Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a keycap layer having a keycap region, a circuit layer disposed under the keycap layer, at least a haptic actuator disposed under the circuit layer and electrically connected to the circuit layer, a cushion layer disposed under the circuit layer and having an accommodation space for accommodating the haptic actuator, a sensing unit disposed under the cushion layer, and a control circuit coupling the sensing unit and the circuit layer, wherein when an external force is applied and delivered through the cushion layer to trigger the sensing unit, the sensing unit outputs a trigger signal, and the control circuit receives the trigger signal and outputs a driving signal to drive the haptic actuator to vibrate.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of providing electrical stimuli to skin of a user to convey information to the user. For instance, the electrical stimuli may inform the user of an event, a condition, etc. Examples of an event include but are not limited to receipt of a message (e.g., an email, an instant message (IM), a short message service (SMS) message, or a transcribed voicemail), receipt of an alarm (e.g., an alarm clock alarm or a warning), receipt of a phone call, occurrence of a time of day, etc. The electrical stimuli may inform the user of a condition of clothing that is worn by the user. The electrical stimuli may inform the user that a physical positioning of the user is to be changed.

Abstract: The alarm monitoring system provides various alerts of events that are not readily discernable to those with hearing difficulties. The system generates visual, vibratory, and high decibel alerts separately or in combination to alert the user to a wide variety of events for those with multisensory impairments.

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: A haptic peripheral includes a housing with a frame having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced apart windows, a plurality of deformable membranes positioned within the plurality of circumferentially-spaced apart windows, and a haptic output device disposed within the housing and coupled to the plurality of deformable membranes. The haptic output device includes a motor, a converter, and a plurality of radially-extending pins. Each radially-extending pin has a first end attached to the converter and a second opposing end attached to a deformable membrane. The motor is configured to receive a control signal from a processor and is configured to rotate relative to the housing in response to the control signal. The converter converts rotary motion of the motor to linear motion to move the plurality of radially-extending pins to thereby radially extend the deformable membranes relative to the housing and provide a haptic effect to a user of the haptic peripheral.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a character input device. The character input device includes a detection unit, an input tool and a control unit. The detection unit detects one or more input forms of vertical pressing horizontal pressing tilting pressing, contact, and contact movement. The input tool enables directional input corresponding to each input form detectable by the detection unit to be performed. The control unit generates a plurality of direction indication locations corresponding to directional inputs performed by the input tool, and extracts data, assigned to a direction indication location corresponding to detected directional input, from a memory unit and inputting the extracted data when directional input of the input tool corresponding to any one of the direction indication locations is detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: A system of one or more computers can be configured to perform particular operations or actions by virtue of having software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of them installed on the system that in operation causes or cause the system to perform the actions. One general aspect includes a system, including a computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor such that the computer is programmed to receive an image of at least one lane marker from an image capture device mounted to a vehicle. The system also identifies a lane transition according to the image. The system can also control at least one of steering, braking, and acceleration of the vehicle according to a history of data concerning the lane transition locations.

Abstract: A tactile graphic display for providing a display representation of a graph or image generated by a graphic device for visually impaired users or other users who wish to access tactile information. The display includes one or more frame assemblies including hollow actuator chambers and hollow shaft chambers, the hollow shaft chambers extending perpendicular to the hollow actuator members. Actuators are received within the plurality of hollow actuator chambers and drive shafts are received with the hollow shaft members. Cams operably connect the actuators to the drive shafts. Each actuator rotates each cam about an axis of the actuator in a first direction from a down position to an up position thereby extending each drive shaft upwardly, and each actuator operably rotates each cam about the axis of the actuator in a second direction opposite to the first direction to the down position thereby retracting each drive shaft downwardly.

Abstract: A system creates an enhanced virtual shopping experience, and includes means for generating a 3-D mesh model of a person's body contours; means for digitizing the three-dimensional shape of a piece of clothing when worn by the correspondingly sized body; means for measuring surface friction and intensity/frequency of vibrations produced during sliding tactile contact with the material of the clothing, for digitally approximating a material's texture; and a means for obtaining three dimensional visual images of the interior of a store. A 3-D headset is configured to receive the three-dimensional visualization of the store interior, and provide it to a person that may also wear a wired glove and body suit configured to provide tactile feedback or feedback through the use of electrodes.

