{
  "patent_number": "US 8898564",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Devices Give Haptic Feedback While You Hover Your Finger",
  "original_title": "Haptic effects with proximity sensing",
  "summary": "This patent describes a system that triggers physical vibrations or sensations on a device when your finger hovers near the screen without actually touching it.",
  "what_it_does": "The patent claims a system that uses proximity sensors to detect when a finger or object is hovering over a touchscreen. Because the device knows exactly which button or menu item you are hovering over, it can trigger a specific haptic effect—like a vibration—before you even make contact. For example, as you move your finger over a virtual button on a screen, the device might provide a subtle buzz to confirm you are positioned correctly before you press down. This creates a tactile sense of depth or interaction in a space where no physical buttons exist.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover haptic feedback that only occurs after physical contact with the screen.",
    "Does not cover systems that lack a proximity sensor to detect the hovering object.",
    "Does not cover haptic effects that are not tied to specific selectable functionality on the display."
  ],
  "filed": "2011-02-07",
  "granted": "2014-11-25",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Immersion Corp",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/immersion-corp",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Robert Andre Lacroix",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/robert-andre-lacroix"
    },
    {
      "name": "Danny A. Grant",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/danny-a-grant"
    },
    {
      "name": "Pedro Gregorio",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/pedro-gregorio"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 11,
  "tags": [
    "consumer_electronics",
    "mechanical",
    "software"
  ],
  "abstract": "A method of generating haptic effects on a device includes detecting the presence of an object near an input area of the device and generating a haptic effect on the device in response to the presence detection.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8898564/siri-intelligent-automated-assistant",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8898564/siri-intelligent-automated-assistant/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US8898564",
  "relatedPatents": []
}