Patents by Inventor Christophe Ramstein
Christophe Ramstein has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8264465Abstract: A planar touch control is used to provide input to a computer and haptic feedback is provided thereto. A touch control includes a touch input device with a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor associated with the computer based on a location of user implemented contact on the touch surface. The computer can position or modify a cursor or image in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user via the touch surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Danny A. Grant, Pedro Gregorio, Robert W. Heubel, Christophe Ramstein
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Publication number: 20120194472Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptively interpreting a user's intent based on parameters supplied by a touch-sensitive input device are described. In one of the methods described, a processor is programmed for receiving contact data from an input device; determining whether to output a haptic effect based on the contact data; and outputting the haptic effect based on the contact data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Henry DaCosta, Christophe Ramstein, Danny Grant
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Patent number: 8232969Abstract: A planar touch control is used to provide input to a computer and haptic feedback is provided thereto. A touch control includes a touch input device with a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor associated with the computer based on a location of user implemented contact on the touch surface. The computer can position or modify a cursor or image in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user via the touch surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Danny A. Grant, Pedro Gregorio, Robert W. Heubel, Christophe Ramstein
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Patent number: 8216212Abstract: Tools, such as surgical tools, are normally designed to interact with an object, such as a patient. As disclosed herein, one particular tool is implemented such that it comprises a handle having a feedback portion configured to contact one or more digits of a user's hand. The tool also includes a sensor positioned near or in contact with an object. The sensor is configured to measure a property of the object. Also, the tool includes a haptic output mechanism supported by the feedback portion of the handle. The haptic output mechanism is configured to communicate the measured property of the object to the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Danny A. Grant, Christopher J. Ullrich, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Christophe Ramstein
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Publication number: 20120139844Abstract: A system with a touchscreen generates haptic effects in response to a manipulation of text displayed on the touchscreen. The system senses a touch within the text, and determines if the touch is a manipulation of the text, and determines the type of the manipulation. The system then generates a type of haptic event that is based at least in part on the type of the manipulation that was determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2010Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Christophe RAMSTEIN, David Birnbaum
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Patent number: 8174512Abstract: System and method for a rotary control in a device that comprises a knob, a shaft supporting the knob and coupled to rotate therewith a base supporting the shaft. A sensor, operationally coupled to the base, is configured to detect an aspect of manipulation of the knob, which may include information relating to position, velocity, acceleration, torque, rate of rotation, time of rotation, or a combination thereof. A mechanical haptic assembly is operationally coupled between the base and the shaft to provide mechanical based haptic effects in response to movement of the knob with respect to the base. A programmable electronic-based actuator is operationally coupled to the knob and provides electronic-based haptic force feedback to the knob.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Christophe Ramstein, Greg Tashjian, Danny A. Grant
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Patent number: 8164573Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptively interpreting a user's intent based on parameters supplied by a touch-sensitive input device are described. In one of the methods described, a processor receives a pressure signal indicating a pressure from an input device, such as a touchpad, compares the pseudo pressure signal to a pressure threshold value, and outputs a signal if the pseudo pressure signal is greater than the pressure threshold value. In another embodiment, the processor also calculates the speed of movement of a conductor, for instance a user's finger, across the input device, and compares the speed to a threshold. If the speed is greater than the threshold, the processor determines that although the pressure may be great enough to signal a press, no press is intended. The various parameters supplied by the input device may be digitally filtered to increase the accuracy of the determination of user intent.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Henry DaCosta, Christophe Ramstein, Danny Grant
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Publication number: 20110261021Abstract: A haptic device includes a substantially transparent composite piezoelectric cell configured to measure a deformation of a surface of the cell and to provide a haptic feedback effect as a result of the deformation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Ali Modarres, Christophe Ramstein, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny A. Grant
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Publication number: 20110264491Abstract: Systems and methods for providing haptic effects are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes a computer-readable medium having program code, the program code including program code defining a haptic widget. The haptic widget includes program code defining a haptic effect; program code defining an interface for the haptic widget; program code for receiving, via the interface, a configuration of at least one parameter of the haptic widget; program code for receiving, via the interface, a play command for the haptic effect; and program code for outputting, via the interface, a signal configured to cause the haptic effect, the signal based on the at least one parameter and in response to the play command.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: David M. Birnbaum, Danny Grant, Christophe Ramstein, Christopher J. Ullrich
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Patent number: 7982711Abstract: An apparatus includes a characterization module configured to receive data associated with operational characteristics of a mechanical device, the operational characteristics being associated with a perceptual experience of the mechanical device. A conversion module is coupled to the characterization module. The conversion module is configured to automatically produce, substantially without user intervention, a parametric data set associated with the mechanical device based on the data. In another embodiment, a method includes receiving data associated with operational characteristics of a mechanical device. The operational characteristics are associated with a perceptual experience of the mechanical device. A parametric data set associated with the mechanical device is produced automatically, without user intervention. The parametric data set is associated with the mechanical device based on the data.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: George V. Anastas, Michael D. Levin, Danny Grant, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Pedro Gregorio, Christophe Ramstein
