Abstract: Systems and methods for providing tactile sensations are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of outputting a display signal configured to display a graphical object on a touch-sensitive input device; receiving a sensor signal from the touch-sensitive input device, the sensor signal indicating an object contacting the touch-sensitive input device; determining an interaction between the object contacting the touch-sensitive input device and the graphical object; and generating an actuator signal based at least in part on the interaction.

Abstract: Methods and Apparatus for providing haptic feedback to non-input locations are described. One described apparatus comprises a first surface, an input element distinct from the first surface, the input element operable to generate an input signal, and an actuator configured to provide haptic feedback to the first surface based at least in part on the input signal.

Abstract: A haptic device comprises an actuator and a mass. The actuator has a shaft. The actuator is elastically coupled to the mass and/or a base.

Abstract: Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback is provided by using an actuator or other means in communication with the input device or electronic device. A controller may be employed to receive signals from the input devices and control the actuator. Tactile feedback to an input device or electronic device may be provided in response to one or more events or situations. Such an event or situation may be any one designated. Examples of such events and situations include the level of pressure placed on an input device; the availability or lack of availability of a function associated with an input device; and the function, menu, or mode of operation associated with an input device's activation. A variety of feedback types and combinations may be selected.

Abstract: Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback is provided by using an actuator or other means in communication with the input device or electronic device. A controller may be employed to receive signals from the input devices and control the actuator. Tactile feedback to an input device or electronic device may be provided in response to one or more events or situations. Such an event or situation may be any one designated. Examples of such events and situations include the level of pressure placed on an input device; the availability or lack of availability of a function associated with an input device; and the function, menu, or mode of operation associated with an input device's activation. A variety of feedback types and combinations may be selected.

Abstract: The present invention comprises products and processes for providing haptic feedback at a location other than an input device. For example, when an input device disposed in a hand-held device is activated, instead of providing haptic feedback at the input device itself or to the entire device, haptic feedback is provided to a different area of the device (such as, for example, the side of the device opposite the side on which the input device resides).

Abstract: A shoe including a sole to which is joined a flexible upper having two overlapping flap members. The flap members engage each other by securely resting one on top of the other to form a vamp covering the front portion of a wearer's foot. The flap members disengage to expose the entire interior length of the sole. The preferred closure means is hidden inside the layers of the flexible upper and is made of an elastomeric material capable of returning to one or more original shapes after being stretched or deformed.

Abstract: Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback is provided by using an actuator or other means in communication with the input device or electronic device. A controller may be employed to receive signals from the input devices and control the actuator. Tactile feedback to an input device or electronic device may be provided in response to one or more events or situations. Such an event or situation may be any one designated. Examples of such events and situations include the level of pressure placed on an input device; the availability or lack of availability of a function associated with an input device; and the function, menu, or mode of operation associated with an input device's activation. A variety of feedback types and combinations may be selected.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing tactile sensations. For one embodiment a first frequency at which to output a tactile sensation is received. A second frequency higher than the first frequency is determined. The second frequency is based on a frequency at which an inertial actuator outputs a second tactile sensation. A waveform having the first frequency and a waveform having the second frequency is combined to produce a signal configured to cause a composite tactile sensation at the second frequency, the composite tactile sensation conveying the first frequency.

Abstract: Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback is provided by using an actuator or other means in communication with the input device or electronic device. A controller may be employed to receive signals from the input devices and control the actuator. Tactile feedback to an input device or electronic device may be provided in response to one or more events or situations. Such an event or situation may be any one designated. Examples of such events and situations include the level of pressure placed on an input device; the availability or lack of availability of a function associated with an input device; and the function, menu, or mode of operation associated with an input device's activation. A variety of feedback types and combinations may be selected.

Abstract: Methods and Apparatus for providing haptic feedback to non-input locations are described. One described apparatus comprises a first surface, an input element distinct from the first surface, the input element operable to generate an input signal, and an actuator configured to provide haptic feedback to the first surface based at least in part on the input signal.

Abstract: An amplitude modulator circuit includes a reference oscillator and an envelope modulator coupled to the reference oscillator for receiving a reference signal. A microcontroller is coupled to the envelope modulator for providing an envelope signal to the envelope modulator and a low pass filter is coupled to the envelope modulator for receiving a modulated command from the envelope modulator. An inverter is coupled to the low pass filter for receiving a low passed envelope modulated signal from the low pass filter and a transducer or amplifier is coupled to the inverter and the low pass filter for receiving an inverted low passed signal and the low passed envelope modulated signal.

Abstract: A haptic device comprises an actuator and a mass. The actuator has a shaft. The actuator is elastically coupled to the mass and/or a base.

Abstract: Aspects of a switch matrix circuit are provided. In accordance with a circuit aspect, a plurality of switches are organized in a row and column configuration. Coupled to the plurality of switches is a current sensing circuit. The current sensing circuit includes a transistor and at least one resistor per column of the plurality of switches. Current amplified by the transistor and converted by the at least one resistor in a column is sensed as a logic level indicative of a switch status within the column for a selected row. The current sensing arrangement may also be used in an embodiment utilizing bi-directional signal control to minimize the number of I/O lines required to scan the switch matrix. The bi-directional signal scanning may also be implemented in another embodiment that senses voltage levels to determine switch closures.

Abstract: A haptic device comprises an actuator and a mass. The actuator has a shaft. The actuator is elastically coupled to the mass and/or a base.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing sensor resolution using interpolation are described. One described method includes receiving an analog sensor signal associated with a coding surface; deriving a quadrature signal based at least in part on an analog threshold voltage associated with the analog sensor signal; determining a velocity and a derived quadrature position of the coding surface based at least in part on the quadrature signal; outputting the derived quadrature position of the coding surface if the velocity exceeds a velocity threshold; and determining and outputting an interpolated position of the coding surface using analog interpolation if the velocity is less than or equal to the velocity threshold.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a system and method for mapping instructions associated with haptic feedback. An apparatus having a controller including an effect mapper is disclosed. The controller is configured to receive effect instructions from at least one application. The effect mapper is in communication with the controller, and is configured to produce multiple haptic instructions in response to at least a portion of the received effect instructions. The haptic instructions are at least partially based on a physical characteristic of a haptic device.

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: Method and apparatus for compensating for position slip in interface devices that may occur between a manipulandum and a sensor of the device due to a mechanical transmission. A device position delta is determined from a sensed position of a manipulandum of an interface device. It is determined if position slip has occurred caused by a change in position of the manipulandum that was not sensed by a sensor of the interface device, typically caused by a mechanical transmission between sensor and manipulandum. If position slip has occurred, an error in the sensed position caused by the position slip is corrected by adjusting the sensed position to take into account the position slip. The adjusted position delta is used as the position of the manipulandum and the display of objects controlled by the interface device are accordingly compensated.

Abstract: The present invention comprises products and processes for providing haptic feedback at a location other than an input device. For example, when an input device disposed in a hand-held device is activated, instead of providing haptic feedback at the input device itself or to the entire device, haptic feedback is provided to a different area of the device (such as, for example, the side of the device opposite the side on which the input device resides).