Systems and methods for haptically-enabled interactions with objects
One illustrative computing device disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a physical object and transmit a sensor signal associated with the user interaction. The illustrative computing device also includes a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine a characteristic of the physical object based on the sensor signal; and determine a function based at least in part on the user interaction and the characteristic. The processor is also configured to determine a haptic effect associated with the function; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative computing device further includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
1. A computing device comprising:
a processor; and
a memory device comprising instructions executable by the processor to cause the processor to:
detect an interaction with a physical object based on one or more sensor signals from one or more sensors, wherein the physical object is distant from the computing device;
determine a characteristic of the physical object by communicating with a remote device that is different from the physical object;
determine a haptic effect based on the characteristic of the physical object; and
transmit a haptic signal configured to cause a haptic output device to output the haptic effect.
2. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the memory device further comprises instructions executable by the processor to cause the processor to execute a function based on the characteristic of the physical object.
3. The computing device of claim 2 , wherein the function comprises purchasing a product via a network.
4. The computing device of claim 3 , wherein the product is the physical object.
5. The computing device of claim 2 , wherein the function is associated with a video game.
6. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the computing device is part of a wearable device.
7. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the remote device is a home appliance.
8. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the computing device or a sensor among the one or more sensors is coupled to a carrying device, and wherein the interaction comprises putting the physical object on or in the carrying device.
9. The computing device of claim 8 , wherein the characteristic of the physical object is a price of the physical object, and the memory device further comprises instructions executable by the processor to cause the processor to execute a function based on the price.
10. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the remote device comprises a server, and wherein determining the characteristic of the physical object comprises obtaining information about the physical object from the server via the Internet.
11. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the interaction comprises a predetermined movement that is oriented toward the physical object and distant from the physical object.
12. A method comprising:
detecting, by a processor of a computing device, an interaction with a physical object based on one or more sensor signals from one or more sensors, wherein the physical object is distant from the computing device;
determining, by the processor, a characteristic of the physical object by communicating with a remote device that is different from the physical object;
determining, by the processor, a haptic effect based on the characteristic of the physical object; and
causing, by the processor, a haptic output device to output the haptic effect.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising executing a function based on the characteristic of the physical object.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the function comprises purchasing a product via a network.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the product is the physical object.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the function is associated with a video game.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein computing device is part of a wearable device.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the computing device or a sensor among the one or more sensors is coupled to a carrying device, and wherein the interaction comprises putting the physical object on or in the carrying device.
19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the remote device is a home appliance.
20. The method of claim 12 , wherein the remote device comprises a server, and wherein determining the characteristic of the physical object comprises obtaining information about the physical object from the server via the Internet.
21. The method of claim 12 , wherein the interaction comprises a predetermined movement that is oriented toward the physical object and distant from the physical object.
22. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program code, which when executed by a processor of a computing device is configured to cause the processor to:
detect an interaction with a physical object based on one or more sensor signals from one or more sensors, wherein the physical object is distant from the computing device;
determine a characteristic of the physical object by communicating with a remote device that is different from the physical object;
determine a haptic effect based on the characteristic of the physical object; and
transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect, wherein a haptic output device is configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
23. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 22 , further comprising program code that is executable a processor to cause the processor to execute a function based on the characteristic of the physical object, wherein the function is associated with a video game or comprises purchasing a product via a network.
24. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 22 , wherein the computing device is part of a wearable device.
25. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 22 , wherein the interaction comprises putting the physical object on or in a carrying device.
26. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 22 , wherein the characteristic of the physical object is a price of the physical object.