Abstract: A system is provided that transforms haptic signals. The system receives a first haptic signal including a first haptic effect that can be generated by a first haptic output device. The system transforms the first haptic signal into a second haptic signal including a second haptic effect that can be generated by a second haptic output device. The system then sends the second haptic signal to the second haptic output device to generate the second haptic effect.

Abstract: A system is provided that automatically generates one or more haptic effects from source data, such as audio source data. The system fits the one or more haptic effects to the source data by analyzing the source data and identifying one or more haptic effects that are the most similar to the source data. The system matches the identified one or more haptic effects with the source data. The system subsequently outputs the identified one or more haptic effects.

Abstract: A system for generating a haptic effect with an electrostatic device, alone or in combination with actuators or other devices configured to generate a haptic effect. The system may generate the haptic effect to simulate a coefficient of friction or texture on the surface of a user interface, such as a display screen or touchpad. The simulated coefficient of friction may be adjusted to convey other properties on the user interface surface. The system may also include sensors that measure the simulated coefficient of friction and the impedance at the surface.

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 system is provided that automatically converts an input into one or more haptic effects in near real-time. The system senses the input in near real-time. The system automatically converts the sensed input into one or more haptic signals in near real-time. The system generates the one or more haptic effects based on the one or more haptic signals.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus includes a wearable article that is wearable by a person. The wearable apparatus includes a display, an input portion on a surface of the apparatus, and a haptic actuator. A controller is electrically connected to the input portion and the haptic actuator. The controller is programmed to generate haptic drive signals in response to receiving an input signal from the input portion.

Abstract: A method includes receiving digital content data including audio data and/or video data, generating haptic data using at least some of the received digital content data, encoding the haptic data for efficient transmission over a communication network, multiplexing the encoded haptic data with the received digital content data, embedding information for decoding the encoded haptic data in metadata of the multiplexed data stream, and sending the multiplexed data stream over the communication network. The method may include analyzing the haptic data to determine at least one characteristic of the haptic data, and the encoding the haptic data may include encoding, based on the determined characteristic, the haptic data to meet a pre-defined criteria.

Abstract: A system that generates haptic effects senses contact on an interface by a contactor/object. The system then determines one or more properties of the contactor and generates a type of haptic effect in response to the contact. The type of haptic effect is based at least on the one or more properties.

Abstract: Systems and methods for virtual detents through vibrotactile feedback are described. One described method includes receiving an input signal comprising information associated with the manipulation of an input device and generating a signal configured to cause an actuator to provide a vibrotactile effect to the input device, the vibrotactile effect comprising a virtual detent.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for transferring digital information from a first electronic device to a second electronic device. In one example, the first device is a computer having a touch screen and the second device is a personal memory device carried or worn by an individual. The method includes selecting information on the first electronic device to be transferred, which can be done by touching the touch screen and performing a predefined finger gesture on the screen. Next, communication is established between the first electronic device and the second electronic device, preferably through a wireless connection such as Bluetooth. The selected information from the first electronic device then begins to upload to the second electronic device. As the information is transferred, vibrotactile sensations are imparted to the body of an individual with the vibrotactile sensations being indicative of the upload of information.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for increasing the transmissibility of forces produced by an actuator on a manipulandum. A haptic device, coupled to a host computer, outputs tactile sensations to a user based on interactions and events occurring in a displayed graphical environment. An actuator produces forces and a compliant suspension couples the actuator to the manipulandum. A compliance of the suspension is configured such that the suspension magnifies the forces for a particular frequency range of the forces. The magnified forces are transmitted to the manipulandum to be felt by the user.

Abstract: An electronic interactive device having a user interface with a flexible surface, a sensor configured to sense a flex gesture applied to the flexible surface, a haptic device configured to generate a haptic effect in response to the flex gesture, and a controller in signal communication with the sensor and the haptic device. The controller is configured to trigger the haptic device to provide haptic confirmation of the flex gesture and to trigger an application action associated with the flex gesture.

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 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: Disclosed are systems and methods for converting a control track designed for use with a number and/or type of haptic output devices to be used with other numbers and/or types of haptic output devices. For example, a computing device may convert the control track into another control track that can be applied to other types and/or numbers of haptic output devices. The converted control track may be compatible for use with a smartphone or other system that includes a different number and/or type of haptic feedback devices than the system for which the haptic track was originally designed. In this manner, the user of the smartphone or other system may experience haptic feedback using a device that is different from another haptic feedback system for which the control track was originally designed for use. The conversion may occur locally at the smartphone or other system and/or remotely at another device.

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: A user input device includes a housing, a user input element adapted to be operated by a user and configured to send a signal to a processor when operated by the user, and an actuator coupled to the user input element. The actuator is configured to receive a control signal from the processor and output a haptic effect to the user input element in response to the control signal from the processor. A vibration isolation barrier is disposed between the user input element and the housing, wherein the vibration isolation barrier substantially mechanically isolates the user input element from the housing. The user input element may be a joystick, button, or trigger.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for automatically generating unique haptic effects. An embodiment of the apparatus comprises a haptic actuator. Memory stores a hash function and a haptic control module programmed to generate a haptic control signal related to a hash value generated by the hash function. A controller is communicatively associated with the haptic actuator and the memory. The controller is configured to receive information, execute the hash function on at least a portion of the information to generate the hash value, generate a haptic signal related to the hash value, and control the haptic actuator to generate a haptic effect, the haptic effect related to the hash value and the haptic signal. A method of automatically generating a unique haptic effect also is disclosed.

Abstract: A video/audio system includes an interface device that receives a plurality of audio and video signals from a plurality of sources. The interface device combines these signals into various combinations and transmits the combinations to a receiver. The receiver is configured to interface one of the combinations of signals with a user. In this regard, the receiver allows the user to select one of the combinations, and in response, the receiver separates the video signal(s) of the selected combination from the audio signal(s) of the selected combination. Then, the receiver renders the video signal(s) via a display device and produces a sound defined by the audio signal(s) via a speaker. Accordingly, the user is able to control which set of audio and video signals are interfaced with the user.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method of providing haptic effects to a first user of a multi-user application. The method includes executing a first instance of the multi-user application on a first computing platform associated with the first user. The multi-user application is configured to interface with an object based on control inputs received from the first user and based on control inputs received from a second user via a second computing platform executing a second instance of the multi-user application, and responsive to performance of a first control input by the second user on the second computing platform, the method includes generating a first haptic effect for the first user on the first computing platform, the first haptic effect conveying information to the first user about the effect of the first control input.