Haptic Effect Generation System

Number: 20180165925
Published: 2018-06-14
Filed: 2016-12-13
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC.
Inventors: Israr; Ali; Fritz; Adam A.; Schwemler; Zachary T.; Zhao; Siyan
CPC: G06F3/016; G08B6/00
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Haptic effect generation system.

Abstract

A haptic effect generation system includes a computing platform including a hardware processor, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and a memory storing a haptic software code, as well as a haptic transformer coupled to the computing platform. The haptic transformer receives an input signal, and transforms the input signal to a first audio signal corresponding to the input signal. The ADC converts the first audio signal to a first audio data. The hardware processor executes the haptic software code to receive the first audio data from the ADC, and to generate a second audio data using the first audio data, the second audio data corresponding to a desired haptic effect. The DAC converts the second audio data to a second audio signal. The haptic transformer then transforms the second audio signal to a haptic actuator signal for producing the desired haptic effect.

Background

BACKGROUND

Modern electronic devices are increasingly being designed to engage users via multiple sensory modes. For example, personal communication devices may utilize a combination of visual, auditory, and haptic modes to interact with a user. With respect to the visual and auditory effects produced by modern electronic devices, the conventional art includes a wide variety of tools, application programming interfaces (APIs), and editing software for working with audio-visual content. In addition, there presently exists considerable expertise in producing audio-visual experiences providing educational, therapeutic, social, and entertainment focused interactions. However, the conventional art lacks a comparable richness in hardware technologies, software tools, and technical expertise for the development of haptic based interactions.SUMMARY

There are provided haptic effect generation systems and methods, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, and as set forth more completely in the claims.

Claims

1. A haptic effect generation system comprising: a computing platform including a hardware processor, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and a memory storing a haptic software code; and a haptic transformer coupled to the computing platform, the haptic transformer configured to receive an input signal, and to transform the input signal to a first audio signal corresponding to the input signal; the ADC configured to convert the first audio signal to a first audio data; the hardware processor configured to execute the haptic software code to: receive the first audio data from the ADC; and generate a second audio data using the first audio data, wherein the second audio data corresponds to a desired haptic effect; the DAC configured to convert the second audio data to a second audio signal; and the haptic transformer further configured to transform the second audio signal to a haptic actuator signal for producing the desired haptic effect. 13. A method for use by a haptic effect generation system including a haptic transformer coupled to a computing platform having a hardware processor, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and a memory storing a haptic software code, the method comprising: receiving, by the haptic transformer, an input signal; transforming, by the haptic transformer, the input signal to a first audio signal corresponding to the input signal; converting, by the ADC, the first audio signal to a first audio data; receiving, by the hardware processor executing the haptic software code, the first audio data from the ADC; generating, by the hardware processor executing the haptic software code, a second audio data using the first audio data, the second audio data corresponding to a desired haptic effect; converting, by the DAC, the second audio data to a second audio signal; and transforming, by the haptic transformer, the second audio signal to a haptic actuator signal for producing the desired haptic effect.