Abstract: Use of ultrasound beams to unlock the perception of mid-air tactile stimuli on hairy skin by using acoustic streaming is described. Such acoustic streaming is directional, more focused than fan and air-puff devices, doesn't require the use of cumbersome attachments, fast since it can be generated at a distance with the speed of sound, and can be used in a complementary fashion with vibrotactile mid-air stimulation deriving from the same hardware. Further proposed is a way to modulate the thermal perception of the mid-air tactile stimuli without the need for a thermal source or wearables. The effect of acoustic streaming and its thermal modulation may be combined for the accurate elicitation of affective touch sensations.

Abstract: Described is a method for instilling the haptic dimension of texture to virtual and holographic objects using mid-air ultrasonic technology. A set of features is extracted from imported images using their associated displacement maps. Textural qualities such as the micro and macro roughness are then computed and fed to a haptic mapping function together with information about the dynamic motion of the user's hands during holographic touch. Mid-air haptic textures are then synthesized and projected onto the user's bare hands. Further, mid-air haptic technology enables tactile exploration of virtual objects in digital environments. When a user's prior and current expectations and rendered tactile texture differ, user immersion can break. A study aims at mitigating this by integrating user expectations into the rendering algorithm of mid-air haptic textures and establishes a relationship between visual and mid-air haptic roughness.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for tracking objects (including human body parts such as a hand), namely: 1) two-state transducer interpolation in acoustic phased-arrays; 2) modulation techniques in acoustic phased-arrays; 3) fast acoustic full matrix capture during haptic effects; 4) time-of-flight depth sensor fusion system; 5) phase modulated spherical wave-fronts in acoustic phased-arrays; 6) long wavelength phase modulation of acoustic field for location and tracking; and 7) camera calibration through ultrasonic range sensing.

Abstract: Described is a method for instilling the haptic dimension of texture to virtual and holographic objects using mid-air ultrasonic technology. A set of features is extracted from imported images using their associated displacement maps. Textural qualities such as the micro and macro roughness are then computed and fed to a haptic mapping function together with information about the dynamic motion of the user's hands during holographic touch. Mid-air haptic textures are then synthesized and projected onto the user's bare hands. Further, mid-air haptic technology enables tactile exploration of virtual objects in digital environments. When a user's prior and current expectations and rendered tactile texture differ, user immersion can break. A study aims at mitigating this by integrating user expectations into the rendering algorithm of mid-air haptic textures and establishes a relationship between visual and mid-air haptic roughness.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for determining the location of a target device relative to a set of anchor nodes having known locations in an environment wherein the line of sight between the target device and one or more of the anchor nodes is impeded. The system is configured to, for each anchor node: receive a signal transmitted between the anchor node and the target device; determine, based on the signal, an estimate of the distance between the target device and the anchor node or an estimate of the angle of arrival of the signal to the target device; determine a received signal quality indicator based on the signal; and, assign a weight for the signal based on the received signal quality indicator. The system is further configured to determine the position of the target device based on the estimated distances or angles of arrival, the corresponding weights and the locations of the anchor nodes.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for tracking objects (including human body parts such as a hand), namely: 1) two-state transducer interpolation in acoustic phased-arrays; 2) modulation techniques in acoustic phased-arrays; 3) fast acoustic full matrix capture during haptic effects; 4) time-of-flight depth sensor fusion system; 5) phase modulated spherical wave-fronts in acoustic phased-arrays; 6) long wavelength phase modulation of acoustic field for location and tracking; and 7) camera calibration through ultrasonic range sensing.

Abstract: A wireless device including a processor and memory. The memory stores executable instructions and rules. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the device to store, if the wireless device forms part of a network including other wireless device and a backbone, information detailing topology of the network and/or status of other devices of the network, based on the rules. The topology information estimates costs and/or benefits of transmitting data to the backbone via other wireless devices of the network and based on the rules estimates the costs and/or benefits of transmitting data directly to the backbone. One or both estimates combine an estimation of technical costs of data transmission, compensation payments, and path length dependent network benefits. The device determines whether the costs and/or benefits of a direct exchange with the backbone outweigh those of data exchange with the backbone via other nodes.

Abstract: A wireless communication device for communicating with one or more other wireless communication devices in a wireless network, the wireless communication device having a transmitter and/or receiver for respectively transmitting or receiving communication signals to or from the other communication devices, a border identification module for identifying one or more borders of a communication zone of the communication device, wherein the communication zone defines a region of space in which other communication devices in the network are potentially located and within which those other communication devices will be in direct communication range of the communication device, a communication zone estimator for estimating the size of the communication zone when taking into account any identified borders and a controller for modifying the settings of the transmitter and/or the receiver based on the estimated size of the communication zone.

Abstract: A wireless device including a processor and memory. The memory stores executable instructions and rules. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the device to store, if the wireless device forms part of a network including other wireless device and a backbone, information detailing topology of the network and/or status of other devices of the network, based on the rules. The topology information estimates costs and/or benefits of transmitting data to the backbone via other wireless devices of the network and based on the rules estimates the costs and/or benefits of transmitting data directly to the backbone. One or both estimates combine an estimation of technical costs of data transmission, compensation payments, and path length dependent network benefits. The device determines whether the costs and/or benefits of a direct exchange with the backbone outweigh those of data exchange with the backbone via other nodes.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for determining the location of a target device relative to a set of anchor nodes having known locations in an environment wherein the line of sight between the target device and one or more of the anchor nodes is impeded. The system is configured to, for each anchor node: receive a signal transmitted between the anchor node and the target device; determine, based on the signal, an estimate of the distance between the target device and the anchor node or an estimate of the angle of arrival of the signal to the target device; determine a received signal quality indicator based on the signal; and, assign a weight for the signal based on the received signal quality indicator. The system is further configured to determine the position of the target device based on the estimated distances or angles of arrival, the corresponding weights and the locations of the anchor nodes.