Abstract: Described is a screen surface layer comprising a plurality of light-emitting pixels including a plurality of red pixels, a plurality of green pixels and a plurality of blue pixels; a transducer layer comprising a plurality of acoustic transducers, wherein the transducer layer is affixed below the screen surface layer; and a cover layer having a plurality of cylinder-shaped perforations, wherein the cover layer is affixed above the screen surface layer. In addition, an average “transducer model” describing a phasor distribution in space may be produced describing the output signal at the carrier frequency in the air at a known spatial offset from an averaged transducer. Further, phased array systems may have numerous individual transducer elements that will likely fail before the product incorporating the transducers reaches end-of-life. By detecting such failed transducers, the transducer array may function at peak performance by working around the missing transducer output.

Abstract: A system providing various improved perceptions techniques for haptic feedback above interactive surfaces that require no contact with either tools, attachments or the surface itself is described. A range of receptors in a perceiving member which is part of the human body is identified to create substantially uniformly perceivable feedback. A vibration frequency that is in the range of the receptors in the perceiving member is chosen and dynamically altered to create substantially uniformly perceivable feedback throughout the receiving member.

Abstract: Described is a system for producing an acoustic field from a plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays, each of which has known relative positions and orientations. The acoustic field comprises a carrier wave and a modulated wave. The carrier wave has a plurality of modulated focal areas. A plurality of control points having a known spatial relationship relative to at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays is used. The plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays are calibrated by using the relative position of each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. More particularly, but not exclusively, this disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field providing tactile sensations for use with an interactive device. The disclosure provides a method of generating a tactile sensation. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of acoustic transducers arranged to generate a predetermined distribution of pressure patterns, wherein the pressure patterns comprise a first region providing a first tactile sensation and a second region providing a second, different, tactile sensation.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. More particularly, but not exclusively, this disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field providing tactile sensations for use with an interactive device. The disclosure provides a method of generating a tactile sensation. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of acoustic transducers arranged to generate a predetermined distribution of pressure patterns, wherein the pressure patterns comprise a first region providing a first tactile sensation and a second region providing a second, different, tactile sensation.

Abstract: A system providing various improved calibration techniques for haptic feedback is described. An acoustic field is defined by one or more control points in a space within which the acoustic field may exist. Each control point is assigned an amplitude value equating to a desired amplitude of the acoustic field at the control point. Because complete control of space is not possible, controlling the acoustic field at given points yields erroneous local maxima in the acoustic field levels at other related positions. In relation to mid-air haptic feedback, these can interfere in interactions with the space by creating secondary effects and ghost phenomena that can be felt outside the interaction area. The level and nature of the secondary maxima in the acoustic field is determined by how the space is controlled. By arranging the transducer elements in different ways, unwanted effects on the acoustic field can be limited and controlled.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for the modulation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. A method of creating haptic feedback using ultrasound is provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of ultrasound waves with a common focal point using a phased array of ultrasound transducers, the common focal point being a haptic feedback point, and modulating the generation of the ultrasound waves using a waveform selected to produce little or no audible sound at the haptic feedback point.

Abstract: A system providing various improved processing techniques for haptic feedback is described. An acoustic field is defined by one or more control points in a space within which the acoustic field may exist. Each control point is assigned an amplitude value equating to a desired amplitude of the acoustic field at the control point. Transducers are then controlled to create an acoustic field exhibiting the desired amplitude at each of the control points. When human skin interacts with the acoustic field, vibrations of the skin are interpreted by mechanoreceptors being excited and sending signals to the brain via the nervous system. Improved processing techniques allow for more efficient real-world operation.

Abstract: A system providing various improved perceptions techniques for haptic feedback above interactive surfaces that require no contact with either tools, attachments or the surface itself is described. A range of receptors in a perceiving member which is part of the human body is identified to create substantially uniformly perceivable feedback. A vibration frequency that is in the range of the receptors in the perceiving member is chosen and dynamically altered to create substantially uniformly perceivable feedback throughout the receiving member.

Abstract: A plurality of control points are defined having a known spatial relationship relative to an array of transducers. An amplitude is assigned to each control point. A matrix is produced containing elements which represent, for each of the control points, the effect that producing a modeled acoustic field having the assigned amplitude with a particular phase at the control point has on the consequential amplitude and phase of the modeled acoustic field at the other control points. Eigenvectors of the matrix are determined, each eigenvector representing a set of phases and relative amplitudes of the modeled acoustic field at the control points. One of the sets is selected and the transducer array is operated to cause one or more of the transducers to output an acoustic wave each having an initial amplitude and phase such that the phases and amplitudes of the resultant acoustic field at the control points correspond to the phases and relative amplitudes of the selected set.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. More particularly, but not exclusively, this disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field providing tactile sensations for use with an interactive device. The disclosure provides a method of generating a tactile sensation. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of acoustic transducers arranged to generate a predetermined distribution of pressure patterns, wherein the pressure patterns comprise a first region providing a first tactile sensation and a second region providing a second, different, tactile sensation.