CUSTOMIZING HAPTIC EFFECTS ON AN END USER DEVICE

• US 20140195906A1
• Filed: 02/26/2014
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: RAMSAY, Erin B., HEUBEL, Robert W., FLEMING, Jason D., RANK, Stephen D.
• Application Number:
  US14/190,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20140195906A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/702
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/047 Vibrating means for incoming calls

Abstract

Systems, methods, and associated software are described herein for enabling a regular user of an end user device, such as a cellular telephone, to customize parameters associated with haptic effects applied to the user by the end user device. In one implementation, among several, a method described herein includes enabling a user of an end user device to access software adapted to design or modify haptic effects of the end user device. The method further includes enabling the user to open a haptic track file and enter or modify parameters associated with the haptic effects of the opened haptic track file.

Claims

1. An electronic handheld device comprising:

a haptic actuating device configured to actuate haptic effects upon a user;

memory configured to store software that enables the user to create the haptic effects;

a processor configured to execute the software stored in memory; and

a sensing surface coupled to the processor;

wherein the haptic actuating device is further configured to play a created haptic effect when an event associated with the electronic handheld device occurs;

wherein the created haptic effect generates a signal that, when applied to the haptic actuating device, generates a vibrotactile effect on the handheld device;

wherein the haptic effect is created at least in part by detecting a tapping motion by the user on the sensing surface and translating the tapping motion to parameters of the created haptic effect; and

wherein the haptic effects are defined by haptic track files stored in memory and each haptic track file stores a haptic track comprising the parameters with respect to time.

2. The electronic handheld device of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer coupled to the processor, wherein the haptic effect is further created at least in part by the accelerometer detecting the user contacting the device.

3. The electronic handheld device of claim 2, wherein the contacting comprises at least one of gestures, shaking motions or tapping motions.

4. The electronic handheld device of claim 1, wherein the parameters comprise a magnitude of vibration.

5. The electronic handheld device of claim 1, wherein the parameters comprise a frequency of vibration.

6. The electronic handheld device of claim 1, wherein the electronic handheld device comprises one of a mobile handset, cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, personal navigation device, tablet PC, video gaming device, game module, or game console.

7. The electronic handheld device of claim 1, wherein the memory is configured to store a library of haptic tracks that can be used as a starting point for creating haptic effects.

8. The electronic handheld device of claim 1, wherein the event associated with the electronic handheld device is a receiving of a telephone call.

9. A method of creating haptic effects on a mobile device comprising a sensing surface and a haptic actuating device, the method comprising:

detecting a tapping motion by a user on the sensing surface;

translating the tapping motion into haptic effect parameters; and

generating and storing on the mobile device a haptic effect comprising the haptic effect parameters with respect to time;

wherein the mobile device is configured to play the haptic effect when an event associated with the mobile device occurs;

wherein when the haptic effect is played, a signal is generated that, when applied to the haptic actuating device, generates a vibrotactile effect on the mobile device.

10. The method of claim 9, the mobile device further comprising an accelerometer, the method further comprising generating additional haptic effect parameters in response to the accelerometer detecting the user contacting the device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the contacting comprises at least one of gestures, shaking motions or tapping motions.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the haptic effect parameters comprise a magnitude of vibration.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the haptic effect parameters comprise a frequency of vibration.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the mobile device comprises one of a mobile handset, cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, personal navigation device, tablet PC, video gaming device, game module, or game console.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising storing a library of haptic tracks that can be used as a starting point for creating haptic effects.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the event associated with the mobile device is a receiving of a telephone call.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to create haptic effects on a mobile device comprising a sensing surface and a haptic actuating device, the creating comprising:

detecting a tapping motion by a user on the sensing surface;

translating the tapping motion into haptic effect parameters; and

generating and storing on the mobile device a haptic effect comprising the haptic effect parameters with respect to time;

wherein the mobile device is configured to play the haptic effect when an event associated with the mobile device occurs;

wherein when the haptic effect is played, a signal is generated that, when applied to the haptic actuating device, generates a vibrotactile effect on the mobile device.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, the mobile device further comprising an accelerometer, the creating further comprising generating additional haptic effect parameters in response to the accelerometer detecting the user contacting the device.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the contacting comprises at least one of gestures, shaking motions or tapping motions.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the haptic effect parameters comprise a magnitude of vibration.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the haptic effect parameters comprise a frequency of vibration.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the mobile device comprises one of a mobile handset, cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, personal navigation device, tablet PC, video gaming device, game module, or game console.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, the creating further comprising storing a library of haptic tracks that can be used as a starting point for creating haptic effects.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the event associated with the mobile device is a receiving of a telephone call.