A device to enable touchless operation of an instrument is disclosed. The device includes an actuator configured to vibrate the instrument, a controller configured to control the actuator, and an interval detector configured to detect an interval between the instrument and an object to operate the instrument. The controller is configured to start vibrating the actuator having been still after the interval detected by the interval detector reaches a first threshold, keep vibrating the actuator until the interval detected by the interval detector reaches a second threshold larger than the first threshold after the interval reaches the first threshold, and stop vibrating the actuator after the interval detected by the interval detector reaches the second threshold.

The apparatus has a control unit, a connection unit and a vibration unit. The connection unit has a control-element-side region, an edge region and a flexible region, wherein the control-element-side region is flexibly mounted relative to the edge region by the flexible region. The control unit has a contact region, wherein the contact region is fixed relative to the control-element-side region. The control unit is configured to generate a contact signal based on contact with the contact region. The vibration unit is configured to induce a vibration of the contact region relative to the edge region during contact with the contact region.

The present disclosure provides a haptic reproduction system and a driving method, and relates to the technical field of haptic reproduction. The haptic reproduction system is able to realize haptic reproduction, and comprises: a touch display device, an upper computer and a waveform generator. The touch display device comprises a piezoelectric unit, a touch display panel and a touch driving unit. The piezoelectric unit is disposed on the touch display panel. The touch driving unit is electrically connected to the touch display panel and the upper computer, and is configured to acquire touch information and transmit the touch information to the upper computer. The upper computer is electrically connected to the waveform generator, and is configured to send a first waveform generation instruction to the waveform generator according to the touch information. The waveform generator is configured to generate a first waveform signal according to the first waveform generation instruction. The piezoelectric unit is electrically connected to the waveform generator, and is configured to resonate with the touch display panel under the drive of the first waveform signal so as to change the friction on a touch surface of the touch display device.

Example implementations relate to punch-in transitions to smoothly transition operation of parts of a robotic system from control tracks to real-time input, such as to smoothly transition a control track rotating a knob at a handheld controller to real-time input received at the handheld controller. Similarly, example implementations relate to punch-out transitions to smoothly transition operation of parts of a robotic system from real-time input to control tracks, such as to smoothly transition from the real-time input received at a handheld controller to a control track rotating a knob at a handheld controller. In particular, an example system may include a handheld haptic controller, a control system, and a robotic component.

A system for conveying digital texture information to a user includes and/or interfaces with a tactile stimulation device and a processing subsystem. A method for conveying digital texture information to a user includes any or all of: receiving a set of inputs; characterizing a digital object and/or a user based on the set of inputs; determining a stimulation pattern based on the characterization(s); providing stimulation to the user according to the stimulation pattern; and repeating any or all of the above processes.

A method includes displaying information via a first display, displaying information via a second display, controlling the information displayed via the first display and the second display with a controller, and receiving a first input from a user through a user interface. The first input includes a command to change a setting of the first display or the second display and/or the information being displayed via the first display or the second display. The method also includes generating a first haptic effect to confirm receipt of the first input.

One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to: receive a signal; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the signal; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The system further includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor and coupled to a holder, wherein the holder is configured to mechanically couple with an electronic device. The haptic output device is configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.

One exemplary embodiment is a system comprising an operator input device structured to move in response to operator-applied force and to selectably output feedback force to the operator. A first computing system is structured to receive input from the operator input device and provide an output. A second computing system is structured to receive the output and provide a robot control command subject to a force constraint. An industrial robot system is in operative communication with the second computing system and comprises a robotic arm structured to move in response to the command. The second computing system is structured process the output to impose a force constraint using a dual threshold hysteresis control. The first computing system is structured to apply a feedback force to the operator input device correlated to force associated with the industrial robot system.

In some embodiments, a haptic actuator includes piezoelectric material and a pattern of voltage electrodes coupled to a surface of the piezoelectric material. The voltage electrodes are individually controllable to supply voltage to different portions of the piezoelectric material. Different sections of the piezoelectric material are operable to deflect, producing haptic output at those locations, in response to the application of the voltage. Differing voltages may be provided to one or more of the voltage electrodes to affect the location of the deflection, and thus the haptic output. In various embodiments, a haptic output system incorporates a sealed haptic element. The sealed haptic element includes a piezoelectric component that is coupled to one or more flexes and is sealed and/or enclosed by the flex(es) and an encapsulation or sealing material.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward electronic devices configured to produce haptic effects, and to haptic enabled film overlays for pressure sensitive surfaces. The systems and methods for haptic enabled film overlays include a processor and a plurality of sensors, a pressure sensitive touch surface coupled to the plurality of sensors and configured to detect a user interaction, and an overlay including a tactile user interface and a plurality of haptic output devices, the overlay being configured to provide a haptic effect in response to the user interaction.