Abstract: A system provides haptic functionality over a networked system. The system receives information from a first device registered at the networked system and determines a notification to be provided to a user based on the information. The system then selects a second device registered at the networked system and provides the notification to the user by producing a haptic effect on the second device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes a first sheet configured to flex; a second sheet disposed below the first sheet; and an intermediate region disposed between the sheets. The intermediate region may include multiple supports, each of the supports connected to portions of the first and second sheets and configured to maintain a spacing between the sheets. The intermediate region may also include multiple channels configured to contain a fluid in the spacing between the sheets, each of the channels disposed between two or more supports. The fluid is configured to be in an active or an inactive state. When the fluid is in the inactive state, the device is substantially flexible, and when the fluid is in the active state, the device is substantially rigid.

Abstract: A wearable device is provided that includes a receiver, a processor, and a transducer. The receiver is configured to receive speed limit data indicative of a posted speed limit corresponding to a route or road upon which the wearable device is traveling. The processor is configured to compare the speed limit to a current speed of the wearable device and/or a vehicle in which the user wearing the wearable device is driving. The transducer is configured to deliver a haptic or other notification to a user upon which the wearable device is worn when the current speed exceeds the speed limit or exceeds the speed limit by a predetermined amount. As a result, safer driving and vehicle collision avoidance may be facilitated. Safe driving auto insurance discounts may be provided to drivers that use the safe driving or speed limit warning functionality discussed herein.

Abstract: A touch-enabled device can simulate one or more features in a touch area. Features may include, but are not limited to, changes in texture and/or simulation of boundaries, obstacles, or other discontinuities in the touch surface that can be perceived through use of an object in contact with the surface. Systems include a sensor configured to detect a touch in a touch area when an object contacts a touch surface, an actuator, and one or more processors. The processor can determine a position of the touch using the sensor and select a haptic effect to generate based at least in part on the position, the haptic effect selected to simulate the presence of a feature at or near the determined position. The processor can transmit a haptic signal to generate the identified haptic effect using the actuator. Some features are simulated by varying the coefficient of friction of the touch surface.

Abstract: A system and method perform object detection-based directional control of light transmission or sound transmission from a moving platform. The method includes receiving information about one or more objects that are proximate to the platform, and processing the information to obtain processed information, the processed information including a location of each of the one or more objects. Determining an importance and urgency among the one or more objects with regard to the light transmission or the sound transmission is based on the processed information. Controlling a light source or a sound source of the platform to respectively perform the light transmission or the sound transmission is based on the importance and the urgency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data transmission system and a method for transmission of downhole measurement data to the ground. The system includes a drill string mounted with a logging while drilling measurement tool, and a throw while drilling section, which accommodates a micromemory. The throw while drilling section includes a housing which is mounted outside of the drill string as a sleeve to form a clearance space therebetween; a control circuit; and a wireless transceiver. The throw while drilling section releases, under function of a micromemory release instruction transmitted by the control circuit, the micromemory loaded with the downhole measurement data to the ground.

Abstract: A system is provided that converts an input, such as audio data, into one or more haptic effects. The system applies a granular synthesis algorithm to the input in order to generate a haptic signal. The system subsequently outputs the one or more haptic effects based on the generated haptic signal. The system can also shift a frequency of the input, and also filter the input, before the system applies the granular synthesis algorithm to the input.

Abstract: In order to present a tactile force sense to a user who performs an input operation on a screen of a display panel (20), a tactile force sense presentation device (10) includes a tactile force sense presentation member (11) that transmits a tactile force sense to the user, an actuator (12) that moves the tactile force sense presentation member (11), a vibration generation unit (13) that generates a vibration on the tactile force sense presentation member (11), and a control unit (14).

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing having a plurality of surfaces and a plurality of vibration portions provided in the housing so as to be in contact with at least one of the plurality of surfaces. The plurality of vibration portions include a first vibration portion, which vibrates at a frequency included in a first frequency band, and a second vibration portion, which vibrates at a frequency included in a second frequency band that is different from the first frequency band.

Abstract: In order to generate force feedback data for a haptic device for providing simulated six degrees of freedom movement, a three dimensional acceleration component corresponding to the movement to be simulated is determined, a three dimensional velocity component corresponding to the movement to be simulated is determined and control signals for controlling at least three force feedback devices are determined, wherein each of the three force feedback devices provides three dimensional force effects to a fixation point associated to each of it, the three force feedback devices being arranged at defined positions with regard to each other, and the three fixation points define a geometric plane.

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: The present disclosure provides an event notification system including: a controller that senses a command to select a first event among a plurality of events and generates a first vibration pattern corresponding to the selected first event; and a memory that stores the generated first vibration pattern corresponding to the selected first event.

