Immersion Corporation

Michael A Greenish

Erin B Ramsay

Robert Lacroix

Neil Thomas Olien

Daniel Gregory Parker

Aaron Kapelus

Elena Renee Redelsheimer

Kohei Imoto

Robert A Lacroix

A system that generates a haptic effect using an Eccentric Rotating Mass ('ERM') actuator determines a back electromotive force ('EMF') of the ERM actuator during operation of the device and receives a haptic effect signal including one or more parameters, where one of the parameters is a voltage amplitude level as a function of time. Based on the determined back EMF, the system determines if the ERM actuator is spinning and varies the voltage amplitude level based on the back EMF to generate a varied haptic effect signal, where the varying includes, when the ERM actuator is determined to be spinning, reducing the voltage amplitude level compared to when the ERM actuator is determined to not be spinning. The system then applies the varied haptic effect signal to the ERM actuator.

Eccentric rotating mass actuator optimization for haptic effects

One illustrative electrostatic actuator disclosed herein includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first insulation layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, a first resilient material between the first electrode and the second electrode, a third electrode, a second insulation layer between the second electrode and the third electrode, and a second resilient material between the second electrode and the third electrode. The first electrode and the third electrode receive power from a power supply and responsively generate a first polarity. The second electrode receives power from the power supply and responsively generates a second polarity that is opposite the first polarity. The first polarity and the second polarity generate a first attractive force between the first electrode and the second electrode and a second attractive force between the second electrode and the third electrode. The electrostatic actuator may be part of a user interface.

Electrostatic haptic actuator and user interface with an electrostatic haptic actuator

Eccentric rotating mass actuator optimization for haptic effect

A system that includes an actuator amplification apparatus and a push pull actuator disposed on or within the actuator amplification apparatus. The actuator amplification apparatus is configured to receive a push pull actuator. The actuator amplification apparatus includes a body fixture configured to attach the actuator amplification apparatus to a fixed mass, an output interface to attach the actuator amplification apparatus to a moving mass, and an integral amplification mechanism. The integral amplification mechanism of the actuator amplification apparatus amplifies a force output by the push pull actuator to the moving mass. The integral amplification mechanism includes a plurality of linkages or an integral lever arm. The actuator amplification apparatus may include stabilizers configured to limit movement of the push pull actuator. In an embodiment, the fixed mass is a dashboard frame of an automobile and the moving mass is a floating haptic touch screen assembly.

Method and apparatus for enabling floating touch screen haptics assemblies

A system that generates a haptic effect on a device using an Eccentric Rotating Mass ('ERM') actuator determines an acceleration of the device during operation of the device and receives a haptic effect signal including one or more parameters, where one of the parameters is a voltage output level. The system varies the voltage output level parameter based at least on determined acceleration, and applies the varied haptic effect signal to the ERM actuator.

The present disclosure is generally directed to a method for providing haptic effects based on haptic context data including receiving haptic context information associated with a user interface, receiving an input signal associated with a user interaction with the user interface; and determining a haptic effect based in part on the haptic context information and input signal; and outputting a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect.

Method and system for providing haptic effects based on haptic context information

A system that generates a haptic effect using an Eccentric Rotating Mass ('ERM') actuator determines a vibration level of the device during operation of the device. The system receives a haptic effect signal including one or more parameters, where one of the parameters is a voltage amplitude level as a function of time. The system varies the voltage amplitude level based at least on vibration level and applies the varied haptic effect signal to the ERM actuator.

A system that generates a haptic effect using an Eccentric Rotating Mass ('ERM') actuator determines a back electromotive force ('EMF') of the ERM actuator and receives a haptic effect signal comprising one or more parameters, where one of the parameters is a voltage amplitude level as a function of time. The system varies the voltage amplitude level based at least on the back EMF, and applies the varied haptic effect signal to the ERM actuator.

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Gryon, Switzerland

Michael A Greenish