Immersion Corporation

Munibe M Bakircioglu

Christopher J Ullrich

Stephen D Rank

Danny A Grant

Robert W Heubel

Kollin M Tierling

Chris Ullrich

Ryan Steger

Daniel H Gomez

Richard David Hague

Mark Bolt

Haptic information in a series of frames of a media file is identified and time stamps corresponding thereto are determined in accordance with information embedded in a tag either preceding or appending the media file. The haptic effect information is automatically synchronized to the media file based on the information in one or more frames of the tag, whereby an actuator outputs the defined haptic effects in the tag in a manner synchronized with corresponding audio and/or video content of the media file.

Synchronization of haptic effect data in a media stream

In an embodiment, a system and method for automatically converting a plurality of events in a plurality of channels in a structured representation sequence into haptic events. The method comprises calculating an event score for each event of the sequence in one or more channels. The method also comprises calculating a cumulative score based on the event scores in the one or more channels. The method includes selectively designating haptic events to the events based on the event scores in one or more selected channels, wherein the haptic events are output by a haptic actuator. This may be done by the system by calculating properties of the sound or by taking already existing values associated with those properties to efficiently produce haptic events.

System and method for automatically producing haptic events from a digital audio file

A method and device for generating haptic feedback over a touch surface using multi-actuated waveform phasing are disclosed. A haptic device, in one embodiment, includes a touch surface and a group of haptic actuators. The touch surface is capable of sensing an event, wherein the event can be a contact on the touch surface or a movement nearby the surface. A portion of the haptic actuators, which are coupled to the touch surface, is configured to provide haptic feedback on the touch surface in response to the event. Another portion of the haptic actuators is used to minimize unwanted haptic effect on the touch surface.

Method and apparatus for providing haptic feedback utilizing multi-actuated waveform phasing

The system and method described is directed to receiving digital audio files and automatically converting the received files into haptic events. In an embodiment, the received files are of sampled digital or digitized analog audio files. The system and method separates the audio signal into a plurality of sub-band signals and segments the sub-band signals into a plurality of events. The system and method then assigns haptic effects to the events to produce haptic event signals which are to be output by an actuator. The system and method utilizes clipping and minimum time separation parameters along with physical parameters of the actuator and frequency characteristics in the audio signal to analyze and provide discrete haptic events which correspond with the audio.

System and method for automatically producing haptic events from a digital audio signal

A haptic feedback device includes a signal generation module configured to output a composite signal representable by a carrier signal and an envelope signal. The signal generation module includes a microcontroller capable of being programmed such that the carrier signal falls within a resonance frequency band of the haptic feedback device. The haptic feedback device also includes a user interface device, and a transducer configured to impart haptic force to the user interface device in response to the composite signal. A tactile mapping submodule, a duration mapping submodule, and an attack/decay mapping submodule may also be included. The tactile mapping submodule enables compensation for haptic output at different positions on the haptic feedback device, whereas the duration and attack/decay submodules enable prevention of unwanted audio output.

Digital envelope modulator for haptic feedback devices

A touch panel system that sanitizes a touch panel surface includes a substrate coupled to the touch panel surface. The system further includes an impedance interface coupled to the touch panel surface and a vibration source coupled to the impedance interface. The vibration source vibrates the substrate to generate pressure waves which destroy contaminants on the touch panel surface.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Munibe M Bakircioglu