Systems and methods for syncing haptic feedback calls

• US 9,189,098 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Dionne, Jean-Francois, da Costa, Henry, Grant, Danny
• Primary Examiner(s): Amadiz, Rodney
• Application Number:
  US13/830,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20140267069A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-173
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

Systems and methods for syncing haptic feedback calls are disclosed. For example, one described method includes: receiving an input signal associated with a user interface event; determining a haptic feedback signal based at least in part on the input signal; and determining whether or not to output the haptic feedback signal to haptic output device based at least in part on a haptic feedback rate.

Claims

1. A method for providing haptic feedback comprising:

receiving an input signal associated with a user interface event;

determining a haptic feedback signal based at least in part on the input signal; and

determining whether to output the haptic feedback signal to a haptic output device based at least in part on a haptic feedback rate, wherein the haptic feedback rate comprises a periodic synchronization signal.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting the haptic feedback signal to the haptic output device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface event is associated with a user interaction with a touch-sensitive display.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface event is associated with a change in a user interface.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface event is associated with receiving a message.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining an alternate haptic feedback signal to output in place of the haptic feedback signal.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic feedback signal comprises a first haptic feedback signal and further comprising prioritizing a second haptic feedback signal over the first haptic feedback signal.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic feedback signal comprises a first haptic feedback signal and wherein determining whether to output the haptic feedback signal to a haptic output device comprises:

determining a second haptic feedback signal associated with the first haptic feedback signal; and

outputting the second haptic feedback signal to the haptic output device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic feedback rate further comprises one or more of:

a VSync rate, an audio sampling rate, a determination based at least in part on a measure of CPU utilization, a determination based at least in part on a timer, a determination based at least in part on a data transfer rate, and a determination based at least in part on the resolution of the display.

10. An electronic device comprising:

a display configured to display a user interface;

a haptic output device configured to receive a haptic signal and output a haptic effect; and

a processor in communication with the display and the haptic output device and configured to;

receive an input signal associated with a user interface event;

determine a haptic feedback signal based at least in part on the input signal; and

determine whether to output the haptic feedback signal to the haptic output device based at least in part on a haptic feedback rate, wherein the haptic feedback rate comprises a periodic synchronization signal.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to output the haptic feedback signal to the haptic output device.

12. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the display comprises a touch-sensitive display and the user interface event is associated with a user interaction with the touch-sensitive display.

13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the user interface event is associated with a change in the user interface.

14. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the user interface event is associated with receiving a message.

15. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to determine an alternate haptic feedback signal to output in place of the haptic feedback signal.

16. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the haptic feedback signal comprises a first haptic feedback signal and further comprising prioritizing a second haptic feedback signal over the first haptic feedback signal.

17. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the haptic feedback signal comprises a first haptic feedback signal and wherein determining whether to output the haptic feedback signal to a haptic output device comprises:

determining a second haptic feedback signal associated with the first haptic feedback signal; and

outputting the second haptic feedback signal to the haptic output device.

18. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the haptic feedback rate further comprises one or more of:

a VSync rate, an audio sampling rate, a determination based at least in part on a measure of CPU utilization, a determination based at least in part on a timer, a determination based at least in part on a data transfer rate, and a determination based at least in part on the resolution of the display.

19. A non-transient computer readable medium comprising program code, which when executed by a processor, is configured to cause the processor to:

receive an input signal associated with a user interface event;

determine a haptic feedback signal based at least in part on the input signal; and

determine whether to output the haptic feedback signal to a haptic output device based at least in part on a haptic feedback rate, wherein the haptic feedback rate comprises a periodic synchronization signal.

20. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 19, further comprising program code, which when executed by a processor, is configured to cause the processor to output the haptic feedback signal to the haptic output device.