Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for controlling display operations in an electronic device. The electronic device provides an input mode, in which a first function is associated with a hovering input and a second function is associated with a touch input to an input surface. A three-dimensional virtual user interface item is displayed, and in response to detecting an input object within a guard range in relation to the input surface, the virtual user interface item is adapted to alert the user to avoid unintentionally touching the input surface.

Abstract: A haptic device includes a shape memory polymer member. A plurality of user interface locations is defined on the shape memory polymer member and a plurality of activation elements is located proximate to the plurality of user interface locations. The plurality of user interface locations of the shape memory polymer are activated in response to a stimulus from the plurality of activation elements to alter at least one physical property of the shape memory polymer at the plurality of user interface locations. Additionally, a plurality of control devices configured for adjusting a variable of a system is located proximate to the plurality of user interface locations such that, one of the plurality of control devices may be adjusted when a user touches a corresponding one of the plurality of user interface locations.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (100) includes a communicating module (16), a sensor module (26) and a decoding module (28). The communicating module receives and sends character messages. The sensor module receives vibration and transforms the vibration into input signal. The decoding module is electronically connected to the communicating module and the sensor module. The decoding module receives the input signals from the sensor module and transforms the input signals into character messages and transfers the character messages to the communicating module to send.

Abstract: A tactile prompting system includes a control module that forms an instruction to prompt an operator of a powered rail vehicle to take an action in response thereof, an input device of the powered rail vehicle that is configured to be actuated by the operator, and a haptic feedback device communicatively coupled with the control module and coupled with the input device. The haptic feedback device receives the instruction from the control module and provides a haptic signal to the operator based on the instruction. The haptic signal is tactually perceived by the operator.

Abstract: An electronic device has a display, a controller, and a pair of haptic transducers connected to the display. The controller configures the haptic transducers to momentarily vibrate the display. A pair of sensors disposed on the display detects variations caused by the user touch in the vibrations. Based on an analysis of these variations, the controller can determine the location of the user touch on the touch-sensitive display.

Abstract: A directional feedback device generating a directional force feedback in free space. The device includes a force generation structure including a rotatable mass creating a physical force vector in three dimensional space. A wireless communication device and a control system communicatively coupled to the wireless communication device and the force generation system are provided. The control system receives a definition of the physical force vector to be generated from an application executing in a processing device. The control system provides instructions to the force generation system to generate the physical force vector using the force generation structure. The force generation system, the wireless communication device and the control system are encloses in a housing.

Abstract: An operation device includes: an operated body; an operation signal producing part that produces an operation signal based on an operation on the operated body; and a tactile information presenting part that presents tactile information through the operated body. The operation device may be applied to an electronic book device for flipping of pages.

Abstract: A method and system for exciting a dynamic tactile interface having a plurality of electrodes includes identifying an area within an image that is capable of tactile feedback and identifying a first subset of the plurality of electrodes in the dynamic tactile interface that correspond to the plurality of areas. A voltage is applied to each of the electrodes of to the plurality of electrodes to create a desired state for each electrode corresponding to the areas capable of tactile feedback. The dynamic tactile interface can be implemented as part of a viewable display type of device, or as a device without any viewable display.

Abstract: A supporting surface and a touch screen member mounted to a plastic frame having a first vibration transmitting slot and at least two mounting slots. A pair of similar L-shaped poles is mounted in the frame in juxtaposition to define gaps between them. One of the poles constitutes a stationary pole and the other of the poles constitutes a movable pole. A winding is mounted on the stationary pole. The frame defines a vibration transmitting slot, and the touch screen member is attached to the frame by a tab that is press fitted into the vibration transmitting slot so that vibrations created by the movable pole can be transmitted via the vibration transmitting slot to the touch screen member. The additional slots defined by the frame and tabs defined by the supporting surface mutually coact for mounting the frame to the supporting member in a stationary position.