Abstract: A multimodal haptic device operating as a closed-loop system, the device including a pipeline configured to allow a closed-loop flow of a fluid medium, a manifold operatively connected to the pipeline, the manifold having a pump and a valve to control and regulate a flow of the fluid medium along the pipeline, and a display unit operatively connected to the pipeline, the display unit having a tactile display and a valve operatively connected to the tactile display for regulating an efflux of the fluid medium from the tactile display into the pipeline.

Abstract: A method of operating a portable electronic apparatus, a portable electronic apparatus, and a computer readable storage medium are described. The method includes detecting a motion amplitude of the portable electronic apparatus and vibrating the portable electronic apparatus by a vibrating amplitude that is based upon the detected motion amplitude of the portable electronic apparatus.

Abstract: The personal electrical injury protection device includes a first wireless transmitter, a first receiver, and a second receiver. The first wireless transmitter is adapted to be worn on an end user. The first wireless transmitter is in wired connection with at least one electrical sensor. The at least one electrical sensor is adapted to be attached to a limb of said end user, and is able to detect a change in voltage, and upon doing so shall signal the first receiver. The first receiver is in wireless communication with the first transmitter, and includes a speaker, and at least one light. The second receiver is adapted to turn off the main circuit breaker in order to stop electricity to be transmitted to all applicable circuits, and of which an end user has come into contact.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a housing; a flexible display mounted in the housing; an actuator coupled to the flexible display; a processor; and a computer readable medium with computer-executable instruction stored thereon, that when executed by the processor cause the processor to initiate operations including: generating a vibratory notification by sending a command signal to the actuator to alter a position of the flexible display.

Abstract: The alarm monitoring system provides various alerts of events that are not readily discernable to those individuals that are deaf or hard of hearing. The system generates visual, vibratory, and high decibel alerts separately or in combination to alert the user to a wide variety of events in combination with a vibratory illuminating puck shaped device and allows a user to filter out alerts based upon a variety of modifiers.

Abstract: The remote control-finding device is a GPS based system that is used to locate household goods, include the remote controls for various audio visual devices, within a home. The remote control-finding device comprises a locating device and a plurality of tracking devices. The locating device is removably attached to a stationary item, such as a television, within the household while the each of the plurality of tracking devices are attached to the household good to be tracked. The locating device is fitted with a first GPS receiver that is used to track the position of the locating device. To find a tracked household good, the locating device queries an individual tracking device to receive the GPS location of the individual tracking device and uses that information to calculate the direction and distance from the locating device to the individual tracking device.

Abstract: A wearable device using a bone conduction speaker, including a wearable band worn on an arm of a user, a communication module attached to the wearable band, an audio processor configured to process an audio signal transmitted and received through the communication module, a microphone configured to transmit a voice signal, which is input in sound by the user, to the audio processor, a bone conduction speaker configured to output a reception audio signal, which is processed by the audio processor, in bone conduction mode, and an echo canceller configured to cancel the voice signal in an audio signal output from the bone conduction speaker, is provided.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including an effect control unit configured to control an echo effect that is to be added to an output, a sound output control unit configured to control a sound output according to occurrence of an event in a virtual space, and a haptic output control unit configured to control a haptic output to which the echo effect controlled by the effect control unit is added according to the occurrence of the event.

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 wearable haptic device includes (a) substrate having provided thereon a fastener (e.g., adhesive) for attachment to a user; (b) one or more EMP transducers attached to the substrate, such that a mechanical response in each EMP transducer may provide a haptic response of sufficient magnitude to be felt by the user; and (c) control circuit controlling the vibration frequency, the time of operation and the duration for each activation of the EMP transducer. The wearable haptic device may include a wireless communication circuit (e.g., Bluetooth transceiver) for receiving message from an external device (e.g., smartphone). The control circuit interprets message received and according to the interpreted message provides an electrical stimulus to cause the mechanical response of the EMP transducer. The EMP transducer may also serve as a sensor, such that a mechanical stimulus on the EMP transducer provides an electrical response that is detected by the control circuit.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch panel, a plurality of tactile sensation providing units configured to provide a tactile sensation to a contact object in contact with the touch panel, and a plurality of first controllers configured to control drive of the plurality of tactile sensation providing units. A first controller of the plurality of first controllers outputs, to a further first controller, a synchronization signal that drives a tactile sensation providing unit associated with the further first controller.

