US20060017691A1 - System and method for controlling audio output associated with haptic effects - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus, a processor-readable medium, and a method are provided that are configured to cause a haptic effect and an audio effect to be output substantially concurrently. The haptic effect has a frequency and the audio effect has a frequency different from the frequency of the haptic effect. At least one of the frequency of the haptic effect and the frequency of the audio effect is varied while maintaining substantially constant an average energy of the haptic effect. Varying the frequency of the audio effect can cause a perceived frequency of the haptic effect to change.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/590,432, entitled “System and Method for Controlling Audio Output Associated with Haptic Effects,” filed Jul. 23, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety
BACKGROUND
• The invention relates generally to haptic feedback devices. More specifically, the invention relates to a system and method for controlling audio output associated with haptic effects.
• Devices that provide haptics, such as tactile feedback, have enjoyed increased popularity in recent years. These devices are used in a variety of different applications. For example, devices providing haptics are popular in various applications, where the haptic feedback enhances the overall gaming experience of a user. For example, haptic-enabled controllers, such as mouse devices, can be configured to provide haptic feedback to a user while the user interacts with an operating system (OS), or other application.
• Existing devices, however, do not effectively control audio output associated with haptic feedback. Accordingly, it would be desirable to control effectively audio output associated with haptic effects.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a processor system, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a haptic device, a controller, and a sensor, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a haptic device, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 4 is a diagram of multiple frequency ranges of haptic effects output by a haptic device, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 5 is a plot of a magnitude versus frequency response of a haptic device, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 6 is a diagram of a control signal used to control a haptic device, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 7 is a diagram of a control signal used to control a haptic device, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 8 is a diagram of a control signal used to control a haptic device, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 9 is a diagram of a control signal used to control a haptic device, according to an embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 10 is a diagram of linearization of voltages of a haptic device, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 11 is a diagram of various parameters associated with a smooth effect according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 12 is a diagram of various parameters associated with a strong effect according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 13 is a diagram of various parameters associated with a sharp effect according to an embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION
• A system and method for controlling audio output associated with haptic effects are described. More specifically, audio output associated with haptic effects can be controlled to modify a perceived experience of the haptic effects. For example, by modifying the audio output, a user can be made to perceive a frequency of a haptic effect as being different than the actual frequency.
• According to one or more embodiments of the invention, control signals can be configured to cause haptic effects to be output across a wide range of frequencies. These control signals can independently control haptic effects within any frequency range from among multiple frequency ranges. This can occur, for example, using either a single controller or multiple controllers configured to output control signals from each frequency range. For example, a single controller can output control signals that independently control haptic effects in each of multiple frequency ranges. Alternatively, multiple controllers can be used, such that each controller outputs control signals within a single frequency range of multiple frequency ranges, each controller being uniquely associated with each frequency range.
• Audio output associated with a haptic effect is generated in at least one frequency range of multiple frequency ranges when that haptic effect is output in response to a corresponding control signal. For example, when a haptic effect is output by a haptic device in response to a control signal, the haptic device can also create audible sound or, in other words, an audio output based on the movement of the haptic device. The audio signal heard by a user can correspond to a frequency of a haptic effect that is beyond the tactile detection capabilities of the user. In other words, although a user cannot feel a difference in the frequency of a haptic effect above a certain threshold frequency, the user can hear audio associated with such higher frequencies. Thus, although varying such tactile-imperceptible frequencies will not cause a user to feel a difference in a frequency of a haptic effect, the user will be able to hear such a variation. Because a user can hear an increase or decrease in frequency of the audio output, the user will perceive that the haptic effect has changed, and in many cases will believe that he or she has felt the change in the overall experience.
• One or more embodiments of the invention provide an extended perceived frequency range of haptic effects. More specifically, in addition to the range of haptic effects that can be tactilely detected by the user, a range of effects that are detected audibly by a user can be can be added such that the perceived overall experience has a greater frequency range. Because a user is able to sense an increased range of frequencies, more information can be communicated to the user using such combination of haptic effects and audio output.
• When pulse-like control signals are used to generate haptic effects, control signals having a constant average energy can be used to provide a variety of different audio output frequencies. The different audio output frequencies can cause a user to believe that he or she is sensing tactilely a different frequency of a haptic effect, even though tactilely sensing such a difference would not be possible. Thus, according to one or more embodiments of the invention, a variety of overall experiences (each having a haptic component and an audio component) caused by a corresponding variety of control signals, each of which has the same average energy, is able to be sensed by a user via a combination of the haptic effect and the associated audio output, even though the variety of haptic effects alone would be perceived as having the same feel without the audio output. The average energy can be maintained constant by varying the frequency and/or duty cycle of a control signal inversely with the magnitude of a control signal. Thus, as the frequency of the control signal is increased, the magnitude decreases and, conversely, as the frequency of the control signal decreases, the magnitude increases, to maintain a constant average energy of the carrier signal.
