Abstract: A haptic conversion system is provided that intercepts frames of audio data, such as a digital audio signal, converts the frames into a haptic signal, and plays the created haptic signal through an actuator to produce haptic effects. The haptic signal is based on a maximum value of each audio data frame, which defines a magnitude of the haptic signal. The haptic signal is applied to the actuator configured to receive the haptic signal, where the actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the one or more haptic effects.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for producing haptic actuation are disclosed. An exemplary haptic system comprises a transducer and a transmission medium. The transducer induces pressure waves within the transmission medium, which is a sealed capsule with a flexible geometry. A surface of the sealed capsule thus produces haptic effects on a contact surface.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods of transferring/storing digital content, and/or providing haptic feedback via wearable devices directly or indirectly responsive to an event such as a communication, an event occurring in an electronic environment and/or physical environment, the transfer of digital content, and/or other events. Wearable devices may be worn at various locations on a body of the user. Each location may be associated with a wearable device. Different haptic feedback may be provided at different locations based on the event such that the events may be distinguished or otherwise identified based on the location at which haptic feedback is provided. The locations may be stored in a configuration of wearable devices that act as a mapping of the wearable devices. The locations and/or haptic feedback itself may be varied based on the context and/or properties such as size of digital content or status of the transfer.

Abstract: The present relates to a system for providing vibration feedback to at least one foot. The system comprises at least one rigid surface for receiving the at least one foot, one vibrotactile actuator for each of the at least one rigid surface, and a suspension mechanism. The vibrotactile actuator is installed underneath the corresponding rigid surface and provides vibration feedback there through. The suspension mechanism supports the at least one rigid surface.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed in which in a conventional non-grounding man-machine interface having no reaction base on the human body and for giving the existence of a virtual object and the impact force of a collision to a person, a haptic sensation of a torque, a force and the like can be continuously presented in the same direction, which can not be presented by only the physical characteristic of a haptic sensation presentation device. In a haptic presentation device, the rotation velocity of at least one rotator in the haptic presentation device is controlled by a control device, and a vibration, a force or a torque as the physical characteristic is controlled, so that the user is made to conceive various haptic information of the vibration, force, torque or the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods for piezo-based haptic feedback are disclosed. For example, one described apparatus for piezo-based haptic feedback includes a polymer matrix, and a piezoelectric actuator at least partially embedded within the polymer matrix, the piezoelectric actuator configured to output a haptic effect.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a voltage amplifier is provided. In this voltage amplifier, a DC/DC boost converter converts an input DC voltage to an output DC voltage, which is higher than the input DC voltage. A DC/AC converter connected to the DC/DC boost converter converts the output DC voltage to an AC pulse-train. A voltage multiplier connected to the DC/AC converter converts the AC pulse-train to an amplified output DC voltage that is higher than the AC pulse-train. A discharger connected to the voltage multiplier can discharge the amplified output DC voltage.

Abstract: Provided is a method for expressing haptic information using control information, and a system for transmitting haptic information. In the method for expressing haptic information using control information, a tactile video is generated from tactile information for driving a drive array of a tactile device; force feedback data are generated from force feedback information for driving an actuator of a force feedback device; object data are generated to produce a scene descriptor that defines time positions of the tactile video, force feedback data, and multimedia information; and a stream file is generated by encoding the object data and multiplexing the encoded object data. The method comprises: a step of storing control information containing features and specifications of a haptic device including the tactile device and the force feedback device; and a step of expressing information of the scene descriptor through the haptic device with reference to the control information.

Abstract: A 3 degree of freedom (3DOF) tactile feedback apparatus and method are provided. The 3DOF tactile feedback apparatus may include a movable unit that may move in at least one direction to be in contact with human skin, and an actuator to move the movable unit based on an input signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating haptic feedback, includes: multiple haptic units placed on a first portion of a body; and a control unit placed on a second portion, near the first portion, of the body, wherein the control unit includes: a first module for acquiring information on relative position (i) among the respective multiple haptic units and (ii) between the respective haptic units and the control unit, a second module for acquiring information on absolute position of the control unit by measuring a position of the control unit in reference to an external reference point, and a haptic command module for creating a command signal by referring to at least one piece of the information on relative position acquired by the first module and the information on absolute position acquired by the second module and delivering the created command signal to a corresponding haptic unit among all the multiple haptic units.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for creating tactile content by using an audio stream. The method includes capturing an audio stream using a microphone, processing the audio stream to generate an audio data stream, executing a haptic algorithm using the audio data stream to generate an activation pattern for a plurality of actuators, and activating the plurality of actuators according to the activation pattern. The activation pattern is generated from the audio data stream based on both a frequency of the audio stream and triggering sounds in the audio stream. The plurality of actuators include both voice coils and vibrating motors.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a haptic notification apparatus and method which allows a user to be notified through a haptic interface allowing notifications to be perceived by a user as coordinated sensations. Preferably, the coordinated sensations are generated by providing a plurality of conducting electrode having at least one insulator per electrode, allowing skin nerve endings of user to be stimulated via capacitive coupling over said insulator. The apparatus and method also preferably includes a sensor which is configured to sense movement or rotation in any axis and sense electronic nerve signals or pressure from muscle contractions in order to allow a user to respond to a haptic notification.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an electronic device that includes a vibrating element adapted to vibrate the electronic device, at least one sensor operable to detect the presence of an audible higher-order harmonic above a fundamental frequency when the vibrating element is active. The device also includes a processor operable to adjust the vibrating element to reduce the audible higher-order harmonic when the audible higher-order harmonic is detected.

Abstract: Disclosed are an electronic device case for providing tactile feedback and an operation method thereof. The electronic device case for providing tactile feedback, includes: a communication interface unit receiving a control signal from an electronic device according to an operation of the electronic device; an actuator driver generating an electric signal corresponding to preset tactile pattern data according to the received control signal; and one or more film type actuators provided to contact the actuator driver and varying physical properties according to the control signal.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a technology by which a device includes one or more haptic feedback mechanisms that may be operated in a controlled manner to output amplitude-controlled vibrations. In one aspect, the vibrations from at least two haptic feedback mechanisms are combined, providing different amplitudes at different device locations. In one aspect, a haptic feedback mechanism outputs vibrations with a one amplitude in one state, and another, different amplitude in at least one other state, as controlled by the controller. The different states may correspond to different weights being driven at different times, and/or different positions of one or more weights.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for assisting a user of a Self-Service Terminal (SST). The apparatus provides a user interface for an SST, comprising a media slot for dispensing and/or depositing a media item to a user, a pair of spaced apart edges extending across a substantial portion of the user interface and converging in the vicinity of a transaction activation region to provide a tactile path to assist the user in locating the transaction activation region, and an illuminated guide to provide a visual path to further assist the user in locating the transaction activation region.

Abstract: Haptic information in a series of frames of a media file is identified and time stamps corresponding thereto are determined in accordance with information embedded in a tag either preceding or appending the media file. The haptic effect information is automatically synchronized to the media file based on the information in one or more frames of the tag, whereby an actuator outputs the defined haptic effects in the tag in a manner synchronized with corresponding audio and/or video content of the media file.

Abstract: A display device includes a display section displaying instruction information to be instructed to users in an instruction information display region provided corresponding to the instruction information, a touch panel capturing an instruction represented by the instruction information displayed in the instruction information display region, in response to a users' touch operation to a touch detection region provided corresponding to the instruction information display region, and a control section performing a predetermined operation control based on the instruction information inputted through the touch panel. The instruction information display region is provided in an upward zone within the touch detection region.

Abstract: A system is provided that encodes one or more dynamic haptic effects. The system defines a dynamic haptic effect as including a plurality of key frames, where each key frame includes an interpolant value and a corresponding haptic effect. An interpolant value is a value that specifies where an interpolation occurs. The system generates a haptic effect file, and stores the dynamic haptic effect within the haptic effect file.

Abstract: There is provided a film-type haptic device including: a plate shaped base plate; at least one spacer provided on an edge of an upper surface of the base plate; an actuator including a film shaped polymer layer positioned on the spacer and supported by the spacer and first and second electrodes provided so as to closely and entirely cover both surfaces of the polymer layer, respectively; and an elastic plate adhered to an upper surface of the actuator. The film-type haptic device according to the present disclosure may significantly decrease consumption power consumed in vibration and allow a user to more accurately feel haptic sensation for touch input.

