U.S. patent application number 16/245927 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-18 for systems and methods for providing enhanced haptic feedback.
The applicant listed for this patent is Immersion Corporation. Invention is credited to Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Abdelwahab HAMAM, Vahid KHOSHKAVA, Vincent LEVESQUE.
Application Number | 20190216407 16/245927 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55024915 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190216407 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEVESQUE; Vincent ; et
al. |
July 18, 2019 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED HAPTIC FEEDBACK
Abstract
A system includes a haptic output device constructed and
arranged to generate a haptic effect to a user of the system, and a
chemical delivery device constructed and arranged to deliver a
chemical to the user of the system.
Inventors: |
LEVESQUE; Vincent;
(Montreal, CA) ; HAMAM; Abdelwahab; (Montreal,
CA) ; CRUZ-HERNANDEZ; Juan Manuel; (Montreal, CA)
; KHOSHKAVA; Vahid; (Montreal, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Immersion Corporation |
San Jose |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55024915 |
Appl. No.: |
16/245927 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15709106 |
Sep 19, 2017 |
10213166 |
|
|
16245927 |
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|
14587135 |
Dec 31, 2014 |
9763628 |
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15709106 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/7455 20130101;
G06F 3/016 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00; G06F 3/01 20060101 G06F003/01 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a haptic output device constructed and
arranged to generate a haptic effect to a user of the system; and a
chemical delivery device constructed and arranged to physically
deliver a chemical to the user of the system.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 15/709,106, filed on Sep. 19, 2017,
which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 14/587,135, filed Dec. 31, 2014, issued as U.S. Pat. No.
9,763,628 on Sep. 19, 2017, the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention is related to systems and method for
providing enhanced haptic feedback.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Handheld device users often would like their devices to
provide stronger haptic feedback, which may be difficult to
accomplish due to size and power constraints of handheld devices.
Handheld device designers generally try to produce the best haptic
feedback possible within certain size and power constraints. In
addition, some users of handheld devices have low tactile
sensitivity and therefore may have difficulty feeling haptic
effects. Audio or video feedback may be used to compensate for weak
haptic feedback, or haptic notifications that may possibly be
missed.
SUMMARY
[0004] There is a need to be able to enhance the haptic feedback
that is felt by users of handheld devices.
[0005] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a
system that includes a haptic output device constructed and
arranged to generate a haptic effect to a user of the system, and a
chemical delivery device constructed and arranged to deliver a
chemical to the user of the system.
[0006] In an embodiment, the system further includes one or more
processors configured to execute at least one computer program
module comprising a determination module that, when executed by the
one or more processors, determines when to initiate delivery of the
chemical to change tactile sensitivity of the user and alter the
haptic effect generated by the haptic output device.
[0007] In an embodiment, the chemical delivery device includes a
reservoir constructed and arranged to hold the chemical, and a
positive pressure device constructed and arranged to extract the
chemical from the reservoir and deliver the chemical through an
opening to the user.
[0008] In an embodiment, the chemical is selected from the group
consisting of: a moisturizer, a topical anesthetic, a conductive
gel, and a pH adjuster.
[0009] In an embodiment, the haptic output device includes the
chemical delivery device, and the chemical generates the haptic
effect. In an embodiment, the haptic effect is a sensation selected
from the group consisting of a burning sensation, a warming
sensation, a cooling sensation, an itching sensation, and a numbing
sensation.
[0010] In an embodiment, the system is in the form of a handheld
device selected from the group consisting of a tablet, a
smartphone, and a game controller.
[0011] In an embodiment, the system further includes a sensor
configured to sense a condition of the user's skin. In an
embodiment, the condition is humidity.
[0012] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a
method to alter a haptic effect felt by a user of an electronic
device. The method includes delivering a chemical with a chemical
delivery device to the user of the electronic device to change
tactile sensitivity of the user of the electronic device, and
generating the haptic effect to the user of the electronic device
with a haptic output device.
[0013] In an embodiment, the method further includes sensing a
condition of the user's skin with a sensor, and determining whether
to initiate delivery of the chemical to the user of the electronic
device based on the sensed condition.
