Patents Examined by Mancil Littlejohn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11951389
    Abstract: The application describes techniques for adaptively setting a threshold that will be used to determine the gain applied to a haptics signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Lindemann, Michael Kurek, Meenakshi Matai
  • Patent number: 11922797
    Abstract: To reduce a data amount required for tactile presentation while enabling driving of different types of tactile presentation devices corresponding to different physical amounts. An encoding device according to the present technology is provided with an encoding unit that generates coded data by performing encoding to compress an information amount by utilizing an interconversion property between physical amounts on a plurality of tactile signals representing different physical amounts. This makes it possible to obtain the tactile signals representing desired physical amounts within a range in which interconversion may be performed while compressing the information amount by utilizing the interconversion property between the physical amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Takeda, Shiro Suzuki, Shuichiro Nishigori, Jun Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11908644
    Abstract: A system for collecting information related to an electrical switch. The system including a first switch, a second switch, and an external device. The external device is configured to receive the first and second signals corresponding to the first and second switches. Wherein the external device is located remotely from the first switch and the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: David Rhein, Angelo Rizzo
  • Patent number: 11899840
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: detecting, using a processor of an information handling device and in a virtual environment, a user input directed to a virtual human input device; accessing, from a data store, sensation data associated with user interaction with a real-world counterpart device of the virtual human input device; and providing, based on the sensation data and using a wearable haptic device, a haptic output responsive to the user input, wherein the haptic output emulates an interaction feel of the user input provided to the real-world counterpart device. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin Wayne Beck, Russell Speight VanBlon, Thorsten Peter Stremlau, Aaron Michael Stewart
  • Patent number: 11892703
    Abstract: A haptic feedback system is provided, including a sensing unit, a haptic feedback module, and a circuit assembly. The sensing unit is configured to detect contact with an object. The haptic feedback module is configured to transfer the contact force to the sensing unit. The circuit assembly is electrically connected to the sensing unit and the haptic feedback module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Yi-Ho Chen, Ying-Jen Wang, Ya-Hsiu Wu
  • Patent number: 11887460
    Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of receiving a first health characteristic of an occupant from a first device affixed to a transport, responsive to the first health characteristic being at or outside a threshold, receiving a second health characteristic of the occupant from a second device affixed to the occupant, and sending a notification to other devices that were proximate the second device when the second health characteristic is outside the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Simon P. Roberts, Yang Ding, Daniel Warren Reaser, Christopher J. Macpherson, Keaton Khonsari, Derek A. Thompson, Sergei Gage
  • Patent number: 11881096
    Abstract: A method for managing movement includes determining a current location of a subject in a monitoring area, comparing the current location to a risk area location in the monitoring area, determining a likelihood of injury based on a result of the comparison, and generating control information based on the likelihood of injury to the subject. The control information may control activation of a haptic effect in a device worn or carried by the subject. The haptic effect may correspond to at least one stimulus that notifies the subject of the potential risk area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Ali Akbar Ahmad Samadani, Portia Erin Singh, Daniel Jason Schulman
  • Patent number: 11874967
    Abstract: A force sensing module with vibration feedback is disclosed, comprising: a substrate, a frame and a plurality of magnetic sensors; the substrate is disposed with at least one tactile actuator, and the substrate has a touch operation surface and a mounting surface on opposite sides, the tactile actuator is mounted on the mounting surface; the frame is disposed with at least three buffer spacers, the buffer spacers connect the frame to the substrate; the magnetic sensor includes a magnet and a Hall element, one of the magnet and the Hall element is disposed on the frame, and the other is disposed on the substrate; thereby when a force is applied on the touch operation surface to make the substrate generate an offset, the Hall element outputs a force signal due to the voltage change caused by the approaching magnet, and the signal drives the tactile actuator to generate a vibration feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: TOPRAY MEMS INC.
    Inventors: Chin-Sung Liu, Shin-Ter Tsai, Hsiao-Ming Chien
  • Patent number: 11868533
    Abstract: A slip sensation simulation apparatus includes a base, a first haptic assembly, and a second haptic assembly. The first haptic assembly includes a first synchronous belt, a plurality of first synchronous wheels, and a first motor. The first motor is in a transmission connection with one of the first synchronous wheels, to drive the first synchronous wheels and the first synchronous belt to rotate. The second haptic assembly includes a second synchronous belt, a plurality of second synchronous wheels, and a second motor. The second motor is in a transmission connection with one of the second synchronous wheels, to drive the second synchronous wheels and the second synchronous belt to rotate. The first synchronous belt is located at an inner side of the second synchronous belt. Rotational axial directions of the first and second synchronous belts are different. The first synchronous belt is in contact with the second synchronous belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yu Zheng, Ruoxuan Jiang, Xiong Li, Xinyang Jiang, Zhengyou Zhang
  • Patent number: 11853479
    Abstract: A haptic garment has a body configured to couple with a subject, and an input on or in the body and configured to receive stimuli signals from a VR or AR system. The garment also has a port operatively coupled with the input to receive the stimuli signals. Preferably, the port is configured to removably couple a stimulus module. As known by those in the art, the stimulus module produces a physical stimulus as a function of the stimuli signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Jonah B Saunders
  • Patent number: 11841990
    Abstract: A system for providing haptic feedback to a user, the system comprising a first piezoelectric transducer array comprising multiple piezoelectric transducers, respective ones of which being configured to generate a second signal at a second frequency, and at least one of which being configured to generate a first signal at a first frequency, and a second piezoelectric transducer array comprising multiple piezoelectric transducers, respective ones of which configured to receive the second signal, and at least one of which configured to generate a third signal to initiate generation of the first signal at the said at least one piezoelectric transducer of the first piezoelectric transducer array, the first frequency suitable for providing a haptic feedback signal for a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Zoran Radivojevic, David Bitauld, Ian Davis