Abstract: Navigation instructions using low-bandwidth signaling are supported in an alternative user interface that may be utilized as either a full replacement or as an enhancement to conventional visual/audio navigation interfaces. In one illustrative example, the alternative interface makes use of the more constrained, but generally broadly available low-bandwidth signaling capability of mobile devices to encode navigation instructions in the form of varying patterns of tactile vibrations that may be imparted from the device to a user as haptic feedback. The user can sense the vibrations and readily translate them into the navigation instructions without needing any kind of special decoding equipment or using any special techniques. The vibrations may be encoded using easy to remember patterns so that a full and rich navigation feature set may be accessed with minimal training on the user's part.

Abstract: A sleep disrupting apparatus disposed in a vehicle includes a processor and at least one vibration generator. The vibration generator is connected to the processor and is located in the vehicle in a position proximate to a passenger such that vibrations generated by the vibration generator are transmitted to the passenger. The processor determines a time index, generates at least three vibration signals consistent with the time index, and transmits the three vibration signals to the at least one vibration generator. The three vibration signals are separated from one another by two time intervals. The two time intervals are not equal to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an electrosensory sensation to a body member (120). The apparatus comprises one or more conducting electrodes (106), each of which is provided with an insulator (108). When the body member (120) is proximate to the conducting electrode, the insulator prevents flow of direct current from the conducting electrode to the body member. A capacitive coupling over the insulator (108) is formed between the conducting electrode (106) and the body member (120). The conducting electrodes are driven by an electrical input which comprises a low-frequency component (114) in a frequency range between 10 Hz and 500 Hz. The capacitive coupling and electrical input are dimensioned to produce an electrosensory sensation. The apparatus is capable of producing the electrosensory sensation independently of any mechanical vibration of the one or more conducting electrodes (106) or insulators (108).

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes: a receiving unit configured to receive data including information indicating amplitude and information indicating frequency; and a processing unit configured to produce data used to generate vibration of a vibration unit based on the data and predetermined vector information.

Abstract: A system that generates haptic effects using an actuator receives a haptic effect definition that defines a haptic effect. The system pre-processes the haptic effect definition by determining if the actuator is capable of playing the haptic effect. The system then post-processes the haptic effect definition by adjusting a force value based on an estimate or measurement of a state of the actuator during a playing of the haptic effect.

Abstract: A body-worn device configured in size and shape to be worn by a user, the body-worn device comprising a tactile feedback actuator configured to supply tactile feedback to the user, wherein said tactile feedback actuator configured to supply the feedback based on instructions provided via a communication channel. Optionally, the body-worn device is configured in size and shape to be worn around a torso of the user. Optionally, the tactile feedback actuator is configured to supply the tactile feedback to a back and/or a chest of the user. Optionally, wherein said body-worn device comprises a first and a second tactile feedback actuators, wherein the first tactile feedback actuator is positioned to be in proximity to a chest of the user, and wherein the second tactile feedback actuator is positioned to be in proximity to a back of the user.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic controller feedback system and method including an electrohydraulic operator controller and a feedback mechanism is disclosed. An operator controls a machine hydraulic function using the electrohydraulic operator controller, the feedback system senses a property of the hydraulic function, and generates tactile feedback in the electrohydraulic operator controller based on the sensed property. The electrohydraulic operator controller can be, for example, a joystick or control lever. The tactile feedback can be vibrations that vary based on the sensed property. The vibration can vary according to a profile relating the vibration amount to the sensed property. The profile can include portions of various shapes, for example, linear, exponential or parabolic, and can include breakpoints. The profile can include high sensitivity regions where small changes in the sensed property result in large vibration changes.

Abstract: An apparatus including an elongated apparatus structure configured to fit around a body part of a user and an actuator configured to change shape of the elongated apparatus structure. The actuator is configured to change tightness of the elongated apparatus structure around the body part of the user based on an action the apparatus is performing.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for modifying an indicator corresponding to an alert are described herein. One example method includes detecting an alert with a computing device. The method also includes monitoring a noise level in an environment surrounding a computing device. In addition, the method includes modifying the indicator corresponding to the alert based on the noise level. Furthermore, the method includes providing the modified indicator corresponding to the alert.

