U.S. patent application number 16/505104 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-12 for externally-activated haptic devices and systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to Immersion Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Immersion Corporation. Invention is credited to Benoit Belley, David M. Birnbaum, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Simon Forest, Vahid Khoshkava, Vincent Levesque, Jamal Saboune.
Application Number | 20200082678 16/505104 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57680157 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200082678 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Levesque; Vincent ; et
al. |
March 12, 2020 |
EXTERNALLY-ACTIVATED HAPTIC DEVICES AND SYSTEMS
Abstract
Examples of externally-activated devices and systems are
disclosed. One example system includes a first device having an
actuation component; and a second device having a haptic output
component, wherein: the first device and the second device are
configured to be physically separable from each other; the
actuation component is configured to transmit an actuation signal
to the haptic output component while the first device and the
second device are physically separated from each other, and the
haptic output component configured to output a haptic effect in
response to receiving the actuation signal and while the first
device and the second device are physically separated from each
other, the haptic effect based on the actuation signal.
Inventors: |
Levesque; Vincent;
(Montreal, CA) ; Birnbaum; David M.; (Oakland,
CA) ; Belley; Benoit; (San Jose, CA) ;
Saboune; Jamal; (Montreal, CA) ; Khoshkava;
Vahid; (Montreal, CA) ; Forest; Simon;
(Montreal, CA) ; Cruz-Hernandez; Juan Manuel;
(Montreal, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Immersion Corporation |
San Jose |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Immersion Corporation
San Jose
CA
|
Family ID: |
57680157 |
Appl. No.: |
16/505104 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15905231 |
Feb 26, 2018 |
10388119 |
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16505104 |
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|
14984434 |
Dec 30, 2015 |
9928696 |
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15905231 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07G 1/009 20130101;
H04W 4/80 20180201; G06K 7/10415 20130101; G06Q 20/352 20130101;
G06F 3/016 20130101; H04W 4/023 20130101; G07G 1/01 20130101; G06K
19/0723 20130101; G07F 7/0833 20130101; H04M 1/7253 20130101; H04M
2250/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G07G 1/01 20060101
G07G001/01; G06K 19/07 20060101 G06K019/07; G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10; H04W 4/80 20060101 H04W004/80; G07F 7/08 20060101
G07F007/08; G06Q 20/34 20060101 G06Q020/34; H04M 1/725 20060101
H04M001/725; G06F 3/01 20060101 G06F003/01 |
Claims
1. A haptic device comprising: a housing; an antenna; a haptic
output component coupled to the housing, the haptic output
component configured to be physically separable from an actuation
component; and a processor configured to execute
processor-executable instructions stored in a memory, the
processor-executable instructions configured to cause the processor
to determine a haptic effect based on wireless signals received
from an actuation device, the wireless signals comprising
electromagnetic actuation energy, and cause the haptic output
component to output the haptic effect using the electromagnetic
actuation energy.
2. The haptic device of claim 1, wherein the processor-executable
instructions configured to cause the processor to: determine a
state associated with the haptic device; and wherein the haptic
effect is based on the state of the haptic device.
3. The haptic device of claim 2, wherein the processor-executable
instructions configured to cause the processor to transmit an
indication of the state associated with the haptic device to the
actuation device.
4. The haptic device of claim 3, wherein the processor-executable
instructions configured to cause the processor to: receive further
wireless signals from the actuation device, the further wireless
signals indicating a second haptic effect, and cause the haptic
output component to output the second haptic effect using the
electromagnetic actuation energy.
5. The haptic device of claim 2, wherein the indication of the
state associated with the haptic device comprises identification
information associated with the haptic device.
6. The haptic device of claim 2, wherein the processor-executable
instructions configured to cause the processor to receive one or
more sensor signals indicating the state associated with the haptic
device.
7. The haptic device of claim 1, wherein the haptic device
comprises an RFID tag.
