Patents Assigned to Immersion
  • Systems and methods for shape input and output for a haptically-enabled deformable surface
    Patent number: 10203757
    Abstract: One illustrative computing device disclosed herein includes a first sensor configured to detect a position associated with a deformable surface and transmit a sensor signal associated with the position; and a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the sensor signal; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative computing device also 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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant, Jamal Saboune, Abdelwahab Hamam, William Rihn
  • Systems and methods for shifting haptic feedback function between passive and active modes
    Patent number: 10203756
    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: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • Keyless entry device for haptic communications
    Patent number: 10204495
    Abstract: A keyless entry device is provided. The keyless entry device includes a transceiver, a drive circuit coupled to a haptic actuator, and a processor coupled to the transceiver and the drive circuit. The transceiver is configured to communicate, over a communication channel, with an apparatus operated by a user. The processor is configured to send a command to the apparatus, receive a response, including a control signal, from the apparatus, determine proximity information between the keyless entry device and the apparatus, and output the control signal to the drive circuit, based on the proximity information, to cause the haptic actuator to periodically or continuously generate a haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Natasha Margaret Minenko Flaherty, David M. Birnbaum
  • Systems and Methods for Deformation-Based Haptic Effects
    Publication number: 20190038966
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a deformation sensor configured to detect a deformation of a deformable surface and transmit a first sensor signal associated with the deformation. The system also includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a user input device and transmit a second sensor signal associated with the user interaction. The system further includes a processor configured to: receive the first sensor signal; receive the second sensor signal; execute a function based at least in part on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal. The processor is also configured to: determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the first sensor signal or the second sensor signal; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Ali Modarres, William Rihn
  • AUTOMATIC HAPTIC GENERATION BASED ON COLOR FEATURES AND MOTION ANALYSIS
    Publication number: 20190041989
    Abstract: Examples of devices, systems, and methods to automatically generate haptics based on visual color features and motion analysis are disclosed. In one example, a video having a plurality of frames is received and masked frames for the video are generated by applying a color mask to the plurality of frames. An event between two of the masked frames is detected and an optical flow estimate is generated for these masked frames. At least one haptic effect corresponding to the event is generated based on the optical flow. The generated haptic effect(s) may be output to a haptic file or a haptic output device, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Liwen Wu, Jamal Saboune, Paige Raynes
  • Delivery of haptics to select recipients of a message
    Patent number: 10200332
    Abstract: Systems and methods, by which a sender can deliver haptic messages to selected recipients within a larger group of recipients that are otherwise receiving a common message, are disclosed. The haptic messages can be individualized according to a recipient's profile, preference, and/or relationship with the sender. The haptic message can be created by the sender or selected from a pre-existing library of messages, and can be delivered automatically or assigned by the sender. The haptic messages can be dynamically changed in response to haptic feedback and supplemental data collected from the recipients that is used to update preferences and profiles of message recipients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Liwen Wu, Henry Da Costa, Changyu Yang, Vincent Levesque, Hua Yu, David M. Birnbaum, Christopher Ullrich
  • Systems and methods for mapping message contents to virtual physical properties for vibrotactile messaging
    Patent number: 10198078
    Abstract: Systems and methods for mapping message contents to virtual physical properties for vibrotactile messaging are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of displaying a first visual representation of a virtual message object having an associated virtual physical parameter at a first device, generating a haptic effect based on the virtual physical parameter at the first device, and sending a message to a second device, the message being configured to display a second visual representation of the virtual message object at the second device and generate the haptic effect based on the virtual physical parameter at the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich, Danny Grant
  • Haptically-enabled modular peripheral device assembly
    Patent number: 10198074
    Abstract: A modular peripheral device assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a handheld controller and an assembly base. The handheld controller includes a first haptic actuator configured to generate a haptic effect at the handheld controller. The assembly base includes an attachment component that is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the handheld controller, and a second haptic actuator configured to generate haptic a effect at the assembly base or at the handheld controller when it is attached to the attachment component. The assembly further includes a control unit configured to select, based on whether the handheld controller is attached to or detached from the assembly base, at least one of the first and second haptic actuators to generate a haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny Grant, William Rihn, Leonard Soskin
  • Handheld devices configured to output haptic effects based on fingerprints
    Patent number: 10198079
    Abstract: Handheld weapons using tactile feedback to deliver silent status information are described. One embodiment comprises a handheld weapon comprising: a housing comprising a user contactable region, a tactile element coupled to the user contactable region, and an actuator coupled to the tactile element and capable of outputting a haptic sensation localized to the tactile element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Louis B. Rosenberg
  • Haptic feedback for opportunistic displays
    Patent number: 10198072
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a computing device in communication with a sensor configured to detect a display device near the sensor, the computing device, or within a field of view of a user of the computing device. The sensor can also be configured to transmit a signal associated with the display device to a processor in communication with the sensor. The processor is configured to determine an availability of the display device to display or output content (e.g., texts, images, sounds, videos, etc.) and a location of the display device based on the signal. The processor is also configured to determine a haptic effect based on the availability and the location of the display device and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vincent Levesque