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a processor system, according to an embodiment of the invention. Theprocessor system110 illustrated inFIG. 1 can be, for example, a commercially available personal computer, portable electronic device, or a less complex computing or processing device (e.g., a device that is dedicated to performing one or more specific tasks). For example, the processor system can be a mobile telephone, a PDA, a portable gaming system, an MP3 player, or the like. Alternatively, theprocessor system110 can be a terminal dedicated to providing an interactive virtual reality environment, such as a gaming system, or the like. Although each component of theprocessor system110 is shown as being a single component inFIG. 1, theprocessor system110 can include multiple numbers of any components illustrated inFIG. 1. Additionally, multiple components of theprocessor system110 can be combined as a single component.
• Theprocessor system110 includes aprocessor112, which according to one or more embodiments of the invention, can be a commercially available microprocessor capable of performing general processing operations. Alternatively, theprocessor112 can be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a combination of ASICs, which is designed to achieve one or more specific functions, or enable one or more specific devices or applications. In yet another alternative, theprocessor112 can be an analog or digital circuit, or a combination of multiple circuits.
• Alternatively, theprocessor112 can optionally include one or more individual sub-processors or coprocessors. For example, the processor can include a graphics coprocessor that is capable of rendering graphics, a math coprocessor that is capable of efficiently performing complex calculations, a controller that is capable of controlling one or more devices, a sensor interface that is capable of receiving sensory input from one or more sensing devices, and so forth.
• Theprocessor system110 can also include amemory component114. As shown inFIG. 1, thememory component114 can include one or more types of memory. For example, thememory component114 can include a read only memory (ROM)component114aand a random access memory (RAM)component114b.Thememory component114 can also include other types of memory not illustrated inFIG. 1 that are suitable for storing data in a form retrievable by theprocessor112. For example, electronically programmable read only memory (EPROM), erasable electrically programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, as well as other suitable forms of memory can be included within thememory component114. Theprocessor system110 can also include a variety of other components, depending upon the desired functionality of theprocessor system110. Theprocessor112 is in communication with thememory component114, and can store data in thememory component114 or retrieve data previously stored in thememory component114.
• Theprocessor system110 can also include ahaptic device116, which is capable of providing a variety of haptic output. For example, thehaptic device116 can be configured to output basis haptic effects, such as periodic effects, magnitude-sweep effects, or timeline haptic effects, each of which is described in greater detail below. According to one or more embodiments of the invention, thehaptic device116 can include one or more force-applying mechanisms, which are capable of outputting haptic effects or force, to a user of the processor system110 (e.g., via the housing of the processor system110). These effects or forces can be transmitted, for example, in the form of vibrational movement caused by the haptic device116 (e.g., caused by a rotating mass, a piezo-electric device, or other vibrating actuator), or in the form of resistive force caused by thehaptic device116.
• Theprocessor system110 can also, according to one or more embodiments of the invention, include asensor118 that is capable of receiving input from a user, thehaptic device116, or is otherwise capable of sensing one or more physical parameters. For example, according to one or more embodiments of the invention, asensor118 can be configured to measure speed, intensity, acceleration, or other parameters associated with a haptic effect output by thehaptic device116. Similarly, thesensor118 can be configured to sense environmental or ambient conditions of the processor system's surroundings. Thesensor118 can interface and communicate with theprocessor112 by way of a sensor interface (not shown) within theprocessor112.
• Theprocessor system110 can also include acontroller120, which can optionally be internal to theprocessor112, or external thereto, as shown inFIG. 1. Thecontroller120 can be configured to control thehaptic device116 when theprocessor112 is not directly controlling thehaptic device116. Similarly, thecontroller120 can control thememory114 and/or thesensor118, as well as devices external to theprocessor system110 by way of an input/output (I/O) component124 (described below).
• The various components of theprocessor system110 can communicate with one another via abus122, which is capable of carrying instructions from theprocessor112 and/or thecontroller120 to other components, and which is capable of carrying data between the various components of theprocessor system110. Additionally, signals received via thesensor118 can be communicated to theprocessor112 or thecontroller120 by way of thebus122. Data retrieved from or written tomemory114 can be carried by thebus122, as are instructions to thehaptic device116. Instructions to thehaptic device116 can be provided in the form of haptic-effect signals (e.g., basis haptic-effect signals), for example, which can be provided by theprocessor112, thecontroller120, or devices external to theprocessor system110.
• The components of theprocessor system110 can communicate with devices external to theprocessor system110 by way of an input/output (I/O) component124 (accessed via the bus122). According to one or more embodiments of the invention, the I/O component124 can include a variety of suitable communication interfaces. For example, the I/O component124 can include, for example, wireless connections, such as infrared ports, optical ports, Bluetooth wireless ports, wireless LAN ports, or the like. Additionally, the I/O component124 can include, wired connections, such as standard serial ports, parallel ports, universal serial bus (USB) ports, S-video ports, large area network (LAN) ports, small computer system interface (SCSI) ports, and so forth.
• FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a haptic device, a controller, and a sensor, according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 2 also shows data values provided to the system (e.g.,user input202 and control parameters204). The elements shown inFIG. 2 can be used with theprocessor system110, or a similar device.
• Thecontroller120 is configured to output control signals that are configured to cause haptic effects to be output by thehaptic device116. As shown inFIG. 2,user input202 can optionally be provided (e.g., via the I/O component124 shown inFIG. 1) and/or received by anoptional sensor118. Theuser input202 can also optionally be provided directly to a controller120 (e.g., by way of thesensor118, or some other devices configured to accept and convey user input). Thesensor118 can also optionally receive information from thehaptic device116. For example, thesensor118 can sense the actual movements of thehaptic device116.
• According to an arrangement of the system shown inFIG. 2, thecontroller120 can optionally receive data from thesensor118, and can optionally receiveuser input202 andcontrol parameters204. Based on any data received from thesensor118, any receiveduser input202, and/or any receivedcontrol parameters204, thecontroller120 controls the haptic output of the haptic device116 (e.g., thecontroller120 sends control signals configured to cause haptic effects). For example, thecontroller120 can execute a feedback algorithm, controlling thehaptic device116 based on feedback received from thehaptic device116. Thecontroller120 controls the output of thehaptic device116 by a control signal that thecontroller120 outputs to thehaptic device116.
