Patents Assigned to Immersion
  • Multiple actuation handheld device with first and second haptic actuator
    Patent number: 8982068
    Abstract: A device includes a housing, a processor that is coupled to the housing, the processor is configured to process a software program stored in a memory. A touch screen is coupled to the housing and configured to display graphical objects, wherein a sensor signal associated with a user's interaction with the touch screen is provided to the processor. A first actuator is coupled to the touch screen and positioned within the housing. The first actuator is configured to output a first haptic effect to the touch screen upon receiving a first activating signal from the processor. A second actuator is coupled to the housing and configured to output a second haptic effect to the housing upon receiving a second activating signal from the processor. The first activating signal is associated with a foreground event and the second activating signal is associated with a background event occurring in the software program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Robert W. Heubel
  • Systems and Methods for Visual Processing of Spectrograms to Generate Haptic Effects
    Publication number: 20150070265
    Abstract: Systems and methods for visual processing of spectrograms to generate haptic effects are disclosed. In one embodiment, a signal comprising at least an audio signal is received. One or more spectrograms may be generated based at least in part on the received signal. One or more haptic effects may be determined based at least in part on the spectrogram. For example, a generated spectrogram may be a two-dimensional image and this image can be analyzed to determine one or more haptic effects. Once a haptic effect has been determined, one or more haptic output signals can be generated. A generated haptic output signal may be output to one or more haptic output devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Jamal Saboune
  • Systems and Methods for Generating Haptic Effects Associated With Audio Signals
    Publication number: 20150070148
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating haptic effects associated with audio signals are disclosed. One disclosed system for outputting haptic effects includes a processor configured to: receive an audio signal; determine a haptic effect based in part on the audio signal by: identifying one or more components in the audio signal; and determining a haptic effect associated with the one or more components; and output a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Jamal Saboune, Vincent Levesque, Ali Modarres
  • AUTOMATIC REMOTE SENSING AND HAPTIC CONVERSION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150070144
    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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Amaya Becvar WEDDLE, Danny GRANT
  • ELECTRICAL STIMULATION HAPTIC FEEDBACK INTERFACE
    Publication number: 20150070145
    Abstract: A haptic drive circuit for an electrical muscle stimulation electrode has an input for receiving a haptic signal based on a haptic effect from a haptic effects processor. The drive circuit contains logic for generating a electrical muscle stimulation current based on the haptic signal. An electrode in contact with a user's skin receives the electrical muscle stimulation current, causing a haptic effect by contraction and relaxation of muscles near the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Richard MAR, Danny GRANT
  • HAPTIC WARPING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150070149
    Abstract: A system is provided that transforms haptic signals. The system receives an original haptic signal, where the original haptic signal includes a first haptic effect space, and where the first haptic effect space includes one or more haptic effects that can be generated by a first haptic output device. The system further transforms the original haptic signal into a new haptic signal, where the new haptic signal includes a second haptic effect space that is different from the first haptic effect space, where the second haptic effect space includes one or more haptic effects that can be generated by a second haptic output device, and where data contained within the new haptic signal is based on data contained within the original haptic signal. The system further sends the new haptic signal to a haptic output device to generate one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Jamal SABOUNE
  • Haptic Conversion System Using Frequency Shifting
    Publication number: 20150070261
    Abstract: A system is provided that converts an input into one or more haptic effects using frequency shifting. The system receives an input signal. The system further performs a fast Fourier transform of the input signal. The system further shifts one or more frequencies of the transformed input signal to one or more frequencies within a shift-to frequency range. The system further performs an inverse fast Fourier transform of the frequency-shifted signal, where the inversely transformed signal forms a haptic signal. The system further generates the one or more haptic effects based on the haptic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Jamal SABOUNE, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • Haptic Conversion System Using Segmenting and Combining
    Publication number: 20150070260
    Abstract: A system is provided that converts an input into one or more haptic effects using segmenting and combining. The system receives an input. The system further segments the input into a plurality of input sub-signals. The system further converts the plurality of input sub-signals into a haptic signal. The system further generates the one or more haptic effects based on the haptic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Jamal SABOUNE, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Satvir Singh BHATIA
  • HAPTIC WARPING SYSTEM THAT TRANSFORMS A HAPTIC SIGNAL INTO A COLLECTION OF VIBROTACTILE HAPTIC EFFECT PATTERNS
    Publication number: 20150070151
    Abstract: A system is provided that transforms haptic signals into vibrotactile haptic effect patterns. The system receives a haptic signal that includes haptic effect patterns. The system further detects a start time and an end time for each haptic effect pattern. The system further detects haptic effect patterns based on a characteristic, and replaces the detected haptic effect patterns with substitute haptic effect patterns. The system further shifts the start time for each haptic effect pattern back by a shift duration. The system further assigns a vibrotactile haptic effect pattern to each haptic effect pattern. The system further sends the vibrotactile haptic effect patterns to a standard-definition haptic output device to generate vibrotactile haptic effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Jamal SABOUNE
  • MULTIPLEXING AND DEMULTIPLEXING HAPTIC SIGNALS
    Publication number: 20150070152