  • Patent number: 11842626
    Abstract: The disclosed haptic vibrotactile actuator may include a textile comprising a first major surface and a second, opposite major surface, an electrode coupled to the first major surface of the textile across at least a majority of a surface area of a first surface of the electrode, and a flexible electroactive material electrically coupled to a second, opposite surface of the electrode. Various other related methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniele Piazza, Tristan Thomas Trutna, Charles Stewart, David R Perek, Slava Karulin
  • Patent number: 11829532
    Abstract: There is provided a control device including a control unit that controls tactile sense presentation for presenting a stimulation through a tactile sense and hearing sense presentation for presenting a stimulation through a hearing sense, when it is determined that an operation has been performed on an input unit including a contact area with which an object is brought into contact. The control unit controls displacement indicating a difference from a reference position of the contact area, the displacement being related to the tactile sense presentation, and a strength of sound related to the hearing sense presentation, so that at least one of the tactile sense presentation and the hearing sense presentation is in a proper range that is a range allowing a user of the input unit to perceive the presentation and not causing the user to have unpleasant feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Takeshi Ohnishi, Fumiaki Hirose, Yuma Nakai
  • Patent number: 11802920
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the integrity of a plurality of ground conductors has a plurality of monitors, with a different monitor associated with each ground conductor. Each monitor includes a voltage sensor which monitors voltage on a closed circuit of the monitor. Upon the voltage sensor sensing an unexpected voltage, a transmitter of the monitor issues an “alarm” signal, which may be wireless (e.g., being sent using LoRaWAN protocol). The transmitter may issue other signals, including a periodic “heartbeat” signal to confirm continued operation of the monitor, and a “movement” signal to indicate movement of the monitor. The monitor may be GPS-enabled, in which case each signal may include the GPS coordinates of the monitor. The signals issued by the transmitter may ultimately be analyzed by an operator via a user interface platform, which may simultaneously display information regarding two or more of the plurality of monitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Paige Electric Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark D. Ahlers, Julie M. Bushell
  • Patent number: 11801440
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a haptic presentation apparatus capable of quickly deforming a surface. [Solving Means] A haptic presentation apparatus includes a base material, an elastic layer, and a fluid transport apparatus. The base material forms a first space and includes a first through hole. The elastic layer covers a surface of the base material including the first through hole. The fluid transport apparatus injects fluid between the elastic layer and the base material via the first through hole. The elastic layer is expanded by injecting the fluid from the fluid transport apparatus such that an internal pressure of a second space between the elastic layer and the base material is higher than an internal pressure of the first space, and the fluid injected into the second space is vented to outside of the second space via a second through hole by stopping driving of the fluid transport apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroto Kawaguchi, Hironobu Abe, Hiroshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11803623
    Abstract: A physiological patient monitoring system with a patient-facing interface is disclosed. The patient interface can be used by the patient to communicate with hospital staff without actually requesting attendance and can request attendance for specific purposes. The patient interface may also track patient treatment and inform patients of the details of their treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Massi Joe E. Kiani, Bilal Muhsin, Ammar Al-Ali, Nicholas Evan Barker, Chad A. DeJong, Omar Ahmed, Keith Ward Indorf, Steve Coon
  • Patent number: 11797092
    Abstract: Inside a housing of electronic equipment, a first actuator for generating vibration along a first axis is mounted. The first actuator is mounted in a direction in which the first axis is non-parallel and non-perpendicular to at least one of the six surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Higuchi, Koichi Hadama, Toshiki Wada, Toshihiko Kondo
  • Patent number: 11797089
    Abstract: The disclosed system may include a non-transitory memory and one or more hardware processors configured to execute instructions from the non-transitory memory to perform operations including (1) determining one or more vibration signals detected by a personal mobility vehicle, (2) determining that the one or more vibration signals correspond to a particular type of pathway for the personal mobility vehicle, (3) generating a feedback signal corresponding to the particular type of pathway, and (4) transmitting the feedback signal corresponding to the particular type of pathway. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett Korda Drayna
  • Patent number: 11795805
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods regarding a first processing system operable to receive a job plan developed by a second processing system, and implement the job plan, including generating commands for an equipment controller based on the job plan. The first processing system is operable to transmit, through a network, the commands to the controller for execution by the controller. The first processing system is operable to iteratively (i) monitor, through the network, current conditions of the well construction system during execution of commands by the controller; (ii) update the implementation of the job plan, including generating updated commands for the controller based on the job plan and the current well construction system conditions when the current well construction system conditions indicate a deviation from the implementation; and (iii) transmit, through the network, the updated commands to the controller for execution by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shunfeng Zheng, Juan Jose Rojas
  • Patent number: 11792605
    Abstract: In a tracking device system, a networked smart device is enabled to cause execution of an executable function if a trigger condition of a conditional rule is satisfied. The conditional rules are customizable on a user interface of the smart device. The trigger condition may be any information received in a signal from a tracking device, for example, sensor data, location, a time, a date, a button press, a proximity, and more generally a trigger condition can be any condition that has a truth value by which an IF/THEN conditional rule can be evaluated and either is satisfied or is not. Executable functions for use in conditional rules may be selected from functions of a smart device, but also may include any function of a remote machine, network or system. Bluetooth radiotag devices may also include a cellular radio modem for global networking. Network systems may include software for tracking groups of radiotags and for autoprovisioning location and tracking services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: PB, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Daoura, Robert Aldridge, Johnathan Charles Miller, Kal K Lambert, Nicholas R. Pearson-Franks