[0014] These and other aspects, features, and characteristics of
the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and
functions of the related elements of structure and the combination
of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent
upon consideration of the following description and the appended
claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which
form a part of this specification. It is to be expressly
understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of
illustration and description only and are not intended as a
definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the
specification and in the claims, the singular form of "a", "an",
and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The components of the following Figures are illustrated to
emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure and are
not necessarily drawn to scale. Reference characters designating
corresponding components are repeated as necessary throughout the
Figures for the sake of consistency and clarity.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system in accordance
with embodiments of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a chemical delivery
device of the system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a processor of the
system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0019] FIG. 4A schematically illustrates a front perspective view
of an implementation of the system of FIG. 1 in the form of a
handheld electronic device, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention; and
[0020] FIG. 4B schematically illustrates a rear perspective view of
the handheld electronic device of FIG. 4A, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system 100 in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The system 100 may
be any electronic device, such as a desktop computer, laptop
computer, electronic workbook, electronic handheld device (such as
a mobile phone, smartphone, gaming device, personal digital
assistant ("PDA"), portable e-mail device, portable Internet access
device, calculator, etc.), kiosk (such as an automated teller
machine, ticket purchasing machine, etc.), printer, point-of-sale
device, game controller, wearable device, or other electronic
device. As illustrated, the system 100 includes a processor 110, a
memory device 120, and input/output devices 130, which are
interconnected via a bus 140. In an embodiment, the input/output
devices 130 may include a touch screen device 150, a haptic output
device 160, a chemical delivery device 170, one or more sensors
180, and/or other input devices that receive input from a user of
the system 100 and output devices that output information or
chemicals to the user of the system 100. In an embodiment, the
system 100 may be a handheld electronic device that includes all of
the components illustrated in FIG. 1 in a single integrated device.
In an embodiment, two or more of the components illustrated in FIG.
1 may be co-located in the same electronic device. In an
embodiment, each component illustrated in FIG. 1 may be separately
located in an different electronic device.
[0022] In addition to the touch screen device 150 and the haptic
output device 160, the input/output devices 130 may also include
specific input mechanisms and output mechanisms. For example, the
input mechanisms may include such devices as keyboards, keypads,
cursor control devices (e.g., computer mice), other data entry
devices, such as styluses, or an audio receiver, such as a
microphone. Output mechanisms may include a computer monitor,
virtual reality display device, audio output device, such as a
speaker, printer, or other peripheral devices. The input/output
devices 130 may include mechanisms that are designed to not only
receive input from a user, but also provide feedback to the user,
such as many examples of touch screen devices.
[0023] The touch screen device 150 may be configured as any
suitable user interface or touch/contact surface assembly. The
touch screen device 150 may be any touch screen, touch pad, touch
sensitive structure, computer monitor, laptop display device,
workbook display device, kiosk screen, portable electronic device
screen, or other suitable touch sensitive device. The touch screen
device 150 may be configured for physical interaction with a
user-controlled device, such as a stylus, finger, etc. In some
embodiments, the touch screen device 150 may include at least one
output device and at least one input device. For example, the touch
screen device 150 may include the visual display 152 configured to
display, for example, images and a touch sensitive screen
comprising at least one sensor superimposed thereon to receive
inputs from a user's finger or stylus controlled by the user. The
visual display 152 may include a high definition display
screen.
[0024] In various embodiments, the haptic output device 160 is
configured to provide haptic feedback to the user of the system 100
while the user is in contact with a least a portion of the system
100. For example, the haptic output device 160 may provide haptic
feedback to the touch screen device 150 itself to impose a haptic
effect when the user is in contact with the touch screen device 150
and/or to another part of the system 100, such as a housing
containing at least the input/output devices 130. The haptic
effects may be used to enhance the user experience when interacting
with the system 100.
[0025] The haptic feedback provided by the haptic output device 160
may be created with any of the methods of creating haptic effects,
such as vibration, deformation, kinesthetic sensations,
electrostatic or ultrasonic friction, etc. In an embodiment, the
haptic output device 160 may include an actuator, for example, an
electromagnetic actuator such as an Eccentric Rotating Mass ("ERM")
in which an eccentric mass is moved by a motor, a Linear Resonant
Actuator ("LRA") in which a mass attached to a spring is driven
back and forth, or a "smart material" such as piezoelectric
materials, electro-active polymers, such as ionic or electronic
based electroactive polymers, shape member polymers, smart
hydrogels, or shape memory alloys, a macro-composite fiber
actuator, an electro-static actuator, an electro-tactile actuator,
a nanocomposite actuator, a pneumatic-based actuator and/or another
type of actuator that provides a physical feedback such as
vibrotactile feedback. The haptic output device 160 may include
non-mechanical or non-vibratory devices such as those that use
electrostatic friction (ESF), ultrasonic friction (USF), or those
that induce acoustic radiation pressure with an ultrasonic haptic
transducer, or those that use a haptic substrate and a flexible or
deformable surface, or those that provide thermal effects, or those
that provide projected haptic output such as a puff of air using an
air jet, and so on. Multiple haptic output devices 160 may be used
to generate different haptic effects, as discussed in further
detail below.
