Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating environmental haptic effects in virtual reality are disclosed. One illustrative system described herein includes a sensor for detecting an environmental condition, the environmental condition associated with an environmental haptic effect, and generating a sensor signal. The system also includes a virtual reality display configured to output a virtual reality effect. The system also includes a processor coupled to the sensor and a virtual reality display, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal, determine a modification to the virtual reality effect based in part on the sensor signal, and transmit a display signal associated with the modification to the virtual reality display. Another illustrative system includes a sensor for detecting an environmental condition, the environmental condition associated with an environmental haptic effect, and generating a sensor signal, and a virtual reality display configured to output a virtual reality effect.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a computing device that comprises a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The processor generates an interactive user interface and obtains an input parameter and a haptic parameter via the interactive user interface. The processor maps the input parameter to the haptic parameter using a mapping algorithm and designs a dynamic haptic effect based at least in part on mapping the input parameter to the haptic parameter. The processor can then generate a plurality of dynamic haptic effects for a plurality of user devices based at least in part on the designed dynamic haptic effect.

Abstract: A touch input system comprising a touch input device and an actuation and sensing system is presented. The actuation and sensing system has a transfer structure adjacent to a first surface of the touch input device, the transfer structure having a first portion and a beam extending from an edge of the first portion. The actuation and sensing system further has a transducer patch disposed on the beam. The transfer structure is configured to transfer forces between the touch input device and the transducer patch, such that movement of the touch input device by an external force causes deformation of the beam and of the transducer patch, and such that actuation output by the transducer patch causes movement of the touch input device. The transducer patch has a layer of transducer material that is configured to act as a sensor, and is configured to act as an actuator.

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: A multi-device system includes at least one media server system, a primary viewing device including a display screen, and a secondary device including a haptic output device. The at least one media server system includes a source of audio-video content and haptic content and is configured to transfer the audio-video content and the haptic content. The haptic content is associated with the audio-video content. The primary viewing device is configured to output the audio-video content received from the at least one media server system. The secondary device is configured to output the haptic content received from the at least one media server system as a haptic effect via the haptic output device.

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: Systems and methods for integrating haptics overlay in augmented reality are disclosed. One illustrative system described herein includes a haptic output device. The system also includes a display configured to output a visual effect. The system also includes a sensor for tracking a position of a proxy object. The system also includes a processor configured to: determine a modified visual effect based in part on data received from the sensor, determine a haptic effect based in part on data received from the sensor, transmit a display signal associated with the modified visual effect to the display, transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to the haptic output device; and output the haptic effect using the haptic output device.

Abstract: A signal associated with multiple haptic effects is received, each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects being associated with a time slot from multiple time slots. Each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects is associated with an effect slot from multiple effect slots at least partially based on the time slot associated with that haptic effect. An output signal is sent for each effect slot from the multiple effect slots, when the associated haptic effect is scheduled for its time slot.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a user input associated with a projected user interface and transmit a sensor signal associated with the user interaction, and a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal, determine a remote haptic effect based at least in part on the user input, generate a haptic signal based at least in part on the remote haptic effect, and transmit the haptic signal. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the remote haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for designing haptic effects based on visual characteristics haptics are disclosed. One illustrative system described herein includes a user input device, a memory, a haptic output device, and a processor in communication with the user input device and memory. The processor is configured to: receive an input having a plurality of characteristics, at least one of the plurality of characteristics associated with a first shape, identify an image or label associated with the first shape, and identify a haptic effect associated with the image or label. The processor is further configured to associate the haptic effect with the first shape, and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to the haptic output device, the haptic signal causing the haptic output device to output the haptic effect.

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 includes a recorder configured to record audio and/or video of a subject of interest and output a recording of the subject of interest and a non-contact sensor associated with the recorder. The non-contact sensor is constructed and arranged to measure movement and/or vibration of the subject of interest from substantially the same perspective and at the same time as the recorder. The system includes a controller configured to transform the measured movement and/or vibration of the subject of interest measured by the non-contact sensor into a tactile data stream for sending to a haptic display device for playback with the recording of the subject of interest by the recorder and providing haptic effects corresponding to the measured movement and/or vibration to a user of the haptic display device in synchronization with the recording.

Abstract: A haptic device includes a display configured to display an image, a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect to a user when the user interacts with the display, and a processor configured to receive information related to the image displayed on the display. The processor is also configured to create a friction based haptic effect map associated with the image displayed on the display, and generate a signal to the haptic output device to output the haptic effect when the user interacts with the display when the image is displayed on the display, the haptic effect being configured to simulate a feel of the image in three dimensions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-rate control of haptic effects with sensor fusion are disclosed. One illustrative system includes, a haptic output device configured to output a haptic effect, a first sensor configured to sense the output of the haptic output device and generate a first sensor signal, a processor in communication with the first sensor. The processor is configured to: sample the first sensor signal from the first sensor at a first rate, receive a reference signal, determine an error between the first sensor signal and the reference signal, generate a haptic signal based at least in part on the reference signal and the error, transmit the haptic signal to a haptic output device configured to output a haptic effect based on the haptic signal, and sample the first sensor signal at a second rate, wherein the second rate is lower than the first rate.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a computing device that comprises a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The processor can generate content that can be provided to a user. The processor can obtain data indicating various haptic tracks associated with various content elements in the content. The processor can determine a selection of a haptic track of the various haptic tracks associated with a particular content element of the various content elements. The processor can determine a characteristic of the haptic track and then transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic track to a haptic output device, which can receive the haptic signal and output the haptic track.

Abstract: A system includes a user interface configured to receive an input from a user of the system, a sensor configured to sense a position of a user input element relative to the user interface, and a processor configured to receive an input signal from the sensor based on the position of the user input element relative to the user interface, determine a haptic effect based on the input signal, and output a haptic effect generation signal based on the determined haptic effect. A haptic output device is configured to receive the haptic effect generation signal from the processor and generate the determined haptic effect to the user, the haptic output device being located separate from the user interface so that the determined haptic effect is generated away from the user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering a haptic effect at a user input element associated with a haptic output device are provided. A primary range and a secondary range of positions are defined for the user input element associated with the haptic output device. In addition, a boundary range of positions is defined for the user input element associated with the haptic output device, the boundary range partially overlapping each of the primary and secondary ranges. A position of the user input element is monitored, and the haptic effect rendered in response to an entry of the user input element to positions within the boundary range.

Abstract: A system is provided that modifies a haptic effect experienced at a user input element. The system sends a haptic instruction and a haptic effect definition to a peripheral device. The system further receives user input data including a position of the user input element, or a force applied to the user input element. The system further modifies the haptic effect definition based on the received user input data. The system further sends a new haptic instruction and the modified haptic effect definition to the peripheral device. The system further causes a haptic output device to modify a haptic effect based on the modified haptic effect definition at the user input element of the peripheral device in response to the new haptic instruction.

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 kinesthetically enabled glove for providing kinesthetic feedback to a user are provided. The kinesthetically enabled glove incorporates various actuators configured to provide resistance to movement and/or to provide movement. Kinesthetic actuators employed include electroadhesive actuators, electromagnetic actuators, air-jamming actuators, and inertial mass actuators. The kinesthetic actuators are arranged in various portions of the kinesthetically enabled glove to provide force feedback at different locations. The kinesthetic glove may be employed during interaction with a computer system, providing a user with a more immersive experience.