Abstract: A user input attachment (201) is configured to selectively attach to an electronic device (100) such as a mobile telephone. The electronic device (100) includes a plurality of electrode nodes (205), which can be configured separately from each other across one or more surfaces of the electronic device (100). A controller (105), which is operable with the plurality of electrode nodes (205), is configured to sense current flowing through (or voltage across) the electrode nodes (205). The sensed voltage or current establishes an engagement signature (771) dependent upon pressure from compressible conductive elements (207) against electrode nodes (205) from the user input attachment (201), and where included, one or more protuberances (206).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a haptic device 100. The haptic device 100 includes: a substrate 20 receiving a touch of an input unit 10; a piezoelectric vibrator 30 provided on the substrate 20 and applying vibration; a piezoelectric vibration sensor 40 provided on the substrate 20 and sensing the variation in the vibration by the pressure of the touch; and a controller measuring the pressure of the touch through the variation in the vibration sensed by the piezoelectric vibration sensor 40, and has an advantage of implementing various interfaces varying depending on the magnitude of pressure by sensing the variation in vibration by means of the piezoelectric vibration sensor 40 when the input unit 10 touches the substrate 20 and measuring the pressure of the touch in the controller.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a terminal apparatus and a vibration notification method thereof. The terminal apparatus comprises: a touch screen panel for inputting a contact point by users and generating a touch control signal in response to the contact point; a detecting unit coupled to the touch screen panel for sensing the touch control signal and generating a control signal and a touch-control coordinating signal with respect to the touch control signal; a vibrating unit coupled to the detecting unit for generating a vibration notification in response to the control signal; a microprocessor unit coupled to the detecting unit for displaying the touch-control signal on a display unit with respect to the touch-control coordinating signal. Whereby, the users are capable of being notified by vibrating movements of the touch screen panel as the touch control signal is inputted, thereby confirming the touch control signal has been processed successfully.

Abstract: An apparatus for a user interface of an electronic device, the apparatus comprising a textured surface having a predetermined roughness, the textured surface configured to produce a first predefined vibration in the skin of a user of the apparatus on physical interaction with the skin of the user, wherein the roughness of the textured surface is configured such that the first predefined vibration produced by the physical interaction has a frequency and/or amplitude which is detectable by a specific mechanical receptor in the skin of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus including a body portion having a surface; at least one feedback electrode configured to provide to a user a feedback stimulus when the user contacts the surface; and a touch sensor arrangement for discriminating different user contacts on the surface.

Abstract: A method includes detecting, at a first time, a first touch associated with a first touch value that meets one of a first touch threshold and a second touch threshold, detecting, at a second time, a second touch associated with a second touch value that meets one of the first touch threshold and the second touch threshold, providing first tactile feedback at the first time, and providing second tactile feedback at the second time when the time period between the first time and the second time meets a time threshold.

Abstract: A computer-implemented user interface method for managing directional user inputs is disclosed. The method includes receiving sliding motion by a user on a touchscreen of a computing device, identifying a direction for the sliding motion; associating the direction for the sliding motion with one of a plurality of directions for a directional pad, and providing information about the associated one of the plurality of directions to an application that is executing on the computing device.

Abstract: A method for accessing and browsing the internet through the use of a telephone and the associated DTMF signals is disclosed. The preferred embodiment provides a system that converts the information content of a web page from text to speech (voice signals), signals the hyperlink selections of a web page in an audio manner, and allows selection of the hyperlinks through the use of DTMF signals generated from a telephone keypad. Upon receiving a DTMF signal corresponding to a hyperlink, the corresponding web page is fetched and again delivered to the user via one of the available delivery methods such as voice, fax-on-demand, electronic mail, or regular mail.

Abstract: Active vibration techniques are described. In implementations, a selection of a type of writing surface or a type of writing implement is received, the selection made through interaction with a user interface. The selected type of writing surface or type of writing implement is simulated using vibrations of a stylus or surface of a computing device that is configured to receive one or more inputs from the stylus.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for providing tactile feedback in response to a user input. Force sensing information associated with force to an input surface by an input object and detected by the force sensor is obtained and a tactile output actuator is controlled to produce tactile output imitating physical sensation associated with displacement of the input surface on the basis of the force sensing information.

