Systems and Methods for Providing Haptic Effects

• US 20110264491A1
• Filed: 04/22/2011
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Ullrich, Christopher J., Grant, Danny, Birnbaum, David M., Ramstein, Christophe
• Granted Patent: US 9,678,569 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/184 Intellectual property management

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing haptic effects are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes a computer-readable medium having program code, the program code including program code defining a haptic widget. The haptic widget includes program code defining a haptic effect; program code defining an interface for the haptic widget; program code for receiving, via the interface, a configuration of at least one parameter of the haptic widget; program code for receiving, via the interface, a play command for the haptic effect; and program code for outputting, via the interface, a signal configured to cause the haptic effect, the signal based on the at least one parameter and in response to the play command.

Claims

1. A computer-readable medium comprising program code, the program code comprising program code defining a haptic widget, the haptic widget comprising:

program code defining a haptic effect;

program code defining an interface for the haptic widget;

program code for receiving, via the interface, a play command for the haptic effect; and

program code for outputting, via the interface, a signal configured to cause the haptic effect, the signal based on the at least one parameter and in response to the play command.

2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the haptic widget further comprises program code for receiving, via the interface, a configuration of at least one parameter of the haptic widget.

3. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the haptic widget further comprises:

program code defining a second haptic effect;

program code for receiving, via the interface, a second play command for the second haptic effect;

program code for outputting, via the interface, a second signal configured to cause the second haptic effect, the second signal based on the at least one parameter and in response to the second play command.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the haptic widget further comprises:

program code for receiving, via the interface, a registration command, the registration command configured to cause the widget to register with an operating system.

5. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the haptic widget further comprises:

program code for receiving, via the interface, an identification request; and

program code for providing, via the interface, an identity.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the haptic effect comprises a brand-specific haptic effect.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the haptic widget is a brand-specific haptic widget.

8. A method comprising:

identifying a haptic widget; and

transmitting a play command to the haptic widget interface, the play command configured to cause the haptic widget to output a haptic effect signal, the haptic effect signal configured to cause a haptic effect.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising configuring the haptic widget using a haptic widget interface.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein identifying the haptic widget comprises transmitting a command to the haptic widget interface and receiving an identification of the haptic widget from the haptic widget interface.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the identification comprises a brand name, trademark, logo, or a company name.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising associating the haptic widget with a graphical user interface object.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising associating the haptic widget with a second widget, wherein an interaction with the second widget causes the haptic widget to output a signal configured to cause a haptic effect.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the play command is transmitted by the second widget.

15. A method comprising:

displaying an advertisement;

receiving an input associated with the advertisement; and

generating a signal configured to cause a hedonic haptic effect based on the input.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the input comprises a gesture.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the hedonic haptic effect is a positive haptic effect configured to encourage a user to interact with the advertisement.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the hedonic haptic effect is a negative haptic effect configured to discourage a user from performing an action on the advertisement.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the haptic effect provides pseudo-force feedback such that increased effort is required to complete an action.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the haptic effect is configured to indicate a direction of movement different than a detected movement.