Haptic feedback in a haptically noisy environment

• US 9,659,468 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2015
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Cruz-Hernandez, Juan Manuel, Levesque, Vincent, Grant, Danny, Hamam, Abdelwahab, Saboune, Jamal, Lacroix, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US14/855,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20170076564A1
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 3404071, 340680, 434114
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2260/0487 Depth indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2260/128 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 49/00 Measuring or gauging equipment on boring machines for positioning or guiding the drill; Devices for indicating failure of drills during boring; Centering devices for holes to be bored marking-out equipment B25H7/00; measuring devices, gauges G01B
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 9/00 Reinforcements or ply arrangement of pneumatic tyres inserts having reinforcing means B60C5/08; bead structure, e.g. turnup or overlap construction, B60C15/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• 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

A method for providing haptic feedback is provided for a device that produces haptic noise, such as a power tool with an electric motor that produces noises and vibrations while in operation. An environmental condition of the device can be sensed while the device is being operated and generating haptic noise. A haptic noise characteristic of the device can be determined. A haptic drive signal based on the environmental condition and haptic noise characteristic can be generated. The haptic drive signal can be applied to a haptic output device associated with the device.

Claims

1. A method of producing a haptic effect, comprising:

sensing an environmental condition of a device;

determining a haptic noise characteristic of the device;

generating a haptic drive signal based on the environmental condition and haptic noise characteristic of the device; and

applying the haptic drive signal to a haptic output component associated with the device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a power tool with a motor and the haptic noise characteristic is generated by the motor.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the haptic output component is distinct from the motor.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the haptic output component is located on or in the power tool.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the haptic output component is located remotely from the power tool.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the haptic output component is located on a wearable device.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving a hand preference setting indicating whether the wearable device is to be worn on a dominant or non-dominant hand; and

generating the haptic drive signal based on the hand preference setting.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic output component modifies the haptic noise characteristic.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic output component is configured to be a source of a haptic noise and the haptic drive signal comprises an electrical or control input to the source of the haptic noise.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the haptic output component comprises a dampener, and the modifying comprises altering the haptic noise characteristic of the device comprising at least one of a frequency of a haptic noise or an intensity of the haptic noise.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic drive signal is generated based on a threshold of perception, or a threshold of pain associated with a haptic noise.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic noise characteristic includes at least one of an intensity level or a frequency.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic noise characteristic is based on a proxy sensor value.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the haptic noise characteristic is produced by the device interacting with another device or object.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the device is sports equipment.

16. A system that produces a haptic effect, comprising:

a sensor configured to sense an environmental condition of a device;

a sensor configured to determine a haptic noise characteristic of the device;

a haptic signal drive circuit configured to provide a haptic drive signal based on the environmental condition and haptic noise characteristic of the device; and

a haptic output component associated with the device and configured to apply the haptic drive signal.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the device is a power tool with a motor and the haptic noise characteristic is generated by the motor.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the haptic output component is distinct from the motor.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the haptic output component is located on or in the power tool.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a remote device, wherein the haptic output component is located on the remote device.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a hand preference module configured to receive a hand preference setting indicating whether the remote device is to be worn on a dominant or non-dominant hand, wherein the haptic drive signal is provided based on the hand preference setting.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the haptic output component is configured to be a source of a haptic noise and the haptic drive signal comprises an electrical or control input to the source of the haptic noise.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the haptic output component comprises a dampener, and modifies the haptic noise characteristic that includes altering at least one haptic noise characteristic of the device comprising at least one of a frequency of a haptic noise or an intensity of the haptic noise.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein the haptic drive signal is generated based on a threshold of perception, or a threshold of pain associated with a haptic noise.

25. The system of claim 16, wherein the haptic noise characteristic is based on a proxy sensor value.

26. A non-transitory computer readable medium with instructions stored thereon, when executed by a processor, produces a haptic effect, comprising:

sensing an environmental condition of a device;

determining a haptic noise characteristic of the device;

generating a haptic drive signal based on the environmental condition and haptic noise characteristic of the device; and

applying the haptic drive signal to a haptic output component associated with the device.

27. The computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein the device is a power tool with a motor and a haptic noise is generated by the motor.

28. The computer readable medium of claim 27, wherein the signal is a haptic signal and the haptic output component is distinct from the motor.

29. The computer readable medium of claim 28, wherein the haptic output component is located on or in the power tool.

30. The computer readable medium of claim 28, wherein the haptic output component is located remotely from the power tool.

31. The computer readable medium of claim 30, wherein the haptic output component is located on a wearable device, and wherein the producing further comprises:

receiving a hand preference setting indicating whether the wearable device is to be worn on a dominant or non-dominant hand; and

generating the haptic drive signal based on the hand preference setting.

32. The computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein the haptic output component corresponds to a source of haptic noise and the haptic drive signal comprises an electrical or control input to the source of the haptic noise.

33. The computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein the haptic output component comprises a dampener, and alters the haptic noise characteristic of the device comprising at least one of a frequency of a haptic noise or an intensity of the haptic noise.

34. The computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein the haptic drive signal is generated based on a threshold of perception, or a threshold of pain associated with a haptic noise.

35. The computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein the haptic noise characteristic is based on a proxy sensor value.