Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Ullrich

Christopher J. Ullrich 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).

  • SYSTEM FOR HAPTICALLY REPRESENTING SENSOR INPUT
    Publication number: 20180074592
    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: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: David BIRNBAUM, Christopher J. ULLRICH, Danny GRANT, Ali MODARRES, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • Synchronization of haptic effect data in a media transport stream
    Patent number: 9912842
    Abstract: A method for synchronizing haptic effects with at least one media component in a media transport stream includes identifying a series of video frames containing imaging information and/or a series of audio frames containing sound information in the media transport stream; identifying a series of haptic frames containing force feedback information in the media transport stream; and synchronizing the force feedback information in response to the imaging information and/or sound information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. Lacroix, Andrianaivo Rabemiarisoa, Henrique D. Da Costa, Herve Thu Timone, Stephen D. Rank, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • Systems and methods for mapping message contents to virtual physical properties for vibrotactile messaging
    Patent number: 9910496
    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: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich, Danny Grant
  • Automatic fitting of haptic effects
    Patent number: 9905090
    Abstract: A system is provided that automatically generates one or more haptic effects from source data, such as audio source data. The system fits the one or more haptic effects to the source data by analyzing the source data and identifying one or more haptic effects that are the most similar to the source data. The system matches the identified one or more haptic effects with the source data. The system subsequently outputs the identified one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Danny Grant, Victor Aaron Viegas, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • AMBIENT TRIGGERED NOTIFICATIONS
    Publication number: 20180047260
    Abstract: A method of rendering a haptic effect on a haptic output device is provided based on an ambient environmental stimulus signal received from a sensor. A notification event based on the stimulus signal is determined. A haptic effect is rendered on a haptic output devices based on the notification event. A system and computer-readable medium are also provided for rendering a haptic effect on a haptic output device based on an ambient environmental stimulus signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher J. ULLRICH, Jamal SABOUNE
  • Audio enhanced simulation of high bandwidth haptic effects
    Patent number: 9891714
    Abstract: A system generates haptic effects using at least one actuator and at least one speaker. The system receives a high definition (“HD”) haptic effect signal and a corresponding audio signal if audio is to be played. The system generates a standard definition (“SD”) haptic effect signal based at least on the HD haptic effect signal, and generates an audio based haptic effect signal based at least on the HD haptic effect signal. The system mixes the audio signal and the audio based haptic effect signal, and then substantially simultaneously plays the SD haptic effect signal on the actuator and plays the mixed signal on the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, William S. Rihn
  • SOUND TO HAPTIC EFFECT CONVERSION SYSTEM USING MAPPING
    Publication number: 20180040211
    Abstract: A system generates a haptic signal. The system receives an audio signal, pre-processes the audio signal by modifying the audio signal to create a modified audio signal, and maps the modified audio signal to a haptic signal. The system then sends the haptic signal to an actuator to generate one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Christopher J. ULLRICH
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECORDING HAPTIC DATA FOR USE WITH MULTI-MEDIA DATA
    Publication number: 20180033459
    Abstract: A system includes a recorder configured to record audio and/or video of a subject of interest and output a recording of the subject of interest and a non-contact sensor associated with the recorder. The non-contact sensor is constructed and arranged to measure movement and/or vibration of the subject of interest from substantially the same perspective and at the same time as the recorder. The system includes a controller configured to transform the measured movement and/or vibration of the subject of interest measured by the non-contact sensor into a tactile data stream for sending to a haptic display device for playback with the recording of the subject of interest by the recorder and providing haptic effects corresponding to the measured movement and/or vibration to a user of the haptic display device in synchronization with the recording.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher J. ULLRICH, Robert LACROIX
  • Virtual tool manipulation system
    Patent number: 9881520
    Abstract: In the field of virtual reality, virtual tool manipulation systems and related methods and software are described in the present disclosure. One implementation of a virtual tool manipulation system, among others, comprises a motion tracking system configured to generate motion information related to the position of a part of a user's body. The virtual tool manipulation system also comprises a haptic feedback system configured to provide a haptic sensation to the user based on the motion information, the position of a virtual tool, and characteristics of the virtual tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Kevin J. Kunkler
  • Ambient triggered notifications for rendering haptic effects
    Patent number: 9847000
    Abstract: A method of rendering a haptic effect on a haptic output device is provided based on an ambient environmental stimulus signal received from a sensor. A notification event based on the stimulus signal is determined. A haptic effect is rendered on a haptic output devices based on the notification event. A system and computer-readable medium are also provided for rendering a haptic effect on a haptic output device based on an ambient environmental stimulus signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Jamal Saboune
  • System for haptically representing sensor input
    Patent number: 9846485
    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: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich, Danny Grant, Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • LOW-FREQUENCY EFFECTS HAPTIC CONVERSION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170352356
