System For Haptically Representing Sensor Input

Abstract

A haptic representation system is provided that generates a haptic effect in response to sensor input. The sensor input is mapped to a haptic signal. The haptic signal is sent to an actuator configured to receive the haptic signal. The actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the haptic effect.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A handheld device, comprising:
 a housing including a haptic surface having a shape, the haptic surface configured to perform at least one of applying a force to generate a force haptic effect, deforming by altering the shape to generate a deformation haptic effect, or producing a mechanical impedance to generate an impedance haptic effect;   at least one sensor configured to detect extra-sensory information;   at least one haptic output device coupled to the haptic surface; and   a processor, coupled to the at least one sensor and the haptic output device, the processor configured to:
 receive the extra-sensory information from the at least one sensor, 
 map the extra-sensory information to a haptic signal, and 
 send the haptic signal to the haptic output device to generate at least one of the force haptic effect, the deformation haptic effect, or the impedance haptic effect. 
   
     
     
         3 . The handheld device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a pressure sensor configured to detect a barometric pressure, and the haptic surface is configured to perform at least one of applying the force, deforming, or producing the mechanical impedance based on an increase or decrease of the barometric pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The handheld device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the at least one sensor includes a magnetometer configured to detect an electromagnetic field;   the haptic surface is configured to perform at least one of applying the force, deforming, or producing the mechanical impedance based on one or more properties of the electromagnetic field; and   the properties of the electromagnetic field include a presence of at least one of the electromagnetic field, an intensity of the electromagnetic field or a periodicity of the electromagnetic field.   
     
     
         5 . The handheld device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a radiation sensor configured to detect ambient radiation, and the haptic surface is configured to perform at least one of applying the force, deforming, or producing the mechanical impedance based on a level of the ambient radiation. 
     
     
         6 . The handheld device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver configured to receive a GPS signal and determine a position of the handheld device, and the haptic surface is configured to perform at least one of applying the force, deforming, or producing the mechanical impedance based on the position of the handheld device. 
     
     
         7 . The handheld device of  claim 6 , wherein the haptic signal is sent to a plurality of haptic devices coupled to the haptic surface to cause the haptic surface to deform at different locations on the housing to provide directional information. 
     
     
         8 . The handheld device of  claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to create a virtual perimeter for a geographic area based on the position. 
     
     
         9 . The handheld device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a galvanic skin response sensor configured to detect an electrical conductance of the skin of a user, and the haptic surface is configured to perform at least one of applying the force, deforming, or producing the mechanical impedance based on characteristics of the user identified from the electrical conductance of the skin of the user. 
     
     
         10 . The handheld device of  claim 9 , wherein the characteristics of the user include a mood, an ambient awareness or a bio feedback. 
     
     
         11 . The handheld device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the extra-sensory information is continuously received; and   mapping the extra-sensory information to the haptic signal includes continuously modulating the haptic signal based on a continuous updating of the extra-sensory information.   
     
     
         12 . A method of generating a haptic effect on a handheld device, the method comprising:
 receiving extra-sensory information from a sensor;   mapping the extra-sensory information to a haptic signal; and   sending the haptic signal to a haptic output device, coupled to a haptic surface having a shape, to cause the haptic surface to generate at least one of a force haptic effect by applying a force, a deformation haptic effect by altering the shape, or an impedance haptic effect by producing a mechanical impedance.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the extra-sensory information includes a barometric pressure detected by the sensor, and the haptic signal is configured to cause the haptic surface to generate at least one of the force haptic effect, the deformation haptic effect, or the impedance haptic effect based on an increase or decrease of the barometric pressure. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the extra-sensory information includes one or more properties of an electromagnetic field detected by the sensor;   the haptic signal is configured to cause the haptic surface to generate at least one of the force haptic effect, the deformation haptic effect or the impedance haptic effect based on the one or more properties of the electromagnetic field; and   the one or more properties of the electromagnetic field include at least one of a presence of the electromagnetic field, an intensity of the electromagnetic field or a periodicity of the electromagnetic field.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the extra-sensory information includes ambient radiation detected by the sensor, and the haptic signal is configured to cause the haptic surface to generate at least one of the force haptic effect, the deformation haptic effect, or the impedance haptic effect based on a level of the ambient radiation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the extra-sensory information includes a global positioning system (GPS) signal received by the sensor and used to determine a position of the handheld device, and the haptic signal is configured to cause the haptic surface to generate at least one of the force haptic effect, the deformation haptic effect, or the impedance haptic effect based on the position of the handheld device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the haptic signal is sent to a plurality of haptic devices coupled to the haptic surface to cause the haptic surface to deform at different locations on a housing of the handheld device to provide directional information. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 creating a virtual perimeter for a geographic area based on the position.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the extra-sensory information includes an electrical conductance of the skin of a user detected by the sensor, and the haptic signal is configured to cause the haptic surface to generate at least one of the force haptic effect, the deformation haptic effect, or the impedance haptic effect based on characteristics of the user identified from the electrical conductance of the skin of the user. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the characteristics of the user include a mood, an ambient awareness or a bio feedback. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the extra-sensory information is continuously received; and   the mapping the extra-sensory information to the haptic signal includes continuously modulating the haptic signal based on a continuous updating of the extra-sensory information.