  • Systems and methods for compensating for visual distortion caused by surface features on a display
    Patent number: 10198795
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Birnbaum
  • Systems and methods for a texture engine
    Patent number: 10198077
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny Grant
  • System, device, and method for providing haptic feedback responsive to transfer of digital content
    Patent number: 10192211
    Abstract: A system, method, and device for providing haptic feedback is presented. The system comprises a first device, a second device, and a third device. The first device has a first haptic output device, a first processor, and a first wireless communication unit. The second device has a second haptic output device, a second processor, and a second wireless communication unit. The third device has a third processor and a third wireless communication unit configured to transfer digital content between the third device and at least the first device. At least one processor of the first processor, second processor, and third processor is configured, when digital content is transferred or is being transferred between the third device and the first device, to cause the first haptic output device to output a first haptic feedback and to cause the second haptic output device to output a second haptic feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Ali Modarres, Amaya Becvar Weddle, David M. Birnbaum, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Henry Da Costa
  • Haptic enabled device with multi-image capturing abilities
    Patent number: 10194078
    Abstract: A haptic effect enabled system that includes a first image sensor, a second image sensor, a haptic output device and a processor coupled to the image sensors and haptic output device. The first image sensor generates a first digital image and the second image sensor generates a second digital image. The processor receives notification of an image event relating to the first or second digital image. The processor determines a haptic effect corresponding to the image event and applies the haptic effect with the haptic output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hugues-Antoine Oliver
  • Haptic theme framework
    Patent number: 10191546
    Abstract: A haptic theme system is provided that can create a haptic theme, where a haptic theme is an installable package that includes one or more haptic effects, and a mapping of the one or more haptic effects to one or more user interface (“UI”) events of a device. The haptic theme can be installed on the device, and the device can then dynamically load and play a haptic theme in real-time. The haptic theme system can display one or more haptic themes within a user interface. Upon receiving a selection, the haptic theme system can generate haptic feedback based on the haptic effect that is mapped to a received user interface event within the mapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Gervais, Robert Heubel
  • Haptic authoring tool using a haptification model
    Patent number: 10191552
    Abstract: A system for authoring one or more haptic effects using a haptic effect authoring tool receives a haptification model that is based on a predetermined haptic effect style. The system receives an input that includes at least one of audio and video and a plurality of events. The system then, using the haptification model, recommends a haptic effect to be associated with a corresponding event from the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jamal Saboune, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Systems and methods for location-based notifications for shopping assistance
    Patent number: 10185986
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for location-based notifications for shopping assistance. One disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a list of items for a shopping list; obtaining a location of at least one of the items in the list; responsive to a determination that a proximity of a user device to the location is within a threshold proximity of the location: generating a notification signal based on the proximity of the user device to the location; and outputting the notification signal to cause the user device to output a notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Alex Zhu, Eric Gervais, Fengtian An, Johnny N. Maalouf, Eric Lajeunesse
  • Haptic trigger modification system
    Patent number: 10185396
    Abstract: A system is provided that modifies a haptic effect experienced at a user input element. The system sends a haptic instruction and a haptic effect definition to a peripheral device. The system further receives user input data including a position of the user input element, or a force applied to the user input element. The system further modifies the haptic effect definition based on the received user input data. The system further sends a new haptic instruction and the modified haptic effect definition to the peripheral device. The system further causes a haptic output device to modify a haptic effect based on the modified haptic effect definition at the user input element of the peripheral device in response to the new haptic instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: William Rihn
  • Systems and methods for position-based haptic effects
    Patent number: 10185441
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a gesture and transmit an associated sensor signal. The gesture includes a first position at a distance from a surface and a second position contacting the surface. The system also includes a processor in communication with the sensor and configured to: receive the sensor signal from the sensor, and determine one or more haptic effects based at least in part on the sensor signal. The one or more haptic effects are configured to provide substantially continuous haptic feedback throughout the gesture. The processor is also configured to generate one or more haptic signals based at least in part on the one or more haptic effects, and transmit the one or more haptic signals. The system includes a haptic output device for receiving the one or more haptic signals and outputting the one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vahid Khoshkava, Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Mansoor Alghooneh, William Rihn
  • Systems and Methods for Pressure-Based Haptic Effects
    Publication number: 20190018490
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a touch surface and transmit a sensor signal including data associated with a pressure of the user interaction. The illustrative system also includes a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine, based on the sensor signal, a pressure level; determine a user interface level based at least in part on the pressure level; perform a function associated with the user interface level and the user interaction; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the user interface level and the user interaction; generate a haptic signal based at least in part on the haptic effect; and transmit the haptic signal. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device in configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Amaya Weddle, Hua Yu, David Birnbaum