HAPTIC-ENABLED WEARABLE DEVICE

• US 20190325716A1
• Filed: 04/19/2019
• Published: 10/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2018
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: KHOSHKAVA, Vahid, SABOUNE, Jamal, CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Juan Manuel, ALGHOONEH, Mansoor
• Application Number:
  US16/389,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20190325716A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems

Abstract

Systems, devices, methods, non-transitory computer readable mediums for generating one or more haptic effects are provided. For example, a device includes a substrate including a plurality of haptic regions, and a plurality of haptic output devices, each haptic output device being coupled to a respective haptic region, and each haptic output device being configured to generate a haptic effect in response to receiving a haptic drive signal, as described herein. The haptic effect is perceptible to a user within one cycle of the haptic drive signal.

Claims

1. A wearable haptic device, comprising:

a substrate including a plurality of haptic regions, the substrate having a C-shape; and

a plurality of haptic output devices, each haptic output device being coupled to a respective haptic region, and each haptic output device being configured to generate a haptic effect in response to receiving a haptic drive signal, and each haptic output device being configured to render the haptic effect that is perceptible to a user within one cycle of the haptic drive signal.

2. The wearable haptic device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of haptic output devices include a Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) actuator.

3. The wearable haptic device according to claim 2, wherein a thickness of the MFC actuator is between 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

4. The wearable haptic device according to claim 1, wherein the substrate includes one or more of the following:

a three-dimensional (3D) printed wearable layer, a foam layer, a protective or insulating layer, an epoxy layer, a thin metallic sheet, a thin composite sheet, a Plexiglas sheet, and a carbon fiber sheet.

5. The wearable haptic device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of haptic output devices are epoxy-bonded to the substrate.

6. The wearable haptic device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of haptic output devices are coupled to an inner or outer surface of the substrate.

7. The wearable haptic device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of haptic output devices are embedded within the substrate.

8. The wearable haptic device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of haptic output devices is integrated into a touchscreen of the wearable haptic device.

9. The wearable haptic device according to claim 1 wherein the substrate is integrated into a display.

10. The wearable haptic device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of haptic output devices includes one of a piezo-ceramic actuator, an electroactive polymer, and a shape memory alloy (SMA).

11. The wearable haptic device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of haptic output devices generate one or more forces that result in a torque around a center of mass of the wearable haptic device.

12. The wearable haptic device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of haptic output devices generate one or more forces that result in a torque around a center of stiffness of the wearable haptic device.

13. The wearable haptic device according to claim 1, wherein the wearable haptic device is a ring configured to be worn on a finger of a user.

14. The wearable haptic device according to claim 1, wherein the haptic actuator has a response time less than 10 ms.

15. A method for rendering a haptic effect on a wearable device, the method comprising:

receiving, at one or more of a plurality of haptic output devices, a haptic effect signal configured to generate the haptic effect, each of the haptic output devices being coupled to a respective haptic region of a substrate that forms the wearable device, the substrate having a C-shape; and

generating the haptic effect in response to the haptic drive signal, wherein each of the plurality of haptic output devices is configured to generate the haptic effect that is perceptible to a user within one cycle of the haptic drive signal.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of haptic output devices include a Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) actuator.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of haptic output devices is integrated into a touchscreen of the wearable haptic device.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the wearable haptic device is a ring configured to be worn on a finger of a user.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of haptic output devices has a response time less than 10 ms.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of haptic output devices includes one of a piezo-ceramic actuator, an electroactive polymer, and a shape memory alloy (SMA).