Using haptic effects to enhance information content in communications
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, comprising:
- receiving an input signal sent from calling or sending party, wherein the input signal includes a haptic code therein;
extracting the haptic code from the input signal, the haptic code being associated with a haptic logo which distinctly corresponds to the calling or sending party; and
providing a control signal to an actuator, the control signal being based at least in part on the haptic code and configured to be directly applied to the actuator to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the haptic logo, wherein the haptic effect identifies the calling or sending party of the input signal.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for providing customized “haptic messaging” to users of handheld communication devices in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, businesses and organizations may each be associated with a distinct haptic logo and include their haptic logos in various messages sent to the handheld communication devices of their customers. In another embodiment, haptically-enabled avatars can be used in a chat session between users of handheld communication devices.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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receiving an input signal sent from calling or sending party, wherein the input signal includes a haptic code therein; extracting the haptic code from the input signal, the haptic code being associated with a haptic logo which distinctly corresponds to the calling or sending party; and providing a control signal to an actuator, the control signal being based at least in part on the haptic code and configured to be directly applied to the actuator to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the haptic logo, wherein the haptic effect identifies the calling or sending party of the input signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A computer-readable storage medium on which is encoded instructions to be executed by a processor, said instructions when executed configuring the processor to:
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receive an input signal, wherein the input signal is sent from a calling or sending party and includes a haptic code therein; extract the haptic code from the input signal, the haptic code being associated with a haptic logo distinctly corresponding to the calling or sending party; and provide a control signal to an actuator, the control signal being based at least in part on the haptic code and configured to directly apply the haptic code to the actuator to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the haptic logo, wherein the haptic effect identifies the calling or sending party of the input signal. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus, comprising:
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a processor; an actuator in communication with the processor; and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing program code executable by the processor, the processor configured to; receive an input signal, wherein the input signal is sent from a calling or sending party and having a haptic code therein; extract the haptic code from the input signal, the haptic code being associated with a haptic logo distinctly corresponding to the calling or sending party; and provide a control signal to the actuator, the control signal being based at least in part on the haptic code and configured to directly apply the haptic code to the actuator to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the haptic logo, wherein the haptic effect identifies the calling or sending party of the input signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A mobile device comprising:
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means for receiving an input signal sent from a calling or sending party; means for extracting a haptic code from the input signal, the haptic code being associated with a haptic logo which distinctly corresponds to the calling or sending party; and means for directly applying the haptic code to an actuator for outputting a haptic effect associated with the haptic logo, wherein the haptic effect identifies the calling or sending party of the input signal.
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18. A method, comprising:
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receiving a first input signal at a communication device; extracting a haptic code from the first input signal at the communication device, the haptic code being associated with a haptic logo distinctly corresponding to the calling or sending party, wherein the haptic code causes an actuator of the communication device to output a first haptic effect associated with the haptic logo, wherein the first haptic effect identifies the calling or sending party of the input signal; receiving a second input signal at the communication device, wherein the second input signal indicates a distance between the calling or sending party and the communication device; and causing the actuator to output a second haptic effect based on the second input signal.
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Specification