Abstract: A controlling device, such as a universal remote control, that uses visual and/or audio cues, such as sounds, color, patterns, shapes, etc., to indicate a relationship between a function key and an intended target appliance for a command transmitted in response to activation of the function key.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer program and apparatus wherein the apparatus comprises: at least one processor: and at least one memory including computer program code; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, enable the apparatus to: provide a user selectable part; and configure the apparatus in either a first active state or a second active state wherein, in the first active state the user selectable part is actuated in response to a first mode of actuation and in the second active state the user selectable part is not actuated in response to the first mode of actuation; and configure the apparatus to provide a tactile indication when the apparatus is in the first active state that the user selectable part is actuated in response to the first mode of actuation.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a base, a touch-sensitive input surface spaced from and moveable relative to the base, and an actuating arrangement between the base and the touch-sensitive input surface. The actuating arrangement is arranged to vary a force on the touch-sensitive input surface in response to detection of a touch event on the touch-sensitive input surface. The actuating arrangement includes an actuator including a piezoelectric disk coupled to a substrate that includes an elastically deformable truncated disk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand-held mobile device and a method for operating a hand-held mobile device that provide more realistic haptic feedback to a user, e.g. in response to an operation or in accordance with a displayed event or symbol. The hand-held mobile device comprises a housing; a first vibrating section operable to generate a first vibration; a second vibrating section operable to generate a second vibration; and a controller adapted to control operation of said first vibrating section and said second vibrating section depending on a signal associated with a display device, wherein said first vibrating section and said second vibrating section are spaced-apart from each other at two different positions in said housing.

Abstract: There is provided a lightweight, slim and compact haptic feedback device due to an actuator module constituted of a piezoelectric element and a vibration plate, and an electronic device having the same. The haptic feedback device includes a haptic device receiving contact pressure applied thereto, and an actuator module being in contact with a lower surface of the haptic device and excited according to variations in contact pressure with the haptic device to thereby generate vibrations.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer program and apparatus wherein the apparatus comprises: a user input device; at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, enable the apparatus to: control a display to display a user interface item; and associate, in response to actuation of the user input device, a user interface item with a tactile indication so that the tactile indication is provided whenever the user interface item is displayed.

Abstract: A method for actuating a tactile interface layer for a device that defines a surface with a deformable region, comprising the steps of detecting a gesture of the user along the surface of the tactile interface layer that includes a movement of a finger of the user from a first location on the surface to a second location on the surface; interpreting the gesture as a command for the deformable region; and manipulating the deformable region of the surface based on the command.

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: An apparatus and method for controlling vibration in a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes, upon detecting a key input by a user, determining whether a current feedback signal is detected when an external case with a first vibrator is connected to the mobile terminal, upon detecting the current feedback signal, determining that the external case is connected to the mobile terminal and applying a drive signal to the first vibrator, and controlling the first vibrator to be activated in response to the received drive signal to output a haptic feedback.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the detection of a vibrotactile stimulus. Such method may include the steps of temporarily altering the threshold of vibrational detection prior to the onset of a vibrotactile stimulus. This allows the vibrotactile system to achieve improved detection of the intended vibrotactile alert or communication stimulus without necessarily increasing the vibratory displacement amplitude of the stimulus. A corresponding enhanced vibrotactile transducer device is able to produce, over a wide frequency range, or at multiple frequencies, a vibrational stimulus against the body of a user.

Abstract: A method includes displaying on a display at least one selection option comprising a first selection option and detecting a touch or cursor on the display. Tactile feedback having a first characteristic is provided when the touch or cursor is at a first location associated with the first selection option. Tactile feedback having a second characteristic is provided when the touch or cursor is detected at a second location not associated with the first selection option.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a touch at a touch location on a touch-sensitive display, identifying a delay associated with the touch location, and when a force value related to the touch meets a first threshold value, providing a first tactile feedback after waiting the delay.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) is configured to be operable with the user input attachment (102) so as to provide a user with the option of using a touch sensitive display (101) alone, or in conjunction with the control device or keypad having physical keys to enhance the tactile user experience. The electronic device (100) includes a touch sensitive display (101) and the controller (104) it is operable with a touch sensitive display (101). When the user input attachment (102) is coupled to the touch sensitive display (101), and identification module (106) is configured to identify the user input attachment (102) by way of a temporal signature signal (110). Once identified, and adaptation module (107) is configured to reconfigure the electronic device (100) in response to the user input attachment (102) being attached.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a touch at a touch location on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device, identifying a first threshold value associated with the touch location, comparing the first threshold value to a force value related to the touch, and providing a first tactile feedback in response to determining that the force value meets the first threshold value.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a touch at a touch location on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device, identifying a first tactile feedback associated with the touch location, and providing the first tactile feedback in response to determining that a force value related to the touch meets a first threshold value.