[0026] An embodiment of the chemical delivery device 170 is
schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment,
the chemical delivery device 170 includes a reservoir 202
constructed and arranged to hold a chemical represented by 203. The
chemical 203 may be a touch-enhancing chemical or any chemical that
can alter a person's sensitivity to the haptic effects that are
generated by the haptic output device 160, or the chemical 203 may
be used to provide a haptic effect, as described in further detail
below. The chemical 203 may come in the form of a powder, a liquid,
a cream, a gel, or a gas, for example.
[0027] In an embodiment, the chemical 203 may be a moisturizer,
talc, an antiperspirant or any other chemical that affects moisture
in the skin. It is known that a moisturizer may improve the tactile
sensitivity of, for example, an elderly person. Also, talc and an
antiperspirant may reduce the humidity of the skin and affect
tactile sensitivity as well. It is also known that dry skin and
calluses also reduce tactile sensitivity, and chemicals that
reverse the condition of dry skin or heal calluses may also be used
to improve tactile sensitivity. Alterations of the pH of the skin
may also affect tactile sensitivity, so a chemical that causes a
change in the pH of the skin may also be used in an embodiment of
the invention. In an embodiment, the chemical 203 may include a
substance that may increase blood flow, such as arginine cream and
cellulite cream, which may improve tactile sensitivity.
[0028] In an embodiment, the chemical 203 may be in the form of a
gel and/or include active ingredients that can clean the skin and
remove dead skin cells, which may increase tactile sensitivity. In
an embodiment, the chemical 203 may be a conductive gel that is
typically used for electrodes and may affect the delivery of ESF or
electrotactile stimuli. Gels and other viscous chemicals may also
alter the sensation caused by mechanical vibration, such as by
damping the vibrations or making a better mechanical contact.
[0029] It is also known that certain drugs, such as drugs
containing amphetamines, including
3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine may cause a hypersensitivity of
the skin. Legal chemicals or drugs that cause a similar
hypersensitivity may be used as the chemical 203 with embodiments
of the invention. In an embodiment, a chemical or drug that is used
to restore tactile sensitivity in patients with peripheral
neuropathy may be used as the chemical 203 with embodiments of the
invention.
[0030] In some embodiments of the invention, the chemical 203 may
be used to alter the tactile sensitivity of the user in a manner
that reduces the tactile sensitivity of the user, instead of
enhancing the tactile sensitivity of the user. For example, in an
embodiment, a topical anesthetic that reduces tactile sensitivity
of or numbs the user's skin may be used to mask unwanted tactile
sensations or to temporarily increase the level of difficulty in a
game or to reflect the physical state of a game avatar.
[0031] In an embodiment, the chemical 203 may be selected to
provide a certain tactile sensation to the user of the system, such
as a warming or burning sensation, a cooling sensation, or an
itching sensation. For example, capsaicin or muscle balm may be
used to cause a burning sensation, and menthol, peppermint oil,
alcohol, or aloe vera may be used to produce a sensation of cold.
Chemicals found in poison ivy and itching powder may be used to
cause an itching sensation or a mild irritation of the skin. Some
chemicals may cause an exothermic reaction and warm up the skin.
This sensation of warmth may be used directly as a haptic effect,
or it may be used to alter tactile sensitivity, which varies with
the temperature of the skin. Some chemicals may cause an
endothermic reaction and cool the skin.
[0032] In an embodiment, the chemical 203 may be selected to alter
the adherence of the skin and make the skin sticky or slippery,
which may be used to make a surface of the system 100 in contact
with the user feel sticky or slippery, depending on the context. In
an embodiment, such a chemical may make a touchscreen or buttons of
the input/output device(s) 130 of the system 100 described above
feel sticky or slippery after touching the chemical 203. This may
be done by controlling the moisture of the skin, as described
above. This may also be done by delivering other chemicals, such as
oils and adhesive substances. The effect caused by a particular
chemical may be counteracted by delivering the opposite chemical
(e.g., adhesive after oil) or by delivering a chemical that may
"clean up" the first chemical (e.g., alcohol to dissolve adhesive,
talc to absorb oil, etc.).
