Patents Assigned to Immersion
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Patent number: 7023423Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing high bandwidth and low noise mechanical input and output for computer systems. A gimbal mechanism provides two revolute degrees of freedom to an object about two axes of rotation. A linear axis member is coupled to the gimbal mechanism at the intersection of the two axes of rotation. The linear axis member is capable of being translated along a third axis to provide a third degree of freedom. The user object is coupled to the linear axis member and is thus translatable along the third axis so that the object can be moved along all three degrees of freedom. Transducers associated with the provided degrees of freedom include sensors and actuators and provide an electromechanical interface between the object and a digital processing system. Capstan drive mechanisms transmit forces between the transducers and the object.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2001Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventor: Louis B. Rosenberg
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Patent number: 7024625Abstract: A computer mouse device for tracking user input and providing tactile feedback. A housing includes a lower portion designed to move over a flat surface, and a casing portion engaged by a palm of a user's hand. A sensor is provided within the housing for tracking the motion of the housing with repect to the flat surface, where motion data from the sensor is transmitted to a host computer for updating the status of a cursor on a graphical display displaying one or more graphical details. The mouse device receives over signal lines a sensory feedback signal from the host computer when the displayed cursor interacts with a graphical detail in response to the motion data. An actuator is included within and coupled to the housing and generates motion of the casing in a direction substantially orthogonal to the flat surface, delivering a tactile sensation to the user's palm in response to the sensory feedback signal received over the signal lines.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1997Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventor: Thomer Shalit
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Patent number: 6995744Abstract: A haptic feedback interface device and actuator assembly providing inertial tactile sensations. An interface device includes a housing that is physically contacted by a user, a sensor device detecting said manipulation of the interface device by the user, and an actuator assembly of the present invention. The assembly includes an actuator operative to output a force and a mechanism coupling the actuator to the device housing. The mechanism allows the actuator to be moved and act as an inertial mass when in motion to provide an inertial force that is transmitted to the user. The mechanism includes at least two separated portions, each of the portions coupled to a different portion of the actuator. The mechanism is preferably a flexure having at least two flex joints.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: David F. Moore, Erik J. Shahoian
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Patent number: 6987504Abstract: An interface device for use with a computer that provides locative data to a computer for tracking a user manipulatable physical object and provides feedback to the user through output forces. The physical object is movable in multiple degrees of freedom and is tracked by sensors for sensing the location and orientation of the object. A device processor can be responsive to the output of the sensors and can provide the host computer with information derived from the sensors. The host computer can provides images on a display, where the computer responds to the provided sensor information and force feedback is correlated with the displayed images via force feedback commands from the host computer.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Louis B. Rosenberg, Bernard G. Jackson
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Patent number: 6982700Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling and providing force feedback using an interface device manipulated by a user. A microprocessor is provided local to the interface device and reads sensor data from sensors that describes the position and/or other information about a user object moved by the user, such as a joystick. The microprocessor controls actuators to provide forces on the user object and provides the sensor data to a host computer that is coupled to the interface device. The host computer sends high level host commands to the local microprocessor, and the microprocessor independently implements a local reflex process based on the high level command to provide force values to the actuators using sensor data and other parameters. A provided host command protocol includes a variety of different types of host commands and associated command parameters.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2003Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Louis B. Rosenberg, Adam C. Braun, Mike D. Levin
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Patent number: 6982696Abstract: A moving magnet actuator for providing haptic feedback. The actuator includes a grounded core member, a coil is wrapped around a central projection of the core member, and a magnet head positioned so as to provide a gap between the core member and the magnet head. The magnet head is moved in a degree of freedom based on an electromagnetic force caused by a current flowed through the coil. An elastic material, such as foam, is positioned in the gap between the magnet head and the core member, where the elastic material is compressed and sheared when the magnet head moves and substantially prevents movement of the magnet head past a range limit that is based on the compressibility and shear factor of the material. Flexible members can also be provided between the magnet head and the ground member, where the flexible members flex to allow the magnet head to move, provide a centering spring force to the magnet head, and limit the motion of the magnet head.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventor: Erik J. Shahoian
