821 results about "Tactile sensation" patented technology

Abstract of Disclosure Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback is provided by using an actuator or other means in communication with the input device or electronic device. A controller may be employed to receive signals from the input devices and control the actuator. Tactile feedback to an input device or electronic device may be provided in response to one or more events or situations. Such an event or situation may be any one designated. Examples of such events and situations include the level of pressure placed on an input device; the availability or lack of availability of a function associated with an input device; and the function, menu, or mode of operation associated with an input device s activation. A variety of feedback types and combinations may be selected.

An image capturing device may be combined with a touch screen to generate a tactile map of an environment. The image capturing device captures an image of the environment which is then processed and used to correlate a point of user contact on a touch screen to a particular tactile sensation. The touch screen may then generate an electric signal (i.e., tactile feedback) corresponding to the tactile sensation which is felt by a user contacting the touch screen. By using the electrical signal as tactile feedback (e.g., electrovibration), the user may determine relative spatial locations of the objects in the environment, the objects' physical characteristics, the distance from the objects to the image capturing device, and the like.

Provided is an input apparatus having a touch sensor to detect a contact operation to a slide bar displayed and to provide a tactile sensation of shift of the slide bar.An input apparatus 1 has a touch sensor 11 configured to detect a contact, a load detection unit 12 configured to detect a pressure load on a touch face of the touch sensor 11, a display unit 14 configured to display the slide bar, a tactile sensation providing unit 13 configured to vibrate the touch face, and a control unit 15 configured to control the tactile sensation providing unit 13 such that a tactile sensation is provided to an object pressing the touch face based on a position of a knob of the slide bar shifted in response to the contact detected by the touch sensor 11 while the pressure load detected by the load detection unit 12 satisfies a predetermined standard.

Method and apparatus for providing high strength, low frequency tactile sensations using an inertial actuator in a haptic feedback interface device, such as an actuator driving an oscillating inertial mass. A commanded low frequency is modulated or combined with a higher frequency at which the tactile sensations feel stronger, where the resulting signal is used to output a tactile sensation at the higher frequency and convey the commanded low frequency to the user. One embodiment provides higher frequency pulse bursts at the desired low frequency wherein the higher frequency pulse bursts are at or near a resonant frequency of the actuator; other embodiments modulate or otherwise vary the amplitude of the higher frequency signal according to the desired low frequency.

A biopsy guidance device is enclosed based on a tactile imaging probe adapted to accept a biopsy gun. The tactile imaging probe includes a pressure sensing surface providing real-time 2-D images of the underlying tissue structures allowing to detect a lesion. A cannula is provided supported at a center point by a ball and socket joint. The joint is equipped with linear and angular sensors and supports the cannula with the ability to rotate thereof about the center point. The position, linear and angular displacement and direction of the needle tip of a biopsy needle placed inside the cannula is therefore known at all times and provided as a feedback signal to a physician. Also provided to a physician is a position of the target site at a lesion, as well as a linear and angular deviation of the needle tip away from the target site. Such audio, light, or visual feedback allows the physician to correct the insertion angle and depth to confidently reach the target site to perform a biopsy. Method is also disclosed to guide the biopsy procedure.

A haptic feedback control device, such as a handheld remote control or handheld game controller, for controlling a graphical object within a graphical display and for outputting forces to a user. A housing includes a button, wherein the user engages the button with a finger. The button is depressible along a degree of freedom by the user. An actuator applies forces to the user through the button along the degree of freedom. A sensor detects displacement of the button along the degree of freedom when the button is depressed by the user. A process, local to the device, controls the actuator to generate the forces upon the button in the degree of freedom to provide a tactile sensation to the user contacting the button.

Multi-function transducers (130, 700) that are suitable for use in handheld devices such as cellular telephones (100, 900) and are capable of emitting audio, and generating accelerations of sufficient magnitude, and at frequencies that can be sensed by tactile sensation and which exhibit resonant modes that are characterized by center frequencies within a frequency range that can be sensed by tactile sensation, and specifically located between two musical notes on a musical scale are provided. Devices (100, 900) including such transducer are provided, and methods of operating such transducers are provided.

An apparatus that includes a conductive surface and an insulation surface disposed on the conductive surface. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to cause a signal to be coupled to the conductive surface such that a tactile sensation is perceived in a digit that slides on the insulation surface.

A rotational locking mechanism for securing a catheter to a surgical implant is disclosed. The locking mechanism includes a deflectable extension extending from the surgical implant about the catheter attached to the surgical implant. The shape of the deflectable extension defines a slot therein. A connector having at least one tab extending therefrom is placed about the catheter at the point of attachment to the surgical implant. Rotation of the tubular connector brings at least one tab of the connector into contact with the slot in the deflectable extension and deflects and releases at least a portion of the slot as the connector rotates from an unlocked position to a locked position within the slot. The rotation motion secures the catheter to the surgical implant, and produces a feedback detectable by a surgeon rotating the tubular connector.