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Publication number: 20110043454Abstract: Human-computer interface devices are described in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, among several embodiments, a human-computer interface includes a display device configured to visually display images to a user and a touch sensitive device configured to sense contact with the user. Furthermore, the human-computer interface includes a composite piezoelectric layer positioned between the display device and the touch sensitive device. The composite piezoelectric layer is configured to provide haptic feedback to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Inventors: Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny A. Grant, Christophe Ramstein
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Publication number: 20110046659Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical tool includes a sensor that generates a signal in response to an interaction with the tool. The tool further includes a haptic feedback system that generates a haptic effect in response to the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2007Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Christophe Ramstein, Christopher J. Ullrich, Anne DeGheest
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Publication number: 20100277430Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Andrew GOSLINE, Danny GRANT, Christophe RAMSTEIN
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Publication number: 20100179423Abstract: A method and system for performing minimally invasive tissue examination with a computer-assisted hand tool. The computer-assisted hand tool is moved into contact with the tissue under examination. An indication is received from a first sensor in the computer-assisted hand tool of each feature detected in a time interval during movement of the hand tool in contact with the tissue under examination. Each feature detected in the preset time interval is processed to determine a haptic feedback to provide to the user. A haptic feedback is generated and provided to the user via an actuator that is responsive to at least one feature detected in the time interval.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2009Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Christophe Ramstein, Christopher J. Ullrich, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny A. Grant
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Publication number: 20100179587Abstract: Tools, such as surgical tools, are normally designed to interact with an object, such as a patient. As disclosed herein, one particular tool is implemented such that it comprises a handle having a feedback portion configured to contact one or more digits of a user's hand. The tool also includes a sensor positioned near or in contact with an object. The sensor is configured to measure a property of the object. Also, the tool includes a haptic output mechanism supported by the feedback portion of the handle. The haptic output mechanism is configured to communicate the measured property of the object to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2009Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Danny A. Grant, Christopher J. Ullrich, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Christophe Ramstein
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Publication number: 20100137845Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for managing how signals, which are sensed on a tool, are presented to an operator of the tool. According to one example of a method for managing signals, the method comprises allowing an operator to manipulate a tool having a plurality of output mechanisms mounted thereon. The method also includes sensing a property of an object located near or adjacent to a distal portion of the tool and processing the sensed property to obtain one or more output signals. Furthermore, the method includes applying the one or more output signals to one or more of the output mechanisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2008Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Christophe Ramstein, Christopher J. Ullrich, Danny A. Grant
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Patent number: 7659473Abstract: A system and method for generating a haptic feedback signal correlated to a music signal and providing the haptic feedback signal to a musical instrument. The music signal can created by the musical instrument or from a file, e.g., a MIDI file. A processor can generate the haptic feedback signal using a look-up table in which the music signal is mapped to a corresponding haptic feedback signal or can compute the corresponding haptic feedback signal based on the parameters of the music signal. The processor provides the haptic feedback signal to an actuator for causing a haptic effect at the musical instrument in response to receiving the haptic feedback signal. The haptic feedback signal can be applied to an input member, such as a key on a keyboard or a string on a guitar, or to the housing of the musical instrument, such as the neck of a guitar.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventor: Christophe Ramstein
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Publication number: 20100016855Abstract: Implementations of modular tools and methods of operating modular tools are described in the present disclosure. A modular tool according to one of several possible embodiments comprises a handle portion and a distal portion. The handle portion is configured to be manipulated by a user. The distal portion is configured to be attached to the handle portion, but is further configured to be removable from the handle portion by the user. Manipulation of the handle portion causes movement of one or more components of the distal portion. The distal portion is further configured to sense one or more parameters and transmit the sensed parameters to the handle portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Christophe Ramstein, Christopher J. Ullrich, Anne DeGheest
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Publication number: 20090013857Abstract: A system and method for generating a haptic feedback signal correlated to a music signal and providing the haptic feedback signal to a musical instrument. The music signal can created by the musical instrument or from a file, e.g., a MIDI file. A processor can generate the haptic feedback signal using a look-up table in which the music signal is mapped to a corresponding haptic feedback signal or can compute the corresponding haptic feedback signal based on the parameters of the music signal. The processor provides the haptic feedback signal to an actuator for causing a haptic effect at the musical instrument in response to receiving the haptic feedback signal. The haptic feedback signal can be applied to an input member, such as a key on a keyboard or a string on a guitar, or to the housing of the musical instrument, such as the neck of a guitar.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventor: Christophe Ramstein
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Publication number: 20080303782Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic interactive device having a haptic enabled flexible touch sensitive surface are disclosed. In one embodiment, the electronic interactive device includes a flexible touch sensitive surface, a flexible screen (or display), and an actuator. The flexible touch sensitive surface is deposited over the flexible screen and is capable of receiving an input, such as, for example, from a user. The flexible screen displays an image via a displaying window. The actuator is coupled to the flexible screen and provides haptic feedback in response to the input.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Danny A. Grant, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Christophe Ramstein