Position control of a user input element associated with a haptic output device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016175705-A1
Application number	US-201514979321-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 22, 2015
Priority date	Dec 23, 2014
Publication date	Jun 23, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods for rendering a haptic effect at a user input element associated with a haptic output device are provided. A primary range and a secondary range of positions are defined for the user input element associated with the haptic output device. In addition, a boundary range of positions is defined for the user input element associated with the haptic output device, the boundary range partially overlapping each of the primary and secondary ranges. A position of the user input element is monitored, and the haptic effect rendered in response to an entry of the user input element to positions within the boundary range.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A method for rendering a haptic effect at a user input element associated with a haptic output device, the method comprising:
defining a primary range and a secondary range of positions for the user input element associated with the haptic output device; defining a boundary range of positions for the user input element associated with the haptic output device, the boundary range partially overlapping each of the primary and secondary ranges; monitoring a position of the user input element; and rendering the haptic effect in response to an entry of the user input element to positions within the boundary range.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the user input element is a trigger element.

3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the haptic effect extends a minimum or a maximum range of the trigger element.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the position of the user input element is transmitted to a host device as one or more bytes including analog to digital converted data.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the haptic output device is disposed at a peripheral device comprising a controller or gamepad.

6 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising calculating a normalized position of the user input element.

7 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising rescaling the primary, secondary, and boundary ranges of positions.

8 . A device comprising:
a processor; and memory storing a program for execution by the processor, the program including instructions for: defining a primary range and a secondary range of positions for the user input element associated with the haptic output device; defining a boundary range of positions for the user input element associated with the haptic output device, the boundary range partially overlapping each of the primary and secondary ranges; monitoring a position of the user input element; and rendering the haptic effect in response to an entry of the user input element to positions within the boundary range.

9 . The device according to claim 8 , wherein the user input element is a trigger element.

10 . The device according to claim 9 , wherein the haptic effect extends a minimum or a maximum range of the trigger element.

11 . The device according to claim 8 , wherein the position of the user input element is transmitted to a host device as one or more bytes including analog to digital converted data.

12 . The device according to claim 8 , wherein the haptic output device is disposed at a peripheral device comprising a controller or gamepad.

13 . The device according to claim 8 , further comprising instructions for calculating a normalized position of the user input element.

14 . The device according to claim 8 , further comprising instructions for rescaling the primary, secondary, and boundary ranges of positions.

15 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program configured to be executed by a processor, the program comprising instructions for:
defining a primary range and a secondary range of positions for the user input element associated with the haptic output device; defining a boundary range of positions for the user input element associated with the haptic output device, the boundary range partially overlapping each of the primary and secondary ranges; monitoring a position of the user input element; and rendering the haptic effect in response to an entry of the user input element to positions within the boundary range.

16 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the user input element is a trigger element.

17 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the haptic effect extends a minimum or a maximum range of the trigger element.

18 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the position of the user input element is transmitted to a host device as one or more bytes including analog to digital converted data.

19 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the haptic output device is disposed at a peripheral device comprising a controller or gamepad.

20 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , further comprising instructions for calculating a normalized position of the user input element.

21 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , further comprising instructions for rescaling the primary, secondary, and boundary ranges of positions.

Assignees

• Immersion Corp

Inventors

• Venkatesan Srivatsav
• Shah Kaniyalal
• Billington Douglas George
• Rank Stephen
• Parker Daniel
• Kapelus Aaron

Classifications

• A63F13/285 Primary

  Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback · CPC title

• A63F13/218

  using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player · CPC title

• A63F13/42

  by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle · CPC title

• A63F13/23 Primary

  for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console · CPC title

• G06F3/016 Primary

  Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user · CPC title