Methods and systems for providing haptic messaging to handheld communication devices

• US 20070057913A1
• Filed: 09/13/2005
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Grant, Danny, Eid, Jeffrey, Endo, Shoichi
• Granted Patent: US 8,059,088 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality

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, a method of providing haptic messaging to a hand communication device includes: associating an input signal with an event; determining a source of the event and selecting the control signal based on the determination; and outputting a control signal to an actuator coupled to the hand communication device. The control signal is configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the event. An event in the above may be a connection event.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

associating an input signal with a connection; and

outputting a control signal to an actuator, the control signal configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the connection event.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a source of the connection event and selecting the control signal based at least in part on the determination.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising extracting a haptic code from the input signal, the control signal being based at least in part on the haptic code.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the haptic effect is output to a handheld communication device.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the service carrier event is selected from the group consisting of a sending of an outgoing e-mail, a sending of an outgoing SMS message, a dropped call, a connected call, a passage of an increment of time when connected to a call, a push-to-talk ready alert, a push-to-talk receiving alert, and a push-to-talk when the line is busy.

5. A computer-readable medium on which is encoded program code, comprising:

program code for associating an input signal with a connection event; and

program code for outputting a control signal to an actuator, the control signal configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the connection event.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 further comprising program code for determining a source of the connection event and selecting the control signal based at least in part on the determination.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 further comprising program code for extracting a haptic code from the input signal, the control signal being based at least in part on the haptic code.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 further comprising program code to generate a plurality of control signals, each control signal being associated with a haptic effect.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 wherein the service carrier event is selected from the group consisting of a sending of an outgoing e-mail, a sending of an outgoing SMS message, a dropped call, a connected call, a passage of an increment of time when connected to a call, a push-to-talk ready alert, a push-to-talk receiving alert, and a push-to-talk when the line is busy.

9. A data stream embodied in a carrier signal, carrying instructions to associate an input signal with a connection status event;

and

output a control signal to an actuator, the control signal configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the connection event.

17. The data stream of claim 9 wherein the service carrier event is selected from the group consisting of entering of a sending of an outgoing e-mail, a sending of an outgoing SMS message, a dropped call, a connected call, a passage of an increment of time when connected to a call, a push-to-talk ready alert, a push-to-talk receiving alert, and a push-to-talk when the line is busy.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a body;

a processor;

an actuator coupled to the body and in communication with the processor; and

a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing program code executable by the processor, including;

program code for associating an input signal with a connection event; and

program code for outputting a control signal to an actuator, the control signal configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the connection event.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the body is included in a handheld communication device.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the handheld communication device includes one of a cellular phone, a satellite phone, a cordless phone, a personal digital assistant, a pager, a two-way radio, a portable computer, a game console controller, a personal gaming device, and an MP3 player.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the memory further stores program code for determining a source of the service provider event and selecting the control signal based at least in part on the determination.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the memory further stores a haptic lookup table, the selection being based on the haptic lookup table.

18. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the service carrier event is selected from the group consisting of a sending of an outgoing e-mail, a sending of an outgoing SMS message, a dropped call, a connected call, a passage of an increment of time when connected to a call, a push-to-talk ready alert, a push-to-talk receiving alert, and a push-to-talk when the line is busy.