Abstract: A tactile-based guidance system incorporating tactors in headgear, such as a hat, helmet, or hood. Tactors may provide tactile sensations at different places about the head to convey information to a person such as direction, bearing, movement, orientation, and the like, of the person wearing the tactors. The system may also include an optional multi-dimensional sound mechanism which provides indications of direction, bearing, and other information. One or more tactors may be resorted to for resolving any ambiguity in the sound indications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing voice-to-text haptic augmentation in a user interface are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, a system for converting audible speech information to a haptic effect includes a microphone and a processor in communication with the microphone, the processor configured to receive an audio signal associated with a voice from the microphone, determine a characteristic of the audio signal, and generate an actuator signal based at least in part on the characteristic, the actuator signal configured to cause an actuator to output a haptic effect.

Abstract: An improved orthotic has a strap that secures the orthotic to a wearer, and comprises a tension indicator coupled to the strap. The tension indicator includes a first element disposed to produce a tactile signal when a tension in the strap reaches a threshold that is less than a permanent deformation threshold.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for processing a virtual world, haptic information regarding a virtual object in the virtual world, the haptic information corresponding to sensed information, is extracted and transmitted to a haptic feedback device. Accordingly, interaction between a real world and the virtual world is achieved. The processing speed of the haptic information with respect to the virtual object may be increased by varying data structures according to types of the virtual object.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present application relate generally to personal electronics, portable electronics, wearable electronics, and more specifically to wirelessly enabled devices that include a haptic interface and are configured to wirelessly communicate with one another to synchronize body motion or other user actions based on haptic prompts generated by a sensor system in one or more of the wirelessly enabled devices. Each wirelessly enabled device may include at least one radio configured to transmit, receive or both, RF signals encoded with motion data operative to generate sensory outputs from the haptic interface of one or more of the wirelessly enabled devices. At least one of the wirelessly enabled devices may be configured as a leader device and one or more other wirelessly enabled devices may be configured as a follower device. One or more wirelessly enabled devices may be wirelessly linked to a wireless media device that generates motion data.

Abstract: A system that produces a haptic effect and generates a drive signal that includes at least two haptic effect signals each having a priority level. The haptic effect is a combination of the haptic effect signals and priority levels. The haptic effect may optionally be a combination of the two haptic effect signals if the priority levels are the same, otherwise only the haptic effect signal with the highest priority is used. The frequency of haptic notifications may also be used to generate a drive signal using foreground and background haptic effect channels depending on whether the frequency ratio exceeds a foreground haptic effect threshold.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including a matter extracting unit extracting a predetermined matter from text information, an action pattern specifying unit specifying one or multiple action patterns associated with the predetermined matter, an action extracting unit extracting each of the action patterns associated with the predetermined matter, from sensor information, and a state analyzing unit generating state information indicating a state related to the matter, based on each of the action patterns extracted from the sensor information, using a contribution level indicating a degree of contribution of each of the action patterns to the predetermined matter, for a combination of the predetermined matter and each of the action patterns associated with the predetermined matter.

Abstract: An improved system for magnifying forces perceived by an operator performing delicate procedures with a tool. The system senses forces between the tip and handle of the tool and actuates forces between the handle held by the operator and a brace contacting some other portion of the operator's anatomy. Magnifying the forces felt at the tip provides the ability to perceive forces that are smaller than could otherwise be felt and to perform procedures that are more delicate than possible without such enhanced perception. In at least one embodiment, the device is completely hand-held and thus can easily be adapted to a wide variety of locations, orientations, and applications.

Abstract: A haptic drive circuit for an electrical muscle stimulation electrode has an input for receiving a haptic signal based on a haptic effect from a haptic effects processor. The drive circuit contains logic for generating a electrical muscle stimulation current based on the haptic signal. An electrode in contact with a user's skin receives the electrical muscle stimulation current, causing a haptic effect by contraction and relaxation of muscles near the electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating haptic effects associated with transitions in audio signals are disclosed. One disclosed system for outputting haptic effects includes a processor configured to: receive a signal; determine a haptic effect based in part on the signal; output a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect; an audio output device configured to receive the signal and output an audible effect; and a haptic output device in communication with the processor and coupled to the touch surface, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.