[0033] In an embodiment, the chemical 203 may have an odor that may
indirectly affect the interpretation of tactile sensations. For
example, a pleasant smell may lead to tactile sensations with a
positive effect on the user.
[0034] The chemical delivery device 170 may also include a positive
pressure device 204 that is constructed and arranged to deliver the
chemical 203 from the reservoir 202 through an opening 206 of a
wall 208 of the system 100 so that the chemical 203 can contact a
user of the system 100 and alter the user's sensitivity to the
haptic effects that are generated by the haptic output device 160.
In an embodiment, the positive pressure device 204 may include a
micropump and a microvalve that are configured to control the
release of the chemical 203 from the reservoir 202. In an
embodiment, the positive pressure device 204 may include a
pneumatic system that is constructed and arranged to push the
chemical out of the reservoir 202 and through the opening 206 when
the user of the system 100 firmly holds or squeezes a part of the
system 100 that includes the chemical delivery device 170. In an
embodiment, the chemical 203 may be released from the reservoir 202
by osmotic pressure through a membrane having one or more
pores.
[0035] In an embodiment, the chemical delivery device 170 may
include a mechanism or a device that may facilitate or inhibit the
release of the chemical 203. For example, a portion of the chemical
delivery device 170 may be slightly heated or cooled to affect the
release of the chemical 203. In an embodiment, the size of the
pore(s) of the membrane though which the chemical 203 is released
may be changed by heating the membrane or with another chemical,
for example, and the chemical 203 may be released through the
membrane if the pore size is changing. In an embodiment, a portion
of the housing may be electrically charged to affect the release of
the chemical 203.
[0036] Returning to FIG. 1, the processor 110 may be a
general-purpose or specific-purpose processor or microcontroller
for managing or controlling the operations and functions of the
system 100. For example, the processor 110 may be specifically
designed as an application-specific integrated circuit ("ASIC") to
control output signals to the haptic output device 160 to provide
haptic effects. The processor 110 may be configured to decide,
based on predefined factors, whether the chemical 203 is delivered
by the chemical delivery device 170 and/or what haptic effects are
to be generated by the haptic output device 160 based on a haptic
signal received or determined by the processor 110, the order in
which the haptic effects are generated, and the magnitude,
frequency, duration, and/or other parameters of the haptic effects.
The processor 110 may also be configured to provide streaming
commands that can be used to drive the haptic output device 160 for
providing a particular haptic effect. In some embodiments, the
processor 110 may actually be a plurality of processors, each
configured to perform certain functions within the system 100. The
processor 110 is described in further detail below.
[0037] The memory device 120 may include one or more internally
fixed storage units, removable storage units, and/or remotely
accessible storage units. The various storage units may include any
combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The storage
units may be configured to store any combination of information,
data, instructions, software code, etc. More particularly, the
storage units may include haptic effect profiles, instructions for
how the haptic output device 160 is to be driven, or other
information for generating haptic effects. The storage units may
include sensitivity profiles, instructions for how the chemical
delivery device 170 is to be operated, or other information for
delivering the chemical 203 to the user of the system 100.
[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the processor 110 in
more detail. The processor 110 may be configured to execute one or
more computer program modules. The one or more computer program
modules may include one or more of a sensor module 112, a
determination module 114, a chemical delivery control module 116, a
haptic output device control module 118, and/or other modules. The
processor 110 may also include electronic storage 119, which may be
the same as the memory device 120 or in addition to the memory
device 120. The processor 110 may be configured to execute the
modules 112, 114, 116, and/or 118 by software, hardware, firmware,
some combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware, and/or
other mechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on
processor 110.
[0039] It should be appreciated that although modules 112, 114,
116, and 118 are illustrated in FIG. 3 as being co-located within a
single processing unit, in embodiments in which the processor 110
includes multiple processing units, one or more of modules 112,
114, 116, and/or 118 may be located remotely from the other
modules. The description of the functionality provided by the
different modules 112, 114, 116, and/or 118 described below is for
illustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any
of the modules 112, 114, 116, and/or 118 may provide more or less
functionality than is described. For example, one or more of the
modules 112, 114, 116, and/or 118 may be eliminated, and some or
all of its functionality may be provided by other ones of the
modules 112, 114, 116, and/or 118. As another example, the
processor 110 may be configured to execute one or more additional
modules that may perform some or all of the functionality
attributed below to one of the modules 112, 114, 116, and/or
118.
