Patents Assigned to Immersion
  • Generating haptic effects while minimizing cascading
    Patent number: 9507423
    Abstract: A system that generates haptic effects using an actuator sends a haptic effect definition to the actuator to cause a haptic effect corresponding to the haptic effect definition to be played. While the haptic effect is playing, the system processes the haptic effect definition. The processing includes adjusting a force value of the haptic effect definition based on an estimate or measurement of a current state of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Kanav Gandhi, Stephen D. Rank, Henry Da Costa, Eric Gervais, Daniel Parker
  • Programmable game-based haptic enabled gun controller
    Patent number: 9504914
    Abstract: Various systems, game controllers, and methods for simulating various objects such as weapons are provided. For example, a game controller may include a trigger, a processor within the body that receives a trigger signal when the trigger is activated by the user. The processor may communicate with a computer running a software program such as a gaming application, and an actuator coupled to the trigger, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the trigger in response to receiving a control signal from the processor. The game controller may simulate a gun and generate a recoil effect. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by impacting a moving mass from a discharge end of the gun to a handle end of the gun. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by using a body part of a user as a tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin Ramsay, Ali Modarres, David M. Birnbaum, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Robert W. Heubel, Hendrik Bartel
  • Synchronizing haptic effects to multimedia
    Patent number: 9507421
    Abstract: A signal associated with multiple haptic effects is received, each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects being associated with a time slot from multiple time slots. Each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects is associated with an effect slot from multiple effect slots at least partially based on the time slot associated with that haptic effect. An output signal is sent for each effect slot from the multiple effect slots, when the associated haptic effect is scheduled for its time slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Henrique D. Da Costa, Danny A. Grant, Robert A. Lacroix
  • Haptic effects broadcasting during a group event
    Patent number: 9510164
    Abstract: A system that generates haptic effects during a group event having a plurality of users in attendance receives an identity of a first type of haptic effect to be broadcast during the group event, where the group event includes a plurality of haptic events. The system broadcasts the first type of haptic effect to a first set of the users, where the broadcasting causes the first type of haptic effect to be generated on a device corresponding to each of the first set of users. The first type of haptic effect is synchronized with one of the haptic events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Heubel
  • Haptic device incorporating stretch characteristics
    Patent number: 9501147
    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: December 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Francis Jose
  • Dual stiffness suspension system
    Patent number: 9501172
    Abstract: Devices disclosed herein include a housing component, a touch screen, a haptic actuator for moving the touch screen relative to the housing component, and at least one dual stiffness suspension system that couples the touch screen and housing component together such that the touch screen is movable relative to the housing component. The dual stiffness suspension system has a first element of a first stiffness and a second element of a second stiffness which is stiffer than the first stiffness. The dual stiffness suspension system is configured to limit movement between the touch screen and the housing component in a first direction due to the first element of the dual stiffness suspension system while also being configured to allow movement of the touch screen relative to the housing component in a second opposing direction due to the second element of the dual stiffness suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Elena Redelsheimer, Daniel Parker, Trevor Jones, Kohei Imoto
  • System for haptically representing sensor input
    Patent number: 9501149
    Abstract: A haptic representation system is provided that generates a haptic effect in response to sensor input. The sensor input is mapped to a haptic signal. The haptic signal is sent to an actuator configured to receive the haptic signal. The actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich, Danny Grant, Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Systems and methods for providing haptic effects
    Patent number: 9495009
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing haptic effects are disclosed. One disclosed system comprises an actuator, a non-volatile memory configured to store a haptic effect profile, and a processor in communication with the actuator and the non-volatile memory. The processor may be configured to receive a sensor signal indicating a movement of a manipulandum, to identify an effect parameter associated with the sensor signal in the haptic effect profile, and to generate an output signal based, at least in part, on the effect parameter. The generated output signal may be configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the effect parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. Levin
  • Controlling haptic sensations for vibrotactile feedback interface devices
    Patent number: 9492847
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an actuator that includes an eccentric mass that is coupled to a rotatable shaft of the actuator which defines an axis of rotation. A circuit is coupled to the actuator, the circuit is configured to produce a control signal such that, when the control signal is received by the actuator. The actuator is configured to produce a force effect having a magnitude and a frequency by rotating the mass about the axis of rotation in a first direction. The magnitude of the vibration is based on a duty cycle of the control signal and independent of the frequency. An obstacle member is coupled to the actuator and includes a compliance portion configured to increase energy in the movement of the mass in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the mass comes into contact with the obstacle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Alex S. Goldenberg, Ramon Alarcon
  • Systems and methods for real-time winding analysis for knot detection
    Patent number: 9486292
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems, methods, and computer-readable media for real-time winding analysis for knot detection are disclosed. For example, one embodiment of the present invention includes a method having the steps of receiving a first wrapping signal indicating a first wrapping of the simulated thread around a second tool to create a first loop. The method further includes determining a first wrapping direction based at least in part on the first wrapping signal; receiving a first tightening signal indicating a pulling of a first end of the simulated thread through the first loop; determining a first half-hitch based at least in part on the first winding direction and the first tightening signal; and outputting the first half-hitch. In another embodiment, a computer-readable media includes code for a carrying out such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Douglas Nelson, Milan Ikits, Chih-Hao Ho, Kevin Kunkler
