Abstract: A haptic peripheral including a magnetic actuator coupled to a user input element for providing haptic effects to the user input element. The magnetic actuator includes at least two opposing programmable magnets, a first programmable magnet and a second programmable magnet, with pre-programmed patterns to control the motion of the user input element. Each programmable magnet has a pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements. The pre-programmed patterns of the magnetic elements interact with each other to cause haptic effects. In order to vary to haptic effects output by the magnetic actuator, the second programmable magnet is spun, rotated, or otherwise moved to change the orientation or position of the pre-programmed pattern. The re-oriented pattern of the second programmable magnet changes the interaction between the first and second programmable magnets and thereby results in different haptic effects being output to the user input device.

Abstract: Embodiments hereof relate a system including a host computer configured to generate a virtual environment to a user on a display, a processor, a haptic peripheral, and a proximity sensor. The haptic peripheral includes an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to receive a control signal from the processor and output a haptic effect to the haptic peripheral in response to the control signal from the processor. The processor is configured to vary the control signal for the actuator depending on a virtual distance within the virtual environment between a virtual camera and a virtual object. In addition or alternatively, the processor is configured to vary the control signal for the actuator depending on a perspective of a virtual camera within the virtual environment.

Abstract: A system for generating haptic effects includes a virtual environment having environmental properties, virtual objects, and object property information. A programmatic virtual sensor is placed on a virtual object in the virtual environment. A rendering engine for the virtual environment renders the virtual environment. A module for the virtual sensor receives virtual sensor data including position and time for the sensor and calculates sensor output data including acceleration data and object interaction data for the virtual sensor. A haptic track generator generates a haptic track based on the sensor output data.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a deformation sensor configured to detect a deformation of a deformable surface and transmit a first sensor signal associated with the deformation. The system also includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a user input device and transmit a second sensor signal associated with the user interaction. The system further includes a processor configured to: receive the first sensor signal; receive the second sensor signal; execute a function based at least in part on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal. The processor is also configured to: determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the first sensor signal or the second sensor signal; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.

Abstract: A system for generating haptic effects includes a virtual environment having environmental properties, virtual objects, and object property information. A programmatic virtual sensor is placed on a virtual object in the virtual environment. A rendering engine for the virtual environment renders the virtual environment. A module for the virtual sensor receives virtual sensor data including position and time for the sensor and calculates sensor output data including acceleration data and object interaction data for the virtual sensor. A haptic track generator generates a haptic track based on the sensor output data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for user interaction with a curved display are disclosed. One illustrative method disclosure herein includes: displaying a user interface on a curved display, the curved display comprising a face and an edge; receiving user input on a section of the user interface associated with the edge of the curved display; determining a haptic effect associated with the user interface and the user input; and outputting a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to a haptic output device.

Abstract: A system for generating haptic effects includes a virtual environment having environmental properties, virtual objects, and object property information. A programmatic virtual sensor is placed on a virtual object in the virtual environment. A rendering engine for the virtual environment renders the virtual environment. A module for the virtual sensor receives virtual sensor data including position and time for the sensor and calculates sensor output data including acceleration data and object interaction data for the virtual sensor. A haptic track generator generates a haptic track based on the sensor output data.

Abstract: A magnetic suspension system is disclosed for use in mounting an electronic touch screen. The magnetic suspension system may be designed to provide more or less movement in any direction, i.e., along the x-axis, the y-axis, and/or the z-axis, depending upon the application. The magnetic suspension system includes a first programmable magnet coupled to a first body and a second programmable magnet coupled to a second body. The programmable magnets simultaneously repel and attract each other in a nominal configuration such that the second body is suspended a programmed spaced-apart distance from the first body. The programmable magnets also allow movement between the first and second bodies in reaction to a force applied to the second body by a haptic actuator with a programmed spring force such that the first and second bodies return to the nominal configuration when no force is applied to the second body.

Abstract: A haptic peripheral including a magnetic actuator coupled to a user input element for providing haptic effects to the user input element. The magnetic actuator includes at least two opposing programmable magnets, a first programmable magnet and a second programmable magnet, with pre-programmed patterns to control the motion of the user input element. Each programmable magnet has a pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements. The pre-programmed patterns of the magnetic elements interact with each other to cause haptic effects. In order to vary to haptic effects output by the magnetic actuator, the second programmable magnet is spun, rotated, or otherwise moved to change the orientation or position of the pre-programmed pattern. The re-oriented pattern of the second programmable magnet changes the interaction between the first and second programmable magnets and thereby results in different haptic effects being output to the user input device.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a deformation sensor configured to detect a deformation of a deformable surface and transmit a first sensor signal associated with the deformation. The system also includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a user input device and transmit a second sensor signal associated with the user interaction. The system further includes a processor configured to: receive the first sensor signal; receive the second sensor signal; execute a function based at least in part on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal. The processor is also configured to: determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the first sensor signal or the second sensor signal; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.