8. A method comprising: receiving, by a haptic device, wireless
signals from an actuation device, the wireless signals comprising
electromagnetic actuation energy, the haptic device physically
separate from the actuation device; determining a haptic effect
based on the wireless signals; and outputting the haptic effect
using the electromagnetic actuation energy.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining a state
associated with the haptic device; and wherein determining the
haptic effect is based on the state of the haptic device.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising transmitting an
indication of the state associated with the haptic device to the
actuation device.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving further
wireless signals from the actuation device, the further wireless
signals indicating a second haptic effect, and outputting the
second haptic effect using the electromagnetic actuation
energy.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the indication of the state
associated with the haptic device comprises identification
information associated with the haptic device.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein determining the state comprises
sensing the state associated with the haptic device.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the haptic device comprises an
RFID tag.
15. A method comprising: detecting, by an actuation device, a
haptic device within proximity of the actuation device, the haptic
device physically separate from the actuation device; and
wirelessly transmitting signals to the haptic device to cause the
haptic device to output a haptic effect, the signals comprising
actuation energy, the actuation energy usable by the haptic device
to output the haptic effect.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: detecting, by the
actuation device, the haptic device leaves the proximity of the
actuation device; and discontinue wirelessly transmitting the
actuation signal.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: receiving, by the
actuation device, information from the haptic device; determining a
second haptic effect based on the information; and wirelessly
transmitting, by the actuation device, second signals to cause the
haptic device to output the second haptic effect, the second
signals comprising second actuation energy, the second actuation
energy usable by the haptic device to output the second haptic
effect.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein determining the second haptic
effect comprises modifying the haptic effect.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the information comprises
product information or a sensed state associated with the haptic
device.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein the actuation energy comprises
electromagnetic energy.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/905,231, filed Feb. 26, 2018, entitled
"Externally-Activated Haptic Devices and Systems," which is a
continuation of "U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,434, filed
Dec. 30, 2015, entitled "Externally-Activated Haptic Devices and
Systems," both of which are hereby expressly incorporated by
reference in their entirety for all purposes.
FIELD
[0002] The present application generally relates to haptic devices
and more generally relates to externally-activated haptic devices
and systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many user devices, such as smartphones, include haptic
capabilities. For example, a conventional beeper may include an
eccentric-rotating mass powered by a battery that can generate
vibrational effects when activated. Other types of haptic actuators
may be incorporated as well. However, such actuators may be
somewhat bulky, and expensive, require a power source within the
device, and may require a computer processor to generate a suitable
signal for actuating the actuator to provide haptic feedback to a
user of the device.
SUMMARY
[0004] Various examples are described for externally-activated
haptic devices and systems. One example disclosed apparatus
includes a housing; and a haptic output component coupled to the
housing, the haptic output component configured to be physically
separable from an actuation component, and in response to receipt
of an actuation signal transmitted from the actuation component
while the haptic output component is physically separated from the
actuation component, output a haptic effect based on the actuation
signal.
[0005] One example system includes a first device comprising an
actuation component; and a second device comprising a haptic output
component, wherein: the first device and the second device
configured to be physically separable from each other; the
actuation component configured to transmit an actuation signal to
the haptic output component while the first device and the second
device are physically separated from each other, and the haptic
output component configured to output a haptic effect in response
to receiving the actuation signal and while the first device and
the second device are physically separated from each other, the
haptic effect based on the actuation signal.
[0006] These illustrative examples are mentioned not to limit or
define the scope of this disclosure, but rather to provide examples
to aid understanding thereof. Illustrative examples are discussed
in the Detailed Description, which provides further description.
Advantages offered by various examples may be further understood by
examining this specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more
certain examples and, together with the description of the example,
serve to explain the principles and implementations of the certain
examples.
[0008] FIGS. 1-5 show example externally-activated haptic devices
and systems according to this disclosure; and
[0009] FIGS. 6-7 show examples methods for externally-activated
haptic devices and systems.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Examples are described herein in the context of
externally-activated haptic devices and systems. Those of ordinary
skill in the art will realize that the following description is
illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting.
Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of examples
as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference
indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following
description to refer to the same or like items.
[0011] In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features
of the examples described herein are shown and described. It will,
of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such
actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions
must be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals,
such as compliance with application- and business-related
constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one
implementation to another and from one developer to another.