• The control signal output by thecontroller120 can be based on a number of parameters, including, for example,control parameters204. For example,control parameters204 and other parameters that can be used by thecontroller120 to control thehaptic device116 can be stored in thememory component114 of theprocessor system110, or by another suitable memory component. For example, thecontrol parameters204 can include input from an electronic system, a portable gaming device, a cellular telephone, or the like. According to one or more embodiments of the invention, the controller receives control parameters (e.g., gaming device input, cellular telephone input, etc.), and does not include a sensor. According to such embodiments, user input can optionally be received directly by the controller, or can be omitted entirely, depending upon the desired function of the system in which the controller is used.
• According to one or more embodiments of the invention, the system shown inFIG. 2 can be used in a stand-alone device, such as a mobile telephone, portable electronic device (e.g., a PDA, etc.), or other device. In a mobile telephone embodiment, for example, haptic output can be provided in the form of haptic effects via thehaptic device116 in response to status events (e.g., a message received signal, a network indicator signal, etc.), user input (e.g., mode changes, keypad dialing, option selections, etc.), incoming calls, or other events. Alternatively, the system shown inFIG. 2 can be used in a configuration where a processor, such as theprocessor112 of theprocessor system110 shown inFIG. 1, can be connected to an external device, and the processing tasks can be divided among the devices, as desired.
• Thecontroller120 can generate a variety of different control signals to drive thehaptic device116, several of which will be described in greater detail below. For example, thecontroller120 can send a control signal to thehaptic device116, which is configured to cause thehaptic device116 to output a corresponding haptic effect. Examples of such control signals include, pulse width modulation (PWM) signals (e.g., pulse signals having a given duty cycle), sinusoidal signals, and other periodic signals (e.g., triangle waves, square waves, etc.). Additionally, thecontroller120 can modulate control signals using one or more haptic envelopes.
• Thecontroller120 also can be configured to provide a lead-in pulse at the beginning of a control signal, and/or a braking pulse, at the end of a control signal, which are configured to decrease response time of thehaptic device116. For example, the lead-in signal reduces the time for thehaptic device116 to initiate outputting a haptic effect associated with the control signal. The braking pulse, on the other hand, decreases the time it takes for thehaptic device116 to cease a haptic effect currently being output. In addition to signals described above, such as periodic signals, thecontroller120 can output a variety of other control signals, such as non-periodic signals, that are configured to cause thehaptic device116 to output haptic effects.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of ahaptic device116 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. As shown inFIG. 3, thehaptic device116 includes anactuator302, anelastic member304 and amass306. Thehaptic device116 is configured to provide haptic feedback. Theactuator302 is operably connected to theelastic member304, and theelastic member304 is operably connected to themass306. Theactuator302 can include, for example, a motor (e.g., a brush motor, a brushless motor, etc.). The elastic member can provide a desired amount of coupling rigidity between the actuator and themass306.
• When control signals are received by thehaptic device116, theactuator302 provides force to theelastic member304. Some of the force applied to theelastic member304 is translated to themass306, and causes themass306 to move. By causing themass306 to move, haptic effects commanded by the control signals are output by the haptic device, and can be output to a user. Theactuator302 can be configured, for example, to cause the mass to rotate in response to the control signals received by the haptic device. Alternatively, the actuator can move themass306 in other directions (e.g., vibrating the mass, moving the mass laterally, etc.).
• The configuration shown inFIG. 3 is only one example of a configuration of ahaptic device116. Other configurations that vary from the configuration shown inFIG. 3 can be used as ahaptic device116, according to one or more embodiments of the invention. For example, theelastic member304 can be coupled to themass306 by a flexible coupling; theelastic member304 can be coupled to theactuator302 by a flexible coupling. In an alternative embodiment, the elastic member can be coupled between actuator and a mechanical ground, and the actuator can be directly coupled to the actuator. Examples of haptic devices that can be used in connection with one or more embodiments of the invention include an eccentric-rotating-mass (ERM) haptic device and a harmonic ERM (HERM) haptic device, described in detail in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/301,809, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
• FIG. 4 is a diagram of multiple frequency ranges of haptic effects that can be output by ahaptic device116, according to an embodiment of the invention. A low-frequency range extends from approximately DC (i.e., 0 Hz) to a low-frequency limit f_L, which can vary depending upon the control signal being used to cause a haptic effect and the desired characteristics of the haptic effect. A mid-frequency range extends from the low-frequency threshold frequency f_Lto a high-frequency threshold frequency f_H, which can vary depending upon the control signal being used to cause a haptic effect and the desired characteristics of the haptic effect. A high-frequency range extends from the high-frequency threshold frequency f_Hto all higher frequencies.
• According to one or more embodiments of the invention, at least one frequency range from the frequency ranges shown inFIG. 4 can have an audio output associated with the haptic effect. The audio output can occur for haptic effects having a frequency within the at least one frequency range or for haptic effects having a frequency beyond the at least one frequency range, depending upon the desired performance of the system.
• For example, according to one or more embodiments of the invention, the mid-frequency range shown inFIG. 4 can have an audio output associated with a haptic effect having a frequency within the mid-frequency range. The haptic effect having a frequency within the mid-frequency range can be varied in a manner such that the associated audio output varies, while any changes in the frequency of the haptic effect remains tactilely undetectable to a user. Because the audio output varies (e.g., changes frequency of the audio output), a user aurally detects the change in the audio output, and believes that he or she has tactilely detected a change in the haptic effect. Said another way, by varying the audio output, the user may perceive that the overall effect (the combination of a haptic effect and an audio effect) has changed and attribute such a change, at least in part, to the user's tactile experience. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the average energy of a control signal used to cause the haptic effect to be output can be maintained substantially the same while the associated audio output is varied, causing a user to detect an increase in the audio output and believe that he or she has tactilely perceived a change in the haptic effect.
