Patents Assigned to Immersion Corporation
  • Gesture based input system in a vehicle with haptic feedback
    Patent number: 10449972
    Abstract: A vehicle haptic feedback system includes a haptic actuator, a detection device, and a controller. The haptic actuator is configured to provide haptic feedback to a vehicle driver. The detection device is disposed in an interior of the vehicle and is configured to capture movements of the vehicle driver and output data representing the movements. The controller is coupled to the detection device and is configured to receive a signal from the detection device indicative of the movements. The controller is also coupled to a haptic effect feedback system. Based on the signal, the controller is configured to send a signal to select a haptic effect from an effect table and is configured to send a signal to the haptic actuator to provide the selected haptic effect. The haptic actuator is coupled to a driver's seat, a steering wheel, a driver's seat belt, and/or an object wearable by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dat Truong
  • Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback via a case
    Patent number: 10444844
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a case configured to mechanically couple with a mobile device and position the mobile device such that the mobile device serves as a display for the case. The system also includes a processor coupled to the case and configured to generate a haptic signal based at least in part on a characteristic of the case. The system also includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor and configured to receive the haptic signal and output a haptic effect in response to the haptic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant, Razmik Mousakhanian, Andry Rabemiarisoa, Gor Isajanyan, Alex Zhu
  • Systems and methods for converting sensory data to haptic effects
    Patent number: 10444843
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor, a processor configured to receive a signal output by the sensor, determine a position and descriptor of the sensor, determine a scene selection of a video, and create a haptic signal based on the selected scene, the signal output by the sensor, and the position and descriptor of the sensor, and a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and generate a haptic effect based on the haptic signal. A system includes a sensor, a processor configured to receive a signal from the sensor, determine a type of event and activity associated with the sensor, and generate a haptic signal based on the signal from the sensor and the type of event and activity associated with the sensor, and a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect based on the haptic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jamal Saboune, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Inertial haptic actuators having a cantilevered beam and a smart material
    Patent number: 10445996
    Abstract: A haptic actuator comprising a base and a haptic transducer at least partially suspended by the base. The haptic transducer comprises a substrate and a smart material operably connected to the substrate. The smart material has resonance in response to an electrical signal having a determined frequency, and the resonance causes the haptic transducer to vibrate and deliver a haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Mansoor Alghooneh, Vahid Khoshkava, Juan Manuel Cruz Hernandez, Neil Olien, Robert A. Lacroix
  • Thermally activated haptic output device
    Patent number: 10444838
    Abstract: A haptic output device is configured to generate a deformation-based haptic effect and a vibration-based haptic effect. The haptic output device includes a shape memory material configured to change a shape thereof when heated and generate the deformation-based haptic effect, and a cooling device configured to cool the shape memory material and generate the vibration-based haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vahid Khoshkava, Mansoor Alghooneh
  • Systems and methods for viewport-based augmented reality haptic effects
    Patent number: 10444829
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a display configured to receive a display signal and output an image, and an image capture device configured to capture an area image and transmit an image signal. The illustrative system also includes a processor in communication with the image capture device and the display, the processor configured to: receive the image signal; determine a virtual object based in part on the image signal; determine the display signal based in part on the image signal, wherein the display signal includes data associated with the virtual object; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the virtual object; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant
  • Systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation
    Patent number: 10445994
    Abstract: Systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: an actuator; and a control-circuit in communication with the actuator, the control circuit configured to: receive a haptic signal including a first bit indicating a power state; and transmit a power signal based on the haptic signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate at an actuation state at a fixed power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. Ramsay, Henrique D. da Costa, Neil Olien, Robert A. Lacroix
  • Synchronization of haptic effect data in a media transport stream
    Patent number: 10440238
    Abstract: A method for synchronizing haptic effects with at least one media component in a media transport stream includes identifying a series of video frames containing imaging information and/or a series of audio frames containing sound information in the media transport stream; identifying a series of haptic frames containing force feedback information in the media transport stream; and synchronizing the force feedback information in response to the imaging information and/or sound information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. Lacroix, Andrianaivo Rabemiarisoa, Henrique D. Da Costa, Herve Thu Timone, Stephen D. Rank, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • Systems and methods for user generated content authoring
    Patent number: 10437341
    Abstract: Systems and methods for user generated content authoring are disclosed. One illustrative method disclosure herein includes: receiving a video signal; displaying a user interface associated with haptic authoring; detecting a gesture associated with a haptic effect; determining a haptic effect based in part on the gesture; associating the haptic effect with a location in the video signal; and storing the video signal and the associated haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich, Robert Lacroix, Satvir Singh Bhatia, Michael Powell, Stephen D. Rank, Iva Segalman, Amaya Weddle, Paige Raynes
  • Conformable display with linear actuator
    Patent number: 10440848
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to conformable displays, including macro-fiber composite (MFC) actuators. The MFC actuators are configured to displace the conformable displays in a linear direction. The conformable displays can be thin, flexible and deformable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil T. Olien, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Vahid Khoshkava
  • Method and apparatus to provide haptic feedback based on media content and one or more external parameters
    Patent number: 10429934