Illustrative Example of an Externally-Activated Haptic Device
[0012] In this example, a shopper in a store approaches a
point-of-sale (POS) device to purchase a number of items she has
selected while shopping. After the cashier has rung up the various
items, she takes a credit card from her wallet and taps her credit
card on a credit card reader that can wireless read financial
information from the credit card. When the shopper taps her credit
card, the credit card moves within proximity of a wireless card
reader within the card reader device, and the card reader device
detects the shopper's credit card and attempts to remotely obtain
certain information, such as the credit card number and expiration
date.
[0013] FIG. 1 shows an example of such system 100. The credit card
reader 110 includes a wireless card 112 reader that remotely
obtains financial information from the credit card 120. In this
example, the shopper's credit card also includes a small piece of
steel 122 embedded within the card, while the credit card reader
includes an electromagnet 114. When the credit card reader 110
detects the credit card 120 is within proximity of the wireless
card reader 112, the credit card reader 110 activates the
electromagnet 114, which attracts the piece of steel 122 and draws
the credit card 120 towards the reader, providing a haptic effect
to the shopper. Thus, the shopper is informed that the credit card
reader 110 has detected the credit card 120 and is attempting to
read the financial information. Once the financial information has
been read, the credit card reader 110 deactivates the electromagnet
114 and the shopper feels the credit card reader 110 "release" the
credit card 120. If the credit card reader 110 was unable to obtain
the financial information, the credit card reader 110 may instead
pulse the electromagnet 114 to induce a vibration in the credit
card 120 to indicate that the financial information could not be
obtained.
[0014] Such an example illustrates the external actuation of a
haptic output device within an object, thereby enabling haptic
feedback capability in ordinary objects without the expense or
impracticality of incorporating a power supply, haptic effect logic
and circuitry, and a haptic output device, such as an actuator.
This illustrative example is not intended to be in any way
limiting, but instead is intended to provide an introduction to the
subject matter of the present application. Other examples of
externally-activated haptic devices are described below.
[0015] Referring now to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 shows an example
externally-activated haptic device 220 and system 200. The example
system 200 of FIG. 2 includes an actuation device 210 and a haptic
device 220. The actuation device 210 includes an actuation
component 212, while the haptic device 220 includes a haptic output
device 222. As may be seen, the actuation device 210 is separate
from the haptic device 220. While the two may be brought into
contact, and in some examples are configured to releasably couple
to each other, the haptic device 220 is configured to be separable
from, or may be decoupled from, the actuation device 210. Despite
such a physical separation, the actuation component 212 is
configured to generate and output an actuation signal that is
configured to cause the haptic output device 222 to output a haptic
effect while the haptic output device 222 is physically separated
from the actuation device 210.
[0016] "Physically separated" refers to a lack of physical
connection between two things. For example, the haptic output
device 222 is physically separated from the actuation component 210
if the two are not in physical contact with each other. Physical
connection between the haptic output device 222 and the actuation
component 210 would include contact created by one or more
electrical wires coupling the two together. Thus, a housing of the
haptic device 220 may physically contact a housing of the actuation
device 210, but so long as the haptic output device 222 does not
receive an actuation signal as a result of a physical connection
with actuation component 212, the haptic output device 222 is
physically separated from the actuation component 212. However, for
example, if the haptic device 220 is in physical contact with the
actuation component 210, the haptic device 220 and the actuation
device 210 are not physically separated (though the haptic output
device 222 and actuation component 212 may still be physically
separated).
[0017] Different example actuation devices 210 may comprise one or
more actuation components 212 that may be configured to output a
signal for one or more types of haptic output devices 222. For
example, an actuation component 212 may comprise an electromagnet
that can be driven to output a constant or varying magnetic field.
Such an actuation component may induce an attractive force on a
haptic device 220 having a ferromagnetic material coupled to or
disposed within the haptic device 220. Other example actuation
components 212 include an air coil (or air core coil), an induction
coil, a thermal energy source such as a resistor, an electrostatic
generator, an ultrasound generator, an ultraviolet light source, or
a visible light source, including a laser light source. Suitable
corresponding haptic output devices 222 may comprise a permanent
magnet, a metal, a ferromagnetic material, a shape-memory alloy
(SMA), a bimetallic strip, a resonator tuned to vibrate in response
to one or more ultrasound frequencies, or a light-sensitive tape.
The following table provides some examples of actuation components
212 and corresponding haptic output devices 222:
TABLE-US-00001 Example Actuation Component Example Haptic Output
Device Air Coil, Voice Coil Permanent magnet, air coil + actuator
(e.g., eccentric rotating mass, piezo- electric actuator, linear
resonant actuator, etc.) Electromagnet Metal strip(s), metal
flake(s), metal plate(s), SMA Resistor SMA, bimetallic strip
Ultrasound generator SMA Ultraviolet or visible SMA light
[0018] The correspondences between example actuation components 212
and the example haptic output devices 222 shown in the table are
intended only as examples. Other combinations of actuation
components 212 and haptic output devices 222 may be used. Further,
multiple haptic output devices 222 may be used in conjunction with
a single actuation component 212 or multiple actuation components
212, or multiple actuation components 212 may be used in
conjunction with a single haptic output device 222 or multiple
haptic output devices 222. Further an actuation component 212 may
be employed to output different signals to provide different types
of haptic effects. For example, an air coil may be configured to
generate an attractive force on a permanent magnet haptic output
device or it may be configured to generate a thermal haptic effect
by inductively heating a metallic haptic output device.
[0019] In some examples, the actuation component 212 may be
configured to wirelessly transfer power to a haptic device to
provide power to a haptic output device, such as an actuator. For
example, the actuation component 212 may comprise an induction coil
and a current generator or power source configured to generate an
alternating electric current in the induction coil. The actuation
component 212 may thus provide an alternating electric field that
may be received by a power antenna within the haptic device 210 and
used to power the haptic output device 222. In some such examples,
a suitable haptic output device may comprise any component or
collection of components that is capable of outputting one or more
haptic effects. For example, a haptic output device can be one of
various types including, but not limited to, an eccentric
rotational mass (ERM) actuator, a linear resonant actuator (LRA), a
piezoelectric actuator, a voice coil actuator, an electro-active
polymer (EAP) actuator, a shape memory alloy, a pager, a DC motor,
an AC motor, a moving magnet actuator, a smartgel, an electrostatic
actuator, an electrotactile actuator, a deformable surface, an
electrostatic friction (ESF) device, an ultrasonic friction (USF)
device, or any other haptic output device or collection of
components that perform the functions of a haptic output device or
that are capable of outputting a haptic effect. Multiple haptic
output devices or different-sized haptic output devices may be used
to provide a range of vibrational frequencies, which may be
actuated individually or simultaneously. Various examples may
include a single or multiple haptic output devices and may have the
same type or a combination of different types of haptic output
devices.
[0020] In other embodiments, deformation of one or more components
can be used to produce a haptic effect. For example, one or more
haptic effects may be output to change the shape of a surface or a
coefficient of friction of a surface. In an example, one or more
haptic effects are produced by creating electrostatic forces and/or
ultrasonic forces that are used to change friction on a surface. In
other embodiments, an array of transparent deforming elements may
be used to produce a haptic effect, such as one or more areas
comprising a smartgel. Haptic output devices also broadly include
non-mechanical or non-vibratory devices such as those that use
electrostatic friction (ESF), ultrasonic surface 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 projected
haptic output such as a puff of air using an air jet, and so on. In
some examples comprising haptic output devices 140, 190 that are
capable of generating frictional or deformations, the haptic output
devices 140 or 190 may be overlaid on the touch-sensitive display
or otherwise coupled to the touch-sensitive display 120 such that
the frictional or deformation effects may be applied to a
touch-sensitive surface that is configured to be touched by a user.
In some embodiments, other portions of the system may provide such
forces, such as portions of the housing that may be contacted by
the user or in a separate touch-sensitive input device coupled to
the system. Co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/092,484,
filed Apr. 22, 2011, entitled "Systems and Methods for Providing
Haptic Effects," the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by
reference, describes ways that one or more haptic effects can be
produced and describes various haptic output devices.
[0021] Thus in some examples, it may be possible to eliminate a
power source from the haptic device, while still using any suitable
haptic output device, including actuators such as ERMs or
piezo-electric actuators, to provide haptic feedback. Such a
solution may involve increased complexity over some of the examples
discussed herein, but may still provide cost-effective haptic
capability without the need for a power source.
