Semantic Framework for Variable Haptic Output

• US 20160062466A1
• Filed: 09/29/2015
• Published: 03/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Moussette, Camille, Butcher, Gary I., Verweij, Hugo D., Ive, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 10,089,840 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0745 in an input/output transactions management context input/output processing in general G06F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0763 by bit configuration check, e.g. of formats or tags
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations

Abstract

Methods and apparatus organize a plurality of haptic output variations into a cohesive semantic framework that uses various information about the alert condition and trigger, application context, and other conditions to provide a system of haptic outputs that share characteristics between related events. In some embodiments, an event class or application class provides the basis for a corresponding haptic output. In some embodiments, whether an alert-salience setting is on provides the basis for adding an increased salience haptic output to the standard haptic output for the alert. In some embodiments, consistent haptics provide for branding of the associated application class, application, and/or context.

Claims

1. A processor-implemented method performed on a computing device, the method comprising:

detecting occurrence of a first alert condition;

responsive to detecting the occurrence of the first alert condition, providing a first output that includes a first haptic component and a first non-haptic component;

after providing the first output, detecting occurrence of a second alert condition; and

responsive to detecting the occurrence of the second alert condition;

providing a second output that includes a second haptic component and a second non-haptic component, wherein;

when the first alert condition and the second alert condition are different alert conditions that are in a same class of alert condition, the first output and the second output share one or more same components and have one or more different components; and

when the first alert condition and the second alert condition are different alert conditions that are in different classes of alert condition, the first haptic component is different from the second haptic component and the first non-haptic component is different from the second non-haptic component.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are in the same class of alert condition, wherein the class is associated with alert conditions for an application.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are in the same class of alert condition, the class associated with a category of applications.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are associated with two different applications, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are in the same class of alert condition, the class corresponding to functions in a predefined class of functions within the two different applications.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are associated with a common application, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are in the same class of alert condition, the class corresponding to functions in a predefined class of functions.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein classes of alert conditions include messages, activity alerts, media playback alerts, virtual assistant alerts, system alerts, scheduling reminders, and internet browser updates.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein when the first alert condition and the second alert condition correspond to separate instances of the same alert condition, the first output is identical to the second output.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second non-haptic components are audio outputs.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second non-haptic components are visual outputs.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, when the first alert condition and the second alert condition are different alert conditions that are in a same class of alert condition:

the first haptic component of the first output is identical to the second haptic component of the second output; and

the first non-haptic component of the first output is different from the second non-haptic component of the second output.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein, when the first alert condition and the second alert condition are different alert conditions that are in a same class of alert condition:

the first non-haptic component of the first output is identical to the second non-haptic component of the second output; and

the first haptic component of the first output is different from the second haptic component of the second output.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first alert condition and the second alert condition correspond to a same alert condition; and

the first output is accompanied by a first additional component that is different from a second additional component that accompanies the second output.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the first additional component accompanying the first output provides information describing the first event that triggered the first alert; and

the second additional component accompanying the second output provides information describing the second event that triggered the second alert.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

after providing the second output, detecting occurrence of a third alert condition; and

responsive to detecting the occurrence of the third alert condition;

providing a third output that includes a third haptic component and a third non-haptic component, wherein;

when the first alert condition, the second alert condition, and the third alert condition are different alert conditions that are in a same class of alert condition, the first output, the second output, and the third output share one or more same components and have one or more different components; and

when the third alert condition is in a different class of alert condition from the first alert condition and the second alert condition, the third haptic component is different from both the first haptic component and the second haptic component and the third non-haptic component is different from both the first non-haptic component and the second non-haptic component.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the computing device has a touch-sensitive display;

the first haptic component of the first output and the second haptic component of the second output are provided via the touch-sensitive display on the computing device.

16. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing executable code, the code when executed causes a processor at a computing device with a tactile output generator to perform the following steps:

detecting occurrence of a first alert condition;

responsive to detecting the occurrence of the first alert condition, providing a first output that includes a first haptic component and a first non-haptic component;

after providing the first output, detecting occurrence of a second alert condition; and

responsive to detecting the occurrence of the second alert condition;

providing a second output that includes a second haptic component and a second non-haptic component, wherein;

when the first alert condition and the second alert condition are different alert conditions that are in a same class of alert condition, the first output and the second output share one or more same components and have one or more different components; and

when the first alert condition and the second alert condition are different alert conditions that are in different classes of alert condition, the first haptic component is different from the second haptic component and the first non-haptic component is different from the second non-haptic component.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are in the same class of alert condition, wherein the class is associated with alert conditions for an application.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are in the same class of alert condition, the class associated with a category of applications.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are associated with two different applications, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are in the same class of alert condition, the class corresponding to functions in a predefined class of functions within the two different applications.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are associated with a common application, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are in the same class of alert condition, the class corresponding to functions in a predefined class of functions.

25. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein, when the first alert condition and the second alert condition are different alert conditions that are in a same class of alert condition:

the first haptic component of the first output is identical to the second haptic component of the second output; and

the first non-haptic component of the first output is different from the second non-haptic component of the second output.

26. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein, when the first alert condition and the second alert condition are different alert conditions that are in a same class of alert condition:

the first non-haptic component of the first output is identical to the second non-haptic component of the second output; and

the first haptic component of the first output is different from the second haptic component of the second output.

27. A device comprising:

a tactile output generator;

a touch-sensitive surface; and

memory storing one or more programs that include instructions for;

detecting occurrence of a first alert condition;

responsive to detecting the occurrence of the first alert condition, providing a first output that includes a first haptic component and a first non-haptic component;

after providing the first output, detecting occurrence of a second alert condition; and

responsive to detecting the occurrence of the second alert condition;

providing a second output that includes a second haptic component and a second non-haptic component, wherein;

when the first alert condition and the second alert condition are different alert conditions that are in a same class of alert condition, the first output and the second output share one or more same components and have one or more different components; and

when the first alert condition and the second alert condition are different alert conditions that are in different classes of alert condition, the first haptic component is different from the second haptic component and the first non-haptic component is different from the second non-haptic component.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are associated with two different applications, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are in the same class of alert condition, the class corresponding to functions in a predefined class of functions within the two different applications.

29. The device of claim 27, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are associated with a common application, wherein the first alert condition and the second alert condition are in the same class of alert condition, the class corresponding to functions in a predefined class of functions.

30. The device of claim 27, wherein, when the first alert condition and the second alert condition are different alert conditions that are in a same class of alert condition:

the first non-haptic component of the first output is identical to the second non-haptic component of the second output; and

the first haptic component of the first output is different from the second haptic component of the second output.