How Does Haptics Work?

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How Does Haptics Work?

Typically, an Immersion haptics system includes

Sensor(s)
Actuator (motor) control circuitry
One or more actuators that either vibrate or exert force
Real-time algorithms (actuator control software, which we call a “player”) and a haptic effect library
Application programming interface (API), and often a haptic effect authoring tool

The Immersion API is used to program calls to the actuator into your product’s operating system (OS). The calls specify which effect in the haptic effect library to play.

When the user interacts with your product’s buttons, touchscreen, lever, joystick/wheel, or other control, this control-position information is sent to the OS, which then sends the play command through the control circuitry to the actuator.

This way, your product’s haptic effects are context-appropriate, making operation engaging, intuitive, and natural.

Haptic Actuators

We’ve developed many haptic mechanisms to convey forces to the user’s hands or body. These include vibrotactile actuators; direct-, belt-, gear-, or cable-driven mechanisms; and other proprietary haptic devices that supply textures and vibration, assistance, resistance, and damping forces to the user. Some of our solutions specify your choice of third-party actuators that we’ve tested and certified.

Haptic Actuator Control Software

In developing our real-time haptic players, we addressed actuator size, accuracy, resolution, frequency, latency requirements, power consumption, and cost challenges. TouchSense® players include both closed- and open-loop control schemes. In closed-loop control, the firmware reads sensors from the input/output devices, and then calculates and applies the haptic output forces in real time based on the sensor data. In open-loop control, a triggering event will activate the firmware to calculate and send the haptic output signal to the actuator in real time.

Haptic APIs and Authoring Tools

We’ve developed many software solutions for various operating systems and computing platforms including those used in the personal computing, automotive, and mobile handset industries. In addition, Immersion inventions include several generations of authoring tools for creating, visualizing, modifying, archiving, and experiencing haptic feedback.

Licensing