Architecture and communication protocol for haptic output devices

A device comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory storing a program for execution by the processor, the program including instructions for:
• generating a composite drive signal packet data structure that includes a first drive signal to be rendered by a first haptic output device, a second drive signal to be rendered by a second haptic output device, and a packet identifier, the first haptic output device associated with a first user input element and the second haptic output device associated with a second user input element;
• transmitting, to a controller, the composite drive signal packet data structure;
• and
• determining an execution order of the first drive signal and the second drive signal at the controller according to the packet identifier,
• wherein one or more haptic effects are rendered to a user according to the first drive signal and the second drive signal.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program configured to be executed by a processor, the program comprising instructions for:

• generating a composite drive signal packet data structure that includes a first drive signal to be rendered by a first haptic output device, a second drive signal to be rendered by a second haptic output device, and a packet identifier, the first haptic output device associated with a first user input element and the second haptic output device associated with a second user input element;
• transmitting, to a controller, the composite drive signal packet data structure;
• and
• determining an execution order of the first drive signal and the second drive signal at the controller according to the packet identifier,
• wherein one or more haptic effects are rendered to a user according to the first drive signal and the second drive signal.