HAPTIC POWER CONSUMPTION MANAGEMENT

• US 20150241972A1
• Filed: 12/17/2014
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2014
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: LACROIX, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,254,836 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/325 Power saving in peripheral device
• 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: G09G 2330/021 Power management, e.g. power saving

Abstract

A haptically-enabled system retrieves a haptic effect definition in response to a request for a haptic effect and receives a power consumption management mode. The system modifies the haptic effect definition based at least in part on the power consumption management mode and converts the modified haptic effect definition into a haptic effect signal. The system then applies the haptic effect signal to a haptic output device.

Claims

1. A method of generating haptic effects on a haptically-enabled device, the method comprising:

retrieving a haptic effect definition in response to a request for a haptic effect;

receiving a power consumption management mode;

modifying the haptic effect definition based at least in part on the power consumption management mode;

converting the modified haptic effect definition into a haptic effect signal; and

applying the haptic effect signal to a haptic output device.

2. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

monitoring an amount of energy consumed when haptic effects are generated on the device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the power consumption management mode comprises an energy usage rate.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the power consumption management mode comprises an energy usage cap.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the power consumption management mode comprises a time-based energy usage profile.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving input data from a sensor, wherein the power consumption management mode is based on the sensor input data.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the power consumption management mode comprises a power level setting.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the power consumption management mode comprises a usage limit setting.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising a measurement of a battery state of charge of the device, wherein the power consumption management mode comprises a battery level-mapped power level based on the measurement.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising a measurement of a level of processor usage, wherein the power consumption management mode comprises a processor activity-mapped limit based on the measurement.

11. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to generate haptic effects on a haptically-enabled device, the generating comprising:

retrieving a haptic effect definition in response to a request for a haptic effect;

receiving a power consumption management mode;

modifying the haptic effect definition based at least in part on the power consumption management mode;

converting the modified haptic effect definition into a haptic effect signal; and

applying the haptic effect signal to a haptic output device.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, the generating further comprising:

monitoring an amount of energy consumed when haptic effects are generated on the device.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the power consumption management mode comprises at least one of:

an energy usage rate, an energy usage cap, a time-based energy usage profile, a power consumption management mode, a power level setting or a usage limit setting.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, further comprising receiving input data from a sensor, wherein the power consumption management mode is based on the sensor input data.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, the generating further comprising a measurement of a battery state of charge of the device, wherein the power consumption management mode comprises a battery level-mapped power level based on the measurement.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, the generating further comprising a measurement of a level of processor usage, wherein the power consumption management mode comprises a processor activity-mapped limit based on the measurement.

17. A haptically enabled device comprising:

a haptic output device;

a processor coupled to the haptic output device; and

a power management module comprising instructions executed by the processor,

wherein the power management module retrieves a haptic effect definition in response to a request for a haptic effect, receives a power consumption management mode, modifies the haptic effect definition based at least in part on the power consumption management mode, converts the modified haptic effect definition into a haptic effect signal, and sends the haptic effect signal to a haptic output device;

wherein in response to the received haptic effect signal, the haptic output device generates a haptic effect on the device.

18. The haptically enabled device of claim 17, wherein the haptic output device is an actuator, and the haptic effect comprises a vibratory haptic effect.

19. The haptically enabled device of claim 17, wherein the power consumption management mode comprises at least one of:

an energy usage rate, an energy usage cap, a time-based energy usage profile, a power consumption management mode, a power level setting or a usage limit setting.

20. The haptically enabled device of claim 17, further comprising a sensor coupled to the processor;

wherein the power management module receives input data from a sensor, wherein the power consumption management mode is based on the sensor input data.

21. The haptically enabled device of claim 17, further comprising a battery state of charge measurement device coupled to the processor, wherein the power consumption management mode comprises a battery level-mapped power level based on the measurement.