Systems and methods for manipulating a virtual object

A method for manipulating a virtual projectile, comprising:

• receiving trajectory data describing a trajectory of a virtual projectile;
• receiving from a motion sensor a motion signal describing a motion of a haptic device;
• determining a first position of a body part of a user of the haptic device based at least in part on the motion signal;
• determining a first distance between the first position of the body part and the trajectory;
• exciting a haptic actuator at a first level, wherein the haptic actuator is positioned to generate a sensation to a user of the haptic device;
• after determining the first position of the body part, determining a second position of the body part;
• determining a second distance between the second position of the body part and the trajectory, wherein the second distance is different than the first distance;
• and
• exciting the haptic actuator at a second level different than the first level.

At least one computer readable medium comprising instructions thereon that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform:

• receiving trajectory data describing a trajectory of a virtual projectile;
• receiving from a motion sensor a motion signal describing a motion of a haptic device;
• determining a first position of a body part of a user of the haptic device based at least in part on the motion signal;
• determining a first distance between the first position of the body part and the trajectory;
• exciting a haptic actuator at a first level, wherein the haptic actuator is positioned to generate a sensation to a user of the haptic device;
• after determining the first position of the body part, determining a second position of the body part;
• determining a second distance between the second position of the body part and the trajectory, wherein the second distance is different than the first distance;
• and
• exciting the haptic actuator at a second level different than the first level.

A haptic device for manipulating a virtual projectile, comprising:

• a motion sensor to generate a motion signal describing a motion of the haptic device;
• a haptic actuator to generate a sensation to a user of the haptic device;
• an input/output (I/O) circuit to receive projectile data describing the virtual projectile;
• a position circuit to determine that the motion of the haptic device is a propelling motion;
• a feedback circuit to excite the haptic actuator at a first level indicating propelling of the virtual projectile;
• wherein the position circuit is to determine trajectory data describing a trajectory of the virtual projectile based at least in part on the motion signal;
• and
• wherein the I/O circuit is to send the trajectory data to at least a second haptic device.