[0022] An actuation device 210 may be configured to selectively
generate and output a signal using an actuation component 212, such
as one of those discussed above. The signal may comprise an
electric field, an electromagnetic field, a varying electromagnetic
field, thermal radiation (e.g., infrared radiation), ultraviolet
light, or visible light. The signal may comprise a waveform having
any of a variety of characteristics, such as a magnitude and a
frequency. Further, the magnitude or the frequency may vary with
time. For example, a magnitude of a static electromagnetic field
may be held constant to apply a constant force to a haptic output
device 222, or the magnitude of the electromagnetic field may be
varied to vary the force on the haptic output device 222.
[0023] In some examples, the actuation device 210 may comprise a
processor, or may be in communication with a processor, configured
to output a signal to the actuation component 212 to cause the
actuation component 212 to output an actuation signal. In some
other examples, the actuation component 212 may continuously output
a signal while it is powered.
[0024] Suitable actuation devices 210 may be any of a number of
different types of objects. For example, as was discussed above
with respect to FIG. 1, an actuation device 210 may comprise a
credit card reader or other card reader. In some examples, an
actuation device 210 may comprise a portion of a shelving unit or a
scale. Other suitable actuation devices 210 may comprise a checkout
scanner, such as in a self-checkout lane in a grocery store or
other shopping location. For example, a shopper may use a
self-checkout lane rather than a typical cashier station. As the
shopper swipes items across a scanner to read a bar code, the
scanner may output an actuation signal using an actuation component
to trigger a haptic effect in the item the shopper is holding to
indicate that the item was scanned or to indicate a scanning error.
In such an example, the various items may include a small metal
plate or metal flakes that may be attracted to an electromagnet in
the scanner to provide a haptic effect to the item that may be felt
by the shopper. Such simple components may be easily added to many
items for little cost, while providing haptic capabilities in the
item.
[0025] Suitable haptic devices 220 may comprise various objects,
such as credit cards or other types of cards, bottles, cartons,
packages, books, magazines, newspapers, electronic devices, and
wearable devices.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 shows an example system 300
including an actuation device 310 and a haptic device 320. In this
example, the actuation device 310 includes an actuation component
312 configured to output an alternating electric field. The haptic
device 320 includes a haptic output device 322, but also includes a
power antenna 324 and an energy storage device 326. In this
example, the power antenna 324 is configured to receive the
alternating electric field and to provide power to the energy
storage device 326 or to the haptic output device 322. In some
examples, the energy storage device 326 may comprise a battery or a
capacitor, or both, or multiple of one or both.
[0027] A number of suitable haptic output devices 322 were
discussed above, but others may comprise actuators that may require
electrical power to generate a haptic effect. Such a haptic output
device 322 may be powered directly by the power antenna 324 or may
draw power from the energy storage device 326 to provide a haptic
effect. For example, the power antenna may charge the energy
storage device 326, and once the energy storage device 326 has
stored a threshold amount of energy, the energy may be released to
power the haptic output device 322. And while the example haptic
device 320 here includes an energy storage device 326, other
examples may not, but may instead directly power the haptic output
device 322 from the power antenna 324.
[0028] In some examples, the haptic output device 322 may comprise
an RFID tag, which may comprise the power antenna 324, and the
actuation device may comprise an RFID reader. An RFID reader may
emit radio energy to power the RFID tag, which may, in response,
provide information to the RFID reader. In one example, the radio
energy emitted by the RFID reader may be partially diverted to
power a haptic output device 326. For example, the haptic output
device 322 may output a haptic effect while the RFID reader is
reading information from the RFID tag, which may provide a tactile
indication that the RFID tag is being read. A person holding the
haptic device 320 may feel the haptic effect and maintain the
position of the RFID tag to allow the RFID tag reader to obtain all
of the needed information, or the haptic effect may indicate that
the information has been read, and that the person may move the
haptic device 320 away from the RFID reader.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 shows an example system 400
including an actuation device 410 and a haptic device 420. In this
example, the actuation device 410 includes an actuation component
412 configured to output an alternating electric field. The haptic
device 420 includes a haptic output device 422, a power antenna
424, an energy storage device 426, and a processor 428 having
instructions to provide one or more different haptic effects. Such
instructions may be stored within the processor itself or via
separate computer-readable media. As discussed above with respect
to the example system of FIG. 4, the power antenna 424 is
configured to receive the alternating electric field and to provide
power to the energy storage device 426 or to the haptic output
device 422. In addition, the power antenna 424 is configured to
provide power to the processor 428 to enable the processor 428 to
output a signal to the haptic output device 422 to cause the haptic
output device 422 to output a haptic effect.
