97 results about "Haptic control" patented technology

Disclosed are what I call “Reconfigurable Tactile Control Displays” particularly suited for applications such as automobile instrument panels where large displays and controls are desirable to provide a wide range of information, with minimal driver distraction and the safe input of data to vehicle subsystems or for communication based activities. Preferred embodiments utilize rear projection displays with electro-optically sensed controls and offer, at low cost, a maximum of reconfigurability to different car lines, drivers, and tasks. Also disclosed are novel implementations for military vehicles, and other applications such as control of appliances, heating and other household functions which may share common control and display presentation with those used in the vehicle.

The present invention provides a method of human-computer interfacing that provides haptic feedback to control interface interactions such as scrolling or zooming within an application. Haptic feedback in the present method allows the user more intuitive control of the interface interactions, and allows the user's visual focus to remain on the application. The method comprises providing a control domain within which the user can control interactions. For example, a haptic boundary can be provided corresponding to scrollable or scalable portions of the application domain. The user can position a cursor near such a boundary, feeling its presence haptically (reducing the requirement for visual attention for control of scrolling of the display). The user can then apply force relative to the boundary, causing the interface to scroll the domain. The rate of scrolling can be related to the magnitude of applied force, providing the user with additional intuitive, non-visual control of scrolling.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for a Robust CMM Arm with Exoskeleton is provided comprising an Internal CMM Arm and an Exoskeleton driving the Internal CMM Arm through a plurality of transmission means such that one or more internal volumes are sealed against ingress of solid objects and fluids. It also relates to a haptic control of an RCA.

A tactile user interface device that allows a user to manipulate the graphical elements of a graphical user interface and provides tactile feedback to the user. The interface device comprises a substrate and a plurality of tactile elements. Each tactile element of the tactile user interface device comprises a means for sensing pressure from a user's finger to determine if the user has depressed the tactile element and a means for conveying tactile feedback information to the user. Tactile feedback information may be elevations, vibrations, textures, and temperatures.

A haptic keyboard apparatus includes a membrane resistor keyboard device and a haptic device. The membrane resistor keyboard device includes a plurality of key switches, each of the key switches being responsive to touch by a user. The haptic device is coupled to the membrane resistor keyboard device. The haptic device includes a plurality of haptic cells, each of which is disposed under a corresponding key switch. Each of the haptic cells is configured to provide haptic feedback in response to the touch by the user. In a specific embodiment, the haptic keyboard apparatus also includes a processor and a haptic controller that provide control signals to the haptic device. In an embodiment, the control signals include programmable voltages and frequencies, causing the haptic cells to effect vibrational patterns in response to the control signals and provide haptic feedback to the user.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for a Robust CMM Arm with Exoskeleton is provided comprising an Internal CMM Arm and an Exoskeleton driving the Internal CMM Arm through a plurality of transmission means such that one or more internal volumes are sealed against ingress of solid objects and fluids. It also relates to a haptic control of an RCA.

Systems and method are disclosed for multimedia capture and encrypting using an ephemeral messaging and multimedia application associated with a digital device for secured payment by selecting as a first user input a haptic control for a particular type of multimedia content to be captured; interacting as a second user input with a touch display of the digital device by touching a touch display and holding a touch contact of a user finger or stylus for a predetermined time; capturing multimedia content based on the contact and sending a command to a sensor, of the digital device to capture video and starting a timer to determine a duration of the touch contact of the user with the touch display; and making a secured payment with the digital device.

The present invention is a television that executes a process for transitioning between multiple power modes. Both the transition events and the power states may be factory-defined, or they may be user-configurable. The TV may have two sleep modes. In a quick-start mode, the screen is powered down but the operating system is spun-up, and possibly other major functional subsystems are user-enabled. In an energy-saving mode, fewer subsystems than quick-start mode, and possibly only components required to recognize a tactile control requesting a return to a power-on mode, may be enabled. Quick-start is less efficient than energy-saving mode, but results in much faster return to power-in mode. In some embodiments, power modes and transition events between them power modes may be automated, and either user defined or factory defined.

Control mechanisms and methods of use include the use of active materials as a blocking element. The control mechanisms generally include a tactile control in operative communication with an electrical circuit, wherein actuation of the tactile control closes the electrical circuit to activate a function. The blocking element includes an active material that is intermediate to the electrical circuit and the tactile control. The active material is adapted to change at least one attribute such as a modulus property in response to an activation signal. The change in the at least one attribute selectively changes a force level for actuating the tactile control.