• AlthoughFIG. 4 illustrates only three frequency ranges, the number of frequency ranges used according to one or more embodiments of the invention can be varied. For example, many more frequency ranges can be used, among which multiple frequency ranges can include an audio output associated with the haptic effects having frequencies within those frequency ranges.
• Haptic effects having frequencies within each of the frequency ranges shown inFIG. 4 can be separately controlled. This can occur, for example, using a single controller, that separately controls the haptic effects associated with each of the frequency ranges shown inFIG. 4. Alternatively, each frequency range shown inFIG. 4 can have a uniquely associated controller, which is configured to control haptic effects having frequencies within that frequency range.
• FIG. 5 is a plot of a magnitude versus frequency of a haptic effect, according to an embodiment of the invention. The plot shown inFIG. 5 is not drawn to scale, and is intended only as an example of the correlation between the magnitude and frequency of a haptic effect, and how a user perceives them. The magnitude versus frequency response shown inFIG. 5 indicates that, as the frequency of a haptic effect is increased, the magnitude of that haptic effect appears also to increase to a user. Afirst portion510 of the curve shown inFIG. 5 represents a region of haptic effect frequencies within which a user can detect changes in frequency. Within some region of frequencies (e.g., beginning near the high-frequency threshold frequency f_Hin the plot ofFIG. 5), referred to as a diminished-sensitivity region, a user perceives some increases in the frequency of a haptic effect as increases in magnitude (and not the frequency) without being able to detect tactilely the increases in frequency. Asecond portion520 of the curve shown inFIG. 5 represents this region, where the user has difficulty tactilely detecting changes in frequency. Near where the diminished-sensitivity region begins (i.e., the area of intersection of thefirst portion510 and thesecond portion520 of the curve shown inFIG. 5), a user's perception of increasing frequencies of combination of a haptic effect and audio output is illustrated using aline520. Similar lines can be drawn to illustrate a user's perception of increasing frequencies of a combination of a haptic effect and an audio output is generated by the haptic device.
• According to one or more embodiments of the invention, a pulse-like, periodic control signal is configured to cause the haptic effects to be output having frequencies within each of the ranges shown inFIG. 4. Examples of such signals are discussed in greater detail below. Generally speaking, the period between pulse features of the control signal corresponds to a low-frequency component (e.g., a haptic envelope) of a haptic effect at lower frequencies. At lower frequencies, it is these low-frequency components (perceived as pulses) that are most easily tactilely detected by a user. As the period between the pulses of the control signal decreases (i.e., the frequency of the pulses increases), thehaptic device116 reaches a state where it is moving almost the entire period, even during the portions of the period when no pulse in the control signal exists. Over increasing control signal frequencies where this begins to occur, thehaptic device116 is said to be operating in “saturation mode.” For example, in the case of a rotating-mass device, when thehaptic device116 reaches the saturation mode, despite the fact that the control signal pulses are not continuously on and, therefore, are causing low-frequency components in the haptic effect, the mass of the device continues to rotate. The saturation mode may or may not correspond to the diminished-sensitivity region, depending upon the physical characteristics of thehaptic device116 or other parameters.
• When an audio output associated with a haptic effect is output at the same time as the haptic effect, a user perceives the frequency of the haptic effect to increase due to an increase in the frequency of the audio output. This is illustrated, for example, by aline530 extending from the magnitude versus frequency curve shown inFIG. 5. This perceived change in frequency of the haptic effect due to the audio output can occur, for example, at the beginning of the diminished-sensitivity region (i.e., where it begins to be difficult for a user to tactilely detect variations in frequency). According to one or more embodiments of the invention, the perceived increased frequency of the haptic effect occurs when the haptic device is being driven within the mid-frequency range (i.e., a frequency between f_Land f_H), as shown inFIG. 5. Using the audio output to increase the frequency range a user perceives a haptic device to have allows a user to experience an increased perceived frequency range in the overall experience, and specifically the perceived haptic effect, without being limited by the performance range of the haptic device. Although not shown, multiple lines similar to the illustratedline530 can be used to represent an audio output changing the frequency that a user perceives either within or outside of the diminished-sensitivity region. Also, although theline530 representing a frequency perceived by a user indicates an essential constant perceived magnitude, it also is possible to change the magnitude perceived by a user, depending upon the audio output that is produced.
• Several signals are described below in greater detail. These signals are only examples, however, and it should be recognized that there are many other signals that are suitable for acting as control signals, depending upon the desired haptic effects to be output and audio output to be produced. Examples of control signals that can be used in connection with one or more embodiments of the invention are described in detail in copending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/669,029 and 10/671,465, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Similarly, other control signals, as well as haptic devices that can be used in connection with one or more embodiments of the invention are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,275,213, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
• FIG. 6 is a diagram of a control signal used to control a haptic device, according to an embodiment of the invention. The control signal shown inFIG. 6 can be used to closely control the frequency of a haptic effect. The control signal shown inFIG. 6 is a series of pulses, each having a positive on-time. The pulses are periodic, having a period that corresponds to the desired frequency of the haptic effect to be output, as defined byEquation 1 below:$\begin{array}{cc}T=\frac{1}{f_D},& \left(1\right)\end{array}$
  where T is the period of the control signal (i.e., the time period between two adjacent pulses of the control signal), and f_Dis the desired frequency of the output of the haptic effect.
• Changes in magnitude of a haptic effect caused by the control signal shown inFIG. 6 can be conveyed by proportional changes of magnitude of the pulses of that control signal. A change in magnitude of the output haptic effect that is based on the control signal shown inFIG. 6 varies proportionately to the change in magnitude of the control signal. The duration of the pulses (i.e., the positive on-time or duty cycle) can be selected according to the values shown in Table 1 below to provide a distinct frequency pattern, depending upon the frequency range of the haptic effect being selected.