Abstract: A system is provided that modifies a haptic effect experienced at a user input element. The system sends a haptic instruction and a haptic effect definition to a peripheral device. The system further receives user input data including a position of the user input element, or a force applied to the user input element. The system further modifies the haptic effect definition based on the received user input data. The system further sends a new haptic instruction and the modified haptic effect definition to the peripheral device. The system further causes a haptic output device to modify a haptic effect based on the modified haptic effect definition at the user input element of the peripheral device in response to the new haptic instruction.

Abstract: An advanced haptic gamepad is provided. A controller having a plurality of surfaces, and a haptic output device located within its housing and coupled to an isolated deformable region disposed at one of the plurality of surfaces is provided. The isolated deformable region expands and contracts in response to the haptic output device. In addition, a controller having a plurality of isolated surface regions, and a plurality of haptic output devices located within its housing and coupled to respective isolated surface regions is provided. Each of the isolated surface regions is configured to provide localized haptic effects.

Abstract: One illustrative computing device disclosed herein includes a first sensor configured to detect a position associated with a deformable surface and transmit a sensor signal associated with the position; and a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the sensor signal; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative computing device also includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.

Abstract: A system is provided that controls a haptic effect experienced at a peripheral device. The system receives a haptic effect definition including haptic data. The system further receives spatialization data including: a distance of the haptic effect; a direction of the haptic effect; or a flow of the haptic effect. The system further includes modifying the haptic effect definition based on the received spatialization data. The system further includes sending a haptic instruction and the modified haptic effect definition to the peripheral device. The system further includes causing one or more haptic output devices to produce one or more haptic effects based on the modified haptic effect definition at the peripheral device in response to the haptic instruction.

Abstract: A haptically enabled device includes a haptic output device used to control motion. The haptically enabled device determines a desired motion, and then generates a haptic effect on the haptic output device to cause the desired motion.

Abstract: Embodiments hereof relate a system including a host computer configured to generate a virtual environment to a user on a display, a processor, a haptic peripheral, and a proximity sensor. The haptic peripheral includes an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to receive a control signal from the processor and output a haptic effect to the haptic peripheral in response to the control signal from the processor. The processor is configured to vary the control signal for the actuator depending on a virtual distance within the virtual environment between a virtual camera and a virtual object. In addition or alternatively, the processor is configured to vary the control signal for the actuator depending on a perspective of a virtual camera within the virtual environment.

Abstract: Embodiments hereof relate a system that includes a processor and a haptic peripheral with a haptic output device. The processor is configured to receive an audio file, or a haptic file generated from the audio file, that includes a first channel having a first set of control parameters to generate a first haptic effect and a second channel having a second set of control parameters to generate a second haptic effect and to output a control signal that includes the first and second sets of control parameters for the haptic effect. The haptic output device is configured to receive the control signal from the processor and to output the haptic effect to the haptic peripheral. In an embodiment, the haptic output device is coupled to a bi-directional trigger and the control parameters move the trigger in opposing directions. In another embodiment, the control parameters generate different timelines of haptic effects to a user input element.

Abstract: A system is provided that controls a haptic effect experienced at a peripheral device. The system receives a haptic effect definition including haptic data. The system further receives spatialization data including: a distance of the haptic effect; a direction of the haptic effect; or a flow of the haptic effect. The system further includes modifying the haptic effect definition based on the received spatialization data. The system further includes sending a haptic instruction and the modified haptic effect definition to the peripheral device. The system further includes causing one or more haptic output devices to produce one or more haptic effects based on the modified haptic effect definition at the peripheral device in response to the haptic instruction.

Abstract: A system that generates haptic effects receives input media that includes audio data, video data, or sensory data. The system automatically generates a haptic effect track from the input media. The system then applies at least one filter to the automatically generated haptic effect track to generate a tuned haptic effect track.

Abstract: A system is provided that controls a haptic effect experienced at a peripheral device. The system receives a haptic effect definition including haptic data. The system further receives spatialization data including: a distance of the haptic effect; a direction of the haptic effect; or a flow of the haptic effect. The system further includes modifying the haptic effect definition based on the received spatialization data. The system further includes sending a haptic instruction and the modified haptic effect definition to the peripheral device. The system further includes causing one or more haptic output devices to produce one or more haptic effects based on the modified haptic effect definition at the peripheral device in response to the haptic instruction.