Abstract: A haptic actuator assembly includes a haptic actuator configured to output displacement along a perpendicular axis and a pre-load device. The pre-load device is disposed adjacent to the haptic actuator and configured to generate a compressive load on the haptic actuator along the perpendicular axis to oppose expansion of the haptic actuator along the perpendicular axis. The pre-load device includes a casing and at least a first spring component. The casing includes a cover and a base spaced apart from and extending parallel to the cover. The haptic actuator is disposed between the cover and the base, and the first spring component is configured to exert a force in order to create the compressive load on the haptic actuator along the perpendicular axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods long-range interactions for virtual reality are disclosed. One disclosed system includes: a handheld interface device; a sensor configured to detect movement of the handheld interface device and transmit a sensor signal associated with the movement; a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to: determine a haptic signal based in part on the sensor signal; and control, based on the haptic signal, an electromagnetic source remote from the handheld interface device to output a magnetic field to apply a force to magnetic material in the handheld interface device to output a haptic effect to a user of the handheld interface device.

Abstract: A wearable device for providing haptic effects includes a wearable housing configured to be worn on to a portion of a hand of a wearer and an actuator secured to the wearable housing. The wearable housing includes a first digit segment configured to conform to a finger of the hand and a second digit segment configured to conform to another finger or a thumb of the hand. The actuator is configured to receive a command signal indicative of a virtual interaction related to touching or grasping a virtual object. In response to the command signal, the actuator provides a force onto the portion of the hand or provides a force to render a resistance to movement of the first and second digit segments toward each other. The actuator uses the wearable housing to mechanically stabilize the force towards the portion of the hand.

Abstract: A system includes a wearable electronic device and a strap operatively connected to the wearable electronic device. The strap is configured to allow a user to wear the wearable electronic device on a body part. The system also includes an actuator connected to the strap, and a processor in signal communication with the wearable electronic device and the actuator. The processor is configured to receive a first signal from the wearable electronic device and send a second signal, based on the first signal, to the actuator to cause the strap to move relative to the wearable electronic device and provide a haptic effect to the user.

Abstract: A system having a haptic control unit, a haptic delivery cluster, and an electric field generator, magnetic field generator, or pneumatic actuator is presented. The haptic delivery cluster comprises a plurality of haptic delivery nodes, wherein each haptic delivery node of the plurality of haptic delivery nodes is separate from other haptic delivery nodes of the plurality of haptic delivery nodes, is at least one of a wireless communication device, a sensor, or a computing device, and has a dimension that is less than or equal to 5 mm. The electric field generator, magnetic field generator, or pneumatic actuator is in communication with the haptic control unit and is configured, when activated, to generate an electric field or a magnetic field in a physical environment in which the haptic delivery cluster is located, or to output a pulse of air in the physical environment.

Abstract: A haptic zipper is provided. The haptic zipper includes a first chain, a second chain opposing the first chain, a slider, an actuator coupled to the slider, and a controller coupled to the actuator. The slider is coupled to the first chain and the second chain to mesh or disengage opposing teeth of the first and second chains. The controller is configured to process an input signal including data related to a haptic effect, generate a haptic drive signal based on the data, and transmit the haptic drive signal to the actuator to render the haptic effect.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to haptic actuators, and suitably haptic actuators based on repulsion and attraction between a coil and a magnet. Such haptic actuators are useful in structural materials, such as elements of wearables or accessories.

