Patents by Inventor Christopher Ullrich
Christopher 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).
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Publication number: 20190129503Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine an electrostatic force (ESF)-based haptic effect and transmit a haptic signal associated with the ESF-based haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes a surface configured to contact a user, and an ESF device coupled to the surface and in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device configured to receive the ESF signal and output the ESF-based haptic effect on the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Ali Modarres, Christopher Ullrich
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Publication number: 20190038496Abstract: This disclosure relates to haptic devices for implantation in a human subject. Such haptic devices can include various actuators, including both active and passive haptic actuators, for providing feedback to a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2017Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Vincent LEVESQUE, David M. BIRNBAUM, Benoit Paul BELLEY, Jamal SABOUNE, Abdelwahab HAMAM, Ravikumar PATEL, Christopher ULLRICH, Mohammadreza MOTAMEDI, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
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Patent number: 10200332Abstract: Systems and methods, by which a sender can deliver haptic messages to selected recipients within a larger group of recipients that are otherwise receiving a common message, are disclosed. The haptic messages can be individualized according to a recipient's profile, preference, and/or relationship with the sender. The haptic message can be created by the sender or selected from a pre-existing library of messages, and can be delivered automatically or assigned by the sender. The haptic messages can be dynamically changed in response to haptic feedback and supplemental data collected from the recipients that is used to update preferences and profiles of message recipients.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Liwen Wu, Henry Da Costa, Changyu Yang, Vincent Levesque, Hua Yu, David M. Birnbaum, Christopher Ullrich
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Patent number: 10147460Abstract: Systems and methods for authoring and encoding haptic effects are provided for space-dependent content, such as 360-degree videos, three-dimensional videos, or virtual or augmented reality contents. The systems and methods can generate one or more haptic layers for encoding or modifying haptic effects for the content.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventor: Christopher Ullrich
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Patent number: 10108267Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine an electrostatic force (ESF)-based haptic effect and transmit a haptic signal associated with the ESF-based haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes a surface configured to contact a user, and an ESF device coupled to the surface and in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device configured to receive the ESF signal and output the ESF-based haptic effect on the surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Ali Modarres, Christopher Ullrich
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Publication number: 20180182436Abstract: Systems and methods for authoring and encoding haptic effects are provided for space-dependent content, such as 360-degree videos, three-dimensional videos, or virtual or augmented reality contents. The systems and methods can generate one or more haptic layers for encoding or modifying haptic effects for the content.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2016Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventor: Christopher Ullrich
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Publication number: 20180004295Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting haptic messages are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of: receiving at least one sensor signal from at least one sensor of a mobile device, the at least one sensor signal associated with a movement of the mobile device, determining a message to be displayed in a user interface based at least in part on the at least one sensor signal, and causing the message to be displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2017Publication date: January 4, 2018Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: David Birnbaum, Christopher Ullrich, Peter Rubin, Phong D. Ngo, Leo Kopelow
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Patent number: 9785238Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting haptic messages are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of: receiving at least one sensor signal from at least one sensor of a mobile device, the at least one sensor signal associated with a movement of the mobile device, determining a message to be displayed in a user interface based at least in part on the at least one sensor signal, and causing the message to be displayed.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2015Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: David Birnbaum, Christopher Ullrich, Peter Rubin, Phong D. Ngo, Leo Kopelow
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Publication number: 20170269693Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine a haptic effect, wherein the haptic effect includes a static ESF effect or a confirmation ESF effect; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes an ESF device in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device including an ESF cell and configured to receive the ESF signal and output the haptic effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Christopher Ullrich, Danny Grant, Neil Olien, Vincent Levesque
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Publication number: 20170269690Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine an electrostatic force (ESF)-based haptic effect and transmit a haptic signal associated with the ESF-based haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes a surface configured to contact a user, and an ESF device coupled to the surface and in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device configured to receive the ESF signal and output the ESF-based haptic effect on the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-hernandez, Ali Modarres, Christopher Ullrich
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Patent number: 9696806Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine a haptic effect, wherein the haptic effect includes a static ESF effect or a confirmation ESF effect; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes an ESF device in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device including an ESF cell and configured to receive the ESF signal and output the haptic effect.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Christopher Ullrich, Danny Grant, Neil Olien, Vincent Levesque
