Abstract: Systems and methods for providing haptic effects with airflow and thermal stimulation are disclosed. One illustrative system described herein includes a haptic output device comprising a thermal actuator and a processor communicatively coupled to the haptic output device and configured to: receive a sensor signal from at least one sensor, determine a heat flux property based in part on the display signal or a predefined parameter, determine a haptic effect based in part on the heat flux property and the sensor signal, the heat flux property being representative of a rate of change of temperature, and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to the haptic output device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing haptic effects with airflow and thermal stimulation are disclosed. One illustrative system described herein includes a haptic output device comprising a thermal actuator and a processor communicatively coupled to the haptic output device and configured to: receive a sensor signal from at least one sensor, determine a heat flux property based in part on the display signal or a predefined parameter, determine a haptic effect based in part on the heat flux property and the sensor signal, the heat flux property being representative of a rate of change of temperature, and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to the haptic output device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for differential optical position sensing for a haptic actuator are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: an actuator configured to receive a drive signal and move an object to output a haptic effect; a first sensor configured to monitor a position of the object and output a first position signal; a second sensor configured to monitor the position of the object and output a second position signal different from the first position signal; a circuit configured to receive the first position signal and the second position signal and output a difference signal; and a processor configured to receive the difference signal and output a control signal to the actuator based on the difference signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling actuator drive signals for improving transient response characteristics are disclosed. One illustrative system described herein includes: an actuator configured to output a haptic effect, the actuator comprising one or more rated characteristics; a sensor configured to monitor at least one of a position, a mass, a voltage, a back electromotive force, or a current of the actuator; and a processor configured to: output a first drive signal to the actuator, the first drive signal comprising a first characteristic higher than one or more of the rated characteristics; and output a second drive signal to the actuator based on data received from the sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for differential optical position sensing for a haptic actuator are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: an actuator configured to receive a drive signal and move an object to output a haptic effect; a first sensor configured to monitor a position of the object and output a first position signal; a second sensor configured to monitor the position of the object and output a second position signal different from the first position signal; a circuit configured to receive the first position signal and the second position signal and output a difference signal; and a processor configured to receive the difference signal and output a control signal to the actuator based on the difference signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling actuator drive signals for improving transient response characteristics are disclosed. One illustrative system described herein includes: an actuator configured to output a haptic effect, the actuator comprising one or more rated characteristics; a sensor configured to monitor at least one of a position, a mass, a voltage, a back electromotive force, or a current of the actuator; and a processor configured to: output a first drive signal to the actuator, the first drive signal comprising a first characteristic higher than one or more of the rated characteristics; and output a second drive signal to the actuator based on data received from the sensor.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes an audio input device configured to detect an audio input and transmit an audio signal associated with the audio input. The illustrative system also includes a haptic trigger device which includes a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to transmit a sensor signal associated with an event. Further, the illustrative system includes a processor in communication with the audio input device and the haptic trigger device, the processor configured to: receive the audio signal; receive the sensor signal substantially simultaneously to receiving the audio signal; record the audio signal to an audio track; and insert a haptic effect marker into a haptic track based in part on the sensor signal, wherein the haptic track and the audio track are associated with a video.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes an audio input device configured to detect an audio input and transmit an audio signal associated with the audio input. The illustrative system also includes a haptic trigger device which includes a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to transmit a sensor signal associated with an event. Further, the illustrative system includes a processor in communication with the audio input device and the haptic trigger device, the processor configured to: receive the audio signal; receive the sensor signal substantially simultaneously to receiving the audio signal; record the audio signal to an audio track; and insert a haptic effect marker into a haptic track based in part on the sensor signal, wherein the haptic track and the audio track are associated with a video.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes an audio input device configured to detect an audio input and transmit an audio signal associated with the audio input. The illustrative system also includes a haptic trigger device which includes a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to transmit a sensor signal associated with an event. Further, the illustrative system includes a processor in communication with the audio input device and the haptic trigger device, the processor configured to: receive the audio signal; receive the sensor signal substantially simultaneously to receiving the audio signal; record the audio signal to an audio track; and insert a haptic effect marker into a haptic track based in part on the sensor signal, wherein the haptic track and the audio track are associated with a video.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes an audio input device configured to detect an audio input and transmit an audio signal associated with the audio input. The illustrative system also includes a haptic trigger device which includes a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to transmit a sensor signal associated with an event. Further, the illustrative system includes a processor in communication with the audio input device and the haptic trigger device, the processor configured to: receive the audio signal; receive the sensor signal substantially simultaneously to receiving the audio signal; record the audio signal to an audio track; and insert a haptic effect marker into a haptic track based in part on the sensor signal, wherein the haptic track and the audio track are associated with a video.