Systems and Methods for Transmitting Haptic Messages

Abstract

Systems and methods for transmitting haptic messages are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of: receiving at least one sensor signal from at least one sensor of a mobile device, the at least one sensor signal associated with a movement of the mobile device, determining a message to be displayed in a user interface based at least in part on the at least one sensor signal, and causing the message to be displayed.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a processor configured to:
 receive a first sensor signal from a sensor, the first sensor signal associated with a first movement of a messaging device; 
 determine a token based in part on the first movement; 
 receive a second sensor signal from the sensor, the second sensor signal associated with a second movement of the messaging device; 
 determine a haptic effect based in part on the token and the second movement; and 
 transmit a signal associated with the token and the haptic effect to a recipient device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises one or more of: an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a camera, or a GPS sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the token comprises predefined characteristics. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the predefined characteristics comprise one or more of: a shape, a written message, a color, or a haptic effect. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first movement of the messaging device comprises a movement approximating a shape of the token. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive user input associated with the token. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the user input comprises text entered on a touch-sensitive input device associated with the messaging device. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first movement comprises one or more of: tilting the messaging device, shaking the messaging device, or thrusting the messaging device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second movement comprises one or more of: tilting the messaging device, shaking the messaging device, or thrusting the messaging device. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 receiving a first sensor signal from a sensor, the first sensor signal associated with a first movement of a messaging device;   determining a token based in part on the first movement;   receiving a second sensor signal from the sensor, the second sensor signal associated with a second movement of the messaging device;   determining a haptic effect based in part on the token and the second movement; and   transmitting a signal associated with the token and the haptic effect to a recipient device.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor comprises one or more of: an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a camera, or a GPS sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the token comprises predefined characteristics. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the predefined characteristics comprise one or more of: a shape, a written message, a color, or a haptic effect. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first movement of the messaging device comprises a movement approximating a shape of the token. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising receiving user input associated with the token. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the user input comprises text entered on a touch-sensitive input device associated with the messaging device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first movement comprises one or more of: tilting the messaging device, shaking the messaging device, or thrusting the messaging device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second movement comprises one or more of: tilting the messaging device, shaking the messaging device, or thrusting the messaging device. 
     
     
         19 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program code, which when executed by a processor is configured to cause the processor to:
 receive a first sensor signal from a sensor, the first sensor signal associated with a first movement of a messaging device;   determine a token based in part on the first movement;   receive a second sensor signal from the sensor, the second sensor signal associated with a second movement of the messaging device;   determine a haptic effect based in part on the token and the second movement; and   transmit a signal associated with the token and the haptic effect to a recipient device.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , wherein the first movement of the messaging device comprises a movement approximating a shape of the token.