Semantic framework for variable haptic output

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10417879-B2
Application number	US-201514869829-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 29, 2015
Priority date	Sep 2, 2014
Publication date	Sep 17, 2019
Grant date	Sep 17, 2019

Abstract

Methods and apparatus organize a plurality of haptic output variations into a cohesive semantic framework that uses various information about the alert condition and trigger, application context, and other conditions to provide a system of haptic outputs that share characteristics between related events. In some embodiments, an event class or application class provides the basis for a corresponding haptic output. In some embodiments, whether an alert-salience setting is on provides the basis for adding an increased salience haptic output to the standard haptic output for the alert. In some embodiments, consistent haptics provide for branding of the associated application class, application, and/or context.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A processor-implemented method performed on a computing device that includes one or more input devices, the method comprising:
detecting a first alert condition on the computing device, the first alert condition associated with receiving a user input, wherein the user input is an input detected at an input device of the one or more input devices of the computing device;
responsive to detecting the first alert condition, and in accordance with the first alert condition being associated with receiving a user input at an input device of the computing device, providing a first haptic output on the computing device having a first amplitude and corresponding to the user input on the computing device;
after providing the first haptic output, detecting a second alert condition associated with automatically triggered notifications in a set of predetermined automatically triggered notifications at the computing device; and
responsive to detecting the second alert condition, and in accordance with the second alert condition being associated with receiving an automatically triggered notification in the set of predetermined automatically triggered notifications, providing a second haptic output on the computing device having a second amplitude and corresponding to the automatically triggered notifications in the set of predetermined automatically triggered notifications, wherein the second amplitude is greater than the first amplitude.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first haptic output is feedback provided in direct response to and as a consequence of the user input.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of predetermined automatically triggered notifications includes reminder notifications automatically generated by an application on the computing device, and automatically-initiated event notifications received by the application.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining whether an input-based modulation condition, corresponding to the user input, exists; and
responsive to determining that an input-based modulation condition exists, prior to providing the first haptic output, modifying the first haptic output.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting a respective alert condition;
determining that the respective alert condition resulted from a respective user input received on the computing device;
identifying a measure of user engagement with the computing device or an application on the computing device, wherein the measure of user engagement is associated with the detected user input; and
modulating a first signal intensity of the first haptic output based on the measure of user engagement.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting a respective alert condition;
determining that the respective alert condition resulted from receiving the user input on the computing device;
identifying a location of receiving the user input on the computing device; and
modulating a spatial haptic energy profile of the first haptic output, by providing greater than a specified proportion of haptic energy of the first haptic output within a specified radius threshold of the location of receiving the user input on the computing device.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting a respective alert condition;
determining that the respective alert condition resulted from receiving a user input on the computing device; and
modulating a spatial haptic energy profile of the first haptic output, by reducing an amplitude of haptic energy of the first haptic output such that it is perceptible at a location of the user input on the computing device.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the location of receiving the user input on the computing device, varies with time; and
the spatial haptic energy varies with time corresponding to the time-varying location of receiving the user input.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting a respective alert condition;
determining that the respective alert condition resulted from receiving a user input;
identifying time-varying morphological attributes of the user input; and
modifying, over time, morphological characteristics of the first haptic output to correspond to the time-varying morphological attributes of the user input.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein:
the time-varying morphological attributes include a time-dependent contact pressure profile between the user input and a touch-sensitive surface of the computing device; and
the modifying comprises modulating, with time, an energy profile of the first haptic output to correspond to the time-dependent contact pressure profile between the user input and the touch-sensitive surface of the computing device.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting a respective alert condition;
determining that the respective alert condition resulted from a sustained user input;
responsive to the determining, initiating the first haptic output at an initiation time of the sustained user input;
detecting termination of the sustained user input; and
terminating the first haptic output at a termination time of the sustained user input.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining whether an ambient condition-based modulation condition exists; and
responsive to determining that an ambient condition-based modulation condition exists, prior to providing the second haptic output, modifying the second haptic output.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting a respective alert condition associated with a respective application;
determining that the respective alert condition did not result from receiving user input at an input device of the one or more input devices of the computing device; and
responsive to determining that the respective alert condition did not result from receiving user input at an input device of the one or more input devices of the computing device:
determining whether one or more ambient conditions exist for the computing device as potential interference to haptic output at a time of occurrence of the respective alert condition;
in accordance with a determination that no ambient conditions exist for the computing device as potential interference to haptic output, providing the second haptic output based on a state of receptiveness of a user, and
in accordance with a determination that one or more ambient conditions exist for the computing device as potential interference to haptic output, delaying providing the second haptic output to the user.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting a respective alert condition associated with a respective application;
determining that the respective alert condition did not result from receiving user input at an input device of the one or more input devices of the computing device; and
responsive to determining that the respective alert condition did not result from receiving user input at an input device of the one or more input devices of the computing device:
determining whether one or more ambient conditions exist for the computing device as potential interference to haptic output at a time of occurrence of the respective alert condition,
in accordance with a determination that no ambient conditions exist for the computing device as potential interference to haptic output, providing a first variant of the second haptic output to a user, the first variant of the second haptic output having a first set of output characteristics, and
in accordance with a determination that one or more ambient conditions exist for

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Moussette Camille
• Butcher Gary I
• Verweij Hugo D
• Ive Jonathan

Classifications

• G06F40/30

  Semantic analysis · CPC title

• G06F3/0488 Primary

  using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures · CPC title

• G06F11/0763

  by bit configuration check, e.g. of formats or tags · CPC title

• G08B3/10

  using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission · CPC title

• H04M19/04

  the ringing-current being generated at the substations · CPC title