Haptic Accessory Apparatus

A haptic-enabled system for providing a virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) environment, the system comprising:

• a computer system comprising a first processor and a display device, wherein the first processor is configured to execute an application that provides the VR or AR environment, and the display device is configured to display the VR or AR environment;
• and
• a haptic accessory apparatus comprising:
• a conformable body adapted to be attached to a physical object having no handheld controller functionality when detached from the haptic accessory apparatus, and wherein the haptic accessory apparatus is configured to provide a physical object with handheld controller functionality when the haptic accessory apparatus is attached to the physical object;
• a haptic output device disposed on or in the conformable body;
• a motion sensor disposed on or in the conformable body and configured to track motion of the haptic accessory apparatus;
• a wireless communication interface unit configured to wirelessly communicate with the computer system;
• a second processor disposed on or in the conformable body and in communication with the haptic output device, the motion sensor, and the wireless communication interface unit;
• and
• a power source disposed on or in the conformable body and configured to provide power to at least the haptic output device, the second processor, and the wireless communication interface unit,
• wherein the first processor of the computer system is configured
• to receive sensor information from the motion sensor of the haptic accessory apparatus via the wireless communication interface unit thereof,
• to control a virtual object of the VR or AR environment based on the sensor information, to determine that a haptic effect associated with the virtual object is to be generated, and
• to communicate a signal to the second processor via the wireless communication interface unit, wherein the signal indicates that the haptic accessory apparatus is to generate the haptic effect, and the haptic output device of the haptic accessory apparatus is configured to output the haptic effect based on the signal.

A method for providing a virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) environment, the method performed by a computer system having a first processor and a display device, the method comprising:

• executing, by the first processor of the computer system, an application that provides the VR or AR environment;
• causing, by the first processor, a virtual object of the VR or AR environment to be displayed on the display device of the computer system;
• receiving, from a haptic accessory apparatus, sensor information from a motion sensor of the haptic accessory apparatus, wherein the haptic accessory apparatus comprises a conformable body, a haptic output device, the motion sensor, a wireless communication interface unit, a second processor, and a power source, wherein the conformable body is adapted to be attached to a physical object having no handheld controller functionality when detached from the haptic accessory apparatus, wherein each of the haptic output device, the motion sensor, the wireless communication interface unit, the second processor, and the power source is disposed on or in the conformable body;
• controlling, by the first processor, the virtual object based on the sensor information;
• determining, by the first processor, that a haptic effect associated with the virtual object is to be generated;
• and
• communicating, by the first processor, a signal to the haptic accessory apparatus that indicates the haptic accessory apparatus is to generate the haptic effect, such that the haptic effect is generated at the physical object attached to the haptic accessory apparatus.