[0040] The sensor module 112 is configured to receive an input
signal from the sensor associated with the touch screen device 150
that is generated when the sensor detects an input from a user of
the system 100. In embodiments in which there are multiple sensors,
the sensor module 112 is configured to receive and process input
signals from the multiple sensors. The sensor module 112 may be
configured to determine whether the sensed input is an intentional
input or merely an inadvertent touch to the touch screen device 150
by comparing the strength of the input signal to a predetermined
threshold strength that corresponds to an intentional input. In an
embodiment the system 100, one of the sensors 180 may be configured
to measure the moisture content, i.e. humidity, or pH of the user's
skin as the user touches a part of the system 100. The sensor
module 112 is also configured to send a signal to the determination
module 114 for further processing.
[0041] The determination module 114 is configured to determine what
was intended by the user when providing an input to the touch
screen device 150. For example, the user may touch a certain
location of the touch screen device 150 or provide a particular
gesture to the touch screen device 150 that indicates that a
certain function is to be performed by the system 100. The
determination module 114 may be programmed with a library of
predetermined gestures and touch locations on the touch screen
device 150 so that when the user touches a particular location on
the touch screen device 150 or provides a gesture to the touch
screen device 150, the determination module 114 may determine a
corresponding output. For example, in an embodiment in which the
system 100 is a smartphone, the user may draw a symbol on the touch
screen device 150 with his or her finger and the determination
module 114 may determine that the drawn symbol corresponds to a
particular command, such as unlocking the smartphone so that the
user may freely interact with the smartphone. In an embodiment, the
determination module 114 may be configured to receive a signal from
a remote device, such as a timer, that provides an input to
indicate that a haptic effect is to be generated, instead of or in
addition to the signal received from the sensor module 112. In
addition, the determination module 114 may also output a signal to
the haptic output device control module 118 so that a haptic effect
verifying the input has been detected and/or accepted may be
provided to the user.
[0042] The determination module 114 is also configured to determine
whether the humidity or pH of the user's skin that was measured by
the sensor 180 is at a level that may be indicative that the user
may have low tactile sensitivity and difficulty feeling the haptic
effects that are generated by the haptic output device 160. If the
determination module 114 determines that the tactile sensitivity is
likely to be below a predetermined threshold, the determination
module 114 may output a signal to the chemical delivery control
module 116.
[0043] The chemical delivery control module 116 is configured to
receive an output signal from the determination module 114 and send
a signal to the chemical delivery device 170 to initiate delivery
of the chemical 203, if the determination module 114 determines
that the chemical 203 should be delivered to the user. The chemical
delivery control module 116 may include a look-up table that
provides parameters for the chemical delivery device 170, such as
an amount (i.e. dose) of the chemical 203 to be delivered, and a
duration of time over which the chemical 203 is to be delivered to
the user.
[0044] The haptic output device control module 118 is configured to
receive an output signal from the determination module 114 and
determine the haptic effect to be generated by the haptic output
device 160, based on the signal generated by the determination
module 114. In an embodiment, the haptic output device control
module 118 may be configured to receive a signal from a remote
device, such as a timer, that provides an input to indicate that a
haptic effect is to be generated, instead of or in addition to the
signal received from the determination module 114. Determining the
haptic effect may include determining the type of haptic effect and
one or more parameters of the haptic effect, such as amplitude,
frequency, duration, etc., of the haptic effect. In an embodiment,
the touch screen device 150 includes a display surface, which may
be rigid and configured to modulate its friction properties
through, including but not limited to, electrostatic friction and
ultrasonic surface vibration generated by a haptic output device
160, to give the user a feeling of surface relief (e.g., hills and
valleys) when running a finger or stylus across the display that
corresponds to the display image. In an embodiment, the haptic
output device control module 118 may output a signal to the
chemical delivery device 170 when the chemical 203 in the chemical
delivery device 170 is to provide the haptic effect.
[0045] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an embodiment of the system 100
of FIG. 1 in the form of a handheld electronic device 400. The
electronic device 400 may be a smartphone, a tablet, a game
controller, etc. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the electronic device
400 includes a housing 410 that supports a touchscreen 420
configured to display an image 421. A sensor 422 overlays a display
of the touchscreen 420 and is configured to sense a touch input by
the user's finger F on the touchscreen 420. A haptic effect HE may
be generated in response to the touch input by a haptic output
device, as described above.
[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the housing 410 also supports a
sensor 412 that may cover the back and/or sides of the housing and
be configured to sense a condition of the user's skin when the user
holds the electronic device 400. In an embodiment, the sensor 412
is configured to sense the humidity of the user's skin. In an
embodiment, the sensor 412 is configured to sense a pH of the
user's skin. As also illustrated in FIG. 43, the housing 410
includes a plurality of openings 414. The openings 414 may be
constructed and arranged like the opening 206 illustrated in FIG.