[0030] For example, the processor 428 may comprise instructions
that describe a waveform of a signal to output to the haptic output
device 422. Upon being powered, the processor 428 may begin
transmitting a signal based on the waveform. In some examples, the
processor 428 may have instructions describing a plurality of
selectable haptic effects. A haptic effect may be selected by a
switch or may be based on an amount of power supplied to the
processor 428 by the power antenna 424. For example, a lower amount
of power may cause the processor 428 to select a low frequency, low
magnitude force, while a larger amount of power may cause the
processor 428 to select a high frequency, high magnitude haptic
effect to output. In some examples, the processor 428 may cycle
through available haptic effects by providing a first haptic effect
for a first period of time, followed by a second haptic effect for
a second period of time, and so on, until all haptic effects have
been played at which point the processor 428 may discontinue
outputting haptic effects or may restart at the first haptic
effect. A period of time may be determined using a simple component
such as a ripple counter or other counter, or may be determined by
the processor, or may correspond to a single iteration of each
available haptic effect.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows another example system 500 including an
actuation device 510 and a haptic device 520. Aspects of any of the
systems of FIGS. 1-4 may be incorporated into the example system
500 shown in FIG. 5, such as one or more actuation components,
haptic output devices, power antennas, energy storage devices, or
processors or computer-readable media.
[0032] The haptic device 520 shown in FIG. 5 includes a haptic
output device 522, a power antenna 524, an energy storage device
526, and a processor 528 having instructions to provide one or more
different haptic effects. Such instructions may be stored within
the processor itself or via separate computer-readable media. In
addition, the haptic device 520 also includes a plurality of
sensors 530. In this example, the haptic device 520 includes five
sensors, however other numbers of sensors may be suitable in other
examples. In this example, the sensors 530 are configured to sense
a level of a fluid held within the haptic device 520.
[0033] For example, if the haptic device 520 comprises a bottle of
eye drops, the sensors 530 are configured to measure a level of the
eye drops within the bottle. In this example, the sensors are
powered by the power antenna 524, though in some examples the
sensors 530 may be powered by the energy storage device 526. When
the bottle is brought within proximity of the actuation device 510,
the actuation device 510 emits an electric field that is received
by the power antenna 524 and provided, in part, to the sensors 530.
The sensors 530 in this example are configured such that each
sensor 530 completes a circuit if a fluid is in contact with the
respective sensor 530, thus providing an indication of the level of
the eye drops within the bottle. The sensors 530 are in
communication with the processor 528 and, based on the number of
sensors providing a signal (indicating fluid in contact with the
sensor), the processor 528 selects a haptic effect and outputs a
signal to the haptic output device 522 to cause the haptic output
device 522 to output the selected haptic effect. Thus, a user may
swipe the bottle over an actuation device, such as on a countertop
in the bathroom with an embedded actuation device 510, and receive
immediate feedback regarding how full the bottle is. Such haptic
information may provide more precise information about the level of
shampoo than the user's estimation of weight or by unscrewing the
top from the bottle to visually inspect the contents.
[0034] While the sensors 530 in this example provide an indication
of a level of fullness of a container, other types of sensors may
be employed. For example, temperature sensors, such as
thermocouples, may be employed to determine the temperature of a
liquid (e.g., coffee) within a container, such as a pitcher or
coffee mug without the need to incorporate a battery or other power
source within the container.