    Abstract: A system receives a multiplexed signal with two or more different types of haptic signals encoded therein. Each type of haptic signal represents a haptic effect for different types of haptic output devices. The system determines a target haptic output device located on a haptic playback device. The system demultiplexes the multiplexed signal into at least the type of haptic signal corresponding to the target output device. The system provides the demultiplexed haptic signal to the target haptic output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen D. RANK, Satvir Singh BHATIA, Arnab SEN, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • Systems and Methods for Performing Haptic Conversion
    Publication number: 20150072789
    Abstract: Systems and methods for haptic conversion are described. One disclosed method includes the steps of: determining a characteristic of a target user interface device having a target haptic output device, determining a source haptic effect associated with a source user interface device having a source haptic output device; converting the source haptic effect to a target haptic effect, the conversion based at least in part on the characteristic of the target haptic output device, and generating a haptic signal associated with the target haptic effect, the haptic signal configured to cause the target haptic output device to output the target haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Danny Grant
  • Systems and Methods for Generating Haptic Effects Associated With an Envelope in Audio Signals
    Publication number: 20150070147
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating haptic effects associated with envelopes in audio signals are disclosed. One disclosed system for outputting haptic effects includes a processor configured to: receive an audio signal; determine an envelope associated with the audio signal; determine a haptic effect based in part on the envelope; and output a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Jamal Saboune
  • Systems and Methods for Generating Haptic Effects Associated With Transitions in Audio Signals
    Publication number: 20150070146
    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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Jamal Saboune
  • Systems and methods for transmitting haptic messages
    Patent number: 8976112
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting haptic messages are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of: receiving at least one sensor signal from at least one sensor of a mobile device, the at least one sensor signal associated with a movement of the mobile device, determining a message to be displayed in a user interface based at least in part on the at least one sensor signal, and causing the message to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David Birnbaum, Chris Ullrich, Peter Rubin, Phong David Ngo, Leo Kopelow
  • HAPTICALLY ENABLED VIEWING OF SPORTING EVENTS
    Publication number: 20150054727
    Abstract: A system that generates haptic effects for a sporting event receives sporting event data that includes different types of event data, each type having a corresponding characteristic. The system assigns a different type of haptic effect to each different type of event data, and generates a haptic signal that corresponds to each type of haptic effect. The system then transmits the haptic signal to a haptic output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Jamal SABOUNE, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Christopher J. ULLRICH, David BIRNBAUM
  • Multi-touch device having dynamic haptic effects
    Patent number: 8963882
    Abstract: A system for generating haptic effects senses at least two generally simultaneous touches on a touchscreen and, in response, generates a dynamic haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Danny A. Grant
  • INTERACTIVITY MODEL FOR SHARED FEEDBACK ON MOBILE DEVICES
    Publication number: 20150035780
    Abstract: A system that produces a dynamic haptic effect and generates a drive signal that includes a gesture signal and a real or virtual device sensor signal. The haptic effect is modified dynamically based on both the gesture signal and the real or virtual device sensor signal such as from an accelerometer or gyroscope, or by a signal created from processing data such as still images, video or sound. The haptic effect may optionally be modified dynamically by using the gesture signal and the real or virtual device sensor signal and a physical model, or may optionally be applied concurrently to multiple devices which are connected via a communication link. The haptic effect may optionally be encoded into a data file on a first device. The data file is then communicated to a second device and the haptic effect is read from the data file and applied to the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Birnbaum, Chris Ullrich, Jason Short, Ryan Devenish
  • System and method for identifying users and selecting a haptic response
    Patent number: 8947387
    Abstract: A touchscreen generates two or more displays that are visible at different viewing angles, e.g., one is visible only from the driver's seat of a car and the other is visible only from the passenger seat of the car. The displays occupy overlapping areas on the display surface such that input controls for the first display may overlap with input controls for the second display. If one of the users engages the display, the user is identified, it is determined which display the user is viewing and then which input he may be supplying, and a haptic stimulus for that display may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Trevor Jones
  • Encoding dynamic haptic effects
    Patent number: 8947216
    Abstract: A system is provided that encodes one or more dynamic haptic effects. The system defines a dynamic haptic effect as including a plurality of key frames, where each key frame includes an interpolant value and a corresponding haptic effect. An interpolant value is a value that specifies where an interpolation occurs. The system generates a haptic effect file, and stores the dynamic haptic effect within the haptic effect file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Henry Da Costa, Feng Tian An, Christopher J Ullrich
  • Force feedback system including multi-tasking graphical host environment
    Patent number: 8928581
    Abstract: A force feedback system provides components for use in a force feedback system including a host computer and a force feedback interface device. An architecture for a host computer allows multi-tasking application programs to interface with the force feedback device without conflicts. One embodiment of a force feedback device provides both relative position reporting and absolute position reporting to allow great flexibility. A different device embodiment provides relative position reporting device allowing maximum compatibility with existing software. Information such as ballistic parameters and screen size sent from the host to the force feedback device allow accurate mouse positions and graphical object positions to be determined in the force feedback environment. Force feedback effects and structures are further described, such as events and enclosures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Adam C. Braun, Jonathan L. Beamer, Dean C. Chang