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).

  • Systems and methods for providing a haptic effect associated with a pgraphical simulation or virtual tag
    Patent number: 9710064
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin B. Ramsay, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, David Birnbaum, Robert W. Heubel, Hendrik Bartel, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • Systems and Methods for Pressure-Based Haptic Effects
    Publication number: 20170192510
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a touch surface and transmit a sensor signal including data associated with a pressure of the user interaction. The illustrative system also includes a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine, based on the sensor signal, a pressure level; determine a user interface level based at least in part on the pressure level; perform a function associated with the user interface level and the user interaction; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the user interface level and the user interaction; generate a haptic signal based at least in part on the haptic effect; and transmit the haptic signal. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device in configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Amaya Weddle, Hua Yu, David Birnbaum
  • Systems and Methods For Shifting Haptic Feedback Function Between Passive and Active Modes
    Publication number: 20170168579
    Abstract: Systems and methods for shifting haptic feedback function between passive and active modes are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes receiving a first signal from a sensor, the first signal associated with a mode of interaction with a graphical user interface; receiving a second signal associated with an interaction with the graphical user interface; determining a haptic feedback effect based at least in part on the mode of interaction with the graphical user interface and the interaction with the graphical user interface; and generating a haptic signal configured to output the haptic feedback effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • Systems and methods for providing haptic effects
    Patent number: 9678569
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Danny Grant, Christophe Ramstein, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • SYNCHRONIZATION OF HAPTIC EFFECT DATA IN A MEDIA TRANSPORT STREAM
    Publication number: 20170150013
    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: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Robert A. LACROIX, Andrianaivo RABEMIARISOA, Henrique D. DA COSTA, Herve Thu TIMONE, Stephen D. RANK, Christopher J. ULLRICH
  • AMBIENT TRIGGERED NOTIFICATIONS
    Publication number: 20170124818
    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 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher J. ULLRICH, Jamal SABOUNE
  • Systems and methods for pressure-based haptic effects
    Patent number: 9632581
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a touch surface and transmit a sensor signal including data associated with a pressure of the user interaction. The illustrative system also includes a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine, based on the sensor signal, a pressure level; determine a user interface level based at least in part on the pressure level; perform a function associated with the user interface level and the user interaction; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the user interface level and the user interaction; generate a haptic signal based at least in part on the haptic effect; and transmit the haptic signal. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device in configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Amaya Weddle, Hua Yu, David Birnbaum
  • Synchronization of haptic effect data in a media transport stream
    Patent number: 9615002
    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: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    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 shifting haptic feedback function between passive and active modes
    Patent number: 9612662
    Abstract: Systems and methods for shifting haptic feedback function between passive and active modes are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes receiving a first signal from a sensor, the first signal associated with a mode of interaction with a graphical user interface; receiving a second signal associated with an interaction with the graphical user interface; determining a haptic feedback effect based at least in part on the mode of interaction with the graphical user interface and the interaction with the graphical user interface; and generating a haptic signal configured to output the haptic feedback effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • Sound to haptic effect conversion system using waveform
    Patent number: 9606627
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Satvir Singh Bhatia, Kanav Gandhi, Christopher J. Ullrich, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Herve Thu Timone, Jason Hoi Fun Lau
  • SYSTEM FOR HAPTICALLY REPRESENTING SENSOR INPUT
    Publication number: 20170052594
    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 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: David BIRNBAUM, Christopher J. ULLRICH, Danny GRANT, Ali MODARRES
  • LOW-FREQUENCY EFFECTS HAPTIC CONVERSION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170053654
    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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Robert LACROIX, Satvir Singh BHATIA, David BIRNBAUM, Christopher J. ULLRICH, Amaya Becvar WEDDLE, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • HIGH DEFINITION HAPTIC EFFECTS GENERATION USING PRIMITIVES
    Publication number: 20170045944
    Abstract: A haptically enabled system receives a haptic effect primitive comprising a plurality of input parameters and receives an input from a sensor. The system generates a haptic effect signal from the haptic effect primitive, the haptic effect signal comprising a plurality of output parameters where at least one of the output parameters is varied based on the sensor input. The system then applies the haptic effect signal to an actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Liwen WU, Christopher J. ULLRICH
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAPPING MESSAGE CONTENTS TO VIRTUAL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES FOR VIBROTACTILE MESSAGING
    Publication number: 20170031445
    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: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: David M. BIRNBAUM, Christopher J. ULLRICH, Danny GRANT
  • Systems and methods for haptic and gesture-driven paper simulation
    Patent number: 9547366
    Abstract: Systems and methods for haptic and gesture-driven paper simulation are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving an electronic document; receiving metadata associated with the electronic document, the metadata comprising a characteristic indicating a type of paper; generating and transmitting a display signal configured to cause display of the at least a portion of the document; and generating and transmitting a haptic signal based on the type of paper, the haptic signal configured to cause a haptic output device to generate a haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, David M. Birnbaum, Marcus Aurelius Bothsa
  • Low-frequency effects haptic conversion system
    Patent number: 9519346
    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: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lacroix, Satvir Singh Bhatia, David Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich, Amaya Becvar Weddle, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • AUTOMATIC FITTING OF HAPTIC EFFECTS
    Publication number: 20160358429
    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: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher J. ULLRICH, Danny GRANT, Victor Aaron VIEGAS, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • High definition haptic effects generation using primitives
    Patent number: 9513706
    Abstract: A haptically enabled system receives a haptic effect primitive comprising a plurality of input parameters and receives an input from a sensor. The system generates a haptic effect signal from the haptic effect primitive, the haptic effect signal comprising a plurality of output parameters where at least one of the output parameters is varied based on the sensor input. The system then applies the haptic effect signal to an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Liwen Wu, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HAPTIC DATA ENCODING AND STREAMING USING A MULTIPLEXED DATA STREAM
    Publication number: 20160345073
    Abstract: A method includes receiving digital content data including audio data and/or video data, generating haptic data using at least some of the received digital content data, encoding the haptic data for efficient transmission over a communication network, multiplexing the encoded haptic data with the received digital content data, embedding information for decoding the encoded haptic data in metadata of the multiplexed data stream, and sending the multiplexed data stream over the communication network. The method may include analyzing the haptic data to determine at least one characteristic of the haptic data, and the encoding the haptic data may include encoding, based on the determined characteristic, the haptic data to meet a pre-defined criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Loc PHAN, Satvir Singh BHATIA, Stephen D. RANK, Christopher J. ULLRICH, Jean Francois DIONNE, Hugues Antoine OLIVER
  • System for haptically representing sensor input
    Patent number: 9501149
    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: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich, Danny Grant, Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez