Abstract: A wearable device for providing haptic effects includes a wearable housing configured to be worn on to a portion of a hand of a wearer and an actuator secured to the wearable housing. The wearable housing includes a first digit segment configured to conform to a finger of the hand and a second digit segment configured to conform to another finger or a thumb of the hand. The actuator is configured to receive a command signal indicative of a virtual interaction related to touching or grasping a virtual object. In response to the command signal, the actuator provides a force onto the portion of the hand or provides a force to render a resistance to movement of the first and second digit segments toward each other. The actuator uses the wearable housing to mechanically stabilize the force towards the portion of the hand.

Abstract: A haptic actuator device includes a surface with a mechanical property responsive to localized temperature changes. The surface can include a layer or sheet comprising a shape-memory material. The haptic actuator device can further include an actuator configured to selectively deform a plurality of regions in the sheet; and a temperature controller adapted to control the temperatures of the plurality of regions. A method of localized actuation includes selectively controlling the temperatures of the plurality of regions to be above a shape-memory transition temperature of the shape-memory material; selectively deforming at least one of the regions; while maintaining the deformation of the at least one region, lowering the temperature of the at least one region to below the shape-memory transition temperature; subsequently withdrawing the applied stress; and thereafter heating the at least one region to above the shape-memory transition temperature, causing the region to return to its pre-deformation shape.

Abstract: Systems and methods enable sporting event spectators to do more than just observe an online or live contest with the spectators' engagement being limited to group messaging with other spectators (and possibly also the game stars/participants) during an event. The present invention provides a new level of participation for spectators. Spectators can play the game alongside their favorite athlete/star and a computer system evaluates how the participants perform compared to the athlete. The system can monitor several participants and rank their performance against performance of actual athletes to determine which participants made similar moves, took similar actions, or took action that may be deemed superior to action taken by actual athletes. From the collected data top performers can be acknowledge/awarded. The data can also be useful to identify rising stars from the pool of participants, and new athletes worthy of participants in future competitions cane identified.

Abstract: A method of generating a haptic effect on a linear resonance actuator (“LRA”) having a resonant frequency includes receiving a haptic effect signal for the haptic effect, where the haptic effect comprises a desired frequency that is off-resonant from the LRA. The method further includes generating a first sine wave at the desired frequency and generating a second sine wave at or near the resonant frequency. The method further includes combining the first sine wave and the second sine wave to generate a drive signal.

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 multi-level closed loop control of haptic effects are disclosed. One illustrative system for multi-level closed loop control of haptic effects includes a haptic output device configured to output a haptic effect, a sensor configured to sense the output of the haptic output device and generate a sensor signal, and a processor in communication with the sensor. The processor is configured to: receive a reference signal, receive the sensor signal, determine an error based at least in part on the reference signal and the sensor signal, generate a haptic signal based at least in part on the reference signal and the error, and transmit the haptic signal to a haptic output device configured to output a haptic effect based on the haptic signal.

Abstract: An electret-based haptic actuator is presented. The actuator having an electret layer, an electrically conductive layer, an electrically insulative layer, a plurality of spacers, and a signal generating circuit. The electret layer having a built-in voltage along a thickness dimension of the electret layer. The electrically insulative layer being disposed between the electret layer and the electrically conductive layer. The plurality of spacers being disposed between the electret layer and the electrically conductive layer. The signal generating circuit being electrically connected to the electrically conductive layer and not electrically connected to the electret layer. The signal generating circuit being configured to apply an oscillating drive signal to the electrically conductive layer to generate a vibrotactile haptic effect.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a computing device that comprises a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The system also includes an xPC target machine that is capable of achieving sampling rates of at least 100 khz and in communication with the computing device and a user device that includes a sensor and a haptic output device. The processor generates a simulate reality environment and determines a haptic effect based on the simulated reality environment or a sensor signal from the sensor. The processor transmits data about a parameter of the haptic effect or the sensor signal to the xPC target machine, which determines the parameter of the haptic effect and generates, in substantially real time, a haptic signal. The xPC target machine transmits the haptic signal to the haptic output device, which is configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.