Abstract: A knob assembly is provided that includes a knob having a rotatable shaft, a rotatable first circuit board rigidly attached to the rotatable shaft, and a fixed second circuit board positioned near the first circuit board. The first circuit board includes an encoding portion configured to provide positioning data of the knob, and an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) motor mounted to the rotatable, first circuit board with a shaft of the ERM motor perpendicular to the rotatable shaft of the knob. The ERM motor is configured to produce and transfer vibration to the rotatable shaft of the knob. The second circuit board includes a sensor configured to determine a position of the first circuit board and thereby the knob at least in part from the positioning data provided by the encoding portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces using tactile output. At a device, determine a first position of the device relative to a point of reference. After determining the first position, output, via one or more tactile output devices, a first tactile output, where the first tactile output is generated based on a first value of a characteristic that is selected in accordance with the first position. After outputting the first tactile output, detect a change in position of the device to a second position relative to the point of reference. In response to detecting the change in the position of the device, output a second tactile output that is different from the first tactile output, where the second tactile output is generated based on a second value of the characteristic that is selected in accordance with the second position of the device relative to the point of reference.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the calculation of relevant data for the operation of at least one crane, particularly of a mobile crane, whereby the system comprises at least one crane, a communication network, as well as a data processing center, whereby, first of all, one or more parameters of the crane are determined on the crane and these are transmitted to the data processing center through the communication network and, in the data processing center, one or more items of data that are relevant for the operation of the crane are computed and/or selected on the basis of the one or more parameters received from the crane and the relevant data computed and/or selected for the operation of the crane is transmitted back to the at least one crane, particularly to its crane control.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and systems for enabling remote alarm hushing with acoustic presence verification. Acoustic presence verification is used to assure that a device attempting to remotely deactivate an alarm is located within a certain distance of an alarming device before allowing the alarm to be hushed. Acoustic presence can be established through emission and monitoring of ultrasonic acoustic signals. The ultrasonic acoustic signals may be transmitted at a frequency that exceeds human hearing such as, for example, between 18 kHz and 22 kHz. Such ultrasonic signals have a relatively short range and are unable to penetrate walls and floors, thus providing an effective tool for ensuring that the device attempting to remotely hush an alarming device is within a line-of-sight of the alarming device.

Abstract: A hearing device may provide hearing-to-touch sensory substitution as a therapeutic approach to deafness. Through use of signal processing on received signals, the hearing device may provide better accuracy with the hearing-to-touch sensory substitution by extending beyond the simple filtering of an incoming audio stream as found in previous tactile hearing aids. The signal processing may include low bitrate audio compression algorithms, such as linear predictive coding, mathematical transforms, such as Fourier transforms, and/or wavelet algorithms. The processed signals may activate tactile interface devices that provide touch sensation to a user. For example, the tactile interface devices may be vibrating devices attached to a vest, which is worn by the user. The vest may also provide other types of information to the user.

Abstract: Technology for localized guidance of a body part of a user to specific objects within a physical environment using a vibration interface is described. An example system may include a vibration interface wearable on an extremity by a user. The vibration interface includes a plurality of motors. The system includes sensor(s) coupled to the vibrotactile system and a sensing system coupled to the sensor(s) and the vibration interface. The sensing system is configured to analyze a physical environment in which the user is located for a tangible object using the sensor(s), to generate a trajectory for navigating the extremity of the user to the tangible object based on a relative position of the extremity of the user bearing the vibration interface to a position of the tangible object within the physical environment, and to guide the extremity of the user along the trajectory by vibrating the vibration interface.

Abstract: A wearable tactile display device is disclosed wherein vibrating stimulation pins are located close to each other by means of underlying vibratory actuation piezoelectric bending elements arranged in a cantilever configuration partially overlapping over each other. Optionally, the plane in which the tips of stimulation pins protrude may be a curved surface providing with the ability to comply with a curved human body part such as a finger. Vibratory stimulation can be achieved at close spatial resolution by advantageously reducing the space between adjacent stimulation pins through their ability to engage with different adjacent piezoelectric cantilever bending elements when they are placed at different planes and at additional closer spatial resolution when they are placed at an angle to each other. The programmable controller employed in order to program the pattern of stimulation pin vibrations can be used for generating different amplitudes and frequencies of vibration.

Abstract: A method, device, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for generating a vibration from an adjective space are provided. The method includes providing an at least one-dimensional adjective space, inputting data to the at least one-dimensional adjective space based on a user input, and generating a vibration element vibration based on the data input to the at least one-dimensional adjective space. The device includes a control unit configured to provide an at least one-dimensional adjective space; and a user input unit configured to receive data input to the at least one-dimensional adjective space, wherein the control unit is further configured to generate a vibration element based on the data input to the at least one-dimensional adjective space.

