Abstract: An electronic device for triggering an action based on a shortcut gesture. The electronic device may include a user interface, a haptic device, and a controller in signal communication with the user interface and the haptic device. The user interface may be configured to receive a touch gesture at its surface. The controller is configured to determine a recognition level of the touch gesture as the touch gesture is being received. It is configured to trigger the haptic device to generate a haptic effect at the user interface based on the recognition level, and it is configured to trigger an application action associated with the touch gesture if the recognition level exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A control wheel for controlling at least one function of a system by a user includes a moveable engagement wheel for engagement by the user and an actuator coupled to the engagement wheel for providing force or haptic feedback to the engagement wheel in response to movement of the engagement wheel. A sensor for sensing movement of the engagement wheel is provided and a control system is coupled to the sensor for receiving information about positioning and movement of the engagement wheel, and is also coupled to the actuator for controlling force to the engagement wheel. The control system also provides control of the at least one function of the system.

Abstract: A haptic feedback planar touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor of the computer based on a location of user contact on the touch surface. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user contacting the touch surface. The touch input device can be a touchpad separate from the computer's display screen, or can be a touch screen. Output haptic sensations on the touch input device can include pulses, vibrations, and spatial textures. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.

Abstract: A feedback control system is provided. The feedback control system receives a user input. The feedback control system determines a context. The feedback control system displays a control in response to the user input and based on the context. The feedback control system adjusts a feedback parameter according to the control, where the control is configured to adjust feedback output to a user based on the adjusted feedback parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for low power consumption haptic feedback are described. In one described system, a device comprises a manipulandum and a haptic effect generator in communication with the manipulandum. The actuator is operable to provide a first haptic profile associated with a first mechanical configuration and a second haptic profile associated with a second mechanical configuration. The device also comprises an actuator in communication with the haptic effect generator, which is operable to switch the haptic effect generator between the first haptic profile and the second haptic profile.

Abstract: A haptic feedback system that includes a controller, a memory coupled to the controller, an actuator drive circuit coupled to the controller, and an actuator coupled to the actuator drive circuit. The memory stores at least one haptic effect that is executed by the controller in order to create a haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and associated software are described herein for enabling a regular user of an end user device, such as a cellular telephone, to customize parameters associated with haptic effects applied to the user by the end user device. In one implementation, among several, a method described herein includes enabling a user of an end user device to access software adapted to design or modify haptic effects of the end user device. The method further includes enabling the user to open a haptic track file and enter or modify parameters associated with the haptic effects of the opened haptic track file.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for creating at least two key images each including an image representing at least one three-dimensional object in a three-dimensional environment, and the exposure of the object in said environment from the viewpoint of the associated image, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: acquiring a first image representing the object in a a predetermined initial position; creating a first key image from the first acquired image and the relative exposure of the least one second image representing said object, the viewpoint of at least one said second image being different from the viewpoint of said first image; determining the relative exposure of the object in its environment based on the difference between the viewpoints of the first image and at least one said second image, each of said viewpoints being determined relative to a position and an orientation; and creating a second key image based on said at least one acquired second im

Abstract: An electronic device having a user interface device that has a flexible surface, a haptic output device operatively coupled to the flexible surface and configured to cause a deformation of the flexible surface, and a controller in signal communication with the haptic output device. The controller is configured to trigger the haptic output device to cause the deformation of the flexible surface based on a simulated physical behavior of a virtual element represented on the user interface.

Abstract: A system is provided that converts an input, such as audio data, into one or more haptic effects. The system applies a granular synthesis algorithm to the input in order to generate a haptic signal. The system subsequently outputs the one or more haptic effects based on the generated haptic signal. The system can also shift a frequency of the input, and also filter the input, before the system applies the granular synthesis algorithm to the input.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback at multiple resonance frequencies are disclosed. For example, one disclosed apparatus includes a resonator with a base and a plurality of projections, a first projection of the plurality of projections having a first resonance frequency and a second projection of the plurality of projections having a second resonance frequency, and a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the resonator and operable to output a haptic feedback effect at the first resonance frequency and at the second resonance frequency.

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.

Abstract: Various systems, game controllers, and methods for simulating various objects such as weapons are provided. For example, a game controller may include a trigger, a processor within the body that receives a trigger signal when the trigger is activated by the user. The processor may communicate with a computer running a software program such as a gaming application, and an actuator coupled to the trigger, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the trigger in response to receiving a control signal from the processor. The game controller may simulate a gun and generate a recoil effect. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by impacting a moving mass from a discharge end of the gun to a handle end of the gun. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by using a body part of a user as a tether.

Abstract: A system for generating haptic effects senses at least two generally simultaneous touches on a touchscreen and, in response, generates a dynamic haptic effect.

Abstract: A haptic device having a plurality of operational modes, including a first operational mode and a second operational mode is provided. The first operational mode is associated with a frequency range. The second operational mode is associated with a frequency range that is different from the frequency range of the first operational mode. A controller is coupled to the haptic device, and is configured to send the haptic device a plurality of control schemes. Each control scheme is uniquely associated with an operational mode from the plurality of operational modes. Another embodiment provides a method that includes providing power to a haptic device configured to cause the haptic device to provide a haptic sensation above a pre-determined sensation threshold. A voltage pulse that is configured to change the haptic sensation output by the haptic device by a pre-determined amount within a pre-determined time period is also applied to the haptic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for resonance detection are disclosed. For example, one method for resonance detection includes the step of transmitting an actuator signal to an actuator coupled to a surface of a device. The actuator signal is configured to cause the actuator to output a force to the surface. The method further includes the steps of receiving a response of the surface to the force; determining a resonant frequency of the surface based at least in part on the response; and outputting a signal indicative of the resonant frequency.

Abstract: A method and device for generating haptic feedback over a touch surface using multi-actuated waveform phasing are disclosed. A haptic device, in one embodiment, includes a touch surface and a group of haptic actuators. The touch surface is capable of sensing an event, wherein the event can be a contact on the touch surface or a movement nearby the surface. A portion of the haptic actuators, which are coupled to the touch surface, is configured to provide haptic feedback on the touch surface in response to the event. Another portion of the haptic actuators is used to minimize unwanted haptic effect on the touch surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for haptically enabled metadata are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment of a method comprises receiving, by an electronic device, an electronic list corresponding to a plurality of data items. The method further comprises analyzing, by the electronic device, metadata within the electronic list to determine a haptic effect associated with a first data item in the plurality of data items. The method further comprises generating a signal, the signal being generated when information corresponding to the first data item is initially displayed on a display associated with the electronic device, the signal configured to cause the haptic effect. The method further comprises outputting the signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for content- and/or context-specific haptic effects are disclosed. In one embodiment electronic content is received by an electronic device. A plurality of predefined effects are received. The plurality of predefined effects may be a database of predefined haptic effects, a library of predefined haptic effects, or a list of predefined haptic effects. An association between at least one predefined haptic effect from the plurality of predefined haptic effects and a predefined event is received. An occurrence of the predefined event is identified wherein the occurrence of the predefined event is associated with a portion of the electronic content. In response to identifying the occurrence of the event, the predefined haptic effect can be generated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interfacing a mobile device and a host computer are described in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, among several, an interfacing system comprises a mobile device, which has a sensor, and a host computer. The sensor of the mobile device detects gestures that are translated to cursor control commands for a display of the host computer.