Patents Assigned to Immersion Corporation
  • Systems and Methods for Haptically-Enabled Interactions with Objects
    Publication number: 20190146588
    Abstract: One illustrative computing device disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a physical object and transmit a sensor signal associated with the user interaction. The illustrative computing device also includes a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine a characteristic of the physical object based on the sensor signal; and determine a function based at least in part on the user interaction and the characteristic. The processor is also configured to determine a haptic effect associated with the function; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative computing device further includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Wei Zhu, Eric Gervais, Fengtian An, Eric Lajeunesse, Johnny Maalouf
  • Method and apparatus for generating mood-based haptic feedback
    Patent number: 10289201
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating mood-based haptic feedback are disclosed. A haptic system includes a sensing device, a digital processing unit, and a haptic generator. The sensing device, in one embodiment, is configured to detect user's modalities in accordance with mood information collected by one or more sensors and capable of issuing a sensing signal in response to the user's modalities. The digital processing unit is capable of identifying a user's condition in accordance with the sensing signal and providing a haptic signal in response to the user's condition. The user's condition, in one aspect, indicates user's mood and/or user's psychological conditions. The haptic generator generates haptic feedback in accordance with the haptic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Haptically Enabled User Interface
    Publication number: 20190138176
    Abstract: A device has a user interface that generates a haptic effect in response to user inputs or gestures. In one embodiment, the device receives an indication that the user is scrolling through a list of elements and an indication that an element is selected. The device determines the scroll rate and generates a haptic effect that has a magnitude that is based on the scroll rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Jason D. Fleming, Erin B. Ramsey, A. Timothy Vetter, Robert Lacroix, Pedro Gregorio, Danny Grant, Lauri Olli Matias Impivaara
  • Fiber actuator for haptic feedback
    Patent number: 10281985
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to fiber actuators for providing haptic feedback, and haptic actuation resulting from mechanical and/or electrostatic (non-mechanical) interactions with the fiber actuators. Such fiber actuators are useful in structural materials, including as elements of wearables or accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vahid Khoshkava, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Programmable haptic peripheral
    Patent number: 10279251
    Abstract: A system includes a host computer, a processor, and a haptic peripheral. The haptic peripheral includes a manipulandum movable in at least one degree of freedom, an inertial haptic output device, and a haptic output device. The inertial haptic output device is coupled to the manipulandum, and is configured to receive a control signal from the processor and output a transient haptic effect to the manipulandum in response to the control signal from the processor. The haptic output device is configured to receive a control signal from the processor and modify the stiffness of the manipulandum in response to the control signal from the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Danny A. Grant
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A TEXTURE ENGINE
    Publication number: 20190129505
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a texture engine are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: a processor configured to receive a display signal including a plurality of pixels, determine a haptic effect comprising a texture, and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to an actuator in communication with the processor, the actuator configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny Grant
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SURFACE ELEMENTS THAT PROVIDE ELECTROSTATIC HAPTIC EFFECTS
    Publication number: 20190129503
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine an electrostatic force (ESF)-based haptic effect and transmit a haptic signal associated with the ESF-based haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes a surface configured to contact a user, and an ESF device coupled to the surface and in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device configured to receive the ESF signal and output the ESF-based haptic effect on the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Ali Modarres, Christopher Ullrich
  • Method and apparatus for providing haptic feedback to non-input locations
    Patent number: 10275030
    Abstract: A handheld apparatus includes a top surface that includes a touch screen defining a plurality of keys, and a bottom surface on an opposite side of the first surface. The apparatus further includes a processor and an actuator coupled to the processor and located on the bottom surface. The processor is adapted to detect an object moving across the keys and in response generate an actuation signal to the actuator to generate a haptic feedback on the back surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Andrew Gosline, Danny Grant, Christophe Ramstein
  • Systems and methods for generating haptic effects associated with transitions in audio signals
    Patent number: 10276004
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating haptic effects associated with transitions in audio signals are disclosed. One disclosed system for outputting haptic effects includes a processor configured to: receive a signal; determine a haptic effect based in part on the signal; output a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect; an audio output device configured to receive the signal and output an audible effect; and a haptic output device in communication with the processor and coupled to the touch surface, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Jamal Saboune
  • Pressure-sensitive suspension system for a haptic device
    Patent number: 10275032
    Abstract: Embodiments hereof are directed to a haptic device having a pressure-sensitive suspension system. The haptic device includes a housing, a touch surface component mounted to the housing to be movable relative thereto, and a haptic actuator for providing haptic feedback to the touch surface component. At least one suspension component is disposed between the touch surface component and the housing. The suspension component is formed from an elastomer and includes pressure-sensing particles integrated into the elastomer. The pressure-sensing particles are configured to sense pressure applied to the touch surface component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Olien, Vahid Khoshkava
  • Systems and Methods for Compensating for Visual Distortion Caused by Surface Features on a Display
    Publication number: 20190122346
    Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating for visual distortion caused by surface features on a display are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: a display including one ore more surface features; a processor configured to: receive a display signal including graphical data; determine a location of the surface feature; transform the display signal based at least in part on the location of the surface feature; and cause the transformed display signal to be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Birnbaum
