Systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation

{
  "publication_number": "US9959714B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation",
  "abstract": "Systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: an actuator; and a control-circuit in communication with the actuator, the control circuit configured to: receive a haptic signal including a first bit indicating a power state; and transmit a power signal based on the haptic signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate at an actuation state at a fixed power.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A system comprising: an actuator; and a control-circuit in communication with the actuator, the control circuit configured to: receive a 2-bit haptic signal comprising a first bit indicating a power state of the actuator and a second bit indicting an actuation state, wherein the power state includes an on state or an off state, and wherein the actuation state is a direction of acceleration; and transmit a power signal based on the haptic signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate in the actuation state.",
    "2. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to generate a haptic effect.",
    "3. The system of claim 2, wherein the haptic effect is a click.",
    "4. The system of claim 1, wherein the power signal is configured to cause the actuator to operate at a fixed power and wherein the fixed power is substantially the maximum power of the actuator.",
    "5. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuation state comprises a direction in which the actuator will apply torque.",
    "6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing configured to contain the control circuit and the actuator.",
    "7. The system of claim 6, wherein the housing comprises a mobile device housing.",
    "8. The system of claim 6, wherein the housing comprises a remote control housing.",
    "9. A method comprising: receiving a 2-bit haptic signal comprising a first bit indicating a power state, and a second bit indicting an actuation state, wherein the power state includes an on state or an off state, and wherein the actuation state is a direction of acceleration; and transmitting a power signal based on the haptic signal to an actuator, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate at the actuation state.",
    "10. The method of claim 9, wherein the actuator is configured to generate a haptic effect.",
    "11. The method of claim 10, wherein the haptic effect is a click.",
    "12. The method of claim 9, wherein the power signal is configured to cause the actuator to operate at a fixed power and wherein the fixed power is substantially the maximum power of the actuator.",
    "13. The method of claim 9, wherein the actuation state comprises a direction in which the actuator will apply torque.",
    "14. The method of claim 13, wherein changing the actuation state reverses polarity of the power signal.",
    "15. The method of claim 9, wherein the second bit comprises a periodic state.",
    "16. The method of claim 15, wherein the power signal comprises a periodic oscillating signal.",
    "17. The system of claim 5, wherein changing the actuation state reverses polarity of the power signal.",
    "18. The system of claim 1, wherein the second bit comprises a periodic state.",
    "19. The system of claim 18, wherein the power signal comprises a periodic oscillating signal.",
    "20. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises on or more of: example, a piezoelectric actuator, an electric motor, an electro-magnetic actuator, a voice coil, or a linear resonant actuator."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention generally relates to haptic feedback systems and more specifically to systems that implement a minimal approach for haptic feedback.\n\nThe use of haptic feedback in many different types of devices is becoming more common. Many devices implement a complex and therefore expensive form of haptic feedback. Less expensive devices could benefit from haptic feedback; thus, there is a need for systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation.\n\nEmbodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation. For example, in one embodiment a system for minimal haptic implementation comprises: an actuator; and a control-circuit in communication with the actuator, the control circuit configured to: receive a 2-bit signal comprising a first bit indicating a power state and a second bit indicating an actuation state; and transmit a power signal based on the two bit signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate at the actuation state at a fixed power.\n\nThis illustrative embodiment is mentioned not to limit or define the invention, but to provide an example to aid understanding thereof. Illustrative embodiments are discussed in the Detailed Description along with a further description of the invention. Advantages offered by various embodiments of this invention may be further understood by examining this Specification.\n\nThe features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are better understood when the following Detailed Description is read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:",
  "cpc": [
    "G08B 6/00",
    "B25J 9/1689",
    "G05B 2219/40619"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B25J 9/16",
    "G05B 23/02",
    "G08B 6/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Immersion Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Erin B. Ramsay",
    "Henrique D. da Costa",
    "Neil Olien",
    "Robert A. Lacroix"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-06-06",
  "publication_date": "2018-05-01",
  "grant_date": "2018-05-01",
  "priority_date": "2009-11-10",
  "application_number": "US-201615174942-A",
  "family_id": "43973736",
  "cited_by_count": 1,
  "citations": [
    "US6001014A",
    "US7307619B2",
    "US20110248817A1",
    "US20090096632A1",
    "US8117364B2",
    "US20090238544A1",
    "US20100177050A1"
  ]
}