Methods and systems for providing haptic messaging to handheld communication devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, comprising:
- associating a signal with a service carrier event including one of an entering of a service zone, a weak carrier signal, a passage of an increment of time allotted in accordance with a mobile service plan, a roaming alert, a powering on of a handheld communication device and a powering off of a handheld communication device; and
outputting a control signal to an actuator, the control signal configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the service carrier event.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for providing customized “haptic messaging” to users of handheld communication devices in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, a method of providing haptic messaging to a hand communication device includes: associating an input signal with an event; determining a source of the event and selecting the control signal based on the determination; and outputting a control signal to an actuator coupled to the hand communication device. The control signal is configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the event. An event in the above may be a service carrier event.
132 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A method, comprising:
-
associating a signal with a service carrier event including one of an entering of a service zone, a weak carrier signal, a passage of an increment of time allotted in accordance with a mobile service plan, a roaming alert, a powering on of a handheld communication device and a powering off of a handheld communication device; and
outputting a control signal to an actuator, the control signal configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the service carrier event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A computer-readable medium on which is encoded program code, comprising:
-
program code for associating an input signal with a service carrier event including one of an entering of a service zone, a weak carrier signal, a passage of an increment of time allotted in accordance with a mobile service plan, a roaming alert, a powering on of a handheld communication device, and a powering off of a handheld communication device; and
program code for outputting a control signal to an actuator, the control signal configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the service carrier event. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A data stream embodied in a carrier signal, carrying instructions to
associate an input signal with a service carrier event, including one of an entering of a service zone, a weak carrier signal, a passage of an increment of time allotted in accordance with a mobile service plan, a roaming alert, a powering on of a handheld communication device, and a powering off of a handheld communication device; - and
output a control signal to an actuator, the control signal configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the service carrier event.
- and
-
10. An apparatus, comprising:
-
a body;
a processor;
an actuator coupled to the body and in communication with the processor; and
a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing program code executable by the processor, including;
program code for associating an input signal associated with a service carrier event including one of an entering of a service zone, a weak carrier signal, a passage of an increment of time allotted in accordance with a mobile service plan, a roaming alert, a powering on of a handheld communication device, a powering off of a handheld communication device; and
program code for outputting a control signal to an actuator, the control signal configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the service carrier event. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification