Abstract: An orchestration system of or otherwise available to a web platform centralizes the execution of workflow components of a workflow associated with a job posting hosted by the web platform using various software services internal and/or external to the web platform. The workflow components and attributes thereof are determined based on the job posting. Domain-specific language (DSL) instructions for the various workflow components are generated. First DSL instructions are invoked by the orchestration system to cause an execution of a first workflow component of the workflow by a first software service. The orchestration system obtains an output of the first workflow component, such as values of relevant attributes, and, based on the output and in some cases information derived other than from the first workflow component, invokes next DSL instructions to cause an execution of a next workflow component of the workflow by another software service.

Abstract: In aspects, methods and apparatus are provided for generating a haptic effect for a three-dimensional (3D) environment that is experienced virtually by a user. The methods may be performed by a processor, and includes receiving media data that describes the 3D environment, wherein the media data includes haptic data which describes a haptic characteristic associated with at least one object, structure, or event in the 3D environment. The method further includes performing a haptic decoding operation and a haptic rendering operation. The decoding operation may include extracting the haptic data from the media data. The haptic rendering operation may include generating a drive signal and communicating the drive signal to a haptic output device to cause the haptic output device to generate a haptic effect at a user peripheral device. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In aspects, zoned haptic effects are provided by assigning a plurality of zones corresponding to each of a plurality of zone actuators for providing haptic effects. A desired haptic response is provided for zones selected for actuation, and the response by the zone actuators is detected. Adjacent and non-adjacent zones are assigned for the detected zones as being driven by any of the plurality of zone actuators. Vibration on the adjacent and non-adjacent zone is suppressed in accordance with control parameters associated with the respective adjacent and non-adjacent zones. If a duration of the provided haptic effect has not passed, the suppression of vibration in the adjacent and non-adjacent zones is maintained and if the duration has passed, the suppression of vibration is terminated. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for localizing one or more effects in a haptic interface with a user interface having a primary zone and at least one secondary zone are provided. When a desired haptic effect is generated within the primary zone, unwanted resultant haptic effects in the at least one secondary zone may be suppressed. A primary actuator is located in the primary zone, and at least one secondary actuator is located in the at least one secondary zone. At least one controller selectively and controllably generates the haptic effect produced by the primary actuator in the primary zone, and selectively and controllably actuates the at least one secondary actuator within the at least one secondary zone to generate a suppression effect therein. The at least one secondary actuator can be used to localize and/or amplify the haptic effect through constructive and/or destructive interference. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In aspects, methods and apparatus are provided for generating a haptic effect for a three-dimensional (3D) environment that is experienced virtually by a user. The methods may be performed by a processor, and includes receiving media data that describes the 3D environment, wherein the media data includes haptic data which describes a haptic characteristic associated with at least one object, structure, or event in the 3D environment. The method further includes performing a haptic decoding operation and a haptic rendering operation. The decoding operation may include extracting the haptic data from the media data. The haptic rendering operation may include generating a drive signal and communicating the drive signal to a haptic output device to cause the haptic output device to generate a haptic effect at a user peripheral device. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A user interface device having a haptic actuator, a sensor, a storage device, and a control circuit is presented. The sensor is configured to measure movement output by the haptic actuator. The control circuit is configured to apply a first drive signal to the haptic actuator to generate a first haptic effect, and to receive a sensor measurement that describes movement of the haptic actuator in response to the first drive signal, and to generate or update, based on the measurement, an actuator model that describes how the haptic actuator moves in response to drive signals. The control circuit is further configured to generate a second drive signal based on a desired movement for a second haptic effect and based on the actuator model, and to control the haptic actuator to generate the second haptic effect by applying the second drive signal to the haptic actuator.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and instructions for driving an actuator using an open-loop drive circuit that generate, at a processor, a reference input signal according to a predetermined or predicted command signal, supply the reference input signal to an amplifier to generate a command signal, and supply the command signal to the haptic output device to render a haptic effect.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for damping haptic vibrations. A haptic output device is positioned within a device housing. The haptic output device has a haptic actuator and a haptic mass, the haptic mass being movable relative to the housing. A damper is positioned within the device housing. A controller is programmed to generate and deliver a haptic signal to the haptic actuator at a first time, and to generate and deliver a damping signal to the damper at a second time, the second time occurring after the first time. The method comprises moving a haptic mass, the haptic mass position in a housing; vibrating the housing in response to moving the haptic mass; damping movement of the haptic mass after a period of time; and substantially eliminating vibration of the housing in response to damping movement of the haptic mass.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for damping haptic vibrations. A haptic output device is positioned within a device housing. The haptic output device has a haptic actuator and a haptic mass, the haptic mass being movable relative to the housing. A damper is positioned within the device housing. A controller is programmed to generate and deliver a haptic signal to the haptic actuator at a first time, and to generate and deliver a damping signal to the damper at a second time, the second time occurring after the first time. The method comprises moving a haptic mass, the haptic mass position in a housing; vibrating the housing in response to moving the haptic mass; damping movement of the haptic mass after a period of time; and substantially eliminating vibration of the housing in response to damping movement of the haptic mass.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and instructions for driving an actuator using an open-loop drive circuit that generate, at a processor, a reference input signal according to a predetermined or predicted command signal, supply the reference input signal to an amplifier to generate a command signal, and supply the command signal to the haptic output device to render a haptic effect.

Abstract: An actuator system configured to generate a haptic effect, the actuator system including a housing of an electronic device, the housing being configured to form a mechanical ground, a first actuator disposed between a first moving mass and the mechanical ground, the first actuator being configured to render the haptic effect, and a second actuator disposed between a second moving mass and the mechanical ground, the second actuator being configured to dampen the haptic effect.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine an electrostatic force (ESF)-based haptic effect and transmit a haptic signal associated with the ESF-based haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes a surface configured to contact a user, and an ESF device coupled to the surface and in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device configured to receive the ESF signal and output the ESF-based haptic effect on the surface.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to haptic devices for implantation in a human subject. Such haptic devices can include various actuators, including both active and passive haptic actuators, for providing feedback to a user.

Abstract: An actuator system configured to generate a haptic effect, the actuator system including a housing of an electronic device, the housing being configured to form a mechanical ground, a first actuator disposed between a first moving mass and the mechanical ground, the first actuator being configured to render the haptic effect, and a second actuator disposed between a second moving mass and the mechanical ground, the second actuator being configured to dampen the haptic effect.

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 user interface device having a haptic actuator, a sensor, a storage device, and a control circuit is presented. The sensor is configured to measure movement output by the haptic actuator. The control circuit is configured to apply a first drive signal to the haptic actuator to generate a first haptic effect, and to receive a sensor measurement that describes movement of the haptic actuator in response to the first drive signal, and to generate or update, based on the measurement, an actuator model that describes how the haptic actuator moves in response to drive signals. The control circuit is further configured to generate a second drive signal based on a desired movement for a second haptic effect and based on the actuator model, and to control the haptic actuator to generate the second haptic effect by applying the second drive signal to the haptic actuator.

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: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine a haptic effect, wherein the haptic effect includes a static ESF effect or a confirmation ESF effect; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes an ESF device in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device including an ESF cell and configured to receive the ESF signal and output the haptic effect.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to haptic devices for implantation in a human subject. Such haptic devices can include various actuators, including both active and passive haptic actuators, for providing feedback to a user.

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.