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Patent number: 6979164Abstract: A man-machine interface is disclosed which provides force, texture, pressure and temperature information to sensing body parts. The interface is comprised of a force-generating device (900) that produces a force which is transmitted to a force-applying device (902) via force-transmitting means (908). The force-applying device applies the generated force to a sensing body part. A force sensor (909) associated with the force-applying device measures the actual force applied to the sensing body part, while angle sensors (917) measure the angles of relevant joint body parts. A computing device (911) uses the joint body part position information to determine a desired force value to be applied to the sensing body part. The computing device combines the joint body part position information with the force sensor information to calculate the force command which is sent to the force-generating device.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1999Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventor: James F. Kramer
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Publication number: 20050280705Abstract: A portable receiver device that comprises of a receiver component for receiving audio and video signals from a remote source and a viewing component for viewing local content and a display for displaying at least one of (i) video content defined by the video signals and (ii) local content from the viewing component, and wherein at least one of the received video signals and local content are encrypted.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2005Publication date: December 22, 2005Applicant: Immersion EntertainmentInventors: Tazwell Anderson, Geoffrey Anderson, Mark Wood
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Patent number: 6965370Abstract: An apparatus comprises an input device and an actuator. The input device has an interface portion. The interface portion defines a selectively adjustable orifice having a range of sizes. The interface portion defines a plane and a longitudinal axis. An actuator is coupled to the interface portion of the input device. The actuator is configured to apply a haptic feedback force inwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis within the plane to at least three locations of the interface portion when a change in a size of an object disposed within the interface portion is sufficient to adjust the size of the orifice.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2002Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Pedro Gregorio, David Bailey, Robert Cohen, Rich Cunningham, Neil Olien
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Patent number: 6956558Abstract: A force feedback wheel is provided on a mouse or other interface device manipulated by a user. A sensor detects a position of the mouse in a workspace and sends a position signal to a connected host computer indicating that position. A rotatable wheel is mounted upon the manipulandum and rotates about a wheel axis, where a wheel sensor provides a wheel signal to the host computer indicating a rotary position of the wheel. A wheel actuator coupled to the rotatable wheel applies a computer-modulated force to the wheel about the wheel axis. The mouse can be a standard mouse or a force-feedback mouse, where forces are applied in the mouse workspace. The host computer is preferably running a graphical environment, where the force applied to the wheel can correspond with an event or interaction displayed in the graphical environment. The wheel can also be included on other devices such as remote controls and radios.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2000Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Louis B. Rosenberg, Bruce M. Schena
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Patent number: 6953511Abstract: Method for high definition printing to be dip transferred to a three-dimensional article comprises four color process printing a digital image from a digital image file onto a water soluble polymer film with solvent based ink to form a printed water soluble film and dip transfer printing the solvent based ink image through transcription on the surface of the article. The method is suitable for printing three-dimensional articles of a variety of shapes with high definition, photographic-quality images. The method is particularly suitable for decorating articles with complex images such as camouflage patterns.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2001Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Immersion Graphics CorporationInventors: Royce J. Bowles, Jr., James Patrick Epling, James Phillip Hand, Samuel C. Ruffner, Jeffery Wayne Walker
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Patent number: 6946812Abstract: An apparatus and method for interfacing the motion of a user-manipulable object with a computer system includes a user object physically contacted or grasped by a user. A 3-D spatial mechanism is coupled to the user object, such as a stylus or a medical instrument, and provides three degrees of freedom to the user object. Three grounded actuators provide forces in the three degrees of freedom. Two of the degrees of freedom are a planar workspace provided by a closed-loop linkage of members, and the third degree of freedom is rotation of the planar workspace provided by a rotatable carriage. Capstan drive mechanisms transmit forces between actuators and the user object and include drums coupled to the carriage, pulleys coupled to-grounded actuators, and flexible cables transmitting force between the pulleys and the drums. The flexibility of the cable allows the drums to rotate with the carriage while the pulleys and actuators remain fixed to ground.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1998Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Kenneth M. Martin, Mike D. Levin, Louis B. Rosenberg
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Patent number: 6937033Abstract: A position sensor includes a resistive element positionable on a first surface. A pair of leads are on the resistive element, the pair of leads adapted to supply a first voltage, such as by being grounded. An intermediate lead is positioned on the resistive element between the pair of leads, the intermediate lead being adapted to provide a second voltage. A contact element is positionable on a second surface, the contact element adapted to contact at least a portion of the resistive element to detect a voltage at a contact position, the detected voltage being related to the position or movement of the second surface relative to the first surface. In another version, a position sensor includes a resistive element comprising first and second resistive strips. A plurality of leads are positioned on each resistive strip to provide a voltage to each resistive strip.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2001Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Allen R. Boronkay, Bruce M. Schena, Christopher J. Hasser