2, and configured to deliver the chemical 203 to the user, if the
determination module 114 determines that the chemical 203 should be
delivered to the user to enhance the user's tactile sensitivity. In
an embodiment, the chemical 203 may be delivered through the
openings 414 to generate the haptic effect to the user.
[0047] Although a plurality of openings 414 are illustrated, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention, as few as one
opening may be provided at a location that is easy to be located by
the user. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4B, an
opening 416 with a locating feature 418 may be provided in one
corner of the housing 410 so that the user may easily locate the
opening 416 in order to receive a dose of the chemical 203 for
further interaction with the electronic device 400. The locating
feature 418 may, for example, be in the form of a recess or a bump.
In an embodiment, the chemical 203 delivered though the opening 416
or the plurality of openings 414 may be used to generate a haptic
effect, such as burning, cooling, itching, or tingling, as
discussed above.
[0048] In an embodiment, the housing 410 of the electronic device
400 may be configured to continuously deliver the chemical 203,
especially if the chemical enhances tactile sensitivity, if the
sensor 412 senses that the electronic device 400 is being held by
the user. In an embodiment, the housing 410 itself may, for
example, contain a material that reacts to the heat or humidity of
the skin and releases a small amount of the chemical 203, such as a
moisturizer, when held. In an embodiment, a bacteria may be used
for microactuation as its humidity level changes.
[0049] Implementations of embodiments of the invention may be
achieved in different types of electronic devices. For example, a
user who has rough skin may have difficulty feeling haptic effects
on his/her tablet due to the rough skin. In an embodiment, the
electronic device 400 may be in the form of a tablet and include a
special coating that includes the chemical 203 that improves a
user's sense of touch over time as the user holds the tablet. After
a few weeks of use, the user may already start to feel a difference
in the haptic feedback provided by the tablet.
[0050] In an embodiment, the electronic device 400 may be in the
form of a video game controller. As the user is playing a video
game on a console, the game controller may suddenly feel very cold
as the user's character falls into river. Later, the user's hands
may start to burn and tingle as the user's character walks through
fire. As the character is hurt and about to die, the user's hand
may become numb such that the user has more difficulty operating
the controller. The different cooling, burning, tingling and
numbing sensations may be generated with different chemicals 203
being delivered by the game controller to the user. In an
embodiment, the game controller may become slippery when a game
character slips in oil, or sticky when the game character walks
through a spiderweb.
[0051] In an embodiment, the system 100 may include a tablet and a
stylus that the user may use to draw. The haptic feedback provided
by the system may replicate the feel of holding a real brush and
helps the user draw more precisely. The stylus may include the
chemical delivery device and as the user holds the stylus, a small
amount of the chemical 203 may be delivered to the surface of the
stylus and contact the user's fingers so that a haptic effect that
is provided by the system via the tablet or the stylus may feel
much sharper and stronger.
[0052] In an embodiment, the electronic device 400 may be a
smartphone and the user may watch a movie on the smartphone. The
user may feel a variety of sensations, such as burning and tingling
that seem to match the action in the movie due to the delivery of a
suitable chemical 203 through the housing of the smartphone. When
such sensations are combined with vibrations generated by the
haptic output device 160, the overall effect may be quite realistic
and immersive. In an embodiment, the chemical 203 may have
properties that provide an embodiment of a smartphone that resists
being released by becoming sticky if the user forgets to press
"send" on a message, for example.
[0053] In an embodiment, the chemical 203 be delivered whenever the
hand is in contact with the electronic device 400 to increase
tactile sensitivity. In an embodiment, it may be beneficial to
control the release of the chemical 203 using the processor 110 of
the electronic device 400 to produce tactile sensations at specific
moments in a game, for example.
[0054] In an embodiments, the chemical 203 may be delivered through
separate devices that are used with the electronic device that
produces the haptic feedback, such as a stylus or the hand rests on
a laptop. In an embodiment; the chemical delivery device 170 may be
provided to the electronic device 400 in the form of a case or
other after-market accessory.
[0055] The embodiments described herein represent a number of
possible implementations and examples and are not intended to
necessarily limit the present disclosure to any specific
embodiments. Instead, various modifications can be made to these
embodiments as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art. Any such modifications are intended to be included within the
spirit and scope of the present disclosure and protected by the
following claims.
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