Immersion Corporation

Douglas George Billington

Kaniyalal Shah

Stephen D Rank

Daniel Gregory Parker

Srivatsav Venkatesan

William S Rihn

Aaron Kapelus

Van Hilton Tran

Vahid Khoshkava

Mansoor Alghooneh

Robert A Lacroix

Elena Renee Redelsheimer

The embodiments are directed toward techniques for isolating a user input signal at a haptic output device. A signal originating from a user input element associated with the haptic output device is received. The received signal is separated into a first component including the user input signal, and a second component including a haptic feedback signal. While the first component is processed, the second component can be discarded or otherwise ignored.

Feedback reduction for a user input element associated with a haptic output device

Systems and methods for rendering a haptic effect at a user input element associated with a haptic output device are provided. A primary range and a secondary range of positions are defined for the user input element associated with the haptic output device. In addition, a boundary range of positions is defined for the user input element associated with the haptic output device, the boundary range partially overlapping each of the primary and secondary ranges. A position of the user input element is monitored, and the haptic effect rendered in response to an entry of the user input element to positions within the boundary range.

Position control of a user input element associated with a haptic output device

Systems and methods or a low profile haptic actuator are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for a low profile haptic actuator includes: a moveable surface comprising a first coil, the moveable surface configured to move in a degree of freedom; a fixed surface beneath the moveable surface, the fixed surface comprising a second coil coupled underneath the first coil; a suspension coupled to the fixed surface and the moveable surface and configured to suspend the moveable surface; and a controller coupled to the first coil and the second coil.

Systems and methods for a low profile haptic actuator

Systems and methods for controlling power and/or current consumption for multiple haptic output devices are provided. Various features of the haptic output device may be described within a data structure. In response to a haptic instruction, a power budget for the haptic output device may be determined in accordance with its operational characteristics. A drive signal may then be applied to the haptic output device to produce the haptic effect in accordance with the calculated power budget. The calculated power budget may be configured to limit the current or power drawn by the haptic output device.

Controlling power distribution to haptic output devices

A wearable haptic-enabled user interface device comprising a plurality of magnetic elements and at least one electromagnet that are configured to generate a haptic effect at the user interface device by being disposed to generate at least one of an attractive force and a repelling force on each other when the at least one electromagnet is activated. The wearable haptic-enabled user interface device further comprises a processor configured to activate the at least one electromagnet in response to a determination to output the haptic effect.

Haptic actuators having magnetic elements and at least one electromagnet

An apparatus for receiving public broadcasts and haptic effects comprises a receiver having at least first and second communication channels, the first channel configured to receive a wireless transmission of a non-haptic signal, and the second channel configured to receive a wireless transmission of a haptic signal. A transducer is in electrical communication with the receiver, the transducer being configured to receive and present the public message broadcast through the first channel. A haptic effect actuator in electrical communication with the receiver, the haptic actuator responsive to the haptic signal to generate a haptic effect.

Public network transmission of haptic effect signals

A haptically-enabled system includes an actuator that has a first terminal and a second terminal. The second terminal is coupled to a voltage source, and a first switch is coupled to the first terminal and to ground. A second switch is coupled to the actuator. The second switch is parallel to the actuator.

Haptically-enabled system with braking

A magnetic suspension system is disclosed for use in mounting an electronic touch screen. The magnetic suspension system may be designed to provide more or less movement in any direction, i.e., along the x-axis, the y-axis, and/or the z-axis, depending upon the application. The magnetic suspension system includes a first programmable magnet coupled to a first body and a second programmable magnet coupled to a second body. The programmable magnets simultaneously repel and attract each other in a nominal configuration such that the second body is suspended a programmed spaced-apart distance from the first body. The programmable magnets also allow movement between the first and second bodies in reaction to a force applied to the second body by a haptic actuator with a programmed spring force such that the first and second bodies return to the nominal configuration when no force is applied to the second body.

Magnetic suspension system for touch screens and touch surfaces

A haptic peripheral including a magnetic actuator coupled to a user input element for providing haptic effects to the user input element. The magnetic actuator includes at least two opposing programmable magnets, a first programmable magnet and a second programmable magnet, with pre-programmed patterns to control the motion of the user input element. Each programmable magnet has a pre-programmed pattern of magnetic elements. The pre-programmed patterns of the magnetic elements interact with each other to cause haptic effects. In order to vary to haptic effects output by the magnetic actuator, the second programmable magnet is spun, rotated, or otherwise moved to change the orientation or position of the pre-programmed pattern. The re-oriented pattern of the second programmable magnet changes the interaction between the first and second programmable magnets and thereby results in different haptic effects being output to the user input device.

Haptic actuators having programmable magnets with pre-programmed magnetic surfaces and patterns for producing varying haptic effects

A haptic drive circuit includes a voltage input for receiving input power, a gate that compares a desired current level to an actual current level through the actuator, a switch coupled to the gate that interrupts or provides power from the voltage input to the actuator, and a current probe that detects the actual current level through the actuator with an output signal corresponding to the actual current level coupled to the gate. The gate compares the actual current level to the desired current level and causes the switch to interrupt input power when the actual current level is greater than the desired current level or to provide input power when the actual current level is less than or equal to the desired current level. The actual current through the circuit is a haptic signal causing a haptic actuator to generate a haptic effect.

Growing community of inventors

Campbell, CA, United States of America

Douglas George Billington