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Patent number: 6935230Abstract: A liquid coating applicator for applying a liquid coating to an object comprising a cantilever comprising a mounting member and a projecting member extending from the mounting member to a distal end. A printing system for printing an image with ink activated with a liquid activator comprises a support for holding a sheet printed with the ink image and a cantilever comprising a mounting member and a projecting member extending from the mounting member to a distal end, an activator sprayer mounted to the projecting member and a reciprocator for shifting the sprayer back and forth so that the activator can be sprayed on the ink image with the activator sprayer while the support holds the ink image.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2000Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Immersion Graphics CorporationInventors: Jeffery W. Walker, J. Patrick Epling
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Patent number: 6933920Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide computer program products, methods, and systems for use with low speed processors and/or low-bandwidth communication links. Embodiments of the present invention allows low-bandwidth communication links to proceed at a level similar to a high-bandwidth communication link by filtering data that the filter deems contains substantially identical haptic feedback parameters as a previously transmitted data.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Robert Lacroix, Adam C. Braun
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Patent number: 6929481Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1999Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: David Alexander, J. Michael Brown, Eric Cabahug, Philip J. Churchill, Robert F. Cohen, Richard L. Cunningham, Ben Feldman, Diego Fontayne, Gregory L. Merril, Mario Turchi
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Patent number: 6928386Abstract: Embodiments of high-resolution optical encoders having phased-array photodetectors and integrated on semiconductor chips. Emitters, detectors, and encoders disks are described which can be easily produced with semiconductor processes, such as a detector array provided with lens to collimate light and enhance detection. Integrated sensor chips include an array of photodetectors that receive energy from a beam emitted from an emitter and modulated by an encoder disk, analog-to-digital converters, state machines, counters, a communication module, a sensor processing unit, and a force computation unit. One embodiment includes low resolution and high resolution modes and an emitter controlled by sensor circuitry. A detector for an optical encoder can be provided on a single chip that includes a first array of photodetectors used for absolute sensing of a moving object, and a second array of photodetectors used for incremental sensing of the moving object.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventor: Christopher J. Hasser
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Patent number: 6924787Abstract: An interface device for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer running an application program and generating a graphical image and a graphical object, comprises a user manipulatable object in communication with the computer, a sensor to detect a manipulation of the object, the sensor providing a signal to the computer to control the graphical image, and an actuator adapted to provide a haptic sensation to the palm of the user in relation to an interaction between the graphical image and the graphical object, the actuator comprising a member that is deformable to provide the haptic sensation.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2001Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: James F. Kramer, Felix Maier, Laurence Kuo
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Patent number: 6904823Abstract: A haptic shift device for use in shift-by-wire systems in vehicles. The haptic shift device includes a shift lever manipulatable by a user. At least one sensor detects a position of the shift lever, and a transmission gear of the vehicle is caused to be changed based on the position of the shift lever. At least one electrically-controlled actuator outputs a force on the shift lever. In some embodiments, the shift lever is moveable within a pattern and is blocked from areas outside the boundaries of the pattern. The actuator(s) can be active or passive, and/or a variable mechanical gate can be used to implement the pattern. Provided shifting modes can include automatic, manual, and/or sequential modes. Other shifting modes can also be provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Michael D. Levin, Steven P. Vassallo
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Patent number: 6906697Abstract: Haptic sensations for tactile feedback computer interface devices. In one method, a tactile sensation is output during the interaction of a cursor and a graphical object, the tactile sensation being based on a periodic waveform and having a frequency correlated with a size of the graphical object interacted with the cursor. Another method includes receiving an indication of a position of a cursor, causing the cursor to snap to a graphical object, such as a line, when the cursor is within a predetermined distance so that the cursor can be moved along or within the graphical object, and enabling the output of a vibration sensation while the cursor is moved along or within the object. In another method, a tactile sensation includes a pop sensation that is a short, high magnitude sensation, and then a ringing sensation during or immediately after the output of the pop sensation and which can fade in magnitude over time.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventor: Louis B. Rosenberg