    Abstract: Embodiments that generate multiple haptic effects receive a first haptic effect signal having a first priority and corresponding to a first haptic effect, and receive a second haptic effect signal having a second priority and corresponding to a second haptic effect. When the first priority is less than the second priority, embodiments generate an interaction parameter using the second haptic effect signal. When the second priority is less than the first priority, embodiments generate the interaction parameter using the first haptic effect signal. Embodiments then apply a drive signal to a haptic output device according to the interaction parameter, where the drive signal causes the first haptic effect and the second haptic effect to be generated by the haptic output device concurrently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Robert LACROIX, Satvir Singh BHATIA, David BIRNBAUM, Christopher J. ULLRICH, Amaya Becvar WEDDLE, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • Sound to haptic effect conversion system using mapping
    Patent number: 9818271
    Abstract: A system generates a haptic signal. The system receives an audio signal, pre-processes the audio signal by modifying the audio signal to create a modified audio signal, and maps the modified audio signal to a haptic signal. The system then sends the haptic signal to an actuator to generate one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • Systems and methods for recording haptic data for use with multi-media data
    Patent number: 9812165
    Abstract: A system includes a recorder configured to record audio and/or video of a subject of interest and output a recording of the subject of interest and a non-contact sensor associated with the recorder. The non-contact sensor is constructed and arranged to measure movement and/or vibration of the subject of interest from substantially the same perspective and at the same time as the recorder. The system includes a controller configured to transform the measured movement and/or vibration of the subject of interest measured by the non-contact sensor into a tactile data stream for sending to a haptic display device for playback with the recording of the subject of interest by the recorder and providing haptic effects corresponding to the measured movement and/or vibration to a user of the haptic display device in synchronization with the recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Robert Lacroix
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTI-TOUCH TACTILE TOUCH PANEL ACTUATOR MECHANISMS
    Publication number: 20170315618
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of actuator mechanisms for a multi-touch tactile touch panel are disclosed. The tactile touch panel includes an electrical insulated layer and a tactile layer. The top surface of the electrical insulated layer is capable of receiving an input from a user. The tactile layer includes a grid or an array of haptic cells. The top surface of the haptic layer is situated adjacent to the bottom surface of the electrical insulated layer, while the bottom surface of the haptic layer is situated adjacent to a display. Each haptic cell further includes at least one piezoelectric material, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (“MEMS”) element, thermal fluid pocket, MEMS pump, resonant device, variable porosity membrane, laminar flow modulation, or the like. Each haptic cell is configured to provide a haptic effect independent of other haptic cells in the tactile layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher J. ULLRICH, Ryan STEGER, Daniel H. GOMEZ
  • Systems And Methods For Providing Haptic Effects
    Publication number: 20170308169
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Danny Grant, Christophe Ramstein, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • Low-frequency effects haptic conversion system
    Patent number: 9786287
    Abstract: A system is provided that produces haptic effects. The system receives an audio signal that includes a low-frequency effects audio signal. The system further extracts the low-frequency effects audio signal from the audio signal. The system further converts the low-frequency effects audio signal into a haptic signal by shifting frequencies of the low-frequency effects audio signal to frequencies within a target frequency range of a haptic output device. The system further sends the haptic signal to the haptic output device, where the haptic signal causes the haptic output device to output one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lacroix, Satvir Singh Bhatia, David Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich, Amaya Becvar Weddle, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • USER INTERFACE DEVICE RESPONSIVE TO DATA TAG ASSOCIATED WITH PHYSICAL LOCATION
    Publication number: 20170277264
    Abstract: A system includes a display configured to display a graphical simulation, a computer configured to run a software program designed to display the graphical simulation on the display, and a stylus constructed and arranged to be manipulated by a user of the system in at least two dimensions to affect the graphical simulation. The stylus includes an actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the user upon receiving a control signal from the computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Danny A. GRANT, Erin B. RAMSAY, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, David BIRNBAUM, Robert W. HEUBEL, Hendrik BARTEL, Christopher J. ULLRICH
  • SOUND TO HAPTIC EFFECT CONVERSION SYSTEM USING WAVEFORM
    Publication number: 20170213430
    Abstract: A haptic conversion system is provided that intercepts frames of audio data, such as a digital audio signal, converts the frames into a haptic signal, and plays the created haptic signal through an actuator to produce haptic effects. The haptic signal is based on a maximum value of each audio data frame, which defines a magnitude of the haptic signal. The haptic signal is applied to the actuator configured to receive the haptic signal, where the actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Satvir Singh BHATIA, Kanav GANDHI, Christopher J. ULLRICH, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Herve Thu TIMONE, Jason Hoi Fun LAU
  • Tactile touch panel actuator mechanism
    Patent number: 9715280
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of actuator mechanisms for a multi-touch tactile touch panel are disclosed. The tactile touch panel includes an electrical insulated layer and a tactile layer. The top surface of the electrical insulated layer is capable of receiving an input from a user. The tactile layer includes a grid or an array of haptic cells. The top surface of the haptic layer is situated adjacent to the bottom surface of the electrical insulated layer, while the bottom surface of the haptic layer is situated adjacent to a display. Each haptic cell further includes at least one piezoelectric material, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (“MEMS”) element, thermal fluid pocket, MEMS pump, resonant device, variable porosity membrane, laminar flow modulation, or the like. Each haptic cell is configured to provide a haptic effect independent of other haptic cells in the tactile layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Ryan Steger, Daniel H. Gomez