  TABLE 1
  Duty cycle/on-time values for control signal ofFIG. 6

  Frequency Range	Frequencies	Duty Cycle/On-Time
  Low	fD≦ 6.66 Hz	75 ms
  Mid	6.66 Hz < fD≦ 10 Hz	50%
  High	10 Hz < fD≦ 100 Hz	50% @ 10 Hz
  	fD> 100H	100% @ 100 Hz and above

• The frequency ranges shown in Table 1 above can correspond to the three ranges shown inFIG. 4 (with “other” being included in the high-frequency range), according to one or more embodiments of the invention. To achieve higher desired frequencies f_Dof a haptic effect, the duty cycle of the control signal is increased. For example, in the transition from 10 Hz to 100 Hz in the high-frequency range, the duty cycle increases from 50% to 100%. This increase in duty cycle can be a linearly increase, or another type of increase, if desired.
• The duration of the pulses (i.e., the positive on-time, or duty cycle) can alternatively be selected according to the values shown in Table 2 below to provide a strong haptic effect magnitude, depending upon the frequency range of the haptic effect being selected.

  TABLE 2
  Duty cycle/on-time values for control signal ofFIG. 6

  Frequency Range	Frequencies	Duty Cycle/On-Time
  Low	fD≦ 10 Hz	75ms
  Mid
  	10 Hz < fD≦ 16 Hz	75%
  High	16 Hz < fD≦ 100 Hz	50% @ 10 Hz
  	fD> 100 Hz	100% @ 100 Hz and above

• The frequency ranges shown in Table 2 above can also correspond to the three ranges shown inFIG. 4 (with “other” being included in the high-frequency range), according to one or more embodiments of the invention. To achieve greater magnitude of a haptic effect, the length of the duty cycle of the control signal is increased in the high-frequency range. As discussed above, the duty cycle can be increased linearly, or in some other desirable manner.
• FIG. 7 is a diagram of a control signal used to control a haptic device, according to another embodiment of the invention. The control signal shown inFIG. 7 is a bi-directional control signal that includes multiple bi-directional pulses, and is configured to create a haptic effect with a strong magnitude. These bi-directional pulses are periodic, and have a period corresponding to the desired frequency f_Dof the haptic effect to be output (defined byEquation 1 above). Seventy-five percent of the bi-directional pulse is a positive pulse portion, and twenty-five percent of the bi-directional pulse is a negative pulse portion. Values associated with the pulse size for various frequency ranges are shown below in Table 3.

  TABLE 3
  Duty cycle values for control signal ofFIG. 7

  Frequency
  Range	Frequencies	Duty Cycle/On-Time
  Low	fD≦ 10 Hz	10 Hz
  		(75% V+pulse, 25% V−pulse)
  Mid	10 Hz < fD≦ 16 Hz	75%
  High	16 Hz < fD≦ 100 Hz	75% @ 16 Hz
  	fD> 100 Hz	100% @ 100 Hz and above

• In Table 3, the three frequency ranges can correspond, for example, to the three frequency ranges shown inFIG. 4. To vary the magnitude of a haptic effect, the magnitude of the pulse is varied proportionally to the desired increase or decrease of magnitude. Haptic effects to be output in the high-frequency range cause a user to perceive that the magnitude and frequency change proportionally to any changes in the desired frequency of the control signal shown inFIG. 7.
• FIG. 8 is a diagram of a control signal used to control a haptic device, according to an embodiment of the invention. The control signal shown inFIG. 8 is a magnitude-sweep control signal (also referred to as a “mag-sweep” signal), which sweeps through a variety of magnitude values to cause a desired haptic effect to be output. The magnitude-sweep control signal shown inFIG. 8 can cause a corresponding haptic effect to be output, or can be used to modulate another control signal (e.g., a periodic signal such as the signals shown inFIG. 6 andFIG. 7).
• A lead-in pulse is provided at the beginning of the control signal shown inFIG. 8, which improves response time of the haptic device being controlled by the control signal. The duration t_pof the pulse is varied as a function of the magnitude level of the beginning of the effect (e.g., at a level desired to begin the impulse portion of the signal, or the ramp-up portion of the signal). The smaller the magnitude levels at the beginning of the effect, the shorter the duration t_pof the lead-in pulse and, similarly, the larger the magnitude levels at the beginning of the signal, the longer the duration t_pof the lead-in pulse. The duration t_pof the pulse can be varied according to the percentage of maximum control signal magnitude (e.g., the voltage magnitude) that one desires to reach by the end of the pulse (e.g., at the value indicated as “level” inFIG. 9 and denoted L in Table 4), as shown below in Table 4.

  TABLE 4
  Duration tPof the lead-in pulse inFIG. 8

  	|Maximum Voltage|%	t	P
  	0% ≦ L ≦ 47%	0
  	47% ≦ L ≦ 70%	25ms
  	70% ≦ L ≦ 100%	50 ms

• FIG. 9 is a diagram of a control signal used to control a haptic device, according to an embodiment of the invention. The control signal shown inFIG. 9 is a magnitude sweep signal, similar to the control signal shown inFIG. 8, but having both a lead-in pulse and a braking pulse. Because the braking pulse is a negative pulse, the control signal shown inFIG. 9 can also be considered a bi-directional signal. The braking pulse generally is executed to cause a large change in voltage to stop the actuation of a haptic device (i.e., to stop a device from outputting a haptic effect currently being output, such as stopping the rotation of a rotational haptic device).
• The braking pulse is of opposite polarity to the lead-in pulse, and the rest of the signal. The duration t_bof the braking pulse varies as a function of the magnitude level of the signal at the end of the effect (i.e., immediately prior to initiating the braking pulse). The smaller the magnitude level at the end of the effect (i.e., at the end of the control signal shown inFIG. 9), the shorter the duration of the braking pulse that is required. Various lengths of possible braking pulses are shown below in Table 5 according to the corresponding percentage of voltage magnitude (e.g., the voltage magnitude) at the end of the signal (e.g., at the value indicated as “End level” inFIG. 10 and denoted EL in Table 5) shown inFIG. 9.