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SHIFTING HAPTIC FEEDBACK FUNCTION BETWEEN PASSIVE AND ACTIVE MODES
    Publication number: 20190121440
    Abstract: Systems and methods for shifting haptic feedback function between passive and active modes are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes receiving a first signal from a sensor, the first signal associated with a mode of interaction with a graphical user interface; receiving a second signal associated with an interaction with the graphical user interface; determining a haptic feedback effect based at least in part on the mode of interaction with the graphical user interface and the interaction with the graphical user interface; and generating a haptic signal configured to output the haptic feedback effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULATING SURFACE FEATURES ON A USER INTERFACE WITH HAPTIC EFFECTS
    Publication number: 20190121437
    Abstract: A haptic effect enabled device for simulating a tactile sensation on a surface. In some cases, the haptic effect enabled device may be a user interface device, and the tactile sensation may be simulated on a surface of the user interface device. The interface device may include a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect, such as a periodic haptic effect, at the surface. The interface device may include a drive module configured to generate a periodic drive signal based on a touch input at the surface of the interface device and based on the tactile sensation to be simulated at the surface. The interface device may include a drive circuit operatively coupled to the drive module and the haptic output device and configured to apply the periodic drive signal to the haptic output device. In some cases, the surface may be separate from the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Automated haptic effect accompaniment
    Patent number: 10269392
    Abstract: A method of playing media on a device includes initiating the playing of audio/video (“A/V”) media on the device, and then identifying the A/V media. The method further includes selecting a pre-defined haptic track that corresponds to the identified A/V media, and playing the selected pre-defined haptic track in synchrony with the playing of the A/V, where the playing of the selected pre-defined haptic track generates haptic effects on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. Lacroix, Paul Norris
  • System and method for shape deformation and force display of devices
    Patent number: 10268270
    Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods for shape deformation of a haptic deformation display device are provided. For example, the haptic deformation display device may receive an input signal when the shape of the haptic deformation display device is in a first shape configuration. In response to the input signal, the haptic deformation display device may activate an actuator of the haptic deformation display device. The actuator may move a deformation component of the haptic deformation display device. The deformation component may at least partially defining a shape of the haptic deformation display device, thereby causing the shape of the haptic deformation display device to deform into a second shape configuration different from the first shape configuration. The second shape configuration may be substantially maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Li Jiang, David M. Birnbaum, Remy Pieron, Christopher J. Ullrich, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Robert Lacroix, Danny Grant, Ali Modarres
  • Controlling power distribution to haptic output devices
    Patent number: 10268286
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power and/or current consumption for multiple haptic output devices are provided. Various features of the haptic output device may be described within a data structure. In response to a haptic instruction, a power budget for the haptic output device may be determined in accordance with its operational characteristics. A drive signal may then be applied to the haptic output device to produce the haptic effect in accordance with the calculated power budget. The calculated power budget may be configured to limit the current or power drawn by the haptic output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Srivatsav Venkatesan, Kaniyalal Shah, Douglas George Billington, Stephen Rank
  • System with wearable device and haptic output device
    Patent number: 10269222
    Abstract: A system includes a wearable device, a second device remote from and in communication with the wearable device, a processor configured to generate a control signal representative of an event occurring in an environment related to the wearable device and/or the second device, and a haptic output device configured to provide haptic feedback based on the generated control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Allan Visitacion, Trevor Jones, Daniel Gregory Parker, Kohei Imoto, Keith Reed, Jesica E. Ferro, Aaron Kapelus, Neil Olien, Danny A. Grant, Robert Lacroix
  • Haptic playback adjustment system
    Patent number: 10261582
    Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting the playback rate of haptic effects to a desired playback rate. A desired playback rate is determined. A portion of a haptic signal based on the desired playback rate is generated. The portion of the haptic signal is sent to a haptic output device, causing the haptic output device to output haptic effects at a playback rate corresponding to the desired playback rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jamal Saboune, Stephen Rank, Amer Alhalabi, Shadi Asfour, Changyu Yang
  • Systems and methods for providing electrostatic haptic effects via a wearable or handheld device
    Patent number: 10261586
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a computing device with an electrostatic force (“ESF”) haptic output device coupled to a surface of the computing device. The ESF haptic output device comprises a signal electrode that includes an insulation layer and a conductive layer positioned proximate to the insulation layer and the conductive layer is electrically coupled to a voltage supply to receive an amount of voltage for generating an ESF haptic effect, which can include a dynamic ESF haptic effect or a static ESF haptic effect. The ESF haptic output device can output the ESF haptic effect to the surface of the computing device to which the ESF haptic output device is coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Jamal Saboune, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Architecture and communication protocol for haptic output devices
    Patent number: 10254838
    Abstract: The embodiments are directed toward an architecture and communication protocol for controlling haptic output devices. According to the embodiments, a composite drive signal is generated 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. A controller includes the first haptic output device that is associated with a first user input element and the second haptic output device associated with a second user input element. The composite drive signal is transmitted to controller, and the execution order of the first and second drive signals is determined based on the packet identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Srivatsav Venkatesan, Kaniyalal Shah, Andrew C. Prock, Henry Da Costa