Wearable article having an actuator that performs non-haptic and haptic operations

Abstract

A haptic zipper is provided. The haptic zipper includes a first chain, a second chain opposing the first chain, a slider, an actuator coupled to the slider, and a controller coupled to the actuator. The slider is coupled to the first chain and the second chain to mesh or disengage opposing teeth of the first and second chains. The controller is configured to process an input signal including data related to a haptic effect, generate a haptic drive signal based on the data, and transmit the haptic drive signal to the actuator to render the haptic effect.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of operating a haptic zipper, comprising:
 receiving, from a remote device over a wireless connection, an input signal including haptic effect data;   generating a haptic drive signal based on the haptic effect data;   transmitting the haptic drive signal to an actuator coupled to a slider, the slider configured to mesh or disengage opposing teeth of a first chain and a second chain; and   rendering a haptic effect by moving the slider.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the actuator further comprises:
 a motor including a drive shaft;   a first gear, coupled to the drive shaft, to engage teeth of the first chain; and   a second gear, coupled to the drive shaft, to engage teeth of the second chain.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein when the haptic drive signal causes the motor to rotate the first gear and the second gear in a first direction, the slider moves in the first direction and meshes opposing teeth of the first chain and the second chain. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein when the haptic drive signal causes the motor to rotate the first gear and the second gear in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the slider moves in the second direction and disengages opposing teeth of the first chain and the second chain. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the haptic drive signal causes the slider to move less than a maximum length of travel in the first direction or the second direction. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the haptic drive signal causes the slider to move in a pattern or sequence;   the pattern or sequence includes a plurality of movement intervals; and   the pattern is a velocity pattern or an acceleration pattern.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 generating a force feedback signal; and   transmitting the force feedback signal to the actuator, the force feedback signal causing movement of the slider,   wherein the slider includes a pull-tab.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the force feedback signal includes a sequence of virtual detents. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the sequence of virtual detents includes a plurality of virtual detents that are applied periodically at a distance of slider movement. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 measuring, using a sensor, a position of the slider relative to a stop; and   generating the force feedback signal when the position of the slider is near the stop.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the sensor is a force sensor, a proximity sensor, an encoder, or a stepper motor. 
     
     
         13 . A wearable article, comprising:
 a smart material; and   a controller, coupled to the smart material, configured to:   process an input signal including data related to a haptic effect, generate a haptic drive signal based on the data, and   transmit the haptic drive signal to the smart material to render the haptic effect.   
     
     
         14 . The wearable article according to  claim 13 , further comprising an antenna, coupled to the controller, to receive the input signal from a remote device over a wireless connection. 
     
     
         15 . The wearable article according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the smart material includes strands that are woven, knitted or braided into a fabric of the wearable article; or   the smart material is attached to a surface of, or embedded inside, a fabric of the wearable article.   
     
     
         16 . The wearable article according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 the strands are generally parallel to one another;   at least one strand is orthogonal to the other strands; and   the strands have a circular profile, an oval profile, a square profile or a rectangular profile.   
     
     
         17 . The wearable article according to  claim 13 , wherein the smart material has a plurality of states including an expanded state and a contracted state. 
     
     
         18 . The wearable article according to  claim 13 , wherein the haptic drive signal generates a potential difference, an electrical current, or a magnetic field. 
     
     
         19 . The wearable article according to  claim 13 , wherein the haptic effect includes a vibration effect, a deformation effect or a friction effect. 
     
     
         20 . The wearable article according to  claim 19 , wherein the deformation effect includes bending, curving, or transitioning between a spiral shape or helical shape and a straight shape. 
     
     
         21 . The wearable article according to  claim 13 , wherein the smart material includes a shape memory alloy, an electroactive polymer, a piezoelectric material, an electrorheostatic material, a magnetorheostatic material, a magnetostrictive material, a pH-sensitive polymer, Peltier cells, or a ferrofluidic material.