Abstract: An actuator housing intended to provide haptic feedback in a vehicle includes a container having a recess configured to accommodate an oscillating actuator and an insertion opening that opens into the recess, and a cover configured to at least partially close the insertion opening of the container. The container and the cover are mounted so as to be able to move in translation relative to each other and configured such that, when the oscillating actuator is accommodated in the recess, the oscillation of the oscillating actuator causes the cover to move in translation relative to the container, generating haptic vibration in a direction of movement.

Abstract: An actuator housing intended to provide haptic feedback in a vehicle includes a container having a recess configured to accommodate an oscillating actuator and an insertion opening that opens into the recess, and a cover configured to at least partially close the insertion opening of the container. The container and the cover being are mounted so as to be able to move in translation relative to each other and configured such that, when the oscillating actuator is accommodated in the recess the oscillation of the oscillating actuator causes the cover to move in translation relative to the container, generating haptic vibration in a direction of movement.

Abstract: A method for generating a tactile sensation to be sensed by a user in contact, in two separate regions, with a contact surface of a haptic interface, includes simultaneously emitting a first control signal for controlling a first actuator and a second control signal for controlling a second actuator at the same time as the first actuator, the first and second actuators being joined to the contact surface and bringing about movements of the contact surface, wherein the first and second actuators determine a superimposition of movements of the contact surface such that the movements of the two designated regions of the same contact surface follow predetermined trajectories that are independent of one another.

Abstract: A vibrotactile actuator includes a network of flat electromagnetic coils positioned contiguously in a plane, the network of coils being able to generate a Laplace force under the effect of an electric current passing through the network of coils, a network of permanent magnets assembled linearly in a plane parallel to the plane of the network of coils and forming a Halbach network generating magnetic field lines oriented towards the network of coils, an electromagnetic interaction between the current lines passing through the network of coils and the magnetic field lines giving rise, as a result of the Laplace force, to relative translational movement between the network of coils and the network of magnets, and an elastic guide device for generating haptic vibrations from the relative translational movements of the network of coils and the network of magnets.

Abstract: An interface with haptic force feedback, including a controller arranged and/or programmed to receive an initial command designed to control an actuator so that a force exerted by the actuator is equal to an initial low-frequency part F0(t) plus an optional high-frequency part; the initial command transformed into a command in which the initial low-frequency part F0(t) is transformed into a modified low-frequency part F(t) which follows in amplitude a decreasing function and for which, over any time interval of duration ?t between an instant t and an instant t+?t, the modified low-frequency part F(t) decreases by a value X of less than or equal to 10% of the initial value of the modified low-frequency part of the force F(t) at the instant t, the duration ?t of the time interval being greater than or equal to 0.3 second; control the actuator according to the transformed command.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device (101, 102, 103, 104) for measuring force, comprising: a movable member (1); guide means (2) for guiding the movable member along at least one degree of freedom; position measuring means (3) for measuring the position of the movable member; at least one actuator (4) for applying an actuator force (7) to the movable member; a control system (5), arranged to send a control signal to the at least one actuator, the actuator force depending on the control signal, the control system being arranged to modify the control signal according to a measurement of the position of the movable member by the position measuring means; force measuring means (6) arranged to provide, from the control signal sent by the control system to the at least one actuator, a value of a force to be measured (8) being applied to the movable member and separate from the actuator force.

Abstract: A vibrotactile actuator includes a network of flat electromagnetic coils positioned contiguously in a plane, the network of coils being able to generate a Laplace force under the effect of an electric current passing through the network of coils, a network of permanent magnets assembled linearly in a plane parallel to the plane of the network of coils and forming a Halbach network generating magnetic field lines oriented towards the network of coils, an electromagnetic interaction between the current lines passing through the network of coils and the magnetic field lines giving rise, as a result of the Laplace force, to relative translational movement between the network of coils and the network of magnets, and an elastic guide device for generating haptic vibrations from the relative translational movements of the network of coils and the network of magnets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a miniature linear vibrotactile actuator comprising: a first element 14, 104 of generally cylindrical shape, comprising permanent magnets 15, 105 aligned so that two adjacent sides of two adjacent magnets 15, 105 have identical polarities; a second element 11, 101 defining a cylindrical cavity 12, 102 into which the first element 14, 104 is inserted with play so as to be able to slide therein in a sliding direction X2, the second element 11, 101 comprising coils 13, 103 of conductive wire having strands that extend perpendicularly to the sliding direction X2, in order to form magnetic force generators, and that are placed so as to be able to influence the first element 14, 104 electromagnetically; and means 25, 41, 125 for returning and guiding the first element 14, 104 toward an equilibrium position in the second element 11, 101, in which position a median plane P2 between two adjacent magnets substantially coincides with a median plane P1 of a facing force generator 111.

Abstract: Tactile stimulation interface comprising a support (2), a flexible surface suspended on the support (2) intended to be tactilely explored by an operator, actuators (6) intended to apply a force on the flexible surface (4) and means for controlling the actuators (6), the actuators being located on the contour of the flexible surface. The control means are intended to send, to the actuators (6), signals corresponding to the forces to be applied to the flexible surface (4) according to the tactile stimulation to be generated on the flexible surface (4), the forces being determined by a time-reversal method. The surface (4) comprises at least one sufficiently flexible area, for example of Mylar®, in order for the propagation speed of the waves thus generated to be slow enough to reach sufficiently short wavelengths at low frequencies, thereby substantially improving focusing at resolutions compatible with tactile stimulation.

Abstract: A system for simulation of a contact with a surface by tactile stimulation including a surface that will come into contact with the digital pulp of a user's finger. The system includes means of displacing the surface along first and second directions (X, Y) orthogonal to each other and approximately tangent to the digital pulp of the finger. The displacement means are controlled as a function of the simulation to be generated, in which the displacement means are electromagnetic actuators.

