Techniques for dynamically changing tactile surfaces of a haptic controller to convey interactive system information

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016187979-A1
Application number	US-201514747444-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 23, 2015
Priority date	Dec 31, 2014
Publication date	Jun 30, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention, a haptic engine dynamically configures a haptic controller to provide information regarding the state of an interactive system via sensations of texture. In operation, as the state of the interactive system changes, the haptic engine dynamically updates a haptic state that includes texture characteristics, such as texture patterns, that are designed to reflect the state of the interactive system in an intuitive fashion. The haptic engine then generates signals that configure touch surfaces included in the haptic controller to convey these texture characteristics. Advantageously, providing information regarding the correct state and/or operation of the interactive system based on sensations of texture reduces distractions attributable to many conventional audio and/or visual interactive systems. Notably, in-vehicle infotainment systems that provide dynamically updated texture data increase driving safety compared to conventional in-vehicle infotainment systems that often induce drivers to take their eyes off the road.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A computer-implemented method for conveying information related to one or more states associated with an interactive system, the method comprising:
determining a first texture characteristic based on a first state associated with the interactive system; transmitting a first haptic control signal to a haptic controller that causes the haptic controller to configure a first surface to provide a first tactile sensation corresponding to the first texture characteristic; determining a second texture characteristic based on a second state associated with the interactive system; and transmitting a second haptic control signal to the haptic controller that causes the haptic controller to configure the first surface to provide a second tactile sensation corresponding to the second texture characteristic.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first state includes at least one of a system mode, a hierarchical level, and an available action.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the first state includes an available action, determining the first texture characteristic comprises determining an available gesture based on the available action, and transmitting the first haptic control signal to the haptic controller further causes the haptic controller to configure the first surface to receive input via the available gesture.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first texture characteristic comprises a shape, density, or pattern.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting a tactile input via the first surface and generating the second state based on the tactile input.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting a tactile input via a second surface and generating the second state based on the tactile input.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a third texture characteristic based on the second state; and transmitting a third haptic control signal to the haptic controller that causes the haptic controller to configure a second surface to provide a third tactile sensation corresponding to the third texture characteristic.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining a visual signal based on the second state and transmitting the visual signal to a display device.

9 . A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to convey information related to one or more states associated with an interactive system by performing the steps of:
determining a first texture characteristic based on a first state associated with the interactive system; transmitting a first haptic control signal to a haptic controller that causes the haptic controller to configure a first surface to provide a first tactile sensation corresponding to the first texture characteristic; detecting a transition from a first state to a second state associated with the interactive system; determining a second texture characteristic based on the second state; and transmitting a second haptic control signal to the haptic controller that causes the haptic controller to configure the first surface to provide a second tactile sensation corresponding to the second texture characteristic.

10 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the first state includes at least one of a system mode, a hierarchical level, and an available action.

11 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 10 , wherein the first state includes a rotary action and the first texture characteristic comprises a circular pattern.

12 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the first texture characteristic comprises a shape, density, or pattern.

13 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , further comprising detecting a tactile input via the first surface and generating the second state based on the tactile input.

14 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , further comprising detecting a tactile input via a second surface and generating the second state based on the tactile input.

15 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the first texture characteristic comprises a surface roughness, the first surface includes a dynamically configurable cord, and configuring the first surface comprises setting a length of the dynamically configurable cord based on the surface roughness.

16 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the first texture characteristic comprises a direction, the first surface includes a magnetic filament hair, and configuring the first surface comprises setting a parameter associated with an electromagnetic device based on the direction.

17 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , further comprising:
determining a third texture characteristic based on the second state; and transmitting a third haptic control signal to the haptic controller that causes the haptic controller to configure a second surface to provide a third tactile sensation corresponding to the third texture characteristic.

18 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , further comprising determining a visual signal based on the second state and transmitting the visual signal to a display device.

19 . A subsystem for conveying information related to one or more states associated with an interactive system, the subsystem comprising:
a memory that includes a haptic engine; and a processor coupled to the memory and, upon executing the haptic engine, is configured to:
determine a first texture characteristic based on a first state associated with the interactive system,
transmit a first haptic control signal to a haptic controller that causes the haptic controller to configure a first surface to provide a first tactile sensation corresponding to the first texture characteristic,
determine a second texture characteristic based on a second state associated with the interactive system, and
transmit a second haptic control signal to the haptic controller that causes the haptic controller to configure the first surface to provide a second tactile sensation corresponding to the second texture characteristic.

20 . The subsystem of claim 19 , wherein the first state includes at least one of a system mode, a hierarchical level, and an available action and the first texture characteristic comprises a shape, density, or pattern.

Assignees

• Harman Int Ind

Inventors

• Nahman Jaime Elliot
• Marti Stefan
• Di Censo Davide
• Spasojevic Mirjana

Classifications

• G06F2203/04809

  Textured surface identifying touch areas, e.g. overlay structure for a virtual keyboard · CPC title

• G06F3/0416

  Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers · CPC title

• G06F2203/014

  Force feedback applied to GUI · CPC title

• G06F3/016 Primary

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

• G06F3/0488

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