Abstract: A system receives a multiplexed signal with two or more different types of haptic signals encoded therein. Each type of haptic signal represents a haptic effect for different types of haptic output devices. The system determines a target haptic output device located on a haptic playback device. The system demultiplexes the multiplexed signal into at least the type of haptic signal corresponding to the target output device. The system provides the demultiplexed haptic signal to the target haptic output device.

Abstract: A system is provided that automatically converts an input into one or more haptic effects in near real-time. The system senses the input in near real-time. The system automatically converts the sensed input into one or more haptic signals in near real-time. The system generates the one or more haptic effects based on the one or more haptic signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for providing haptic effects based on information complementary to multimedia content. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving multimedia data comprising multimedia content and complementary data, wherein the complementary data describes the multimedia content, determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the complementary data, and outputting the haptic effect while playing the multimedia content.

Abstract: A system is provided that transforms haptic signals. The system receives an original haptic signal, where the original haptic signal includes a first haptic effect space, and where the first haptic effect space includes one or more haptic effects that can be generated by a first haptic output device. The system further transforms the original haptic signal into a new haptic signal, where the new haptic signal includes a second haptic effect space that is different from the first haptic effect space, where the second haptic effect space includes one or more haptic effects that can be generated by a second haptic output device, and where data contained within the new haptic signal is based on data contained within the original haptic signal. The system further sends the new haptic signal to a haptic output device to generate one or more haptic effects.

Abstract: A system is provided that transforms haptic signals into vibrotactile haptic effect patterns. The system receives a haptic signal that includes haptic effect patterns. The system further detects a start time and an end time for each haptic effect pattern. The system further detects haptic effect patterns based on a characteristic, and replaces the detected haptic effect patterns with substitute haptic effect patterns. The system further shifts the start time for each haptic effect pattern back by a shift duration. The system further assigns a vibrotactile haptic effect pattern to each haptic effect pattern. The system further sends the vibrotactile haptic effect patterns to a standard-definition haptic output device to generate vibrotactile haptic effects.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for converting a control track designed for use with a number and/or type of haptic output devices to be used with other numbers and/or types of haptic output devices. For example, a computing device may convert the control track into another control track that can be applied to other types and/or numbers of haptic output devices. The converted control track may be compatible for use with a smartphone or other system that includes a different number and/or type of haptic feedback devices than the system for which the haptic track was originally designed. In this manner, the user of the smartphone or other system may experience haptic feedback using a device that is different from another haptic feedback system for which the control track was originally designed for use. The conversion may occur locally at the smartphone or other system and/or remotely at another device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating haptic effects associated with audio signals are disclosed. One disclosed system for outputting haptic effects includes a processor configured to: receive an audio signal; determine a haptic effect based in part on the audio signal by: identifying one or more components in the audio signal; and determining a haptic effect associated with the one or more components; and output a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for haptic conversion are described. One disclosed method includes the steps of: determining a characteristic of a target user interface device having a target haptic output device, determining a source haptic effect associated with a source user interface device having a source haptic output device; converting the source haptic effect to a target haptic effect, the conversion based at least in part on the characteristic of the target haptic output device, and generating a haptic signal associated with the target haptic effect, the haptic signal configured to cause the target haptic output device to output the target haptic effect.

Abstract: A system provides haptic feedback based on media content. The system processes the media content into components including a first component and a second component. The system further determines a first priority value related to the first component and a second priority value related to the second component. The system further compares the first priority value with the second priority value. The system further generates a first control signal and a second control signal based on the comparison, where the first control signal is configured to cause a first haptic feedback to be output and the second control signal is configured to cause a second haptic feedback to be output that is the same or different than the first haptic feedback.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating haptic effects associated with envelopes in audio signals are disclosed. One disclosed system for outputting haptic effects includes a processor configured to: receive an audio signal; determine an envelope associated with the audio signal; determine a haptic effect based in part on the envelope; and output a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect.

Abstract: An assembly for providing haptic effects includes a panel adapted to be mated to another structure, a frame placed around and spaced apart from the panel, at least one flexible coupling to connect the panel to the frame, a display connected to the panel so as to be stationary with respect to the panel, and a touch screen assembly connected to the frame. The touch screen assembly is placed over the display.