System and method for providing complex haptic stimulation during input of control gestures, and relating to control of virtual equipment

Abstract

A system is configured to provide haptic stimulation to a user. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with the performance of one or more control gestures through which the user controls, for example, a game, a real world component or piece of equipment, and/or other entity. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with control of virtual equipment by the user.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A system configured to provide haptic stimulation to a user, the system comprising:
 a user interface configured to generate output signals related to the gestures of a user;   an actuator configured to generate haptic stimulation to the user; and   one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising:   a gesture module configured to monitor performance of a control gesture by the user based on the output signals of the user interface,   wherein the control gesture is a gesture associated with a command input to the system, and includes an initial portion, a first intermediate portion, and an ending portion;   a stimulation module configured to receive information related to performance of the control gesture from the gesture module, and to determine haptic stimulation to be generated for the user associated with the control gesture,   wherein the haptic stimulation includes a first stimulation determined responsive to performance of the initial portion of the control gesture, and a second stimulation that is different from the first stimulation and is determined responsive to performance of the first intermediate portion of the control gesture; and   an actuator control module configured to control the actuator to generate the stimulation determined by the stimulation module.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulation module is configured such that the haptic stimulation associated with the control gesture includes a third stimulation different from the first stimulation and the second stimulation that is determined responsive to performance of the ending portion of the control gesture. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control gesture further includes a second intermediate portion, and wherein the stimulation module is configured such that the haptic stimulation associated with the control gesture includes a third stimulation different from the first stimulation and the second stimulation that is determined responsive to performance of the second intermediate portion of the control gesture. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the second stimulation is determined to signal to the user that the second intermediate portion of the control gesture should be commenced. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the command input associated with the control gesture is a single, discrete command. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second stimulation is determined by adjusting one or more parameters of the first stimulation. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more parameters of the first stimulation that are adjusted to determine the second stimulation include one or more of periodicity, force, directionality, or location. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first intermediate portion of the control gesture includes maintaining contact with a touch sensitive surface for a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gesture module is configured to identify a control gesture failure responsive to the users commencing performance of the control gesture and not successfully performing all of the portions of the control gesture, and wherein the stimulation module is configured such that the haptic stimulation associated with the control gesture includes a third stimulation different from the first stimulation and the second stimulation that is determined responsive to identification of a control gesture failure by the gesture module. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulation module is configured such that the first stimulation and/or the second stimulation are determined in part based on one or more of a skill-level, fatigue, or injury of a character in a game under the control of the user. 
     
     
         12 . A method of providing haptic stimulation to a user of a system, the method comprising:
 monitoring performance of a control gesture by a user,   wherein the control gesture is a gesture associated with a command input to the system, and includes an initial portion, a first intermediate portion, and an ending portion;   determining haptic stimulation associated with performance of the control gesture to be generated for the user,   wherein the haptic stimulation includes a first stimulation determined responsive to performance of the initial portion of the control gesture, and a second stimulation that is different from the first stimulation and is determined responsive to performance of the first intermediate portion of the control gesture; and   generating the determined stimulation during performance of the control gesture.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the haptic stimulation associated with the control gesture includes a third stimulation different from the first stimulation and the second stimulation that is determined responsive to performance of the ending portion of the control gesture. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the control gesture further includes a second intermediate portion, and wherein the haptic stimulation associated with the control gesture further includes a third stimulation different from the first stimulation and the second stimulation that is determined responsive to performance of the second intermediate portion of the control gesture. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second stimulation is determined to signal to the user that the second intermediate portion of the control gesture should be commenced. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the command input associated with the control gesture is a single, discrete command. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second stimulation is determined by adjusting one or more parameters of the first stimulation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more parameters of the first stimulation that are adjusted to determine the second stimulation include one or more of periodicity, force, directionality, or location. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first intermediate portion of the control gesture includes maintaining contact with an interface surface of a touch sensitive surface for a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein responsive to identification of a control gesture failure during monitoring of performance of the control gesture the haptic stimulation associated with the control gesture includes a third stimulation different from the first stimulation and the second stimulation. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first stimulation and/or the second stimulation are determined in part based on one or more of a skill-level, fatigue, or injury of a character in a game under the control of the user. 
     
