Systems and methods for pre-touch and true touch
Systems and methods for pre-touch and true touch are disclosed. For example, in one described system for pre-touch and true touch includes a touch-sensitive interface configured to detect a user interaction and transmit a first interface signal based at least in part on the user interaction. The system also includes a processor in communication with the touch-sensitive interface and configured to receive the first interface signal and determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the first interface signal. The processor is further configured to preload a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The system also includes a cache in communication with the processor and configured to store the preloaded haptic signal for a time period and then transmit the haptic signal and a haptic effect generator in communication with the cache and configured to receive the haptic signal from the cache and, in response, output a haptic effect based at least in part on the haptic signal.
1. A system comprising:
a touch-sensitive interface configured to:
detect a first user interaction within a first threshold distance from the touch-sensitive interface;
transmit a first interface signal associated with the first user interaction;
detect a second user interaction when greater than a second threshold area of a user's skin contacts the touch-sensitive interface; and
transmit a second interface signal associated with the second user interaction;
a processor in communication with the touch-sensitive interface and configured to:
receive the first interface signal;
determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the first interface signal; and
preload a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect;
a cache in communication with the processor and configured to store the preloaded haptic signal and transmit the haptic signal based in part on the second interface signal; and
a haptic effect generator in communication with the cache and configured to receive the haptic signal from the cache and output a haptic effect based at least in part on the haptic signal.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the touch-sensitive interface comprises a touch-screen.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cache comprises a memory.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cache comprises one of: a capacitor, an inductor, or a battery.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the cache comprises a flywheel, and
storing the haptic signal comprises rotating the flywheel.
6. The system of claim 5 , further comprising a flywheel brake and wherein outputting the haptic effect comprises slowing the flywheel.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect a user interaction above a surface of the touch-sensitive interface and transmit a sensor signal to the processor corresponding to the user interaction.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the sensor comprises one of: an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, or a motion sensor.
9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a housing configured to contain the processor, the cache, and the haptic effect generator.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the housing comprises a handheld device housing.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the haptic effect generator is configured to output the haptic effect onto the housing.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first threshold comprises an area of contact greater than 0.02 cm 2 .
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second threshold comprises a distance of less than 3 cm from the touch-sensitive interface.
14. A method for generating a haptic effect comprising:
detecting a first user interaction within a first threshold distance from a touch-sensitive interface;
transmitting a first interface signal associated with the first user interaction;
detecting a second user interaction when greater than a second threshold area of a user's skin contacts the touch-sensitive interface;
transmitting a second interface signal associated with the second user interaction;
determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the first interface signal;
preloading a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to a cache configured to store the haptic signal;
transmitting the haptic signal based in part on the second interface signal; and
outputting a haptic effect based at least in part on the haptic signal.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the haptic signal is transmitted to the haptic effect generator after receiving the second interface signal.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first threshold comprises an area of contact greater than 0.02 cm 2 .
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second threshold comprises a distance of less than 3 cm from the touch-sensitive interface.
18. A non-transient computer readable medium comprising program code, which when executed by a processor is configured to cause the processor to:
detect a first user interaction within a first threshold distance from a touch-sensitive interface;
transmit a first interface signal associated with the first user interaction;
detect a second user interaction when greater than a second threshold area of a user's skin contacts the touch-sensitive interface;
transmit a second interface signal associated with the second user interaction determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the interface signal;
preload a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to a cache configured to store the haptic signal; and
transmit the stored haptic signal based in part on the second interface signal; and
output a haptic effect based at least in part on the haptic signal.
19. The computer readable medium of claim 18 , wherein the first threshold comprises an area of contact greater than 0.02 cm 2 .
20. The computer readable medium of claim 18 , wherein the second threshold comprises a distance of less than 3 cm from the touch-sensitive interface.