Abstract: Examples of the disclosure are directed to micro-machined ultrasonic transducers (MUTs) which can be embedded into a flexible band of a watch to detect touch, gestures, physiological signals, and transfer data. In some examples, the MUTs can include a piezoelectric material disposed between two electrodes and coupled to a base material having a plurality of cavities, to support motion of the transducer structure. In some examples, the MUTs can be coupled to multiplexing circuitry to stimulate, configure and control the MUTs. In some examples, the size, shape, and arrangement of transducers can be changed to improve characteristics associated with ultrasonic transmission. In some examples, the MUT array can be driven (e.g., by the CMOS circuitry) to beamform the transmitted and/or the received ultrasonic waves. In some examples, the one or more MUT arrays can be configured to generate haptic feedback via the flexible band.

Abstract: A double helix actuator is disclosed that includes a double helix coil wound around a movable proof mass that is enclosed within a magnetic structure. The double helix coil and the magnetic structure are arranged relative to each other so that the magnetic field generated by the entirety of the double helix coil contributes to a linear force direction of the actuator. The double helix actuator produces a greater linear force density compared to traditional racetrack coil actuators, where only a portion of the coil contributes to the linear force. The double helix actuator also produces torque in addition to linear force which allows the double helix to provide unique haptic sensations in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A haptic actuator may include a housing, at least one coil carried by the housing, and a field member having opposing first and second sides. The haptic actuator may also include a respective at least one flexure bearing mounting each of the first and second sides of the field member to be reciprocally movable within the housing responsive to the at least one coil. Each flexure bearing may include two diverging arms joined together at proximal ends and having spaced distal ends operatively coupled between adjacent portions of the field member and the housing. The two diverging arms may each have a reduced size medial portion relative to respective proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: A haptic actuator may include a housing, at least one coil carried by the housing, and a field member having opposing first and second sides. The haptic actuator may also include a respective at least one flexure bearing mounting each of the first and second sides of the field member to be reciprocally movable within the housing responsive to the at least one coil. Each flexure bearing may include two diverging arms joined together at proximal ends and having spaced distal ends operatively coupled between adjacent portions of the field member and the housing. The two diverging arms may each have a reduced size medial portion relative to respective proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: A microfabrication process includes: (1) etching a shield pattern into a substrate; (2) forming a set of shielding layers on the substrate and in the shield pattern, wherein the shielding layers include n+1 magnetic layers and n spacing layers, n is 0 or an integer that is 1 or greater than 1, and each spacing layer is disposed between a pair of magnetic layers; and (3) planarizing the substrate to expose edges of the shielding layers.

Abstract: A double helix actuator is disclosed that includes a double helix coil wound around a movable proof mass that is enclosed within a magnetic structure. The double helix coil and the magnetic structure are arranged relative to each other so that the magnetic field generated by the entirety of the double helix coil contributes to a linear force direction of the actuator. The double helix actuator produces a greater linear force density compared to traditional racetrack coil actuators, where only a portion of the coil contributes to the linear force. The double helix actuator also produces torque in addition to linear force which allows the double helix to provide unique haptic sensations in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A haptic actuator may include a housing that includes a ferromagnetic material having a first heat conductance, and a coil carried by the housing in a medial portion thereof and generating waste heat when electrically powered. The haptic actuator may also include a field member movable within the housing responsive to the coil. The field member may include at least one permanent magnet establishing a magnetic path with the housing. A heat spreading layer may be thermally coupled to the housing adjacent the coil. The heat spreading layer may have a second heat conductance greater than the first heat conductance to spread the waste heat from the coil to adjacent portions of the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of magnetic virtual springs for haptic systems. In an embodiment, a haptic system comprises: a magnetic housing having a surface with a surface profile; a mechanical spring system disposed in the housing, the mechanical spring system including one or more mechanical springs; a mass disposed within the housing and mechanically coupled to the mechanical spring system, the mass including or coupled to a magnet, the surface profile causing a magnetic force component to be generated in at least one direction that varies with the magnet position, the magnetic force component combining with a mechanical force component provided by the mechanical springs.

Abstract: A haptic actuator may include a housing that includes a ferromagnetic material having a first heat conductance, and a coil carried by the housing in a medial portion thereof and generating waste heat when electrically powered. The haptic actuator may also include a field member movable within the housing responsive to the coil. The field member may include at least one permanent magnet establishing a magnetic path with the housing. A heat spreading layer may be thermally coupled to the housing adjacent the coil. The heat spreading layer may have a second heat conductance greater than the first heat conductance to spread the waste heat from the coil to adjacent portions of the housing.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of haptic locomotion use one or more actuators to: 1) determine the properties of contact surfaces to improve various applications that use haptic locomotion; 2) automatically improve power transfer efficiency during wireless charging or cellular or wireless signal reception; 3) increase device accessibility for visually or hearing impaired users; 4) improve speaker and microphone performance; 5) protect a free falling mobile device from impact damage by orienting the mobile device to a low-risk orientation during free fall, or by driving the mobile device away from a high-risk orientation during free fall; and 6) control asymmetric surface friction using a directional magnetic field provided by an actuator to improve haptic locomotion in a desired direction of travel.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of magnetic virtual springs for haptic systems. In an embodiment, a haptic system comprises: a magnetic housing having a surface with a surface profile; a mechanical spring system disposed in the housing, the mechanical spring system including one or more mechanical springs; a mass disposed within the housing and mechanically coupled to the mechanical spring system, the mass including or coupled to a magnet, the surface profile causing a magnetic force component to be generated in at least one direction that varies with the magnet position, the magnetic force component combining with a mechanical force component provided by the mechanical springs.

Abstract: A haptic actuator may include first and second bodies movable along an arcuate path of travel. The haptic actuator may also include a biasing member coupled between the first and second bodies. At least one electrical coil may be configured to move the first and second bodies to produce a haptic effect.

Abstract: A double helix actuator is disclosed that includes a double helix coil wound around a movable proof mass that is enclosed within a magnetic structure. The double helix coil and the magnetic structure are arranged relative to each other so that the magnetic field generated by the entirety of the double helix coil contributes to a linear force direction of the actuator. The double helix actuator produces a greater linear force density compared to traditional racetrack coil actuators, where only a portion of the coil contributes to the linear force. The double helix actuator also produces torque in addition to linear force which allows the double helix to provide unique haptic sensations in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A haptic actuator may include first and second bodies movable along an arcuate path of travel. The haptic actuator may also include a biasing member coupled between the first and second bodies. At least one electrical coil may be configured to move the first and second bodies to produce a haptic effect.

Abstract: A microfabrication process includes: (1) etching a shield pattern into a substrate; (2) forming a set of shielding layers on the substrate and in the shield pattern, wherein the shielding layers include n+1 magnetic layers and n spacing layers, n is 0 or an integer that is 1 or greater than 1, and each spacing layer is disposed between a pair of magnetic layers; and (3) planarizing the substrate to expose edges of the shielding layers.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of haptic locomotion use one or more actuators to: 1) determine the properties of contact surfaces to improve various applications that use haptic locomotion; 2) automatically improve power transfer efficiency during wireless charging or cellular or wireless signal reception; 3) increase device accessibility for visually or hearing impaired users; 4) improve speaker and microphone performance; 5) protect a free falling mobile device from impact damage by orienting the mobile device to a low-risk orientation during free fall, or by driving the mobile device away from a high-risk orientation during free fall; and 6) control asymmetric surface friction using a directional magnetic field provided by an actuator to improve haptic locomotion in a desired direction of travel.