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods of providing haptic feedback based on media content and one or more external parameters used to customize the haptic feedback. The system may modify or otherwise alter haptic feedback that is determined using the media content alone. In other words, the system may use both the media content and the external parameters to determine haptic feedback that should be output to the user or others. The external parameters may include, for example, sensor information, customization information, and/or other external parameters that may be used to customize the haptic feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ali Modarres, Christopher J. Ullrich, Jean Francois Dionne, Loc Phan, Satvir Singh Bhatia, Stephen D. Rank
  • Audio enhanced simulation of high bandwidth haptic effects
    Patent number: 10429933
    Abstract: A system generates haptic effects using at least one actuator and at least one speaker. The system receives a high definition (“HD”) haptic effect signal and a corresponding audio signal if audio is to be played. The system generates a standard definition (“SD”) haptic effect signal based at least on the HD haptic effect signal, and generates an audio based haptic effect signal based at least on the HD haptic effect signal. The system mixes the audio signal and the audio based haptic effect signal, and then substantially simultaneously plays the SD haptic effect signal on the actuator and plays the mixed signal on the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, William S. Rihn
  • Haptic surround functionality
    Patent number: 10427039
    Abstract: A system provides haptic surround functionality. The system determines a location of a virtual event in a virtual environment. The system also determines a location of a first virtual body area of a virtual user in the virtual environment based on a location of a first body area of a user, where the first body area corresponds to the first virtual body area. The system then determines a first haptic effect based on the virtual event, the location of the virtual event in the virtual environment, and the location of the first virtual body area of the virtual user in the virtual environment. The system outputs the first haptic effect by a first haptic output device to the first body area of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert W. Heubel
  • Method, system, and device for converting audio signal to one or more haptic effects
    Patent number: 10431057
    Abstract: A haptic conversion system is provided that intercepts frames of audio data, such as a digital audio signal, converts the frames into a haptic signal, and plays the created haptic signal through an actuator to produce haptic effects. The haptic signal is based on a maximum value of each audio data frame, which defines a magnitude of the haptic signal. The haptic signal is applied to the actuator configured to receive the haptic signal, where the actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satvir Singh Bhatia, Kanav Gandhi, Christopher J. Ullrich, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Herve Thu Timone, Jason Hoi Fun Lau
  • Automated haptic setting generation
    Patent number: 10423232
    Abstract: A system and method of generating a set of preferred haptic settings for a user based on haptic settings chosen by other similar users is presented. The method includes maintaining a database of haptic software applications with associated haptic configuration settings. When a user loads a haptic software application such as a computer game or video, a server receives a communication identifying the particular computer game or video and the identity of the user. The server searches the database for other users of the computer game or video where the other users have similar setting preferences as the user. The server calculates a preferred set of configuration settings and sends those settings to the user where a haptic output device produces haptic effects based on the preferred set of configuration settings. A system that generates haptic setting based on similar users is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vincent Levesque
  • Haptic trigger control system
    Patent number: 10416770
    Abstract: A system that controls a haptic effect experienced at a trigger is provided. The system receives a haptic effect definition including haptic data. The system further receives trigger data including at least one of: a position of a trigger of a peripheral device; or a range of the trigger of the peripheral device. The system further determines whether a trigger condition is reached based on the received trigger data. The system further sends a haptic instruction and the haptic effect definition to the peripheral device when the trigger condition is reached. The system further causes a haptic output device (or multiple haptic output devices) to produce haptic effects that are based on the haptic effect definition at the peripheral device in response to the haptic instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Lacroix, Danny Grant, Henry Da Costa, Stephen D. Rank, David Birnbaum, William Rihn
  • Automatic remote sensing and haptic conversion system
    Patent number: 10416774
    Abstract: A system is provided that automatically converts an input into one or more haptic effects in near real-time. The system senses the input in near real-time. The system automatically converts the sensed input into one or more haptic signals in near real-time. The system generates the one or more haptic effects based on the one or more haptic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amaya Becvar Weddle, Danny Grant
  • Method and apparatus for determining energy availability for a haptic-enabled device and for conserving energy by selecting between a braking and non-braking mode
    Patent number: 10413817
    Abstract: A haptic-enabled device, comprising a haptic actuator, an energy storage device configured to provide energy to the haptic actuator, and a control unit communicatively coupled to the haptic actuator is presented. The control unit may be configured to determine an energy availability level for the haptic-enabled device. The determination is based on an energy level of the energy storage device or an energy usage rate thereof. The control unit may further be configured to determine an energy conservation setting for the haptic-enabled device based on at least one of (i) the energy availability level, and (ii) an input received by the haptic-enabled device for controlling the energy conservation setting. The control unit may be configured to determine, based on the energy conservation setting, whether to generate the haptic effect in a braking mode or in a non-braking mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: William S. Rihn, Erin Ramsay
  • Haptic device incorporating stretch characteristics
    Patent number: 10417880
    Abstract: Systems using haptic effect output devices with stretch characteristics are provided. In some embodiments, the stretch haptic effect output devices provide stretch effects responsive to software control. In other embodiments, the stretch haptic effect output devices provide stretch effects responsive to user input as well. Moreover, in some embodiments, the stretch haptic effect output devices provide stretch effects in conjunction and coordination with non-stretch haptic effect output devices as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Francis Jose
  • Systems and methods for shifting haptic feedback function between passive and active modes
    Patent number: 10416775
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich