Systems and Methods for Parameter Modification of Haptic Effects

• US 20140267076A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Birnbaum, David, Weddle, Amaya
• Application Number:
  US13/835,665
• Publication Number:
  US 20140267076A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 13/025 comprising haptic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/013 Force feedback applied to a game
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/015 Force feedback applied to a joystick
• 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: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83

Abstract

Systems and methods for parameter modification of one or more haptic effects are disclosed. In one embodiment an electronic device determines a haptic effect. The electronic device can receive an input signal indicating an environmental condition. The input signal may be generated by an environmental sensor. The environmental condition may be a temperature, vibration, noise, movement, trait of a user such as a user'"'"'s weight, gender, age, height, another suitable trait of a user, another suitable environmental condition, or a combination thereof. The electronic device may modify the haptic effect based at least in part on the input signal. The electronic device can generate a haptic output signal based at least in part on the modified haptic effect. The haptic output signal may be configured to cause a haptic output device to output the modified haptic effect. The electronic device may output the haptic output signal.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining, by an electronic device, a haptic effect;

receiving, by the electronic device, an input signal indicating an environmental condition;

modifying, by the electronic device, the haptic effect based at least in part on the input signal;

generating, by the electronic device, a haptic output signal based at least in part on the modified haptic effect, the haptic output signal configured to cause a haptic output device to output the modified haptic effect; and

outputting, by the electronic device, the haptic output signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental condition comprises at least one of a temperature, a vibration, a noise, or a movement.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental condition comprises a trait of a user.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the trait comprises at least one of a weight, a gender, an age, a height, a physiological state, or an emotional state.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the input signal is generated by an environmental sensor.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the haptic effect comprises changing the intensity of the haptic effect to create the modified haptic effect.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic effect comprises a vibration.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic effect comprises a kinesthetic effect.

9. A electronic device comprising:

a display configured to display a user interface;

a memory;

a haptic output device configured to output a haptic effect; and

a processor in communication with the display, the memory, and the haptic output device, the processor configured for;

determining a haptic effect;

receiving an input signal indicating an environmental condition;

modifying the haptic effect based at least in part on the input signal;

generating a haptic output signal based at least in part on the modified haptic effect, the haptic output signal configured to cause a haptic output device to output the modified haptic effect; and

outputting the haptic output signal.

10. The electronic device of claim 9,

wherein the input signal is generated by an environmental sensor;

and

wherein the environmental condition comprises at least one of a temperature, a vibration, a noise, or a movement.

11. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the environmental condition comprises a trait of a user.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the trait comprises at least one of a weight, a gender, an age, a height, a physiological state, or an emotional state.

13. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein modifying the haptic effect comprises changing the intensity of the haptic effect to create the modified haptic effect.

14. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the haptic effect comprises at least one of a vibration or a kinesthetic effect.

15. A computer-readable medium comprising program code for:

determining a haptic effect;

receiving an input signal indicating an environmental condition;

modifying the haptic effect based at least in part on the input signal;

generating a haptic output signal based at least in part on the modified haptic effect, the haptic output signal configured to cause a haptic output device to output the modified haptic effect; and

outputting the haptic output signal.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the environmental condition comprises at least one of a temperature, a vibration, a noise, or a movement.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 15,

wherein the input signal is generated by an environmental sensor;

and

wherein the environmental condition comprises a trait of a user.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the trait comprises at least one of a weight, a gender, an age, a height, a physiological state, or an emotional state.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein modifying the haptic effect comprises changing the intensity of the haptic effect to create the modified haptic effect.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the haptic effect comprises at least one of a vibration or a kinesthetic effect.