[0035] In some examples, the sensors 530 may instead be in
communication with an RFID tag and be configured to provide sensor
information to the RFID tag, which the actuation device 510 may
read and obtain some or all of the sensor information. For example,
the RFID tag may be configured to provide information about the
bottle of shampoo, and may comprise one or more configurable bits
that may be set based on signals received from the sensors 530. The
actuation device 510 may obtain the sensor information and modify
the actuation signal based on the received sensor information. For
example, the actuation device 510, as discussed above with respect
to the processor 528, may select one of multiple haptic effects
based on the received sensor data, such as based on a percentage
fullness of the bottle. In some examples, the actuation device 510
may change a magnitude or frequency of an actuation signal to
modify a haptic effect output by the haptic output device 520. In
some such examples, the haptic device 520 may not comprise a
processor or energy storage device. Instead, the haptic device 520
may include the power antenna 524 (such as an RFID tag), one or
more sensors 530, and the haptic output device 522, and the
actuation device may output a power signal, such as to read the
sensor information, and an actuation signal based on the sensor
information.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 shows an example method 600
for an externally-activated haptic device or system. Reference will
be made to the system 200 of FIG. 2, however, any suitable example
system according to this disclosure may be employed, such as (but
not limited to) the example systems 300-500 of FIGS. 3-5.
[0037] The method 600 begins at block 610 when the actuation device
210 detects a haptic device 220 within proximity of the actuation
device 210. In this example, the actuation device 210 comprises a
small metal detector configured to detect the presence of a metal
within the haptic device 220, such as a metal strip or metal flakes
of a haptic output device 222. In some examples, the actuation
device 210 may comprise an optical scanner and be configured to
detect a haptic device 220 by detecting the presence of a bar code
or QR code printed on the haptic device 220 or, the actuation
device 210 may comprise an RFID reader and may detect an RFID tag
disposed within the haptic device 220. In some examples, the
actuation device 210 may comprise a pressure sensor and may detect
a haptic device 220 contacting the actuation device 210. In further
examples, the actuation device 220 may comprise other suitable
proximity sensors, such as ultrasound or laser sensors, or an image
sensor, and may detect a proximity of a haptic device 220 based on
one or more sensor signals from a proximity sensor.
[0038] At block 620, the actuation device 210, in response to
detecting a haptic device 220 within proximity of the actuation
device 210, generates and outputs an actuation signal. For example,
as discussed above, the actuation device 210 comprises an actuation
component 212 that can output a signal. Suitable examples of
actuation components are discussed above, each of which may be
configured to generate and output an actuation signal. In some
examples, as discussed above, the actuation signal may comprise a
power signal or other signal configured to cause the haptic output
device 222 to output a haptic effect.
[0039] At block 630, the actuation device 210 detects that the
haptic device 220 leaves a proximity of the actuation device 210.
As discussed above with respect to block 610, the actuation device
210 may comprise one or more sensors and may be configured to
detect a proximity of a haptic device 220 based on one or more
sensor signals from one or more sensors. The actuation device 210
is also configured to detect when a haptic device 220 moves beyond
a threshold range, such as three inches. In other examples, the
actuation device 210 may detect the haptic device 220 leaving
proximity of the actuation device based on a lack of a sensor
signal indicating a haptic device 220 within proximity of the
actuation device 210.
[0040] At block 640, the actuation device 210, in response to
detecting the haptic device 210 leaving proximity of the actuation
device 210, discontinues generating and outputting the actuation
signal.
[0041] It should be noted that in some examples according to this
disclosure, detection of the haptic device is not required. For
example, the actuation device 210 may continuously output an
actuation signal while it is powered.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 shows an example method 700
for an externally-activated haptic device or system. Reference will
be made to the system 200 of FIG. 2, however, any suitable example
system according to this disclosure may be employed, such as (but
not limited to) the example systems 300-500 of FIGS. 3-5.
[0043] The method 700 begins at block 710 when the actuation device
210 detects a haptic device 220 within proximity of the actuation
device 210 as discussed above with respect to block 610 of FIG.
6.
[0044] At block 720, the actuation device 210, in response to
detecting a haptic device 220 within proximity of the actuation
device 210, generates and outputs a signal. For example, as
discussed above, the actuation device 210 comprises an actuation
component 212 that can output a signal. Suitable examples of
actuation components are discussed above, each of which may be
configured to generate and output an actuation signal. In one such
example, the actuation device 210 may be configured generate and
output RF radiation to obtain information from an RFID tag. In some
examples, the output signal may comprise an actuation signal
configured to cause the haptic output device 222 of the haptic
device 220 to output a haptic effect.