Abstract: Haptic stimulus associated with other sensory content is generated for conveyance to one or more users with the other sensory content. This may enhance the experience provided to the one or more users by the content. The sensory content may include video content, video game content, audio content, and/or other content. The haptic stimulus may be varied based on position information. Such position information may include information related to the position of the one or more users, the position of a controller (e.g., a game controller), the position of an actuator delivering the haptic stimulus, and/or other position information.

Abstract: An electronic device including an interactive display having an interactive mode and a non-interactive mode. The interactive display includes an image display device that displays a user-interactive imaged keypad in at least a portion of the image display device when the interactive display is in the interactive mode and that displays other image data in the at least a portion of the image display device when the interactive display is in the non-interactive mode, a substantially transparent physical keypad that provides tactile feedback to a user indicating location of keys within the imaged keypad, one or more permanent magnets disposed within the physical keypad, and one or more charged electrical circuit elements oriented so that movement of the one or more permanent magnets relative to the one or more charged electrical circuit elements results in generation of electricity.

Abstract: A hybrid haptic feedback system in which a host computer and haptic feedback device share processing loads to various degrees in the output of haptic sensations, and features for efficient output of haptic sensations in such a system. A haptic feedback interface device in communication with a host computer includes a device microcontroller outputting force values to the actuator to control output forces. In various embodiments, the microcontroller can determine force values for one type of force effect while receiving force values computed by the host computer for a different type of force effect. For example, the microcontroller can determine closed loop effect values and receive computed open loop effect values from the host; or the microcontroller can determine high frequency open loop effect values and receive low frequency open loop effect values from the host. Various features allow the host to efficiently stream computed force values to the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tactile man-machine interface comprising an interfacing surface comprising a means for transforming impacts on the interfacing surface into input electrical signals and a data interfacing means, configured for data communication with at least a first and a second device In this configuration, it becomes possible to provide data communication between the first and second devices without having to bring the two devices in contact. Furthermore, the invention relates to a separating element comprising such a tactile man-machine interface and system, such as vending machines, automatic teller machines etc, comprising such a separating element.

Abstract: An apparatus for presenting a time-variant information element in a vehicle, which has a steering wheel (1602), comprises one or more remotely and individually controllable tactile pads (1620), which produce a tactile sensation in response to a respective pad output signal, which is produced by a controller (CTRL). The tactile pads are positioned or adapted to be positioned on the steering wheel (1602) or proximate to it, such that they can be touched by at least one hand (1610,1612) of the vehicle driver while driving the vehicle. The apparatus further comprises means for determining the time-variant information element to be presented and for applying the determined time-variant information element to the controller and means for encoding the determined time-variant information element by the controller into temporal variations of the one or more pad output signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a touch-sensitive input device, a touch screen device, a mobile device and a method for operating a touch-sensitive input device to provide for a more realistic haptic feedback to a user in response to an input. The touch-sensitive input device comprises a first layer, a second layer facing said first layer, said first and second layers defining a cavity accommodating a substance capable of flowing, and an actuator device arranged to vary the pressure of said substance in said cavity so as to provide haptic feedback to a user touching a surface of said touch-sensitive input device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a graphic overlay or display for a touch-sensitive surface with which an object comes into contact. The touch-sensitive surface is divided into a plurality of regions each of a number of which is associated with a distinct set of one or more of the plurality of gestures, where the plurality of gestures are associated with a respective plurality of functions of a software application operable by a processor. According to this aspect, the graphic overlay or display visibly depicts the regions and a layout of the regions into which the touch-sensitive surface is divided. The apparatus may further include a touch-feedback interface configured to provide touch feedback indicative of the gesture associated with the respective region within which the touch-feedback interface is disposed.