Abstract: A haptic-enabled user interface device comprising a user input component, an elastomer suspension, a signal generating circuit, a signal sensing circuit, one or more switches, and a control unit is presented. The elastomer suspension is formed by at least one stack that includes an elastomeric layer, wherein the at least one stack forms at least one capacitor. The control unit is configured, in an actuation mode, to cause the one or more switches to electrically connect the signal generating circuit to the at least one capacitor and to electrically disconnect the signal sensing circuit from at least one capacitor, and to cause the signal generating circuit to apply a drive signal to the at least one capacitor. The control unit is further configured, in a sensing mode, to cause the one or more switches to electrically connect the signal sensing circuit to the at least one capacitor.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to conformable displays, including macro-fiber composite (MFC) actuators. The MFC actuators are configured to displace the conformable displays in a linear direction. The conformable displays can be thin, flexible and deformable.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pneumatic pressure haptic controllers are disclosed. One disclosed system for includes: a controller; an impeller motor coupled to the controller; and a processor coupled to the impeller motor and configured to: receive a controller signal; determine a haptic signal based in part on the controller signal; and output the haptic signal to the impeller motor to output a haptic effect.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a gesture and transmit an associated sensor signal. The gesture includes a first position at a distance from a surface and a second position contacting the surface. The system also includes a processor in communication with the sensor and configured to: receive the sensor signal from the sensor, and determine one or more haptic effects based at least in part on the sensor signal. The one or more haptic effects are configured to provide substantially continuous haptic feedback throughout the gesture. The processor is also configured to generate one or more haptic signals based at least in part on the one or more haptic effects, and transmit the one or more haptic signals. The system includes a haptic output device for receiving the one or more haptic signals and outputting the one or more haptic effects.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for wirelessly delivering haptic effects are provided. The devices may include haptic actuators secured to various substrates, including the body and clothing of a user. The haptic actuators may be secured via adhesive and/or may be applied as a curable liquid. The haptic actuators may include an actuator element and a power element. The power element may include an antenna for receiving wireless power and control signals that may be transferred to the haptic actuator to cause a haptic effect.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes an enclosure configured to define a boundary of a chamber, the chamber including a material, and a flexible layer coupled overtop of the chamber and configured to enclose the chamber. The illustrative system also includes a first actuation device configured to receive a first haptic signal and responsively output a first haptic effect by changing a characteristic of the material to deform the flexible layer. The illustrative system also includes a second actuation device configured to receive a second haptic signal and responsively output a second haptic effect by applying an electrical signal to the flexible layer. The illustrative system further includes a processor in communication with the first actuation device and the second actuation device. The processor is configured to transmit the first haptic signal to the first actuation device and the second haptic signal to the second actuation device.

Abstract: A system includes an electronic device that includes a display screen, a cover configured to cover the display screen, a sensor configured to sense an input gesture comprising deformation and/or movement of the cover relative to the electronic device, and a processor configured to determine an action for the electronic device to perform based on the input gesture, to determine a haptic effect to generate based on the input gesture and/or the action for the electronic device to perform, and to initiate the action. The system also includes a haptic output device configured to generate the haptic effect.

Abstract: A haptic-enabled display device is presented. The haptic-enabled device has a display layer, a first electrode layer, an actuation layer, and an electrode patch. The first electrode layer is disposed on the display layer. The actuation layer is formed of a single piece of actuatable material. A first side of the actuation layer is disposed on the first electrode layer. The single piece of actuatable material of the actuation layer and the conductive material of the first electrode layer may have substantially the same area. The electrode patch may form a second electrode layer, and may be disposed on a second and opposite side of the actuation layer. The electrode patch is electrically connected to a region of the actuatable material, and has an area that is smaller than that of the single piece of actuatable material and smaller than that of the conductive material of the first electrode layer.

Abstract: A haptic zipper is provided. The haptic zipper includes a first chain, a second chain opposing the first chain, a slider, an actuator coupled to the slider, and a controller coupled to the actuator. The slider is coupled to the first chain and the second chain to mesh or disengage opposing teeth of the first and second chains. The controller is configured to process an input signal including data related to a haptic effect, generate a haptic drive signal based on the data, and transmit the haptic drive signal to the actuator to render the haptic effect.

Abstract: A haptic peripheral includes a housing, a deformable substrate coupled to the housing to be moveable thereto, and a smart material actuator coupled to a surface of the deformable substrate. The smart material actuator produces a force that deforms the deformable substrate relative to the housing in response to the control signal from a processor to thereby provide a haptic effect to a user of the haptic peripheral. The deformable substrate includes at least one user contact portion configured to contact the user and two opposing hinges. The deformable substrate also includes at least two stiff arms, each stiff arm extending between the user contact portion and one of the two opposing hinges. The stiff arms are relatively stiffer than the user contact portion and the hinges such that the deformable substrate is configured to increase the deformation of the deformable substrate relative to the housing.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to fiber actuators for providing haptic feedback, and haptic actuation resulting from mechanical and/or electrostatic (non-mechanical) interactions with the fiber actuators. Such fiber actuators are useful in structural materials, including as elements of wearables or accessories.

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: The present application relates generally to haptic feedback actuators and their construction and use in touch based systems. The haptic feedback actuators are suitably bilayer structures including at least two materials having different thermal coefficients, allowing the structure to deflect from a first position to a second position in response to heating and/or cooling of the structure.