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: A non-transitory computer-readable medium for generating a haptic effect is provided. The computer-readable-medium has computer-executable code that causes a processor to receive a desired haptic effect waveform for the haptic effect, to receive sensor information that indicates at least one of speed, acceleration, and position of the haptic output device, and to generate a control signal for the haptic effect based on the desired haptic effect waveform and the at least one of the speed, acceleration, and position of the haptic output device, wherein the control signal causes a profile of the haptic effect to substantially match the desired haptic effect waveform, such that matching between the profile of the haptic effect and the desired haptic effect waveform is made more similar by basing the control signal on the at least one of the speed, acceleration, and position of the haptic output device.

Abstract: A haptic-enabled user interface device comprising a user input component, an elastomer suspension, a signal generating circuit, a signal sensing circuit, one or more switches, and a control unit is presented. The elastomer suspension is formed by at least one stack that includes an elastomeric layer, wherein the at least one stack forms at least one capacitor. The control unit is configured, in an actuation mode, to cause the one or more switches to electrically connect the signal generating circuit to the at least one capacitor and to electrically disconnect the signal sensing circuit from at least one capacitor, and to cause the signal generating circuit to apply a drive signal to the at least one capacitor. The control unit is further configured, in a sensing mode, to cause the one or more switches to electrically connect the signal sensing circuit to the at least one capacitor.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for user generated content authoring are disclosed. One illustrative method disclosure herein includes: receiving a video signal; displaying a user interface associated with haptic authoring; detecting a gesture associated with a haptic effect; determining a haptic effect based in part on the gesture; associating the haptic effect with a location in the video signal; and storing the video signal and the associated haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods or a low profile haptic actuator are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for a low profile haptic actuator includes: a moveable surface comprising a first coil, the moveable surface configured to move in a degree of freedom; a fixed surface beneath the moveable surface, the fixed surface comprising a second coil coupled underneath the first coil; a suspension coupled to the fixed surface and the moveable surface and configured to suspend the moveable surface; and a controller coupled to the first coil and the second coil.

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 device for delivering non-collocated haptic feedback includes at least one haptic playback device and a drive circuit for controlling the haptic playback device. A processor coupled to the drive circuit receives manipulation haptic information based on data received from a user interface. The processor generates a haptic signal is based on the manipulation haptic information. The haptic signal is provided to the drive circuit to produce the non-collocated haptic feedback.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using multiple actuators to realize textures are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes, a system including: a first actuator configured to receive a first haptic signal and output a first haptic effect based at least in part on the first haptic signal; a second actuator configured to receive a second haptic signal and output a second haptic effect based at least in part on the second haptic signal; and a processor configured to: determine the first haptic effect and the second haptic effect, the first and second haptic effects configured when combined to output a texture; and transmit the first haptic signal to the first actuator and transmit the second haptic signal to the second actuator.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a computing device in communication with a display device and a sensor. The display device is configured to display a plurality of content and the sensor is configured to detect a field of view of a user of the computing device relative to the display device. The sensor can transmit a signal associated with the field of view to a processor in communication with the sensor. The processor is configured to determine a direction of the field of view of the user based on the signal. The processor is also configured to determine that a content displayed by the display device and associated with a haptic effect is within the field of view of the user. The processor is also configured to determine a haptic effect associated with the content and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods long-range interactions for virtual reality are disclosed. One disclosed system includes: a handheld interface device; a sensor configured to detect movement of the handheld interface device and transmit a sensor signal associated with the movement; a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to: determine a haptic signal based in part on the sensor signal; and control, based on the haptic signal, an electromagnetic source remote from the handheld interface device to output a magnetic field to apply a force to magnetic material in the handheld interface device to output a haptic effect to a user of the handheld interface device.

Abstract: Rendering haptic effects on at least one of a first haptic actuator or a second haptic actuator based on a state of a trigger. In response, the haptic effects are optimized to reflect game play.