Systems and methods to generate haptic feedback for skin-mediated interactions
A system includes a sensor configured to sense an input at a skin surface, a processor configured to receive an output signal from the sensor and generate a haptic control signal based on the output signal, and a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect based on the haptic control signal.
1. A system comprising:
a sensor configured to sense a touch input between different skin surface portions;
a processor configured to receive an output signal from the sensor in response to the sensor sensing the touch input between the different skin surface portions, and to generate a haptic control signal based on the output signal; and
a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect based on the haptic control signal, the haptic effect being related to the touch input sensed by the sensor between the different skin surface portions.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to sense the touch input between the different skin surface portions, and wherein the haptic output device is configured to generate the haptic effect to the user of the system.
3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the haptic output device is configured to be carried by a wearable device.
4. The system according to claim 3 , wherein the wearable device comprises a ring.
5. The system according to claim 3 , wherein the wearable device comprises a wristband or a bracelet.
6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the haptic output device comprises an actuator and the haptic effect comprises a vibration.
7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the haptic output device comprises at least one electrode connected to a power source.
8. The system according to claim 7 , wherein the haptic effect comprises an electrotactile stimulation.
9. The system according to claim 7 , wherein the haptic effect comprises muscle stimulation.
10. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the haptic output device comprises a mechanical apparatus configured to stretch or pull the skin.
11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the haptic output device comprises a pair of electromagnets configured to cause attraction or repulsion of two interacting skin surfaces.
12. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the haptic output device is configured to generate ultrasound or air vortices.
13. A method comprising:
sensing a touch input between different skin surface portions;
generating a haptic control signal based on the sensed touch input in response to the sensor sensing a touch input between the different skin surface portions; and
generating a haptic effect with a haptic output device based on the haptic control signal, the haptic effect being related to the touch input sensed by the sensor between the different skin surface portions.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the haptic effect comprises a vibration.
15. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the haptic effect comprises an electrotactile stimulation.
16. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the haptic effect comprises muscle stimulation.
17. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the haptic effect comprises stretching or pulling the skin.
18. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the haptic effect comprises causing attraction or repulsion of two interacting skin surfaces.
19. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the haptic effect comprises ultrasound or air vortices.
20. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising reducing a sensitivity of the skin surface to the haptic effect.
21. A method comprising:
sensing a touch input at a skin surface;
generating a haptic control signal based on the touch input;
generating a haptic effect with a haptic output device based on the haptic control signal; and
reducing a sensitivity of the skin surface to the haptic effect;
wherein the sensitivity of the skin surface is reduced by applying a topical anesthetic to the skin surface before sensing the touch input.
22. A method comprising:
sensing a touch input at a skin surface;
generating a haptic control signal based on the touch input;
generating a haptic effect with a haptic output device based on haptic control signal; and
reducing a sensitivity of the skin surface to the haptic effect;
wherein the sensitivity of the skin surface is reduced by lowering the temperature of the skin surface.
23. A method comprising:
sensing a touch input at a skin surface;
generating a haptic control signal based on the touch input;
generating a haptic effect with a haptic output device based on the haptic control signal; and
reducing a sensitivity of the skin surface to the haptic effect;
wherein the sensitivity of the skin surface is reduced by applying vibrations to the skin surface before sensing the touch input.