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Publication number: 20170171135Abstract: Systems and methods, by which a sender can deliver haptic messages to selected recipients within a larger group of recipients that are otherwise receiving a common message, are disclosed. The haptic messages can be individualized according to a recipient's profile, preference, and/or relationship with the sender. The haptic message can be created by the sender or selected from a pre-existing library of messages, and can be delivered automatically or assigned by the sender. The haptic messages can be dynamically changed in response to haptic feedback and supplemental data collected from the recipients that is used to update preferences and profiles of message recipients.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2015Publication date: June 15, 2017Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Liwen Wu, Henry Da Costa, Changyu Yang, Vincent Levesque, Hua Yu, David M. Birnbaum, Christopher Ullrich
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Patent number: 9606624Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine an electrostatic force (ESF)-based haptic effect and transmit a haptic signal associated with the ESF-based haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes a surface configured to contact a user, and an ESF device coupled to the surface and in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device configured to receive the ESF signal and output the ESF-based haptic effect on the surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Ali Modarres, Christopher Ullrich
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Patent number: 9579143Abstract: A surgical tool system including a laparoscopic surgical tool for heating, ablating, sealing, and/or dissecting tissue, a control system for monitoring impedance of the tissue during treatment thereof, and a tactile feedback system integrated onto a handle of the tool that generates relevant feedback from the control system in at least the form of haptic effects to the user. The tactile feedback alerts the tool user of changes in tissue properties, i.e., when the impedance of the tissue indicates that the treatment procedure is complete. In addition, the tactile feedback provided may supply information relating to the operating status of the control system to the user.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2011Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Christopher Ullrich, Pedro Gregorio
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Publication number: 20160246378Abstract: One disclosed method includes the steps of determining a context of a user device; determining a notification to be provided by the user device; determining a category of the notification; generating a haptic effect based on the category of the notification; and outputting the haptic effect to the user device. Another disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a selection of a category for a haptic effect, the category one of a plurality of predetermined categories of haptic effects; obtaining a plurality of constraints for the haptic effect based on the selected category; receiving an input indicating a characteristic of the haptic effect; determining whether the characteristic violates any of the plurality of constraints; responsive to determining that the characteristic violates at least one of the plurality of constraints, refusing the input; and otherwise, modifying the haptic effect based on the input.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Chad Sampanes, David Birnbaum, Iva Segalman, Min Lee, Christopher Ullrich
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Publication number: 20160180661Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for automatically generating unique haptic effects. An embodiment of the apparatus comprises a haptic actuator. Memory stores a hash function and a haptic control module programmed to generate a haptic control signal related to a hash value generated by the hash function. A controller is communicatively associated with the haptic actuator and the memory. The controller is configured to receive information, execute the hash function on at least a portion of the information to generate the hash value, generate a haptic signal related to the hash value, and control the haptic actuator to generate a haptic effect, the haptic effect related to the hash value and the haptic signal. A method of automatically generating a unique haptic effect also is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2015Publication date: June 23, 2016Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventor: Christopher Ullrich
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Publication number: 20160004309Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine a haptic effect, wherein the haptic effect includes a static ESF effect or a confirmation ESF effect; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes an ESF device in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device including an ESF cell and configured to receive the ESF signal and output the haptic effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Christopher Ullrich, Danny Grant, Neil Olien, Vincent Levesque
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Publication number: 20160004308Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine an electrostatic force (ESF)-based haptic effect and transmit a haptic signal associated with the ESF-based haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes a surface configured to contact a user, and an ESF device coupled to the surface and in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device configured to receive the ESF signal and output the ESF-based haptic effect on the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Ali Modarres, Christopher Ullrich
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Publication number: 20150199013Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting haptic messages are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of: receiving at least one sensor signal from at least one sensor of a mobile device, the at least one sensor signal associated with a movement of the mobile device, determining a message to be displayed in a user interface based at least in part on the at least one sensor signal, and causing the message to be displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: David Birnbaum, Christopher Ullrich, Peter Rubin, Phong D. Ngo, Leo Kopelow
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Patent number: 8845667Abstract: A surgical tool such as a grasper or a pair of surgical scissors includes a hinge portion that spans between a handle proximal portion and a distal working portion to communicate mechanical actions of the handle proximal portion to the distal working portion. A programmable rotary module is coupled to the hinge portion and includes a sensor, an actuator, and a controller. The sensor, actuator, and controller may be enclosed in a common housing. The sensor measures rotation of the distal working portion and the actuator generates haptic effects to the proximal handle portion. A controller is electrically connected to the sensor and to the actuator. The controller receives the rotation measurements from the sensor and, based upon the rotation measurements, outputs a control signal to the actuator relating to the generation of haptic effects. The haptic effects may include force sensations such as detents and barriers.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Juan Manuel Cruz Hernandez, Andrew Gosline, Christopher Ullrich