Patents by Inventor Stephen D. Rank

Stephen D. Rank has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8761915
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system and method for automatically converting a plurality of events in a plurality of channels in a structured representation sequence into haptic events. The method comprises calculating an event score for each event of the sequence in one or more channels. The method also comprises calculating a cumulative score based on the event scores in the one or more channels. The method includes selectively designating haptic events to the events based on the event scores in one or more selected channels, wherein the haptic events are output by a haptic actuator. This may be done by the system by calculating properties of the sound or by taking already existing values associated with those properties to efficiently produce haptic events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Stephen D. Rank, Munibe M. Bakircioglu
  • Publication number: 20140167941
    Abstract: A method of generating a haptic effect on a linear resonance actuator (“LRA”) having a resonant frequency includes receiving a haptic effect signal for the haptic effect, where the haptic effect comprises a desired frequency that is off-resonant from the LRA. The method further includes generating a first sine wave at the desired frequency and generating a second sine wave at or near the resonant frequency. The method further includes combining the first sine wave and the second sine wave to generate a drive signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen D. RANK, Erin B. RAMSAY, Henry DA COSTA, Arnab SEN, Elena Renee REDELSHEIMER
  • Patent number: 8700791
    Abstract: Haptic information in a series of frames of a media transport stream is identified and time stamps corresponding thereto are determined in accordance with a master time code signal embedded in the media transport stream. Each media transport stream frame containing haptic information is subsequently assigned a time stamp so that it will be used to activate an actuator at a proper time responsive to the time stamp to generate a haptic effect in accordance with the haptic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Lacroix, Andrianaivo Rabemiarisoa, Henrique D. da Costa, Herve Thu Timone, Stephen D. Rank, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • Patent number: 8686941
    Abstract: Triggering haptic sensations based on sound output from a computer device. A portion of sound data is stored that is output to a user as audio from an application program running on a computer. The portion of sound data is analyzed using intelligent heuristics to extract at least one sound feature from the sound data. The execution of at least one haptic effect is triggered based on the sound feature, where the haptic effect is commanded to the haptic feedback device approximately correlated to the output of the portion of sound to the user as audio. The haptic effect causes a haptic sensation to be output to the user. Different haptic effects can be associated with different sound features, frequency ranges, amplitudes, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen D. Rank
  • Patent number: 8688251
    Abstract: The system and method described is directed to receiving digital audio files and automatically converting the received files into haptic events. In an embodiment, the received files are of sampled digital or digitized analog audio files. The system and method separates the audio signal into a plurality of sub-band signals and segments the sub-band signals into a plurality of events. The system and method then assigns haptic effects to the events to produce haptic event signals which are to be output by an actuator. The system and method utilizes clipping and minimum time separation parameters along with physical parameters of the actuator and frequency characteristics in the audio signal to analyze and provide discrete haptic events which correspond with the audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Danny A. Grant, Stephen D. Rank, Munibe M. Bakircioglu
  • Publication number: 20140089792
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and associated software are described herein for enabling a regular user of an end user device, such as a cellular telephone, to customize parameters associated with haptic effects applied to the user by the end user device. In one implementation, among several, a method described herein includes enabling a user of an end user device to access software adapted to design or modify haptic effects of the end user device. The method further includes enabling the user to open a haptic track file and enter or modify parameters associated with the haptic effects of the opened haptic track file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. RAMSAY, Robert W. HEUBEL, Jason D. FLEMING, Stephen D. RANK
  • Patent number: 8621348
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and associated software are described herein for enabling a regular user of an end user device, such as a cellular telephone, to customize parameters associated with haptic effects applied to the user by the end user device. In one implementation, among several, a method described herein includes enabling a user of an end user device to access software adapted to design or modify haptic effects of the end user device. The method further includes enabling the user to open a haptic track file and enter or modify parameters associated with the haptic effects of the opened haptic track file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. Ramsay, Robert W. Heubel, Jason D. Fleming, Stephen D. Rank
  • Patent number: 8441437
    Abstract: Triggering haptic sensations based on sound output from a computer device. A portion of sound data is stored that is output to a user as audio from an application program running on a computer. The portion of sound data is analyzed using intelligent heuristics to extract at least one sound feature from the sound data. The execution of at least one haptic effect is triggered based on the sound feature, where the haptic effect is commanded to the haptic feedback device approximately correlated to the output of the portion of sound to the user as audio. The haptic effect causes a haptic sensation to be output to the user. Different haptic effects can be associated with different sound features, frequency ranges, amplitudes, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen D. Rank
  • Patent number: 8378964
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system and method for automatically converting a plurality of events in a plurality of channels in a structured representation sequence into haptic events. The method comprises calculating an event score for each event of the sequence in one or more channels. The method also comprises calculating a cumulative score based on the event scores in the one or more channels. The method includes selectively designating haptic events to the events based on the event scores in one or more selected channels, wherein the haptic events are output by a haptic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Stephen D. Rank
  • Publication number: 20110215913
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system and method for automatically converting a plurality of events in a plurality of channels in a structured representation sequence into haptic events. The method comprises calculating an event score for each event of the sequence in one or more channels. The method also comprises calculating a cumulative score based on the event scores in the one or more channels. The method includes selectively designating haptic events to the events based on the event scores in one or more selected channels, wherein the haptic events are output by a haptic actuator. This may be done by the system by calculating properties of the sound or by taking already existing values associated with those properties to efficiently produce haptic events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Stephen D. Rank, Munibe M. Bakircioglu
  • Publication number: 20110202155
    Abstract: The system and method described is directed to receiving digital audio files and automatically converting the received files into haptic events. In an embodiment, the received files are of sampled digital or digitized analog audio files. The system and method separates the audio signal into a plurality of sub-band signals and segments the sub-band signals into a plurality of events. The system and method then assigns haptic effects to the events to produce haptic event signals which are to be output by an actuator. The system and method utilizes clipping and minimum time separation parameters along with physical parameters of the actuator and frequency characteristics in the audio signal to analyze and provide discrete haptic events which correspond with the audio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Danny A. Grant, Stephen D. Rank, Munibe M. Bakircioglu
  • Patent number: 8000825
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system and method for automatically converting a plurality of events in a plurality of channels in a structured representation sequence into haptic events. The method comprises calculating an event score for each event of the sequence in one or more channels. The method also comprises calculating a cumulative score based on the event scores in the one or more channels. The method includes selectively designating haptic events to the events based on the event scores in one or more selected channels, wherein the haptic events are output by a haptic actuator. This may be done by the system by calculating properties of the sound or by taking already existing values associated with those properties to efficiently produce haptic events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Stephen D. Rank, Munibe M. Bakircioglu
  • Patent number: 7979146
    Abstract: The system and method described is directed to receiving digital audio files and automatically converting the received files into haptic events. In an embodiment, the received files are of sampled digital or digitized analog audio files. The system and method separates the audio signal into a plurality of sub-band signals and segments the sub-band signals into a plurality of events. The system and method then assigns haptic effects to the events to produce haptic event signals which are to be output by an actuator. The system and method utilizes clipping and minimum time separation parameters along with physical parameters of the actuator and frequency characteristics in the audio signal to analyze and provide discrete haptic events which correspond with the audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Danny A. Grant, Stephen D. Rank, Munibe M. Bakircioglu
  • Publication number: 20110128132
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system and method for automatically converting a plurality of events in a plurality of channels in a structured representation sequence into haptic events. The method comprises calculating an event score for each event of the sequence in one or more channels. The method also comprises calculating a cumulative score based on the event scores in the one or more channels. The method includes selectively designating haptic events to the events based on the event scores in one or more selected channels, wherein the haptic events are output by a haptic actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Stephen D. Rank
  • Publication number: 20100066512
    Abstract: Triggering haptic sensations based on sound output from a computer device. A portion of sound data is stored that is output to a user as audio from an application program running on a computer. The portion of sound data is analyzed using intelligent heuristics to extract at least one sound feature from the sound data. The execution of at least one haptic effect is triggered based on the sound feature, where the haptic effect is commanded to the haptic feedback device approximately correlated to the output of the portion of sound to the user as audio. The haptic effect causes a haptic sensation to be output to the user. Different haptic effects can be associated with different sound features, frequency ranges, amplitudes, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen D. Rank
  • Patent number: 7623114
    Abstract: Triggering haptic sensations based on sound output from a computer device. A portion of sound data is stored that is output to a user as audio from an application program running on a computer. The portion of sound data is analyzed using intelligent heuristics to extract at least one sound feature from the sound data. The execution of at least one haptic effect is triggered based on the sound feature, where the haptic effect is commanded to the haptic feedback device approximately correlated to the output of the portion of sound to the user as audio. The haptic effect causes a haptic sensation to be output to the user. Different haptic effects can be associated with different sound features, frequency ranges, amplitudes, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen D. Rank
  • Publication number: 20090231276
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system and method for automatically converting a plurality of events in a plurality of channels in a structured representation sequence into haptic events. The method comprises calculating an event score for each event of the sequence in one or more channels. The method also comprises calculating a cumulative score based on the event scores in the one or more channels. The method includes selectively designating haptic events to the events based on the event scores in one or more selected channels, wherein the haptic events are output by a haptic actuator. This may be done by the system by calculating properties of the sound or by taking already existing values associated with those properties to efficiently produce haptic events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Stephen D. Rank, Munibe M. Bakircioglu
  • Publication number: 20090096632
    Abstract: Haptic information in a series of frames of a media file is identified and time stamps corresponding thereto are determined in accordance with information embedded in a tag either preceding or appending the media file. The haptic effect information is automatically synchronized to the media file based on the information in one or more frames of the tag, whereby an actuator outputs the defined haptic effects in the tag in a manner synchronized with corresponding audio and/or video content of the media file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Stephen D. Rank, Munibe M. Bakircioglu
  • Publication number: 20080294984
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and associated software are described herein for enabling a regular user of an end user device, such as a cellular telephone, to customize parameters associated with haptic effects applied to the user by the end user device. In one implementation, among several, a method described herein includes enabling a user of an end user device to access software adapted to design or modify haptic effects of the end user device. The method further includes enabling the user to open a haptic track file and enter or modify parameters associated with the haptic effects of the opened haptic track file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. Ramsay, Robert W. Heubel, Jason D. Fleming, Stephen D. Rank
  • Publication number: 20080223627
    Abstract: Haptic information in a series of frames of a media transport stream is identified and time stamps corresponding thereto are determined in accordance with a master time code signal embedded in the media transport stream. Each media transport stream frame containing haptic information is subsequently assigned a time stamp so that it will be used to activate an actuator at a proper time responsive to the time stamp to generate a haptic effect in accordance with the haptic information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation, A Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Lacroix, Andrianaivo Rabemiarisoa, Henrique D. da Costa, Herve Thu Timone, Stephen D. Rank, Christopher J. Ullrich