based on the haptic control signal.

Abstract: A system includes a host computer configured to generate a graphical interface that includes a graphical object, obtain at least one spoken utterance, control an interaction of the graphical object within the graphical interface based on the spoken utterance, and generate an activating signal based on the spoken utterance. An interface device is configured to receive the spoken utterance, provide the spoken utterance to the host computer, and control the graphical object within the graphical interface based on the provided spoken utterance. The graphical object includes a graphical representation within the graphical interface. An actuator is disposed within a housing of the interface device, thereby protecting the actuator from contact by the user, and is configured to receive the activating signal from the host computer. The activating signal causes the actuator to impart a force via the housing.

Abstract: One illustrative computing device disclosed herein includes a first sensor configured to detect a position associated with a deformable surface and transmit a sensor signal associated with the position; and a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the sensor signal; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative computing device also 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 produces haptic effects. The system receives input data associated with an event, identifies an element of the event in the input data, generates the haptic effects based on the element of the event, and produces the haptic effects via a haptic output device. In one embodiment, the haptic effects are generated by haptifying the element of the event. In one embodiment, the haptic effects are designed haptic effects and are adjusted based on the element of the event. In one embodiment, the input data is associated with a crowd that attends the event, and the element of the event is caused by the crowd. In one embodiment, the input data includes haptic data collected by one or more personal devices associated with the crowd. In one embodiment, the input data is indicative of a location of the one or more personal devices associated with the crowd.

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: A wearable haptics-enabled apparatus comprises a wearable article comprising an actuator and an input device. A controller is electrically connected to the actuator and the input device. The controller is configured to selectively transmit operation and haptic drive signals to the actuator, and to generate the haptic drive signal upon receiving an input signal from the input device. The haptic drive signal embodies a message. A method of delivering haptic feedback through a wearable article comprises: selectively generating a non-haptic drive signal and applying the non-haptic drive signal to an actuator; and selectively generating a haptic drive signal and applying the haptic drive signal to the actuator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stabilizing haptic touch panels or touch surfaces are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes a housing having a base; and a touch sensitive input device. The apparatus further includes a first support member coupled to the base via a first hinge and coupled to the touch sensitive input device via a second hinge; a second support member coupled to the base via a third hinge and coupled to the touch sensitive input device via a fourth hinge; wherein the first support member and the second support member are configured to facilitate movement of the touch sensitive input device in a first degree of freedom.

Abstract: Systems and methods, by which a sender can deliver haptic messages to selected recipients within a larger group of recipients that are otherwise receiving a common message, are disclosed. The haptic messages can be individualized according to a recipient's profile, preference, and/or relationship with the sender. The haptic message can be created by the sender or selected from a pre-existing library of messages, and can be delivered automatically or assigned by the sender. The haptic messages can be dynamically changed in response to haptic feedback and supplemental data collected from the recipients that is used to update preferences and profiles of message recipients.

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 providing haptic effects are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes a computer-readable medium having program code, the program code including program code defining a haptic widget. The haptic widget includes program code defining a haptic effect; program code defining an interface for the haptic widget; program code for receiving, via the interface, a configuration of at least one parameter of the haptic widget; program code for receiving, via the interface, a play command for the haptic effect; and program code for outputting, via the interface, a signal configured to cause the haptic effect, the signal based on the at least one parameter and in response to the play command.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing hand motion by measuring remote displacement are disclosed. For example, one disclosed apparatus includes a first surface configured to engage a first distal member of a surgical tool and a second surface configured to engage a second distal member of the surgical tool, the second surface coupled to the first surface at a pivot point. The apparatus further includes a sensor configured to detect a relative movement of the first surface and the second surface about the pivot point and to generate a signal based at least in part on the relative movement.

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 haptic tape includes a composite piezoelectric layer connected between a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer. The composite piezoelectric layer has a plurality of piezoelectric rods arranged in a polymer matrix. The haptic tape is configured to be used as a sealant.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods of transferring/storing digital content, and/or providing haptic feedback via wearable devices directly or indirectly responsive to an event such as a communication, an event occurring in an electronic environment and/or physical environment, the transfer of digital content, and/or other events. Wearable devices may be worn at various locations on a body of the user. Each location may be associated with a wearable device. Different haptic feedback may be provided at different locations based on the event such that the events may be distinguished or otherwise identified based on the location at which haptic feedback is provided. The locations may be stored in a configuration of wearable devices that act as a mapping of the wearable devices. The locations and/or haptic feedback itself may be varied based on the context and/or properties such as size of digital content or status of the transfer.

Abstract: A system is configured to provide haptic stimulation to a user. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with the performance of one or more control gestures through which the user controls, for example, a game, a real world component or piece of equipment, and/or other entity. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with control of virtual equipment by the user.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for programming and/or charging one or more audio/video devices such that the audio/video devices will be programmed and charged to receive transmitted audio and video signals associated with an event, allowing a user to use the audio/video device to observe the sights and sounds of the event. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a cart with a docking port for each of a plurality of personal audio/video devices, a charger configured to charge the power source of each personal audio/video display device, and programming logic configured to program each of the personal audio/video devices.

Abstract: A keyless entry device includes a user interface configured to receive an input from a user of the device; a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect to the user; and a processor configured to receive a command based on the input from the user through the user interface, to communicate the command to another entity, to receive information from the another entity, and to output a control signal to a drive circuit coupled to the haptic output device to cause the haptic output device to generate the haptic effect to the user based on the information received from the another entity.

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; and determine a function based at least in part on the user interaction and the characteristic. The processor is also configured to determine a haptic effect associated with the function; 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 method for providing haptic feedback is provided for a device that produces haptic noise, such as a power tool with an electric motor that produces noises and vibrations while in operation. An environmental condition of the device can be sensed while the device is being operated and generating haptic noise. A haptic noise characteristic of the device can be determined. A haptic drive signal based on the environmental condition and haptic noise characteristic can be generated. The haptic drive signal can be applied to a haptic output device associated with the device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for providing haptic effects based on information complementary to multimedia content. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving multimedia data comprising multimedia content and complementary data, wherein the complementary data describes the multimedia content, determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the complementary data, and outputting the haptic effect while playing the multimedia content.