  TABLE 5
  Duration tbof the braking pulse inFIG. 9

  	|Maximum Voltage|%	t	b
  	0% ≦ EL ≦ 47%	0
  	47% ≦ EL ≦ 70%	25ms
  	70% ≦ EL ≦ 100%	50 ms

• FIG. 10 is a diagram of linearization of voltages of a haptic device, according to an embodiment of the invention. The actuator of the haptic device may require increased voltage over the desired voltage to initiate and achieve the intended effects.FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a linearization table for such an actuator. As shown in the linearization table ofFIG. 10, the percentage of motor voltage to begin movement of the motor can be about twenty percent.
• Each of the control signals described above in connection withFIGS. 9-10 can be used with a haptic device that produces an audio output, in addition to outputting a haptic effect, when driven by the control signal. As the control signal changes the rate of movement associated with such haptic devices, the audio output also can change. This can occur, for example, by varying a magnitude, frequency, and/or pulse of the control signal. Thus, by using the control signal to vary the audio output produced by a haptic device, the control signal can cause a user to sense a change in the frequency in the overall effect and to perceive a change in the haptic effect output by the haptic device.
• Additional information and examples regarding control signals according to one or more embodiments of the invention are illustrated below in Tables 6-10. For example, Table 6 shows the number of available controller input frequencies for different frequency ranges for the smooth controller. Table 7 shows the number of available controller input frequencies for different frequency ranges for the strong and sharp controllers. Table 8 shows motor inputs for various frequency ranges for smooth, strong and sharp controllers. Table 9 shows desired perceived frequency and perceived magnitude for various frequency ranges for smooth, strong and sharp controllers. Table 10 shows actual acceleration frequency, perceived frequency and perceived magnitude for various frequency ranges for smooth, strong and sharp controllers.

  TABLE 6
  Controller input frequencies for the smooth controller

  		# of available	# of available
  Controller	Frequency	frequencies at 200 Hz	frequencies at 1 kHz
  Range	Range	sampling	sampling

  Low	<6.6	Hz	170 between (1 Hz	850 between (1 Hz
  			and 8 Hz)	and 6.6 Hz)
  Transition	6.6-10	Hz	10	50
  High	10-100	Hz	19	90

• TABLE 7
  Controller input frequencies for the strong and sharp controllers

  		# of available	# of available
  Controller	Frequency	frequencies at	frequencies at 1 kHz
  Range	Range	200 Hz sampling	sampling

  Low	<10	Hz	180 between (1 Hz	900 between (1 Hz
  			and 10 Hz)	and 10 Hz
  Transition	10-16	Hz	8	37
  High	16-100	Hz	11	52

• TABLE 8
  Motor input for various frequency ranges for smooth,
  strong and sharp controllers

  		Motor input:	Motor input:	Motor input:
  Controller Range	Frequency Range	Smooth	Strong	Sharp
  Low	<6.6 Hz	Unidir Pulse	Unidir Pulse @	Bidir Pulse @
  	Smooth	@ 6.6 Hz with	10 Hz with 75%	10 Hz with
  	<10 Hz Strong,	50%duty	duty cycle		75% duty cycle
  	Sharp	cycle
  Transition	6.6-10 Hz	Unidir Pulse at	Unidir Pulse at	Bidir Pulse at
  	Smooth	chosen input	chosen input	chosen input
  	10-16 Hz,	frequency at	frequency at	frequency at
  	Strong Sharp	50% duty	75% duty cycle	75% duty cycle
  		cycle
  High	10-100 Hz	Unidir Pulse at	Unidir Pulse at	Bidir Pulse at
  	Smooth	chosen input	chosen input	chosen input
  	16-100 Hz,	frequency and	frequency and	frequency and
  	Strong Sharp	duty cycle	duty cycle	duty cycle
  		increases from	increases from	increases from
  		50% to 100%	75% to 100%	75% to 100%

• TABLE 9
  Desired perceived frequency and perceived magnitude for various frequency ranges for smooth,
  strong and sharp controllers

  Controller	Frequency	Desired Perceived	Desired Perceived
  Range	Range	Frequency	Magnitude	Comments
  Low	<6.6 Hz Smooth <10 Hz Strong, Sharp			Controller input frequency matches, actual and perceived output frequency. Perceived magnitude is variable with PWM
  Transition	6.6-10 Hz Smooth 10-16 Hz Strong, Sharp			Controller input frequency creates actual frequency with envelope. (If continuous spinning, then input frequency does not match output frequency.) Average energy delivered is the same.
  High	10-100 Hz Smooth 16-100 Hz, Strong Sharp			Controller input frequency creates continuous spinning where that does not match output frequency Average energy delivered is increasing.

• TABLE 10
  Actual acceleration frequency, perceived frequency and perceived magnitude for various
  frequency ranges for smooth, strong and sharp controllers

  	Controller
  	Input	Actual
  	Frequency	Acceleration	Perceived	Perceived
  Controller Range	Range	frequency	frequency	Magnitude
  Low	<6.6 Hz Smooth	Controller input	Controller input	Perceived
  	<10 Hz Strong,	frequency	frequency	magnitude is
  	Sharp	matches, actual.	matches	variable with
  			perceived.	PWM
  Transition	6.6-10 Hz	Controller input	User perceives	Perceived
  	Smooth	frequency	envelope	magnitude is
  	10-16 Hz	matches	frequency	variable with
  	Strong, Sharp	envelope		PWM.
  		frequency.
  High	10-100 Hz	Controller input	Controller input	As controller
  	Smooth	frequency does	frequency does	input frequency
  	16-100 Hz,	NOT match	NOT match	is increased,
  	Strong Sharp	actual	perceived	magnitude is
  		frequency.	frequency.	perceived to
  				increase.

