Abstract: A system includes a wearable device, a second device remote from and in communication with the wearable device, a processor configured to generate a control signal representative of an event occurring in an environment related to the wearable device and/or the second device, and a haptic output device configured to provide haptic feedback based on the generated control signal.

Abstract: A system includes a wearable device, a second device remote from and in communication with the wearable device, a processor configured to generate a control signal representative of an event occurring in an environment related to the wearable device and/or the second device, and a haptic output device configured to provide haptic feedback based on the generated control signal.

Abstract: A system for amplifying haptic effects provided by a push-pull actuator includes a housing component, a push-pull actuator coupled to the housing component and configured to provide a force and a displacement, a lever component including a lever arm and a fulcrum, and a haptic touch surface coupled to the lever arm via an output interface. The push-pull actuator is via an actuator mount. The amount of displacement transferred to the haptic touch surface from the push-pull actuator is reduced by the lever component and the amount of force transferred to the haptic touch surface from the push-pull actuator is increased by the lever component. The system may include a material stop coupled to the housing component that when compressed by the haptic touch surface exhibits hysteresis to dampen the haptic touch surface.

Abstract: A system that includes an actuator amplification apparatus and a push pull actuator disposed on or within the actuator amplification apparatus. The actuator amplification apparatus is configured to receive a push pull actuator. The actuator amplification apparatus includes a body fixture configured to attach the actuator amplification apparatus to a fixed mass, an output interface to attach the actuator amplification apparatus to a moving mass, and an integral amplification mechanism. The integral amplification mechanism of the actuator amplification apparatus amplifies a force output by the push pull actuator to the moving mass. The integral amplification mechanism includes a plurality of linkages or an integral lever arm. The actuator amplification apparatus may include stabilizers configured to limit movement of the push pull actuator. In an embodiment, the fixed mass is a dashboard frame of an automobile and the moving mass is a floating haptic touch screen assembly.

Abstract: A system for amplifying haptic effects provided by a push-pull actuator includes a housing component, a push-pull actuator coupled to the housing component and configured to provide a force and a displacement, a lever component including a lever arm and a fulcrum, and a haptic touch surface coupled to the lever arm via an output interface. The push-pull actuator is via an actuator mount. The amount of displacement transferred to the haptic touch surface from the push-pull actuator is reduced by the lever component and the amount of force transferred to the haptic touch surface from the push-pull actuator is increased by the lever component. The system may include a material stop coupled to the housing component that when compressed by the haptic touch surface exhibits hysteresis to dampen the haptic touch surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical apparatus for deforming a reflecting surface of a mirror, comprising a base plate, a plurality of first actuators each configured to apply a force to the surface opposite to the reflecting surface, a plurality of second actuators each having rigidity lower than that of the first actuator, and configured to apply a force to the surface opposite to the reflecting surface, a sensor configured to detect information indicating a driving status of each of the plurality of first actuators, and a control unit configured to control, based on an output of the sensor, driving of each of the plurality of first actuators and driving of each of the plurality of second actuators so that a shape of the reflecting surface is changed to a target shape.

Abstract: Devices disclosed herein include a housing component, a touch screen, a haptic actuator for moving the touch screen relative to the housing component, and at least one dual stiffness suspension system that couples the touch screen and housing component together such that the touch screen is movable relative to the housing component. The dual stiffness suspension system has a first element of a first stiffness and a second element of a second stiffness which is stiffer than the first stiffness. The dual stiffness suspension system is configured to limit movement between the touch screen and the housing component in a first direction due to the first element of the dual stiffness suspension system while also being configured to allow movement of the touch screen relative to the housing component in a second opposing direction due to the second element of the dual stiffness suspension system.

Abstract: Devices disclosed herein include a housing component, a touch screen, a haptic actuator for moving the touch screen relative to the housing component, and at least one dual stiffness suspension system that couples the touch screen and housing component together such that the touch screen is movable relative to the housing component. The dual stiffness suspension system has a first element of a first stiffness and a second element of a second stiffness which is stiffer than the first stiffness. The dual stiffness suspension system is configured to limit movement between the touch screen and the housing component in a first direction due to the first element of the dual stiffness suspension system while also being configured to allow movement of the touch screen relative to the housing component in a second opposing direction due to the second element of the dual stiffness suspension system.

