SYSTEM FOR HAPTICALLY REPRESENTING SENSOR INPUT

• US 20170052594A1
• Filed: 11/09/2016
• Published: 02/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: BIRNBAUM, David, ULLRICH, Christopher J., GRANT, Danny, MODARRES, Ali
• Granted Patent: US 9,846,485 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• 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 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/003 using tactile presentation of the information, e.g. Braille displays

Abstract

A haptic representation system is provided that generates a haptic effect in response to sensor input. The sensor input is mapped to a haptic signal. The haptic signal is sent to an actuator configured to receive the haptic signal. The actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the haptic effect.

Claims

1. A method of generating a haptic effect on a mobile device, the method comprising:

receiving sensor input from a sensor, wherein the sensor input comprises a location signal transmitted by a global positioning system;

mapping the received sensor input to a haptic signal; and

sending the haptic signal to a haptic output device coupled to the mobile device to generate the haptic effect, wherein the haptic effect comprises at least one of a force haptic effect, a deformation haptic effect or a mechanical impedance haptic effect.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic signal is continuously modulated in response to the mobile device changing locations.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic effect identifies a geofence.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises a housing and the haptic effect is a deformation haptic effect comprising altering a shape of the housing.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises a display, further comprising displaying visual information based on the sensor input.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic effect provides directional information.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic signal is further based on a user input on the mobile device.

8. A mobile device comprising:

a processor;

a sensor coupled to the processor; and

a haptic output device coupled to the processor;

wherein the processor;

receives a sensor input from the sensor, wherein the sensor input comprises a location signal transmitted by a global positioning system;

maps the received sensor input to a haptic signal; and

sends the haptic signal to the haptic output device to generate a haptic effect, wherein the haptic effect comprises at least one of a force haptic effect, a deformation haptic effect or a mechanical impedance haptic effect.

9. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein the haptic signal is continuously modulated in response to the mobile device changing locations.

10. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein the haptic effect identifies a geofence.

11. The mobile device of claim 8, further comprising a housing coupled to the haptic output device, wherein the haptic effect is a deformation haptic effect comprising altering a shape of the housing.

12. The mobile device of claim 8, further comprising a display coupled to the processor, wherein the processor displays visual information based on the sensor input.

13. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein the haptic effect provides directional information.

14. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein the haptic signal is further based on a user input on the mobile device.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to generate a haptic effect on a mobile device, comprising:

receiving sensor input from a sensor, wherein the sensor input comprises a location signal transmitted by a global positioning system;

mapping the received sensor input to a haptic signal; and

sending the haptic signal to a haptic output device coupled to the mobile device to generate the haptic effect, wherein the haptic effect comprises at least one of a force haptic effect, a deformation haptic effect or a mechanical impedance haptic effect.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the haptic signal is continuously modulated in response to the mobile device changing locations.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the haptic effect identifies a geofence.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the mobile device comprises a housing and the haptic effect is a deformation haptic effect comprising altering a shape of the housing.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the mobile device comprises a display, further comprising displaying visual information based on the sensor input.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the haptic signal is further based on a user input on the mobile device.