Band with Haptic Actuators

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016231815-A1
Application number	US-201315025250-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 27, 2013
Priority date	Sep 27, 2013
Publication date	Aug 11, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A band includes one or more haptic actuators that can be activated to provide haptic stimulation to a wearer. An electronic device can be in communication with the one or more haptic actuators through a wired and/or wireless connection. The electronic device can be a separate device, or the electronic device can be removably or fixedly attached to the band. An activation signal can be sent to a single haptic actuator or to groups of two or more haptic actuators.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A system, comprising:
a band comprising one or more haptic actuators, wherein each haptic actuator is oriented along a respective axis on the band; and a processing device operatively connected to each haptic actuator, wherein the processing device is adapted to output an activation signal for at least one haptic actuator to produce haptic feedback defined by at least one haptic characteristic.

2 . The system as in claim 1 , wherein the processing device is included in a first electronic device attached to the band.

3 . The system as in claim 2 , wherein the electronic device includes a display.

4 . The system as in claim 2 , wherein the electronic device comprises a watch.

5 . The system as in claim 2 , wherein the electronic device comprises a digital music player.

6 . The system as in claim 2 , further comprising one or more sensors operatively connected to the processing device.

7 . The system as in claim 2 , wherein the electronic device comprises a biometric monitor.

8 . The system as in claim 1 , wherein the electronic device includes a network connection interface.

9 . The system as in claim 8 , wherein the processing device is included in second electronic device and the processing device is operatively connected to each haptic actuator through the network connection interface and a network connection.

10 . The system as in claim 9 , wherein the second electronic device comprises a computing device.

11 . The system as in claim 1 , wherein at least one haptic actuator comprises an electromagnetic actuator.

12 . The system as in claim 1 , wherein the band comprises a plurality of links connected together by pins, wherein at least one connecting pin comprises a haptic actuator.

13 . The system as in claim 1 , wherein the band comprises a plurality of links connected together by connecting pins, wherein at least one link comprises a haptic actuator.

14 . A method for providing haptic feedback to a wearer of a band, wherein the band comprises at least one haptic actuator in the band, the method comprising:
receiving a selection of an event; receiving one or more selected haptic characteristics for the event; and associating the one or more selected haptic characteristics with the selected event, wherein the one or more selected haptic characteristics control a haptic response of at least one haptic actuator.

15 . The method as in claim 14 , further comprising displaying a list of events prior to receiving the selection of the event.

16 . The method as in claim 14 , further comprising storing the associated one or more haptic characteristics and the selected event in a memory.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Moussette Camille
• Kessler Patrick

Classifications

• G06F3/016 Primary

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