[0045] At block 730, the actuation device 210 obtains information
from the haptic device 220. In one example, the actuation device
210 comprises an RFID reader that may obtain information from an
RFID tag disposed within the haptic device 220. Such information
may comprise information statically encoded within the RFID tag, or
in some examples, the information may comprise information
dynamically modified within the RFID tag. For example, as discussed
above with respect to FIG. 5, the haptic device 520 may comprise
one or more sensors 530 in communication with the RFID tag. The
RFID tag may be configured to alter a value of one or more bits
based on signals received from the one or more sensors. The
actuation device 210 may then obtain the values of the altered bits
by obtaining information from the RFID tag. In some examples, the
actuation device 210 may obtain information from a code, such as a
bar code or QR code, printed on a surface of the haptic device
220.
[0046] At block 740, the actuation device 210 generates and outputs
a second signal based on the obtained information. For example, the
actuation device 210 may select a haptic effect, or modify a haptic
effect, based on information received form the device. For example,
the actuation device 210 may select a haptic effect based on
information obtained from one or more sensors of the haptic device
220. In one example, the actuation device 210 may obtain product
information from the haptic device 220, such as from a bar code or
RFID tag, and determine that the product is on sale. The actuation
device may then generate and output a second haptic effect, such as
a high magnitude pulsed vibration, to indicate that the product is
a sale item.
[0047] At block 750, the actuation device 210 detects that the
haptic device 220 leaves a proximity of the actuation device 210 as
discussed above with respect to block 630 of FIG. 6.
[0048] At block 760, the actuation device 210, in response to
detecting the haptic device 210 leaving proximity of the actuation
device 210, discontinues generating and outputting the second
actuation signal.
[0049] It should be noted that in some examples according to this
disclosure, detection of the haptic device is not required. For
example, the actuation device 210 may continuously output an
actuation signal while it is powered.
[0050] While some examples of methods and systems herein are
described in terms of software executing on various machines, the
methods and systems may also be implemented as
specifically-configured hardware, such as field-programmable gate
array (FPGA) specifically to execute the various methods. For
example, examples can be implemented in digital electronic
circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in a
combination thereof. In one example, a device may include a
processor or processors. The processor comprises a
computer-readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM)
coupled to the processor. The processor executes
computer-executable program instructions stored in memory, such as
executing one or more computer programs for editing an image. Such
processors may comprise a microprocessor, a digital signal
processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and state machines. Such
processors may further comprise programmable electronic devices
such as PLCs, programmable interrupt controllers (PICs),
programmable logic devices (PLDs), programmable read-only memories
(PROMs), electronically programmable read-only memories (EPROMs or
EEPROMs), or other similar devices.
[0051] Such processors may comprise, or may be in communication
with, media, for example computer-readable storage media, that may
store instructions that, when executed by the processor, can cause
the processor to perform the steps described herein as carried out,
or assisted, by a processor. Examples of computer-readable media
may include, but are not limited to, an electronic, optical,
magnetic, or other storage device capable of providing a processor,
such as the processor in a web server, with computer-readable
instructions. Other examples of media comprise, but are not limited
to, a floppy disk, CD-ROM, magnetic disk, memory chip, ROM, RAM,
ASIC, configured processor, all optical media, all magnetic tape or
other magnetic media, or any other medium from which a computer
processor can read. The processor, and the processing, described
may be in one or more structures, and may be dispersed through one
or more structures. The processor may comprise code for carrying
out one or more of the methods (or parts of methods) described
herein.
[0052] The foregoing description of some examples has been
presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and
is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the
precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications and adaptations
thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
[0053] Reference herein to an example or implementation means that
a particular feature, structure, operation, or other characteristic
described in connection with the example may be included in at
least one implementation of the disclosure. The disclosure is not
restricted to the particular examples or implementations described
as such. The appearance of the phrases "in one example," "in an
example," "in one implementation," or "in an implementation," or
variations of the same in various places in the specification does
not necessarily refer to the same example or implementation. Any
particular feature, structure, operation, or other characteristic
described in this specification in relation to one example or
implementation may be combined with other features, structures,
operations, or other characteristics described in respect of any
other example or implementation.
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