Abstract: One illustrative computing device disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a physical object and transmit a sensor signal associated with the user interaction. The illustrative computing device also includes a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine a characteristic of the physical object based on the sensor signal; determine a haptic effect associated with the characteristic; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative computing device further 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 method for rejecting an unintentional palm touch is disclosed. In at least some embodiments, a touch is detected by a touch-sensitive surface associated with a display. Characteristics of the touch may be used to generate a set of parameters related to the touch. In an embodiment, firmware is used to determine a reliability value for the touch. The reliability value and the location of the touch is provided to a software module. The software module uses the reliability value and an activity context to determine a confidence level of the touch. In an embodiment, the confidence level may include an evaluation of changes in the reliability value over time. If the confidence level for the touch is too low, it may be rejected.

Abstract: The description relates to a smart ring. In one example, the smart ring can be configured to be worn on a first segment of a finger of a user. The example smart ring can include at least one flexion sensor secured to the smart ring in a manner that can detect a distance between the at least one flexion sensor and a second segment of the finger. The example smart ring can also include an input component configured to analyze signals from the at least one flexion sensor to detect a pose of the finger.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques and systems to guide a visually impaired user through an urban area, such as, across a crosswalk. A mobile device may receive messages broadcast by wireless beacons deployed in an area and determine a path, for example, across a crosswalk, based on the messages. The mobile device can then provide feedback to guide a visually impaired user across the crosswalk.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus is provided. An endoscope apparatus includes a slave device including a plurality of drive motors configured to adjust insertion and insertion direction of an insertion tube of an endoscope, and a plurality of load sensors provided on the plurality of drive motors; and a master device including displacement sensors configured to generate signals for driving the drive motors according to an operator manipulation, and resistive motors configured to operate based on loads detected by the load sensors. The drive motors produce drive forces according to the signals generated by the displacement sensors and the resistive motors produce resistive forces corresponding to the operator manipulation based on the loads detected by the load sensors.

Abstract: A lighting device obtains data related to objects and boundaries in an area in the vicinity of the lighting device, and a user wearable device provides a display (e.g. an augmented reality display based on the data related to the objects and the area boundaries) for a user/wearer. The lighting device includes a mapping sensor that collects data related to the objects and boundaries in the area. The user wearable device includes a camera or other optical sensor and wireless communication capability. The user wearable device is provided with mapping data that is presented on a display of the user wearable device. The communications and display capabilities allow the user wearable device to obtain room mapping information related to area in the vicinity of the lighting device in order to provide navigational assistance to a visually impaired person in the area.

Abstract: An industrial field real-time working condition radio alarm system, comprises a transmitting end (11) and a receiving end (12) carried a worker; the transmitting end (11) comprises a detector (101) to detect the current working condition, a transmitting end processor (102) to process an on-off signal sent by the detector (101), and a radio transmitter (103) to transmit an alarm signal to the receiving end (12) under the control of the transmitting end processor (102); the receiving end (12) comprises a radio receiver (105) to receive the alarm signal, a receiving end processor (106) to process the alarm signal sent by the radio receiver (105), and an alarm (107) to send an alarm under the control of the receiving end processor (106); the transmitting end processor (102) is connected to the detector (101) and the radio transmitter (103) respectively; and the receiving end processor (106) is connected to the radio receiver (105) and the alarm (107) respectively.

Abstract: An electronic device and a control method are provided. The electronic device includes a display unit, a touch sensing unit, an adjustment unit and a controller. At least a first portion of the display unit is deformable, and the first portion deformed has a deformation distance with respect to a first side or a second side of a plane where the display unit is located. The adjustment unit triggers deformation of the first portion of the display unit. The controller determines a control button in display content and a display position of the control button on the first portion of the display unit, and controls the display unit to be deformed at the display position according to a predetermined deformation rule by means of the adjustment unit. The touch sensing unit detects contact information generated by touching the control button by a user.

Abstract: A system that generates a haptic effect generates a drive cycle signal that includes a drive period and a monitoring period. The drive period includes a plurality of drive pulses that are based on the haptic effect. The system applies the drive pulses to a resonant actuator during the drive period and receives a signal from the resonant actuator that corresponds to the position of a mass in the actuator during the monitoring period.

Abstract: The personal electrical injury protection device includes a first transmitter, a first receiver, and a second receiver. The first transmitter is adapted to be worn on an end user. The first transmitter is in wired connection with at least one electrical sensor. The at least one electrical sensor is adapted to be attached to a limb of said end user, and is able to detect a change in voltage, and upon doing so shall signal the first transmitter. The first receiver is in wireless communication with the first transmitter, and includes a speaker, and at least one light. The second receiver is adapted to turn off the main circuit breaker in order to stop electricity to be transmitted to all applicable circuits, and of which an end user has come into contact.