     
         22 . A system configured to provide stimulation to a user of a game, the system comprising:
 a touch sensitive electronic display having an interface surface accessible for engagement by the user, the touch sensitive user interface being configured to generate output signals related to the position at which the interface surface is engaged, and to present views of the game to the user through the interface surface,   wherein the views presented through the interface surface include views of virtual equipment having user selectable sections that are selectable by the user to interact with the virtual equipment by engaging the interface surface at the user selectable sections of the views of the virtual equipment;   an actuator configured to generate haptic stimulation to the user; and   one or more processors in operative communication with the touch sensitive electronic display and the actuator, the one or more processors being configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising:   an equipment module configured to determine the operating parameters of the virtual equipment in the views, and to simulate operation of the virtual equipment,   wherein the equipment module determines the operating parameters of the virtual equipment and/or simulates operation of the virtual equipment based on selections by the user of the user selectable sections of the views of the virtual equipment;   a stimulation module configured to determine haptic stimulation to be generated for the user associated with the operating parameters of the virtual equipment and/or simulated operation of the virtual equipment,   an actuator control module configured to control the actuator to generate the stimulation determined by the stimulation module.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the virtual equipment includes a projectile weapon. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the operating parameters of the virtual equipment based on selections by the user of the user selectable sections of the views of the virtual equipment include one or more of an amount of loaded rounds of ammunition, a level of disrepair, a stopping power, a projectile velocity, an ammunition type, or a noise level. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the actuator is configured to actuate the touch sensitive electronic display. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the actuator is configured to actuate the interface surface. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the operating parameters of the virtual equipment include activation and deactivation of individual pieces of virtual equipment. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the user selectable sections of the views of the virtual equipment correspond to sections of the virtual equipment analogous to sections of equipment that would be engaged in real life to configure operating parameters and/or operate the equipment. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the equipment module is configured to add or remove one or more components of a piece of virtual equipment based on the user engaging user selectable sections of a view of the piece of virtual equipment. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the removal and/or addition of one or more components of the piece of virtual equipment are reflected in the views of virtual equipment presented to the user through the interface surface. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein equipment module is configured to change equipment modes of a piece of virtual equipment based on the user engaging user selectable section of a view of the piece of virtual equipment. 
     
     
         32 . A method of providing stimulation to a user of a game, the method comprising:
 presenting views of a game through an interface surface of a touch sensitive electronic display that is accessible for engagement by a user,   wherein the views presented through the interface surface include views of virtual equipment having user selectable sections that are selectable by the user to interact with the virtual equipment by engaging the interface surface at the user selectable sections of the views of the virtual equipment;   receiving selection of one of the user selectable sections via an by the user engagement of the selected user selectable section on the interface surface;   determining the operating parameters of the virtual equipment in the views and/or simulating operation of the virtual equipment based on the received selection;   determining, responsive to the received selection, haptic stimulation to be generated for the user associated with the operating parameters of the virtual equipment and/or simulated operation of the virtual equipment; and   generating the determined haptic stimulation.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the virtual equipment includes a projectile weapon. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the operating parameters of the virtual equipment determined based on selection of the selected user selectable section include one or more of an amount of loaded rounds of ammunition, a level of disrepair, a stopping power, a projectile velocity, an ammunition type, or a noise level. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the haptic stimulation is generated to actuate the touch sensitive electronic display. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the haptic stimulation is generated to actuate the interface surface. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the operating parameters of the virtual equipment determined based on selection of the selected user selectable section include activation and deactivation of individual pieces of virtual equipment. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the user selectable sections of the views of the virtual equipment correspond to sections of the virtual equipment analogous to sections of equipment that would be engaged in real life to configure operating parameters and/or operate the equipment. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising adding or removing one or more components of a piece of virtual equipment based on the user engaging user selectable sections of a view of the piece of virtual equipment. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the removal and/or addition of one or more components of the piece of virtual equipment are reflected in the views of virtual equipment presented to the user through the interface surface. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein further comprising changing equipment modes of a piece of virtual equipment based on the user engaging user selectable section of a view of the piece of virtual equipment.