A portable device such as a key fob includes a piezoelectric component, such as a vibrator or buzzer, and an accelerometer. Self-testing of the piezoelectric component in the portable device may be achieved by applying a test electrical signal to the piezoelectric component and determining whether a vibration is detected by the accelerometer. If a vibration is detected by the accelerometer, then a determination is made as to whether the vibration detected by the accelerometer matches the test electric signal applied to the piezoelectric component.

The present invention provides a remote notification to a user of a cellular, or mobile, phone as the result of a particular activity or any activity at all (e.g., an incoming call from a particular person, group, or just an incoming call). In one embodiment, a sensing device is provided on the cellular phone that communicates/routes an alert to a remote notification device. In one economical embodiment, the notification device may have a short wire-based communication channel (e.g., roughly 1 foot to 5 feet) and only have a single output device (e.g., a light-emitting device). Thus, a woman may be able to quietly receive notifications of a cell phone event when her cell phone is stored in her purse.

Systems and methods are provided for auction bid notifications via wearable devices. In general, an auction system can be configured to provide an auctioneer of a live auction with a haptic notification of a bid having been made. In an exemplary embodiment, the haptic notification can be provided to an auctioneer via a wearable device worn by the auctioneer. In at least some embodiments, the haptic notification can be provided to an auctioneer in addition to one or both of a visual notification and an auditory notification indicative of the bid having been made.

Systems and methods are provided for providing an indication of auction bidding interest. In general, an auction system can be configured to provide an auctioneer of a live auction with a notification of bidding interest prior to a bid being made. A notification of bidding interest prior to a bid being made can be provided to an auctioneer of a live auction in any of a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the notification can include at least one of a visual, an auditory, and a haptic signal directed to the auctioneer.

According to an embodiment, a computing device is provided that includes a receiver and a signal generator. The receiver may be configured to receive a user query for information regarding a received call or message. The user query may include a physical act performed on the computing device. The signal generator may be configured to generate a haptic signal indicating a response to the user query for the information regarding the call or message.

A low frequency micro oscillator-driven oscillating system including at least one electric oscillation generator operative to produce oscillations at a first frequency, at least one oscillated article, at least one intermediate element, having at least one resonant frequency lower than the first frequency, the at least one intermediate element being oscillated by the at least one electric oscillation generator and being operative to cause the at least one oscillated article to oscillate and a power supply circuit, supplying electrical power intermittently in a periodic manner to the at least one electric oscillation generator, thereby causing the at least one oscillated article to oscillate at at least one second frequency, lower than the first frequency.

A method and system for energy savings with silent haptics is presented. A haptically-enabled device includes a processor that executes a haptic track containing haptic instructions. The haptic track is analyzed to determine the presence of a zero-force interval, also known as a silent haptic. The duration of the zero-force interval is determined, and if the duration exceeds a pre-determined threshold, then the system or method enters an energy savings mode. An overhead time associated with the terminating of the energy savings mode is determined. And, the energy savings mode is terminated at the conclusion of the zero-force interval less the overhead time.

A system provides haptic functionality over a networked system. The system receives information from a first device registered at the networked system and determines a notification to be provided to a user based on the information. The system then selects a second device registered at the networked system and provides the notification to the user by producing a haptic effect on the second device.

A mobile electronic device includes a first sensor that detects a proximity to an own device, a second sensor that detects a body reaction, and a controller that determines, when the proximity to the own device is detected by the first sensor and the body reaction is detected by the second sensor, that the own device is in a storage part provided on clothes. When it is determined that the own device is in the storage part provided on the clothes, the controller determines whether the clothes correspond to upper-body clothing or lower-body clothing of a user based on rotation information of the own device.

Implementations for mobile device notifications are disclosed. In one implementation, a method for a mobile device is disclosed. The method includes outputting a first notification of an event at the mobile device responsive to occurrence of the event. The method further includes discontinuing the first notification after a period of time. The method further includes receiving an indication of motion of the mobile device via a motion sensor of the mobile device after discontinuing the first notification. The method further includes outputting a second notification of the event at the mobile device after discontinuing the first notification responsive to receiving the indication of motion of the mobile device.