Systems and methods for deformation and haptic effects

Abstract

Systems and methods for deformation and haptic effects are disclosed. For example, one method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, the sensor signal indicating a contact with a device and a location of the contact on the device; determining a deformation effect based on the contact and the location of the contact, the deformation effect configured to cause a change in a shape of the device; and outputting the deformation effect to a deformation device configured to change the shape of the device.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a mobile computing device, one or more sensor signals from at least one sensor, the one or more sensor signals indicating contacts with the mobile computing device and pressures of the respective contacts;   responsive to determining that the mobile computing device is in an idle state, outputting an idle state deformation effect comprising:
 determining an idle state deformation effect to equalize sensed pressures on the mobile computing device; and 
 communicating the idle state deformation effect to a deformation device configured to change the shape of the mobile computing device; and 
   responsive to determining, by the mobile computing device while in the idle state, to output a notification:
 determining a notification deformation effect different from the idle state deformation effect; and 
 outputting the notification deformation effect to the deformation device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising after outputting the notification deformation effect, outputting the idle state deformation effect. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, while in the idle state:
 updating the idle state deformation effect over time based at least in part on further received sensor signals indicating further contacts with a mobile computing device and further pressures of the respective contacts; and   communicating, after the updating, the idle state deformation effect to the deformation device.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving one or more second sensor signals from a second sensor;   determining a usage context of the mobile computing device based at least in part on the one or more sensor signals; and   determining that the mobile computing device is in an idle state based at least in part on the usage context.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the usage context comprises the mobile computing device being one of (i) being inserted into an augmented or virtual reality headset, (ii) being positioned within an individual's pocket, (iii) being positioned within a purse or bag, or (iiv) laying on a flat surface. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the second sensor is a camera and the one or more second sensor signals comprise one or more images. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein determining the usage context comprises determining a template of a plurality of templates corresponding to the contacts and the pressures of the respective contacts, the template characterizing a contact profile corresponding to the usage context. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, responsive to determining by the mobile computing device while in the idle state to output a notification, determining a vibration effect and outputting the vibration effect to a haptic vibration output device. 
     
     
         9 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a mobile computing device, one or more sensor signals from at least one sensor;   determining, by the mobile computing device, a usage context of the mobile computing device based at least in part on the one or more sensor signals;   determining, by the mobile computing device, a deformation effect based on the usage context; and   communicating, mobile computing device, the deformation effect to a deformation device configured to change the shape of the mobile computing device.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the usage context comprises the mobile computing device being one of (i) being inserted into an augmented or virtual reality headset, (ii) being positioned within an individual's pocket, (iii) being positioned within a purse or bag, or (iiv) laying on a flat surface. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor is a camera and the one or more sensor signals comprise one or more images. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the mobile computing device, one or more second sensor signals from a second sensor different from the at least one sensor; and   determining the usage context based at least in part on the one or more sensor signals and the one or more second sensor signals.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the deformation effect comprises curving the mobile computing device towards the user or conforming a shape of the mobile computing device to one or more objects in contact with the mobile computing device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein determining the usage context comprises:
 detecting, by a mobile computing device, one or more contacts with the mobile computing device and pressures of the respective contacts; and   determining a template of a plurality of templates corresponding to the contacts and the pressures of the respective contacts, the template characterizing a contact profile corresponding to the usage context.   
     
     
         15 . A mobile computing device comprising:
 a non-transitory computer-readable medium; and   a processor communicatively coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the processor configured to execute processor-executable instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium to cause the processor to:
 receive one or more sensor signals from at least one sensor; 
 determine a usage context of the computing device based at least in part on the one or more sensor signals; 
 determine a deformation effect based on the usage context; and 
 communicate the deformation effect to a deformation device configured to change the shape of the mobile computing device. 
   
     
     
         16 . The mobile computing device of  claim 15 , wherein the usage context comprises the mobile computing device being one of (i) being inserted into an augmented or virtual reality headset, (ii) being positioned within an individual's pocket, (iii) being positioned within a purse or bag, or (iv) laying on a flat surface. 
     
     
         17 . The mobile computing device of  claim 16 , wherein the sensor is a camera and the one or more sensor signals comprise one or more images. 
     
     
         18 . The mobile computing device of  claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to execute processor-executable instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium to cause the processor to:
 receive one or more second sensor signals from a second sensor different from the at least one sensor; and   determine the usage context based at least in part on the one or more sensor signals and the one or more second sensor signals.   
     
     
         19 . The mobile computing device of  claim 15 , wherein the deformation effect comprises curving the mobile computing device towards the user or conforming a shape of the mobile computing device to one or more objects in contact with the mobile computing device. 
     
     
         20 . The mobile computing device of  claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to execute processor-executable instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium to cause the processor to:
 detect one or more contacts with the mobile computing device and pressures of the respective contacts; and   determine a template of a plurality of templates corresponding to the contacts and the pressures of the respective contacts, the template characterizing a contact profile corresponding to the usage context.