The invention relates to a push-button (5) having a housing (10), with which there are associated at least a first actuation member (6) which triggers a haptic control signal and one or more permanent magnet(s) (3) which can be guided past at least a second actuation member (2) which triggers a switching operation.There is associated with the first actuation member (6), which triggers a haptic response, a control element having a first progressive or degressive control face portion (6.1) and at least a second adjoining control face portion (6.2) which behaves in an inverse manner and along which the actuation member is guided.

System (100) and methods (500) for remotely controlling a slave device (102). The methods involve: using a Hybrid Hand Controller (“HHC”) as a full haptic controller to control the slave device when the HHC (406) is coupled to a docking station (460); detecting when the HHC is or is being physically de-coupled from the docking station; automatically and seamlessly transitioning an operational mode of at least the HHC from a full haptic control mode to a gestural control mode, in response to a detection that the HHC is or is being de-coupled from the docking station; and using at least the HHC as a portable gestural controller to control the slave device when the HHC is de-coupled from the docking station.

A haptic control system and a method for controlling a tactile feedback, wherein the haptic control system and the method control the tactile feedback in response to a vehicle condition, are disclosed. The haptic control system for a vehicle includes a vehicle information system adapted to generate and transmit a vehicle information signal including data and information representing a vehicle condition and a controller adapted to receive the vehicle information signal, analyze the vehicle information signal, and generate and transmit a control signal for controlling a tactile feedback in response to the vehicle information signal.

A system and method are disclosed for a morphable pad and display configured for tactile control. The system comprises a display for displaying a user interface comprising a layout of vehicle control features. The display is configured to highlight a portion of the layout associated with a received highlight input, and to update the layout based on a received selection input. A morphable pad is connected to the display and comprises an array of switches. Each switch is configured to receive high-light input and selection input. The switches are also configured to adjust in tactile feel to match the layout, and to reconfigure in tactile feel responsive to a change in the layout.

A haptic interface system is presented including manipulating a haptic controller having an accelerometer; programming a video system processor for responding to moving the accelerometer of the haptic controller; and activating a haptic response device by the video system processor for updating the haptic controller including heating, cooling, illuminating, or a combination thereof.

One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a touch-sensitive surface (116, Fig. 1 ), which includes: a first surface 202; and a second surface 206 adjacent to the first surface, wherein the second surface is or can be arranged to be non-coplanar with the first surface. The illustrative system also includes a haptic output device (118, Fig. 1 ) configured to receive a haptic signal and output a haptic effect. Further, the illustrative system includes a processor (102, Fig. 1 ) coupled to the haptic output device and the touch-sensitive surface, the processor configured to: determine an event; determine the haptic effect based at least in part on the event; determine the haptic signal based at least in part on the haptic effect; and transmit the haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to the haptic output device.

An IOL injector cartridge, comprising an upper wall, a lower wall, the upper wall and the lower wall combining to define a lumen that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, a slot extending through the entire thickness of the upper wall and extending from the proximal end and having a slot distal end formed by the upper wall, an edge of the upper wall that, at least partially defines the slot, having a convex curvature, the curvature occurring along the thickness of the edge.

A system for providing information to a vehicle occupant includes a haptic control element which is provided in the vehicle and is configured to generate a haptic signal. An electronic control unit is operatively connected to the haptic control element and activates the haptic control element in order to indicate with a haptic signal that information is available for retrieval.

There is disclosed a process for motor learning, for teaching motion, or for rehabilitation of a student, the student having a motor sensory system. Plural transducers may be coupled around at least one joint of a student, the transducers for providing kinesthetic sensations to the student through its motor sensory system. Tactile control signals may be provided to control operation of the transducers to guide motions of the student.

Provided is a content system with an auxiliary touch controller. Described is the controller that is used for comprising a content presentation and interaction system of a main content presentation device. The controller comprises a touch control input end and a touch screen control input end. The touch control input end responds to input of a first user and is coupled to the content presentation device in a communication manner. The controller also comprises a plurality of touch input mechanisms and provides a first integration of a plurality of control input of control contents. The touch screen control input end responds to input of the first user and is coupled to the content presentation device in a communication manner. A second controller is positioned near the first controller and provides a second integration of a plurality of control input. The second integration of the control input includes at least some of substituation input used for the control input, and additional input which cannot be obtained by the touch input mechanisms.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a haptic engine dynamically configures a haptic controller to provide information regarding the state of an interactive system via sensations of texture. In operation, as the state of the interactive system changes, the haptic engine dynamically updates a haptic state that includes texture characteristics, such as texture patterns, that are designed to reflect the state of the interactive system in an intuitive fashion. The haptic engine then generates signals that configure touch surfaces included in the haptic controller to convey these texture characteristics. Advantageously, providing information regarding the correct state and / or operation of the interactive system based on sensations of texture reduces distractions attributable to many conventional audio and / or visual interactive systems. Notably, in-vehicle infotainment systems that provide dynamically updated texture data increase driving safety compared to conventional in-vehicle infotainment systems that often induce drivers to take their eyes off the road.

Devices and methods for providing localized haptic effects are provided. The devices include a haptically enabled display device having one or more haptic actuators. The one or more haptic actuators are located in a non-viewing area of a display screen of a haptically enabled display device and cause localized haptic effects in a viewing area of the display screen. The haptically enabled display device includes a processor configured to determine haptic control signals for activating the haptic actuators. The haptic control signal activates the one or more haptic actuators to provide a localized haptic effect at a target location in the viewing area, remote from the non-viewing area location of the one or more haptic actuators.

System (100) and methods (500) for remotely controlling a slave device (102). The methods involve: using a Hybrid Hand Controller (“HHC”) as a full haptic controller to control the slave device when the HHC (406) is coupled to a docking station (460); detecting when the HHC is or is being physically de-coupled from the docking station; automatically and seamlessly transitioning an operational mode of at least the HHC from a full haptic control mode to a gestural control mode, in response to a detection that the HHC is or is being de-coupled from the docking station; and using at least the HHC as a portable gestural controller to control the slave device when the HHC is de-coupled from the docking station.

A tactile sense control apparatus includes a specifying unit that specifies a type of a tactile sense to be given to a user while a touch-input is being performed on an input surface, a tactile sense generation unit that generates a tactile sense to be given to the user via the input surface, and a control unit that controls the tactile sense generation unit to execute a first control for generating a first tactile sense when the specifying unit specifies a first type, execute a second control for generating a second tactile sense when the specifying unit specifies a second type, and stop the first control when the specifying unit changes the first type to the second type, execute a third control different from the first control and the second control, and then execute the second control.

The IORT system includes a moveable cart, a robot arm assembly coupled to the cart, at least one applicator fixed relative to a patient, a treatment head coupled to the robot arm assembly for selective alignment with the applicator in a soft-docking procedure, and a haptic control assembly on the treatment head. A plurality of arm members is pivotally coupled to each other to provide at least five axes of movement for increased positioning flexibility and the enhanced flexibility increases the reach of the treatment head for accurate alignment. The alignment follows a two-stage process with a coarse alignment performed by the haptic control assembly to position a sensor array on the treatment head within detection range of an endcap on the applicator. Final alignment is autonomous employing range data from the sensor array to accurately position the treatment head with respect to the applicator.

The invention relates to a push-button (5) having a housing (10), with which there are associated at least a first actuation member (6) which triggers a haptic control signal and one or more permanent magnet(s) (3) which can be guided past at least a second actuation member (2) which triggers a switching operation, and there is associated with the first actuation member (6), which triggers a haptic response, a control element having a first progressive or degressive control face portion (6.1) and at least a second adjoining control face portion (6.2) which behaves in an inverse manner and along which the actuation member is guided.

A system and method are disclosed for a morphable pad and display configured for tactile control. The system comprises a display for displaying a user interface comprising a layout of vehicle control features. The display is configured to highlight a portion of the layout associated with a received highlight input, and to update the layout based on a received selection input. A morphable pad is connected to the display and comprises an array of switches. Each switch is configured to receive highlight input and selection input. The switches are also configured to adjust in tactile feel to match the layout, and to reconfigure in tactile feel responsive to a change in the layout.

The present invention provides remote interfacing utilizing haptic technology. In a first aspect there is provided a haptic grasping interface comprising a plurality of finger interaction points, with actuators connected at one end to an actuator control mechanism. The mechanism is mounted remotely from the grasping interface, inverse to the finger interaction points, for manipulation of these points. The grasping points comprise pulleys which route the actuators through a cable tension and transmission system. A second aspect provides haptic augmentation to an operator, which indicates to the operator the state of a control input to a controlled device. A third aspect provides a means of simulating motion where haptic feedback is provided to a user in correspondence with the movement of the user within a pod environment.