Abstract: Tactile stimulation interface comprising a support (2), a flexible surface suspended on the support (2) intended to be tactilely explored by an operator, actuators (6) intended to apply a force on the flexible surface (4) and means for controlling the actuators (6), the actuators being located on the contour of the flexible surface. The control means are intended to send, to the actuators (6), signals corresponding to the forces to be applied to the flexible surface (4) according to the tactile stimulation to be generated on the flexible surface (4), the forces being determined by a time-reversal method. The surface (4) comprises at least one sufficiently flexible area, for example of Mylar®, in order for the propagation speed of the waves thus generated to be slow enough to reach sufficiently short wavelengths at low frequencies, thereby substantially improving focusing at resolutions compatible with tactile stimulation.

Abstract: The invention describes an electronic travel aid (ETA) for blind and visually impaired persons implemented in a detachable handle of a white cane. The device enhances the functionality of the white cane giving the user more detailed information about the environment within a defined corridor of interest in front of the user with an extended range of a few meters up to 10 m. It provides a reliable warning if there is a risk of collision with obstacles including those at trunk or head height, which are not recognized by a conventional white cane. Additional sensors are integrated to delimit the defined corridor during the cane sweeping thereby reducing the amount of information that is transmitted to the user via the tactile interface. Alternatively, the device can be used independently from the cane as an object recognition and orientation aid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a miniature linear vibrotactile actuator comprising: a first element 14, 104 of generally cylindrical shape, comprising permanent magnets 15, 105 aligned so that two adjacent sides of two adjacent magnets 15, 105 have identical polarities; a second element 11, 101 defining a cylindrical cavity 12, 102 into which the first element 14, 104 is inserted with play so as to be able to slide therein in a sliding direction X2, the second element 11, 101 comprising coils 13, 103 of conductive wire having strands that extend perpendicularly to the sliding direction X2, in order to form magnetic force generators, and that are placed so as to be able to influence the first element 14, 104 electromagnetically; and means 25, 41, 125 for returning and guiding the first element 14, 104 toward an equilibrium position in the second element 11, 101, in which position a median plane P2 between two adjacent magnets substantially coincides with a median plane P1 of a facing force generator 111.

Abstract: A device, having first and second motor units, for generating a torque on an output member in response to a torque setpoint. The first motor unit includes at least one motor of a first power, or small motor, having a shaft to which the output member is connected. The second motor unit includes at least one motor of a second power higher than the first power, or large motor, having a shaft rotationally connected to the output member via viscous coupler, and computer programmed, in response to a torque setpoint, to power the second motor unit so that the viscous coupler provides a viscous torque conforming to the torque setpoint. Further, in parallel with this, the first motor unit is powered so that it produces the additional torque between the torque setpoint and the viscous torque until the viscous torque reaches the value of the torque setpoint.

Abstract: Systems and methods for low power consumption haptic feedback are described. In one described system, a device comprises a manipulandum and a haptic effect generator in communication with the manipulandum. The actuator is operable to provide a first haptic profile associated with a first mechanical configuration and a second haptic profile associated with a second mechanical configuration. The device also comprises an actuator in communication with the haptic effect generator, which is operable to switch the haptic effect generator between the first haptic profile and the second haptic profile.

Abstract: An electronic device and method of operating comprises a housing; a base coupled to the housing; and an electro-mechanical transducer coupled to the base, the electro-mechanical transducer configured to operate in a resonant mode and output a haptic effect upon receiving a drive signal at a predetermined drive frequency. In an embodiment, the electro-mechanical transducer further comprises a plurality of electro-mechanical transducers, each electro-mechanical transducer configured to operate in its respective resonant mode and output a respective haptic effect upon receiving a drive signal having a predetermined drive frequency. Alternatively or additionally, the electro-mechanical transducer further comprises a plurality of spaced apart electro-mechanical devices coupled thereto in a serial fashion between a first end proximal to the base and a second end distal to the base.

Abstract: System for simulation of a contact with a surface by tactile stimulation comprising a surface (4.1) that will come into contact with the digital pulp of a user's finger (9), said system comprising means of displacing the surface along first and second directions (X, Y) orthogonal to each other and approximately tangent to the digital pulp of the finger (9), said displacement means being controlled as a function of the simulation to be generated, in which said displacement means are electromagnetic actuators (14.1, 14.2).

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the analysis of the mechanical properties of materials. More particularly, the various embodiments of the present invention relates to systems and methods of deriving the static and dynamic mechanical properties of deformative materials, for example, but not limited to, biological surfaces. The systems and methods of the present invention can be used to derive and evaluate the mechanical properties of many biological surfaces and subsurfaces, including but not limited to the skin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generating a torque on an output member in response to a torque setpoint, including a first motor unit including at least one motor of a first power, or small motor, having a shaft to which the output member is connected, a second motor unit including at least one motor of a second power higher than the first power, or large motor, having a shaft rotationally connected to the output member via viscous coupling means, and servo-control means programmed, in response to a torque setpoint (Msp), to power the second motor unit so that the viscous coupling means provide a viscous torque (Mvisc) conforming to the torque setpoint and, in parallel with this, to power the first motor unit so that it produces the additional torque between the torque setpoint and the viscous torque until the viscous torque reaches the value of the torque setpoint.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool comprising a handle and a tip, which provides amplified tactile feedback to a user regarding the material with which the tip of the tool is in contact. In one embodiment, tactile feedback is provided to the user via the handle of the tool, in the form of movements which correspond at least partially to those experienced by the tip of the tool as it interacts with the material. The tool optionally provides audio and/or visual feedback regarding the material. In a preferred embodiment, the tool is a surgical instrument.