Abstract: A system that includes an actuator amplification apparatus and a push pull actuator disposed on or within the actuator amplification apparatus. The actuator amplification apparatus is configured to receive a push pull actuator. The actuator amplification apparatus includes a body fixture configured to attach the actuator amplification apparatus to a fixed mass, an output interface to attach the actuator amplification apparatus to a moving mass, and an integral amplification mechanism. The integral amplification mechanism of the actuator amplification apparatus amplifies a force output by the push pull actuator to the moving mass. The integral amplification mechanism includes a plurality of linkages or an integral lever arm. The actuator amplification apparatus may include stabilizers configured to limit movement of the push pull actuator. In an embodiment, the fixed mass is a dashboard frame of an automobile and the moving mass is a floating haptic touch screen assembly.

Abstract: Devices disclosed herein include a housing component, a touch screen, a haptic actuator for moving the touch screen relative to the housing component, and at least one dual stiffness suspension system that couples the touch screen and housing component together such that the touch screen is movable relative to the housing component. The dual stiffness suspension system has a first element of a first stiffness and a second element of a second stiffness which is stiffer than the first stiffness. The dual stiffness suspension system is configured to limit movement between the touch screen and the housing component in a first direction due to the first element of the dual stiffness suspension system while also being configured to allow movement of the touch screen relative to the housing component in a second opposing direction due to the second element of the dual stiffness suspension system.

Abstract: A system includes a wearable device, a second device remote from and in communication with the wearable device, a processor configured to generate a control signal representative of an event occurring in an environment related to the wearable device and/or the second device, and a haptic output device configured to provide haptic feedback based on the generated control signal.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch screen configured to receive an input from a user, and a haptic device that includes a piezoelectric actuator including an elongated piezo bender having a mass at one end thereof and supported by a flexible holder at the other end thereof, and an electrical driving signal generator configured to generate a signal to create a vibration in the elongated piezo bender in response to the input from the user.

Abstract: A wearable device may be configured to generate feedback based on an event that occurs in an environment related to the wearable device. The wearable device may include, for example, a processor configured to generate a control signal representative of an event occurring in an environment related to the wearable device and at least a first haptic output device disposed at a first position at the wearable device. The first haptic output device may be configured to provide haptic feedback based on the generated control signal.

Abstract: Devices disclosed herein include a housing component, a touch screen, a haptic actuator for moving the touch screen relative to the housing component, and at least one dual stiffness suspension system that couples the touch screen and housing component together such that the touch screen is movable relative to the housing component. The dual stiffness suspension system has a first element of a first stiffness and a second element of a second stiffness which is stiffer than the first stiffness. The dual stiffness suspension system is configured to limit movement between the touch screen and the housing component in a first direction due to the first element of the dual stiffness suspension system while also being configured to allow movement of the touch screen relative to the housing component in a second opposing direction due to the second element of the dual stiffness suspension system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical apparatus for deforming a reflecting surface of a mirror, comprising a base plate, a plurality of first actuators each configured to apply a force to the surface opposite to the reflecting surface, a plurality of second actuators each having rigidity lower than that of the first actuator, and configured to apply a force to the surface opposite to the reflecting surface, a sensor configured to detect information indicating a driving status of each of the plurality of first actuators, and a control unit configured to control, based on an output of the sensor, driving of each of the plurality of first actuators and driving of each of the plurality of second actuators so that a shape of the reflecting surface is changed to a target shape.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch screen configured to receive an input from a user, and a haptic device that includes a piezoelectric actuator including an elongated piezo bender having a mass at one end thereof and supported by a flexible holder at the other end thereof, and an electrical driving signal generator configured to generate a signal to create a vibration in the elongated piezo bender in response to the input from the user.

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: A wearable device may be configured to generate feedback based on an event that occurs in an environment related to the wearable device. The wearable device may include, for example, a processor configured to generate a control signal representative of an event occurring in an environment related to the wearable device and at least a first haptic output device disposed at a first position at the wearable device. The first haptic output device may be configured to provide haptic feedback based on the generated control signal.