Method for Haptic Display of Data Features

• US 20110102332A1
• Filed: 10/30/2009
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Ullrich, Christopher J., BIRNBAUM, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,417,694 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

A method is disclosed for transferring digital information from a first electronic device to a second electronic device. In one example, the first device is a computer having a touch screen and the second device is a personal memory device carried or worn by an individual. The method includes selecting information on the first electronic device to be transferred, which can be done by touching the touch screen and performing a predefined finger gesture on the screen. Next, communication is established between the first electronic device and the second electronic device, preferably through a wireless connection such as Bluetooth. The selected information from the first electronic device then begins to upload to the second electronic device. As the information is transferred, vibrotactile sensations are imparted to the body of an individual with the vibrotactile sensations being indicative of the upload of information. For instance, sensations might be sequentially imparted in a line along an individual'"'"'s arm to convey the progress of information upload to the individual.

Claims

1. A method of transferring digital information from a first electronic device to a second electronic device comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting information on the first electronic device to be transferred;

(b) establishing communication between the first electronic device and the second electronic device;

(c) transferring the selected information from the first electronic device to the second electronic device; and

(d) as the information is transferred, imparting vibrotactile sensations to an individual, the vibrotactile sensations being indicative of the transfer of information.

2. The method of claim 1 and where the information or an icon representing the information is displayed on a touch screen of the first electronic device.

3. The method of claim 2 and wherein step (a) comprises touching the touch screen in the vicinity of the displayed information or icon.

4. The method of claim 3 and wherein step (a) comprises performing a hand gesture on the touch screen.

5. The method of claim 1 and wherein step (b) comprises establishing wireless communication between the first electronic device and the second electronic device.

6. The method of claim 1 and wherein the second electronic device comprises a personal storage device.

7. The method of claim 6 and wherein the personal storage device receives information to be stored wirelessly.

8. The method of claim 1 and wherein step (c) comprises transmitting the selected information wirelessly to the second electronic device.

9. The method of claim 1 and where in step (d) the vibrotactile sensations are indicative of the progress of the transfer of information.

10. The method of claim 1 and wherein step (d) comprises imparting spatiotemporal vibrotactile sensation to the individual.

11. The method of claim 10 and wherein the vibrotactile sensations are imparted sequentially in a predetermined spatial array.

12. The method of claim 11 and wherein the spatial array is a line.

13. The method of claim 1 and further comprising imparting a second vibrotactile sensation to the individual when the transfer of information is complete.

14. The method of claim 13 and wherein step (d) comprises imparting vibrotactile sensations to the individuals arm.

15. A method of providing an indication of the transfer of information between a first electronic device and a second electronic device comprising imparting vibrotactile sensations to the body of an individual with the characteristics of the vibrotactile sensations informing the individual of corresponding characteristics of the transfer of information.

16. The method of claim 15 and wherein the characteristics of the vibrotactile sensations inform the individual of the progress of the transfer of information.

17. The method of claim 16 and wherein the first electronic device is a computer and the second electronic device is a personal storage device.

18. The method of claim 17 and wherein the computer includes a touch screen display and wherein the individual selects information to be transferred by engaging the touch screen delay in a predetermined manner.

19. A vibrotactile display comprising a plurality of vibrotactile actuators arranged in a predetermined array on a wearable item, the wearable item configured to be worn by an individual on a predetermined portion of the body, the vibrotactile display further comprising an actuator controller coupled to the vibrotactile actuators and programmed to actuate the vibrotactile actuators in predetermined ways to impart information to the individual.

20. The vibrotactile display of claim 19 and wherein the wearable item is an armband.

21. The vibrotactile display of claim 19 and wherein the actuator controller is in communication with a personal storage device and wherein the controller actuates the actuators to indicate to the individual the progress of information uploads to and downloads from the personal storage device.

22. The vibrotactile display of claim 21 and wherein the vibrotactile actuators are arranged in a line and the controller is programmed to actuate the actuators sequentially along the line to indicate information upload to the personal storage device.