A skin stimulation system (200) is integrated into a piece of clothing or any type of wearable accessory (101, 101′) which is connected to a controlling device (109). The system comprises a variety of sensing means (105a-c, 105′) for input information. Actuators (106a-p) placed on or close to body of a person wearing this piece of clothing or wearable accessory (101, 101′) are used for generating (S104′) visual, auditive, tactile, gustatoric and / or olfactoric stimuli (e.g. heat, pressure, vibrational and / or electric pulses, etc.). The invention further specifies a new method for transmitting tactile information between different wearable computing devices (100, 100′). According to one embodiment of the present invention, a number of different actuator elements (106a-p) which are used for generating vibro-tactile sensations are integrated into a piece of jewelry such as e.g. a necklace (304), a bracelet, rings (900b) with a single or variable number of beads (900a), gemstones, etc. These actuator elements (106a-p) are embedded in detachable casings (306a1-a4) which are pivotable about their suspension axes. Each of said beads, gemstones, etc. or at least some of them includes at least one integrated actuator element (106a-p). The invention further pertains to a method for tuning (S901) key parameters of said stimuli by pivoting said casing (306a1-a4) about at least one axis so as to bring said actuator means (106a-p) closer to or farther away from parts of a user's body wearing said piece of clothing or wearable accessory (101, 101′). Said key parameters are e.g. the intensity, duration and / or frequency of said stimuli.

An apparatus that includes a conductive surface and an insulation surface disposed on the conductive surface. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to cause a signal to be coupled to the conductive surface such that a tactile sensation is perceived in a digit that slides on the insulation surface.

A non-contact storage device includes a housing, an antenna coupled to the housing, electronic circuitry coupled to the antenna, control electronics adapted to generate a control signal when at least one predetermined event has occurred between the electronic circuitry and the card reader, and a tactile sensation generator coupled to the housing and connected to the electronic circuitry. The housing is adapted to be contacted by a user. The electronic circuitry includes a data memory and a transceiver for transferring data between the memory and a card reader via the antenna. The tactile sensation generator is configured to generate a tactile sensation corresponding to the control signal. Accordingly, the tactile sensation is adapted to be felt by a user via the housing to thereby inform the user of the occurrence of the at least one predetermined event.

An electronic device (10) according to the present invention is provided with a display unit (102) that displays an object with which a predetermined function is associated, a touch sensor (103), a tactile sensation providing unit (104) that provides a tactile sensation to a touch face of the touch sensor, and a control unit (106) that controls the tactile sensation providing unit (104) to provide a first tactile sensation when contact on a display surface of the object is detected and furthermore to execute the predetermined function associated with the object when data based on pressure of the contact satisfies a predetermined threshold, the electronic device thereby preventing an erroneous operation due to unintentional contact and allows for operation without confirmation of the screen display.

A training aid for teaching needle biopsy of the human breast. The inventive methods use breast models having lifelike properties providing accurate tactile sensation during palpation of the breast that enable a trainee to learn to locate modeled internal lesions and similar tissues in the breast. These same properties allow learning of tactile sensations indicating relative position and motion of biopsy needles during biopsy needling procedures. To facilitate tactile learning, the breast model includes an opaque skin that blocks the trainee view of a breast cavity containing modeled lesions, ensuring that needling procedures are performed based solely on "feel". The present invention also includes alternative training methods using a second breast model that is sufficiently transparent to allow viewing of modeled lesions from any relative position. The present invention includes training systems incorporating breast models and viewing stands and methods of training using these aids.

A mobile communication device may include logic configured to receive input on a touch sensitive surface of a device and activate an ultrasonic element to vibrate in response to the received input, where the vibration provides tactile feedback to a user indicating that the device has received the input.

A method of giving the user information on the operation of a portable device, and a portable device. In the method, an event that concerns the operation of the device and interests the user is detected by the control means of the device. If at least one silent alarm pattern producing a tactile sensation in the user is attached to the event, the user is given abstract information on the operation of the device by using at least one silent alarm pattern implemented with the alarm device and sensed by the user. Various alarm patterns differ from one another such that at least one alarm pattern characteristic sensed by the user varies. The characteristic can be the alarm pattern frequency, amplitude, changing rate of the amplitude, changing rate of the frequency or duration of the alarm pattern. One way to perform a silent alarm is vibration. The user interface is particularly intended for users with impaired hearing and / or vision.

Method and apparatus for increasing the transmissibility of inertial forces produced by an inertial actuator on the housing of a tactile feedback interface device. A tactile interface device, coupled to a host computer, outputs tactile sensations to a user based on interactions and events occurring in a displayed graphical environment. An actuator produces periodic inertial forces, such as vibrations, and a compliant suspension couples the actuator to the device housing. A compliance of the suspension is selected such that the suspension magnifies the periodic inertial forces for a particular frequency range of the inertial forces. The magnified inertial forces are transmitted to the housing to be felt by the user.

The present invention relates to a method for conveying an emotion to a person being exposed to multimedia information, such as a media clip, by way of tactile stimulation using a plurality of actuators arranged in a close vicinity of the person's body, the method comprising the step of providing tactile stimulation information for controlling the plurality of actuators, wherein the plurality of actuators are adapted to stimulate multiple body sites in a body region, the tactile stimulation information comprises a sequence of tactile stimulation patterns, wherein each tactile stimulation pattern controls the plurality of actuators in time and space to enable the tactile stimulation of the body region, and the tactile stimulation information is synchronized with the media clip. An advantage with the present invention is thus that emotions can be induced, or strengthened, at the right time (e.g. synchronized with a specific situation in the media clip).

A therapeutic prosthetic device for women or men configured to transmit tactile sensations through a stimulation material to the surface of a sex organ such as the vagina or penis. The therapeutic prosthetic device can include sensors and stimulators on the outer surface and inner surface and a controller. Sensors for detecting state, sensation or movement can be disposed within, on, or separate from the device and can transmit signals electrically or wirelessly to a microprocessor, which is programmed to generate stimulation sensations in response to signals from the sensors, stimulation materials, or controllers that are transmitted to the stimulation material. In one embodiment the therapeutic prosthetic device is a therapeutic condom.

A feedback control system and a method for controlling a tactile feedback are disclosed, wherein the feedback control system provides users with full precise control of infinite tactile feedback settings. The tactile feedback control system includes a user interface adapted to generate and transmit an information signal including data and information representing a user-provided input, wherein the user interface also generates a tactile sensation to the user, a controller adapted to receive the information signal, analyze the information signal, and generate and transmit a control signal for controlling a tactile feedback in response to the information signal, and a haptic system adapted to receive the control signal and generate the tactile feedback.

A haptic feedback interface device and actuator assembly providing inertial tactile sensations. An interface device includes a housing that is physically contacted by a user, a sensor device detecting said manipulation of the interface device by the user, and an actuator assembly of the present invention. The assembly includes an actuator operative to output a force and a mechanism coupling the actuator to the device housing. The mechanism allows the actuator to be moved and act as an inertial mass when in motion to provide an inertial force that is transmitted to the user. The mechanism includes at least two separated portions, each of the portions coupled to a different portion of the actuator. The mechanism is preferably a flexure having at least two flex joints.

An interface device providing haptic feedback to a user is in communication with a host computer. The device includes a housing, at least one sensor for detecting user input, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes a grounded flexure suspension coupled to an inertial mass which moves when the actuator assembly is energized to cause inertial sensations. The inertial mass includes a pole piece surrounding a magnet, and a grounded coil between magnet and pole piece causes the motion of the inertial mass when current is flowed therethrough. Another embodiment provides directional haptic feedback to a user and includes at least two actuator assemblies oriented such that the inertial masses oscillate substantially orthogonally, and can be controlled to output the inertial sensations approximately along a single axis having a desired orientation.

An intragastric catheter provides a method of inducing satiety due to its presence in the stomach cavity. Efficacy is improved by the tactile sensation provided by a plurality of fingers that extend from the device. Normal peristaltic action upon the device moves the fingers relative to the stomach. The structure of the intragastric catheter reduces the level of precision required in placement of the device, and blockage of conduits to and from the stomach by the device is unlikely.

A web browser displays historical information about hyperlinks shown on web pages. Initially, a computer receives user instructions to download an internet web page, and begins the download. The computer identifies any hyperlinks present in the web page, and for each hyperlink, analyzes the hyperlink with respect to any of the user's past visits to the hyperlinked address. Analysis is performed with the following steps. First, the computer determines whether the user has previously selected that hyperlink, such by “mouse clicking” on the hyperlink. If so, the computer consults a database to identify characteristics of the underlying data obtained from past visits (or attempts) to the hyperlinked address. These characteristics are input into a presentation table to derive various enhanced presentation attributes for the hyperlink. The presentation table maps between each possible data characteristic and a corresponding enhanced presentation attribute. Presentation attributes may relate to text, graphics images, videos, sound, tactile sensations, etc. Ultimately, the computer displays the downloaded web page, each hyperlink with its enhanced presentation attributes.

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.