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 method and apparatus for generating mood-based haptic feedback are disclosed. A haptic system includes a sensing device, a digital processing unit, and a haptic generator. The sensing device, in one embodiment, is configured to detect user's modalities in accordance with mood information collected by one or more sensors and capable of issuing a sensing signal in response to the user's modalities. The digital processing unit is capable of identifying a user's condition in accordance with the sensing signal and providing a haptic signal in response to the user's condition. The user's condition, in one aspect, indicates user's mood and/or user's psychological conditions. The haptic generator generates haptic feedback in accordance with the haptic signal.

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: A haptically enabled system receives a haptic effect primitive comprising a plurality of input parameters and receives an input from a sensor. The system generates a haptic effect signal from the haptic effect primitive, the haptic effect signal comprising a plurality of output parameters where at least one of the output parameters is varied based on the sensor input. The system then applies the haptic effect signal to an actuator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for shifting haptic feedback function between passive and active modes are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes receiving a first signal from a sensor, the first signal associated with a mode of interaction with a graphical user interface; receiving a second signal associated with an interaction with the graphical user interface; determining a haptic feedback effect based at least in part on the mode of interaction with the graphical user interface and the interaction with the graphical user interface; and generating a haptic signal configured to output the haptic feedback effect.

Abstract: A system that generates a haptic effect using an Eccentric Rotating Mass (“ERM”) actuator determines a back electromotive force (“EMF”) of the ERM actuator and receives a haptic effect signal comprising one or more parameters, where one of the parameters is a voltage amplitude level as a function of time. The system varies the voltage amplitude level based at least on the back EMF, and applies the varied haptic effect signal to the ERM actuator.

Abstract: An input/output device includes a touch sensitive layer configured to sense if an object touches the touch sensitive layer and to sense where the touch sensitive layer is contacted, a first electrode layer and second electrode layer, at least a portion of one of the first electrode layer and second electrode layer connected to at least a portion of the touch sensitive layer, and a composite piezoelectric layer connected between the first electrode layer and second electrode layer. The composite piezoelectric layer has a plurality of piezoelectric rods arranged in a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix provides the composite piezoelectric layer with a predetermined property. A drive circuit is configured to apply an alternating voltage to the first electrode layer and second electrode layer in response to the sensed object.

Abstract: A system includes a haptic textile comprising a plurality of haptic threads configured to provide haptic feedback, and an ancillary electronic device configured to transfer data to or from the haptic textile.

Abstract: A haptic device includes a flexible holder; an elongated piezo bender supported at one end thereof by the holder; a mass supported by the elongated piezo bender and positioned at an end of the elongated piezo bender opposite the end supported by the holder; and an electrical driving signal generator configured to generate a signal to create a vibration in the elongated piezo bender.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system and method for automatically converting a plurality of events in a plurality of channels in a structured representation sequence into haptic events. The method comprises calculating an event score for each event of the sequence in one or more channels. The method also comprises calculating a cumulative score based on the event scores in the one or more channels. The method includes selectively designating haptic events to the events based on the event scores in one or more selected channels, wherein the haptic events are output by a haptic actuator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring motion parameters of an object are described in the present disclosure. In an embodiment, a sensor, coupled to a housing, senses motion associated with the housing and provides a sensor output based on the sensed motion. A processing device receives the sensor output, accumulates counts associated with the sensor output, and provides an output once a threshold associated with the accumulated counts is reached. A vibrotactile device, that receives the output from the processing device, provides a haptic output in response to the output from the processing device.

Abstract: Triggering haptic sensations based on sound output from a computer device. A portion of sound data is stored that is output to a user as audio from an application program running on a computer. The portion of sound data is analyzed using intelligent heuristics to extract at least one sound feature from the sound data. The execution of at least one haptic effect is triggered based on the sound feature, where the haptic effect is commanded to the haptic feedback device approximately correlated to the output of the portion of sound to the user as audio. The haptic effect causes a haptic sensation to be output to the user. Different haptic effects can be associated with different sound features, frequency ranges, amplitudes, etc.

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.