• FIG. 11 is a diagram of parameters associated with a smooth effect according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 12 is a diagram of parameters associated with a strong effect according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 13 is a diagram of parameters associated with a sharp effect according to an embodiment of the invention.
• A system and method for controlling audio output associated with haptic effects are discussed. Specific embodiments have been described above in connection with separately controlling multiple frequencies, either using a single controller or using multiple controllers, each of the multiple controllers being equally associated with a frequency range. Additionally, other embodiments have been discussed in connection with controlling an audio output associated with a haptic effect in at least one of the frequency ranges. Also, the audio effect can be changed, such that a user senses a change in frequency in the overall effect and perceives that change in a haptic effect; in some cases, this can occur above the frequency range where a user can tactilely detect variations in frequency (e.g., within a diminished-sensitivity region). Thus, as the frequency of the audio effect is increased, the user perceives an increase in a frequency of the haptic effect associated with the audio effect, even where such an increase results in a change in haptic frequencies within the diminished-sensitivity region. Similarly, as the frequency of the audio effect is decreased, the user perceives a decrease in frequency of the corresponding haptic effect, even where such changes result in variations of haptic effect frequencies, which are undetectable to a user (e.g., within the diminished-sensitivity region).
• It will be appreciated, however, that embodiments of the invention can be in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example, while some embodiments have been described in the context of periodic or magnitude sweep control signals for causing haptic effects, any suitable signal can be used. Also, although control signals have been described as square-waves or PWM signals having square-wave-like shapes, other pulse shapes can be used. Additionally, although a specific reference has been made to devices configured to output periodic haptic effect (e.g., rotating haptic devices such spinning mass motors, etc.), any type of haptic device capable of outputting haptic effects associated with an audio output can be used according to one or more embodiments of the invention.
• The presently disclosed embodiments are, therefore, considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (37)

1. A processor-readable medium comprising code representing instructions to cause a processor to:

send a signal configured to cause a haptic effect and an audio effect to be output substantially concurrently, the haptic effect having a frequency and the audio effect having a frequency different from the frequency of the haptic effect, the signal being further configured to vary at least one of the frequency of the haptic effect and the frequency of the audio effect while maintaining substantially constant an average energy of the haptic effect.

2. The processor-readable medium ofclaim 1, wherein the signal is further configured to cause the frequency of the audio effect to vary while causing the frequency of the haptic effect to remain substantially constant.

3. The processor-readable medium ofclaim 1, wherein the signal includes a plurality of pulses, the signal being configured to cause a frequency of the plurality of pulses to vary while causing a magnitude of the plurality of pulses to vary inversely.

4. The processor-readable medium ofclaim 1, the frequency of the haptic effect being a first frequency of the haptic effect, wherein the audio effect is configured to cause a user to perceive the haptic effect as having a second frequency different from the first frequency of the haptic effect.

5. The processor-readable medium ofclaim 1, the frequency of the haptic effect being a first frequency of the haptic effect, wherein the audio effect is configured to cause a user to perceive the haptic effect as having a second frequency different from the first frequency of the haptic effect, the second frequency being higher than the first frequency.

6. The processor-readable medium ofclaim 1, wherein the frequency of the audio effect is higher than the frequency of the haptic effect.

7. The processor-readable medium ofclaim 1, wherein the haptic effect has a frequency from a frequency range from a plurality of frequency ranges, each frequency range from the plurality of frequency ranges being uniquely associated with a control scheme.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a controller configured to output a control signal, the control signal being configured to cause a haptic effect and an audio effect to be output substantially concurrently, the haptic effect having a frequency and the audio effect having a frequency different from the frequency of the haptic effect, the control signal being further configured to vary at least one of the frequency of the haptic effect and the frequency of the audio effect while maintaining substantially constant an average energy of the haptic effect; and

an interface component coupled to the controller and configured to be coupled to a component external to the controller, the interface component configured to provide a haptic instruction to the component based at least partially on the control signal.

9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the control signal is further configured to cause the frequency of the audio effect to vary while causing the frequency of the haptic effect to remain substantially constant.

10. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the control signal includes a plurality of pulses, the controller being configured to cause a frequency of the plurality of pulses to vary while causing a magnitude of the plurality of pulses to vary inversely.

11. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the audio effect is configured to cause a user to perceive the haptic effect as having a perceived frequency different from the frequency of the haptic effect.

12. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the audio effect is configured to cause a user to perceive the haptic effect as having a perceived frequency different from the frequency of the haptic effect, the perceived frequency being higher than the frequency of the haptic effect.

13. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the control signal is configured to cause a plurality of haptic effects including the haptic effect, each of the plurality of haptic effects having a frequency within at least two frequency ranges from a plurality of frequency ranges, the control signal being configured to cause the haptic effect to be output having a frequency in an intermediate frequency range from the plurality of frequency ranges, the intermediate frequency range being between the at least two frequency ranges.

14. The apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising:

a haptic device coupled to the controller, the haptic device being configured to receive the control signal and to output the haptic effect and the audio effect.

15. The apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising:

a haptic device coupled to the controller, the haptic device including an actuator, the haptic device being configured to receive the control signal and to output the haptic effect and the audio effect via the actuator.

16. The apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising:

a haptic device coupled to the controller, the haptic device including a actuator and an audio output device substantially collocated with the actuator and to receive the control signal, the haptic device being configured to output the haptic effect via the actuator, the haptic device being configured to output the audio effect via the audio output device.

17. The apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising:

a plurality of controllers including the controller, each controller from the plurality of controllers being associated with a frequency range from a plurality of frequency ranges, each controller from the plurality of controllers being configured to output an associated control signal, the associated control signal output by each controller from the plurality of controllers being configured to cause a haptic effect to be output having a frequency within the frequency range associated with that controller, at least one controller from the plurality of controllers being configured to output the control signal configured to cause the haptic effect and the audio effect to be output substantially concurrently.

18. The apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising:

a resonant vibrotactile haptic device coupled to the controller, the resonant vibrotactile haptic device being configured to output the haptic effect having a frequency within a pre-determined operational frequency range, the pre-determined operational frequency range having a frequency associated with a resonant mode of the resonant vibrotactile haptic device.

19. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the control signal includes a plurality of pulses, the control signal being configured to cause the haptic effect to be output at a desired output frequency, each pulse from the plurality of pulses having a width associated with the desired output frequency.

20. The apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising:

a plurality of controllers including the controller, each controller from the plurality of controllers being configured to output a control signal from a plurality of control signals, each control signal from the plurality of control signals being uniquely associated with a frequency range from a plurality of frequency ranges and being configured to cause a haptic effect to be output, a first control signal from the plurality of control signals being output by a first controller, the first control signal being configured to cause the haptic effect to be output substantially concurrently with the audio effect, the audio effect being configured to cause a user to perceive the haptic effect as having a perceived frequency different from the frequency of the haptic effect.

21. The apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising:

a plurality of controllers including the controller, each controller from the plurality of controllers being configured to output a control signal from a plurality of control signals, each control signal from the plurality of control signals being uniquely associated with a frequency range from a plurality of frequency ranges and being configured to cause a haptic effect to be output, a first control signal from the plurality of control signals being output by a first controller, the first control signal being configured to cause the haptic effect to be output substantially concurrently with the audio effect, the audio effect being configured to cause a user to perceive the haptic effect as having a perceived frequency different from the frequency of the haptic effect; and

a haptic device coupled to the plurality of controllers, the haptic device being configured to output a plurality of haptic effects associated with the plurality of control signals, the plurality of haptic effects including the haptic effect.

22. The apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising:

a plurality of controllers including the controller, each controller from the plurality of controllers being configured to output a control signal from a plurality of control signals, each control signal from the plurality of control signals being uniquely associated with a frequency range from a plurality of frequency ranges and being configured to cause a haptic effect to be output, a first control signal from the plurality of control signals being output by a first controller, the first control signal being configured to cause the haptic effect to be output substantially concurrently with the audio effect, the audio effect being configured to cause a user to perceive the haptic effect as having a perceived frequency different from the frequency of the haptic effect; and

a plurality of haptic devices, each haptic device from the plurality of haptic devices being uniquely associated with a controller from the plurality of controllers, each haptic device from the plurality of haptic devices being configured to output the haptic effect caused by the control signal output by the associated controller.

23. A method, comprising:

outputting a haptic effect at least partially based on a control instruction; and

outputting an audio effect substantially concurrently with a haptic effect at least partially based on the control instruction, the haptic effect having a frequency, the audio effect having a frequency different from the frequency of the haptic effect, the audio effect and the haptic effect being output by a common device;

varying the frequency of at least one of the frequency of the haptic effect and the frequency of the audio effect while maintaining substantially constant an average energy of the haptic effect.

24. The method ofclaim 23, wherein the frequency of the audio effect is varied while the frequency of the haptic effect is maintained substantially constant.

25. The method ofclaim 23, wherein outputting the haptic effect includes:

varying a frequency of pulses configured to cause the haptic effect to be output while inversely varying a magnitude of the pulses configured to output the haptic effect.

26. The method ofclaim 23, wherein the audio effect is configured to cause a user to perceive the haptic effect as having a perceived frequency different from the frequency of the haptic effect.

27. The method ofclaim 23, wherein the audio effect is configured to cause a user to perceive the haptic effect as having a perceived frequency different from the frequency of the haptic effect, the perceived frequency of the haptic effect being higher than the frequency of the haptic effect.

28. The method ofclaim 23, further comprising:

outputting a plurality of haptic effects, the plurality of haptic effects including the haptic effect, each haptic effect from the plurality of haptic effects having a different corresponding frequency, each corresponding frequency being within a frequency range from a plurality of frequency ranges.

29. A method, comprising:

receiving an output instruction; and

outputting a control signal based on the received output instruction, the control signal being configured to cause a haptic effect and an audio effect to be output substantially concurrently, the haptic effect having a frequency and the audio effect having a frequency different from the frequency of the haptic effect, the control signal being configured to vary at least one of the frequency of the haptic effect and the frequency of the audio effect while maintaining substantially constant an average energy of the haptic effect.

30. The method ofclaim 29, wherein the control signal is configured to cause the frequency of the audio effect to vary while causing the frequency of the haptic effect to remain substantially constant.

31. The method ofclaim 29, wherein the control signal includes a plurality of pulses, configured to cause a frequency of the plurality of pulses to vary while causing a magnitude of the plurality of pulses to vary inversely.

32. The method ofclaim 29, wherein the control signal is configured to cause a user to perceive the haptic effect as having a perceived frequency different from the frequency of the haptic effect.

33. The method ofclaim 29, wherein the control signal is configured to cause a user to perceive the haptic effect as having a perceived frequency different from the frequency of the haptic effect, the perceived frequency of the haptic effect being higher than the frequency of the haptic effect.

34. The method ofclaim 29, further comprising:

outputting a plurality of control signals including the control signal, the plurality of control signals being at least partially based on the received output instruction, each control signal from the plurality of control signals being uniquely associated with a frequency range from a plurality of frequency ranges, at least one control signal from the plurality of control signals being configured to cause the haptic effect.

35. The method of29, wherein the control signal is configured to output the haptic effect and the audio effect via an actuator of a haptic device.

36. The method of29, wherein the control signal is configured to output the haptic effect via an actuator of a haptic device, the control signal being configured to cause the audio effect to be output by an audio output device of the haptic device, the audio output device being substantially collocated with the actuator.

37. A method, comprising:

receiving an output instruction; and

outputting a control signal based on the received output instruction, the control signal being configured to cause a haptic effect and an audio effect to be output substantially concurrently via an actuator of a haptic device, the haptic effect having a frequency and the audio effect having a frequency different from the frequency of the haptic effect, the audio effect being configured to change a perceived frequency of the haptic effect.

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