Abstract: A versatile keyboard input and output device is described. The keyboard device includes a housing having a plurality of buttons, with each button individually clickable, and a capacitive sensing element under each button for touch sensing. The versatile keyboard input and output device further includes a lighting element under each button to provide selective lighting for each button, and a plurality of button glyphs for the plurality of buttons respectively, wherein the button glyphs are selectively visually changeable. The keyboard input device also includes a haptic feedback mechanism included in the housing for providing haptic feedback for the plurality of buttons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for haptic feedback control, that comprises a bearing plate (3) for transmitting a haptic feedback to a user's finger in a circular movement area of said finger, a touch-surface sensor (5) for detecting a bearing of said finger in said area, characterised in that the device comprises first and second actuators (7a, 7b) connected to said plate (3) for applying a rotation torque (C) to said plate (3) for generating the haptic feedback in said area when a bearing is detected, by the pivotal movement of said plate (3) about a rotation axis (I) that is coaxial with the centre of the movement area of said finger.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) is configured to deliver a localized haptic feedback response (101) to a user. The electronic device (100) includes a device housing (107) and an interface assembly having a display lens (202) or other user interface surface and a motion generation device (212) affixed to the interface assembly. A compliance member (204) is disposed between the device housing (107) and the interface assembly. The compliance member (204) suspends the interface assembly from the device housing (107) and permits the interface assembly to physically move relative to the device housing (107) in response to actuation of the motion generation device (212), thereby delivering a localized tactile response to a user.

Abstract: A vibration module is suitable for an electronic device. The vibration module includes a vibration element, a plurality of pressing units, and a vibration regulating circuit. The pressing units are disposed on the electronic device and respectively have a coordinate relative to the vibration element. The vibration regulating circuit is disposed in the electronic device and coupled to the vibration element and the pressing units. The vibration regulating circuit calculates a distance between one of the pressing units and the vibration element and regulates an output vibration strength of the vibration element based on the distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for haptic feedback using laterally driven piezoelectric actuators are disclosed. For example, one described apparatus for haptic feedback using laterally driven piezoelectric actuators includes: a base; a touch-sensitive interface comprising an interface surface, the touch-sensitive interface affixed to the base and configured to move in a direction lateral to the interface surface; and a piezoelectric actuator mounted to the base and to the touch-sensitive interface and configured to receive a haptic signal and output a force in a direction lateral to the interface surface.

Abstract: A medical sleep disorder arrangement integrates into current diagnosis and treatment procedures to enable a health care professional to diagnose and treat a plurality of subjects suffering from insomnia. The arrangement may include both environmental sensors and body-worn sensors that measure the environmental conditions and the condition of the individual patient. The data may be collected and processed to measure clinically relevant attributes of sleep quality automatically. These automatically determined measures, along with the original sensor data, may be aggregated and shared remotely with the health care professional. A communication apparatus enables the healthcare professional to remotely communicate with and further assess the patient and subsequently administer the treatment. Thus, a more accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment is provided while reducing the required clinician time per patient for treatment delivery.

Abstract: An haptic interface including a knob manipulated by a user, a rotation shaft with a longitudinal axis to which the knob is fixed in rotation, an interaction element with a magneto-rheological fluid in rotation with the shaft, the fluid, a system for generating a magnetic field in the fluid, and a control unit capable of generating orders to the system for generating the magnetic field to modify the magnetic field. The system includes a coil type mechanism generating a variable magnetic field, and a permanent magnet type mechanism generating a permanent magnetic field.

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 terminal device includes an operation section in which an operation instruction is performed by being touched with a finger or a pen; an operation detection section that detects that the finger or the pen touches the operation section; a vibration motor that rotates a shaft with a weight having a center of gravity at a position that is shifted from a rotation center; a vibration state detection section that detects state of vibration caused by rotation of the shaft of the vibration motor; and a control section that starts the rotation of the vibration motor when the operation detection section detects the touching, and stops the rotation of the vibration motor when a phase detected by the vibration state detection section falls within a predetermined range.