Systems and Methods for Minimal Haptic Implementation

• US 20160284173A1
• Filed: 06/06/2016
• Published: 09/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Ramsay, Erin B., da Costa, Henrique D., Olien, Neil, Lacroix, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,959,714 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1689 Teleoperation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40619 Haptic, combination of tactile and proprioceptive sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems

Abstract

Systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: an actuator; and a control-circuit in communication with the actuator, the control circuit configured to: receive a haptic signal including a first bit indicating a power state; and transmit a power signal based on the haptic signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate at an actuation state at a fixed power.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an actuator; and

a control-circuit in communication with the actuator, the control circuit configured to;

receive a haptic signal comprising a first bit indicating a power state of the actuator, wherein the power state includes an on state or an off state; and

transmit a power signal based on the haptic signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate in an actuation state.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the operation of the actuator is configured to generate a haptic effect.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the haptic effect is a click.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the power signal is configured to cause the actuator to operate in the actuation state at a fixed power and wherein the fixed power is substantially the maximum power of the actuator.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuation state comprises a direction in which the actuator will apply torque.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing configured to contain the control circuit and the actuator. The system of claim 6, wherein the housing comprises a mobile device housing.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the housing comprises a remote control housing.

9. A method comprising:

receiving a haptic signal comprising a first bit indicating a power state; and

transmitting a power signal to an actuator based on the haptic signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate in an on state or an off state and the actuator configured to generate a haptic effect.