  • Haptic device with linear resonant actuator
    Patent number: 9489047
    Abstract: A haptic output device including an actuator configured to generate a haptic effect, and a processor configured to communicate a driving signal to the actuator and to communicate a braking signal to the actuator before or at the same time the driving signal is terminated to generate the haptic effect. The braking signal has a frequency substantially the same as a resonant frequency of the actuator and at a reverse phase of the driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Li Jiang, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Systems and methods for optical transmission of haptic display parameters
    Patent number: 9489048
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical transmission of haptic display parameters are disclosed. One disclosed method includes receiving an image signal from an image sensor, the image signal associated with an image, determining a haptic signal based at least in part on the image signal, generating a haptic effect signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmitting the haptic effect signal to a haptic output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amaya Weddle, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Method and apparatus for providing haptic feedback to non-input locations
    Patent number: 9489046
    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: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Andrew Gosline, Danny Grant, Christophe Ramstein
  • Systems and methods for mapping message contents to virtual physical properties for vibrotactile messaging
    Patent number: 9477309
    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 receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, the sensor configured to detect an interaction with a messaging device, determining a virtual physical property of a virtual message object based at least in part on the sensor signal, determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the virtual physical parameter; and generating a haptic signal configured to cause an actuator to output the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich, Danny Grant
  • Virtual sensor in a virtual environment
    Patent number: 9478109
    Abstract: A system for generating haptic effects includes a virtual environment having environmental properties, virtual objects, and object property information. A programmatic virtual sensor is placed on a virtual object in the virtual environment. A rendering engine for the virtual environment renders the virtual environment. A module for the virtual sensor receives virtual sensor data including position and time for the sensor and calculates sensor output data including acceleration data and object interaction data for the virtual sensor. A haptic track generator generates a haptic track based on the sensor output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: William Rihn
  • SIMULATION OF TANGIBLE USER INTERFACE INTERACTIONS AND GESTURES USING ARRAY OF HAPTIC CELLS
    Publication number: 20160306426
    Abstract: A user interface device includes a flexible layer comprising a touch surface configured to receive a touch by a user, a plurality of haptic cells covered by the flexible layer, each haptic cell comprising a haptic output device, a sensor configured to sense an amount and/or rate of deformation of the flexible layer when a user touches the touch surface, and a processor configured to receive an output signal from the sensor, generate a haptic control signal based on the output signal from the sensor, and output the haptic control signal to at least one haptic output device of the plurality of haptic cells to cause the haptic output device to deform an associated haptic cell in response to the sensed deformation of the flexible layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: ALI MODARRES, JUAN MANUEL CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, DANNY A. GRANT, VINCENT LEVESQUE
  • Systems and methods for haptically-enabled alarms
    Patent number: 9466188
    Abstract: One illustrative computing device disclosed herein includes a processor configured to receive a signal from an alarm device, wherein the signal is associated with an event. The processor is also configured to determine a haptic effect associated with the 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 is configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Abdelwahab Hamam, Razmik Mousakhanian
  • Suspension element having integrated piezo material for providing haptic effects to a touch screen
    Patent number: 9466783
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a haptic device having a compliant suspension element. Segments of piezo material are coupled to at least one surface of at least one compliant suspension element, and the at least one suspension element is coupled to a touch screen component. The at least one suspension element is also coupled to a housing component. The segments of piezo material are configured to produce a force that moves the touch screen component relative to the housing component and thereby provide a haptic effect to a user of the touch screen component. In reaction to the force produced by the segments of piezo material, the at least one suspension element is configured to allow movement of the touch screen component relative to the housing component in a first direction and to limit movement between the touch screen component and the housing component in at least a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Olien, Daniel Parker, Allan Visitacion, Trevor Jones, Frank Ye
  • Management of multiple wearable haptic devices
    Patent number: 9466187
    Abstract: A system for managing a plurality of wearable devices on a user receives information to be conveyed using haptic effects and determines an intent of the information. The system then determines, for each of the plurality of wearable haptic devices, a location of the wearable haptic device on the user and a haptic capability. The system then maps the information as a haptic effect to one or more of the wearable haptic devices based at least on the determined locations on the user and the haptic capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny Grant, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • System and method for outputting haptic effects in a mouse device
    Patent number: 9465438
    Abstract: A low-cost tactile feedback mouse device for providing haptic feedback to a user for enhancing interactions and manipulations in a graphical environment provided by a computer. The mouse device includes a sensor device able to detect the movement of the mouse in the planar workspace. An actuator is coupled to the housing of the mouse and applies an inertial force in a particular degree of freedom, preferably along an axis perpendicular to the planar workspace, where the inertial force is transmitted through the housing to the user. The actuator outputs the inertial force preferably by linearly moving an inertial mass along the Z-axis. The output force is correlated with interaction of a controlled graphical object, such as a cursor, with other graphical objects in a graphical environment displayed by the host computer. The inertial force can be a pulse, vibration, texture force, or other type of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Louis B. Rosenberg, Kenneth M. Martin