Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a haptic monitor system capable of generating haptic cues based on sensed information are disclosed. The haptic system includes a sensing device, a digital processing unit, and a haptic generator. The sensing device is configured to selectively sense an individual's or user vital information via one or more wearable sensors, and subsequently forwards the sensed vital information to the digital processing unit for data processing. Upon receipt of the vital information, the digital processing unit provides a haptic signal in response to the vital information. The haptic generator, subsequently, generates haptic feedback in accordance with the haptic signal.

Abstract: Embodiments hereof are directed to a haptic device having a pressure-sensitive suspension system. The haptic device includes a housing, a touch surface component mounted to the housing to be movable relative thereto, and a haptic actuator for providing haptic feedback to the touch surface component. At least one suspension component is disposed between the touch surface component and the housing. The suspension component is formed from an elastomer and includes pressure-sensing particles integrated into the elastomer. The pressure-sensing particles are configured to sense pressure applied to the touch surface component.

Abstract: One illustrative electrostatic actuator disclosed herein includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first insulation layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, a first resilient material between the first electrode and the second electrode, a third electrode, a second insulation layer between the second electrode and the third electrode, and a second resilient material between the second electrode and the third electrode. The first electrode and the third electrode receive power from a power supply and responsively generate a first polarity. The second electrode receives power from the power supply and responsively generates a second polarity that is opposite the first polarity. The first polarity and the second polarity generate a first attractive force between the first electrode and the second electrode and a second attractive force between the second electrode and the third electrode. The electrostatic actuator may be part of a user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: an actuator; and a control-circuit in communication with the actuator, the control circuit configured to: receive a haptic signal including a first bit indicating a power state; and transmit a power signal based on the haptic signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate at an actuation state at a fixed power.

Abstract: A method includes displaying information via a first display, displaying information via a second display, controlling the information displayed via the first display and the second display with a controller, and receiving a first input from a user through a user interface. The first input includes a command to change a setting of the first display or the second display and/or the information being displayed via the first display or the second display. The method also includes generating a first haptic effect to confirm receipt of the first input.

Abstract: Systems and methods for haptic feedback using laterally driven piezoelectric actuators are disclosed. For example, one described apparatus for haptic feedback using laterally driven piezoelectric actuators includes: a base; a touch-sensitive interface comprising an interface surface, the touch-sensitive interface affixed to the base and configured to move in a direction lateral to the interface surface; and a piezoelectric actuator mounted to the base and to the touch-sensitive interface and configured to receive a haptic signal and output a force in a direction lateral to the interface surface.

Abstract: A system for generating haptic effects in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a seat and a seat belt, is provided. The system comprises one or more haptic output devices positioned at or attached to the seat belt. The system further comprises a processor configured to receive a sensor signal from a sensor that is configured to sense information associated with the vehicle's environment or the vehicle's condition. The system is further configured to determine whether to generate a haptic effect based on the sensor signal, and to output a haptic control signal and communicate the haptic control signal to the one or more haptic output devices in response to a determination to generate the haptic effect. The one or more haptic output devices are configured to generate the haptic effect based on the haptic control signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for haptic feedback using laterally driven piezoelectric actuators are disclosed. For example, one described apparatus for haptic feedback using laterally driven piezoelectric actuators includes: a base; a touch-sensitive interface comprising an interface surface, the touch-sensitive interface affixed to the base and configured to move in a direction lateral to the interface surface; and a piezoelectric actuator mounted to the base and to the touch-sensitive interface and configured to receive a haptic signal and output a force in a direction lateral to the interface surface.

Abstract: A method includes displaying information via a first display, displaying information via a second display, controlling the information displayed via the first display and the second display with a controller, and receiving a first input from a user through a user interface. The first input includes a command to change a setting of the first display or the second display and/or the information being displayed via the first display or the second display. The method also includes generating a first haptic effect to confirm receipt of the first input.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a sensor configured to sense information associated with the vehicle's surroundings, environment and/or condition and output a sensor signal based on the sensed information, a processor configured to receive the sensor signal, determine haptic feedback for the system to display based on the sensor signal, and output a haptic control signal, and a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic control signal from the processor and generate the haptic feedback to a driver of the vehicle based on the haptic control signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a haptic monitor system capable of generating haptic cues based on sensed information are disclosed. The haptic system includes a sensing device, a digital processing unit, and a haptic generator. The sensing device is configured to selectively sense an individual's or user vital information via one or more wearable sensors, and subsequently forwards the sensed vital information to the digital processing unit for data processing. Upon receipt of the vital information, the digital processing unit provides a haptic signal in response to the vital information. The haptic generator, subsequently, generates haptic feedback in accordance with the haptic signal.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine a haptic effect, wherein the haptic effect includes a static ESF effect or a confirmation ESF effect; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes an ESF device in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device including an ESF cell and configured to receive the ESF signal and output the haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for perceptual normalization of haptic effects are disclosed. One system may include a first sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a touch surface and transmit a first sensor signal associated with the user interaction; a second sensor configured to detect a feature associated with the touch surface and transmit a second sensor signal associated with the feature; a processor in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor, the processor configured to: determine a first haptic effect based on the user interaction; determine a modified haptic effect based in part first haptic effect and on the feature; output a haptic signal associated with the modified haptic effect; and a haptic output device in communication with the processor and coupled to the touch surface, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the modified haptic effect to the touch surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a haptic monitor system capable of generating haptic cues based on sensed information are disclosed. The haptic system includes a sensing device, a digital processing unit, and a haptic generator. The sensing device is configured to selectively sense an individual's or user vital information via one or more wearable sensors, and subsequently forwards the sensed vital information to the digital processing unit for data processing. Upon receipt of the vital information, the digital processing unit provides a haptic signal in response to the vital information. The haptic generator, subsequently, generates haptic feedback in accordance with the haptic signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for perceptual normalization of haptic effects are disclosed. One system may include a first sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a touch surface and transmit a first sensor signal associated with the user interaction; a second sensor configured to detect a feature associated with the touch surface and transmit a second sensor signal associated with the feature; a processor in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor, the processor configured to: determine a first haptic effect based on the user interaction; determine a modified haptic effect based in part first haptic effect and on the feature; output a haptic signal associated with the modified haptic effect; and a haptic output device in communication with the processor and coupled to the touch surface, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the modified haptic effect to the touch surface.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine a haptic effect, wherein the haptic effect includes a static ESF effect or a confirmation ESF effect; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes an ESF device in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device including an ESF cell and configured to receive the ESF signal and output the haptic effect.

Abstract: A system includes a sensor configured to sense relative movement between a surface and a user's skin; a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect at the surface; and a processor configured to receive an input signal from the sensor indicating the sensed movement between the surface and the skin of the user, determine whether a notification is to be sent to the user, and output an output signal, based on the notification, to the haptic output device to generate the haptic effect if it is determined that the notification is to be sent to the user.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a haptic device having a compliant suspension element. Segments of piezo material are coupled to at least one surface of at least one compliant suspension element, and the at least one suspension element is coupled to a touch screen component. The at least one suspension element is also coupled to a housing component. The segments of piezo material are configured to produce a force that moves the touch screen component relative to the housing component and thereby provide a haptic effect to a user of the touch screen component. In reaction to the force produced by the segments of piezo material, the at least one suspension element is configured to allow movement of the touch screen component relative to the housing component in a first direction and to limit movement between the touch screen component and the housing component in at least a second direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: an actuator; and a control-circuit in communication with the actuator, the control circuit configured to: receive a haptic signal including a first bit indicating a power state; and transmit a power signal based on the haptic signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate at an actuation state at a fixed power.

Abstract: One illustrative electrostatic actuator disclosed herein includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first insulation layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, a first resilient material between the first electrode and the second electrode, a third electrode, a second insulation layer between the second electrode and the third electrode, and a second resilient material between the second electrode and the third electrode. The first electrode and the third electrode receive power from a power supply and responsively generate a first polarity. The second electrode receives power from the power supply and responsively generates a second polarity that is opposite the first polarity. The first polarity and the second polarity generate a first attractive force between the first electrode and the second electrode and a second attractive force between the second electrode and the third electrode. The electrostatic actuator may be part of a user interface.