Abstract: A wearable device for providing haptic effects includes an open ring component configured to abut against to a first portion of a wearer. The open ring component has a C-shaped body with a first end, a second end spaced from and opposed to the first end, and a circumferential opening with a first width when the open ring component is in a non-actuated state. The open ring component includes a first laminate layer, a second laminate layer, and a macro-fiber composite actuator integrally formed with the first laminate layer and the second laminate layer. The macro-fiber composite actuator is configured to receive a command signal from a processor and deform to an actuated state in which the circumferential opening has a second width in response to the command signal to provide a force onto a second portion of the wearer that extends between the first end and the second end of the open ring component.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a display configured to receive a display signal and output an image, and an image capture device configured to capture an area image and transmit an image signal. The illustrative system also includes a processor in communication with the image capture device and the display, the processor configured to: receive the image signal; determine a virtual object based in part on the image signal; determine the display signal based in part on the image signal, wherein the display signal includes data associated with the virtual object; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the virtual object; and 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: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a case configured to mechanically couple with a mobile device and position the mobile device such that the mobile device serves as a display for the case. The system also includes a processor coupled to the case and configured to generate a haptic signal based at least in part on a characteristic of the case. The system also includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor and configured to receive the haptic signal and output a haptic effect in response to the haptic signal.

Abstract: A system that controls a haptic effect experienced at a trigger is provided. The system receives a haptic effect definition including haptic data. The system further receives trigger data including at least one of: a position of a trigger of a peripheral device; or a range of the trigger of the peripheral device. The system further determines whether a trigger condition is reached based on the received trigger data. The system further sends a haptic instruction and the haptic effect definition to the peripheral device when the trigger condition is reached. The system further causes a haptic output device (or multiple haptic output devices) to produce haptic effects that are based on the haptic effect definition at the peripheral device in response to the haptic instruction.

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 system is provided that controls a haptic effect experienced at a peripheral device. The system receives a haptic effect definition including haptic data. The system further receives spatialization data including: a distance of the haptic effect; a direction of the haptic effect; or a flow of the haptic effect. The system further includes modifying the haptic effect definition based on the received spatialization data. The system further includes sending a haptic instruction and the modified haptic effect definition to the peripheral device. The system further includes causing one or more haptic output devices to produce one or more haptic effects based on the modified haptic effect definition at the peripheral device in response to the haptic instruction.

Abstract: A haptic enabled device that is configured to render one or more haptic effects is provided. The haptic enabled device includes an actuator and a plurality of user input elements. Each of the plurality of user input elements is configured to be selectively coupled to the actuator. In addition, the actuator is configured to be positioned to render the one or more haptic effects at each of the plurality of user input elements.

Abstract: A widely distributed control architecture for haptic devices is provided. In one embodiment, an architecture of a device or peripheral has a main communication and control processor (e.g. a host or device processor), and each actuator also has a dedicated processor. A device can have a single or multiple actuators all of the same type or of different types. In another embodiment, individual processors for actuators are provided without a separate coordinating processor.

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: A method and apparatus of actuator control mechanisms for haptic effects are disclosed. The apparatus can include an actuator and a controller for controlling a haptic cell. Depending on the type of haptic effect desired, as well as the damping characteristics of the system, the controller can generate a kick-in pulse followed by a main pulse to create an increased acceleration response, and/or a breaking pulse to provide a damping effect for a short mechanical type of haptic effect.

Abstract: A haptic peripheral includes a housing and a haptically-enhanced user input element. The haptically-enhanced user input element is configured to receive an input from a user, and includes a mechanical key having a keycap with a user contact surface configured to contact the user and a smart material actuator integrated onto the user contact surface of the keycap. The smart material actuator is configured to receive a control signal from a processor and is configured to deform at least a portion of the user contact surface relative to the keycap of the mechanical key in response to the control signal from the processor to thereby provide a haptic effect to a user of the haptic peripheral. The haptic peripheral may also include a braking actuator coupled to the mechanical key to hold the mechanical key in a depressed position to indicate an inactive status to a user. In addition, the haptic peripheral and the haptically-enhanced user input element may be modular.

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: Systems and methods for deformation and haptic effects are disclosed. For example, one method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, the sensor signal indicating a contact with a device and a location of the contact on the device; determining a deformation effect based on the contact and the location of the contact, the deformation effect configured to cause a change in a shape of the device; and outputting the deformation effect to a deformation device configured to change the shape of the 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 using textures in graphical user interface widgets are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: a processor configured to: receive an interface signal from a touch-sensitive interface associated with a display area; receive a display signal associated with the display area, the display signal comprising a plurality of pixels associated with one or more colors; assign a haptic value to each color; determine a texture associated with a group of the plurality of pixels by determining the haptic value associated with the group of the plurality of pixels; determine a selected actuator by selecting a first actuator if the haptic value is less than a threshold and selecting a second actuator if the haptic value is greater than or equal to the threshold; and transmit a haptic signal configured to cause the selected actuator to output a haptic effect configured to simulate the texture.

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 providing haptic effects are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes a computer-readable medium having program code, the program code including program code defining a haptic widget. The haptic widget includes program code defining a haptic effect; program code defining an interface for the haptic widget; program code for receiving, via the interface, a configuration of at least one parameter of the haptic widget; program code for receiving, via the interface, a play command for the haptic effect; and program code for outputting, via the interface, a signal configured to cause the haptic effect, the signal based on the at least one parameter and in response to the play command.

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: A notification manager is provided that manages notifications for a user. The notification manager detects a notification event and determines a context of the notification event. The notification manager determines a target device for the notification event based on the determined context and one or more available displays. The notification manager then generates a notification on one or more of the one or more available displays to direct the user's attention to the target device.

Abstract: A system generates a haptic effect that simulates a mechanical button. The system receives a signal that indicates that a user has contacted a user interface of the system. The system includes an impact actuator. In response to the signal, a moving element of the impact actuator contacts the user interface, which generates the haptic effect.