System for generating haptic feedback based on environmental condition

Abstract

A method for providing haptic feedback is provided for a device that produces haptic noise, such as a power tool with an electric motor that produces noises and vibrations while in operation. An environmental condition of the device can be sensed while the device is being operated and generating haptic noise. A haptic noise characteristic of the device can be determined. A haptic drive signal based on the environmental condition and haptic noise characteristic can be generated. The haptic drive signal can be applied to a haptic output device associated with the device.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A vehicle haptic generation system, comprising:
 a proximity sensor configured to measure a distance to an object in an environment of a vehicle;   a haptic output device integrated into the vehicle and configured to generate haptic feedback; and   a processor configured to control a parameter of the haptic feedback based on an output of the proximity sensor.   
     
     
         22 . The vehicle haptic generation system of  claim 21 , wherein the parameter is a frequency of the haptic feedback. 
     
     
         23 . The vehicle haptic generation system of  claim 21 , wherein the parameter is an intensity of the haptic feedback. 
     
     
         24 . The vehicle haptic generation system of  claim 21 , wherein the haptic output device is integrated into a seat in the vehicle. 
     
     
         25 . The vehicle haptic generation system of  claim 21 , wherein the haptic output device is an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) actuator. 
     
     
         26 . A vehicle haptic generation system, comprising:
 a sensor configured to detect a vibration in a vehicle;   a processor configured to determine a parameter of haptic feedback based on the vibration detected by the sensor, wherein the haptic feedback is to be generated by a haptic output device that is integrated into a wearable device; and   a wireless communication device configured to communicate the parameter to the wearable device, to cause the haptic output device to generate the haptic feedback on the wearable device with the parameter that was determined by the processor.   
     
     
         27 . The vehicle haptic generation system of  claim 26 , wherein the haptic feedback comprises a squeeze effect. 
     
     
         28 . The vehicle haptic generation system of  claim 26 , wherein the parameter is a frequency or intensity of the haptic feedback. 
     
     
         29 . A non-transitory computer readable medium with instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor in communication with a haptic output device, cause the processor to perform the following:
 determining a first haptic perception threshold and a second haptic perception threshold;   receiving, from a sensor in communication with the processor, information indicative of an environment of a device being operated by a user,   detecting, based on the information from the sensor, a change in an environmental factor of an environment of the device as a result of an operation of the device by the user;   updating the first haptic perception threshold and the second haptic perception threshold based on the change in the environmental factor to generate an updated first haptic perception threshold and an updated second haptic perception threshold; and   controlling the haptic output device to produce a haptic effect such that an intensity of the haptic effect exceeds the updated first haptic perception threshold but is less than the updated second haptic perception threshold, wherein the haptic output device is located within the device being operated by the user, or is located within a separate device.   
     
     
         30 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 29 , wherein the environmental factor is associated with the operation of the device and comprises a vibration of the device, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer, wherein the device is a handheld tool, wherein the haptic output device is located within the separate device, the separate device being a phone or a wearable device separate from the handheld tool. 
     
     
         31 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 29 , wherein the environmental factor is associated with the operation of the device and comprises an amount of sound produced by the device, and wherein the sensor is a microphone. 
     
     
         32 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 31 , wherein the haptic output device is located within the device being operated by the user. 
     
     
         33 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 29 , wherein the environmental factor is associated with the operation of a vehicle. 
     
     
         34 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 29 , wherein the first haptic perception threshold is a threshold for perception and the second haptic perception threshold is a threshold for attention breakthrough. 
     
     
         35 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 29 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to update a third haptic perception threshold, wherein the third haptic perception threshold is a threshold for pain.