Patents by Inventor Danny A. Grant

Danny A. Grant 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).

  • GAMING DEVICE HAVING A HAPTIC-ENABLED TRIGGER
    Publication number: 20190056790
    Abstract: A haptic peripheral comprising a housing, a user input element, a position sensor coupled to the user input element, and an actuator located within the housing and coupled to the user input element. The position sensor is configured to detect a position of the user input element and is configured to send the position to a processor. The actuator is configured to receive a haptic effect drive signal from the processor and is configured to output a force in response to the haptic effect drive signal from the processor. The force is transmitted to the user input element as a kinesthetic haptic effect. The haptic peripheral may include a mechanical amplification system coupled to the actuator and configured to increase the force output by the actuator. In such an embodiment, the increased force is transmitted from the mechanical amplification system to the user input element as a kinesthetic haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Aaron Kapelus
  • SOUND TO HAPTIC EFFECT CONVERSION SYSTEM USING MULTIPLE ACTUATORS
    Publication number: 20190051125
    Abstract: A haptic conversion system is provided that analyzes an audio signal, generates a plurality of haptic signals based on the analysis of the audio signal, and plays the generated plurality of haptic signals through a plurality of actuators to produce one or more haptic effects. The haptic conversion system maps the generated plurality of haptic signals to the plurality of actuators based on one or more audio characteristics of the audio signal. Each generated haptic signal includes one or more haptic parameters, and is played at its mapped actuator to generate the one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Henry DA COSTA, Herve Thu TIMONE, Robert HEUBEL, Stephen RANK, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Danny GRANT
  • Haptic feedback in a haptically noisy environment
    Patent number: 10204493
    Abstract: A method for providing haptic feedback is provided for a device that produces haptic noise, such as a power tool with an electric motor that produces noises and vibrations while in operation. An environmental condition of the device can be sensed while the device is being operated and generating haptic noise. A haptic noise characteristic of the device can be determined. A haptic drive signal based on the environmental condition and haptic noise characteristic can be generated. The haptic drive signal can be applied to a haptic output device associated with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Vincent Levesque, Jamal Saboune, Danny Grant, Robert Lacroix, Abdelwahab Hamam
  • Systems and methods for shape input and output for a haptically-enabled deformable surface
    Patent number: 10203757
    Abstract: One illustrative computing device disclosed herein includes a first sensor configured to detect a position associated with a deformable surface and transmit a sensor signal associated with the position; and a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the sensor signal; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative computing device also includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant, Jamal Saboune, Abdelwahab Hamam, William Rihn
  • Systems and Methods for Deformation-Based Haptic Effects
    Publication number: 20190038966
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a deformation sensor configured to detect a deformation of a deformable surface and transmit a first sensor signal associated with the deformation. The system also includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a user input device and transmit a second sensor signal associated with the user interaction. The system further includes a processor configured to: receive the first sensor signal; receive the second sensor signal; execute a function based at least in part on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal. The processor is also configured to: determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the first sensor signal or the second sensor signal; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Ali Modarres, William Rihn
  • SINGLE ACTUATOR HAPTIC EFFECTS
    Publication number: 20190041986
    Abstract: A haptic enabled device that is configured to render one or more haptic effects is provided. The haptic enabled device includes an actuator and a plurality of user input elements. Each of the plurality of user input elements is configured to be selectively coupled to the actuator. In addition, the actuator is configured to be positioned to render the one or more haptic effects at each of the plurality of user input elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: William S. RIHN, Mohammadreza MOTAMEDI, Danny A. GRANT, Neil T. OLIEN, Vincent LEVESQUE, Jamal SABOUNE
  • Systems and methods for mapping message contents to virtual physical properties for vibrotactile messaging
    Patent number: 10198078
    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 displaying a first visual representation of a virtual message object having an associated virtual physical parameter at a first device, generating a haptic effect based on the virtual physical parameter at the first device, and sending a message to a second device, the message being configured to display a second visual representation of the virtual message object at the second device and generate the haptic effect based on the virtual physical parameter at the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich, Danny Grant
  • Systems and methods for a texture engine
    Patent number: 10198077
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a texture engine are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: a processor configured to receive a display signal including a plurality of pixels, determine a haptic effect comprising a texture, and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to an actuator in communication with the processor, the actuator configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny Grant
  • Haptically-enabled modular peripheral device assembly
    Patent number: 10198074
    Abstract: A modular peripheral device assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a handheld controller and an assembly base. The handheld controller includes a first haptic actuator configured to generate a haptic effect at the handheld controller. The assembly base includes an attachment component that is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the handheld controller, and a second haptic actuator configured to generate haptic a effect at the assembly base or at the handheld controller when it is attached to the attachment component. The assembly further includes a control unit configured to select, based on whether the handheld controller is attached to or detached from the assembly base, at least one of the first and second haptic actuators to generate a haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny Grant, William Rihn, Leonard Soskin
  • Systems and Methods for Impedance Coupling for Haptic Devices
    Publication number: 20190018491
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a haptic output device associated with a surface. The illustrative system also includes a sensor configured to detect a contact between a user and the surface, the sensor configured to transmit a sensor signal including data associated with the contact. The illustrative system further includes a processor in communication with the sensor and the haptic output device, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine an impedance based at least in part on the sensor signal; and determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the impedance. The processor is further configured to transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to the haptic output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny Grant
  • Haptic output device and method of generating a haptic effect in a haptic output device
    Patent number: 10175761
    Abstract: A haptic output device includes a touch surface, a sensor configured to sense an input at the touch surface, and a controller configured to read the sensor, identify a location of the input, switch from a read mode to a write mode, and write a voltage based on the location of the input to generate an electrostatic output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny A. Grant
  • Systems and Methods for Providing Haptic Feedback Via a Case
    Publication number: 20190004608
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a case configured to mechanically couple with a mobile device and position the mobile device such that the mobile device serves as a display for the case. The system also includes a processor coupled to the case and configured to generate a haptic signal based at least in part on a characteristic of the case. The system also includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor and configured to receive the haptic signal and output a haptic effect in response to the haptic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant, Razmik Mousakhanian, Andry Rabemiarisoa, Gor Isajanyan, Alex Zhu
  • DEVICE HAVING A PLURALITY OF SEGMENTS FOR OUTPUTTING A ROTATIONAL HAPTIC EFFECT
    Publication number: 20180369691
    Abstract: A device, such as a handheld controller, having a plurality of segments for outputting a rotational haptic effect is disclosed. The handheld controller comprises a first segment, a second segment, a user input component, an actuator, and a control unit. The second segment is rotatably attached to the first segment. The user input component is disposed on the first segment or the second segment. The actuator is located within the first segment or the second segment, and is configured to generate relative rotation between the first segment and the second segment about a rotational axis, wherein at least a portion of the first segment and at least a portion of the second segment are aligned along the rotational axis. The control unit is configured to determine whether to generate a haptic effect, and, in response to such a determination, to activate the actuator to generate the relative rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: William S. RIHN, Danny A. GRANT, Christopher J. ULLRICH
  • Systems and Methods for Friction Displays and Additional Haptic Effects
    Publication number: 20180373336
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for providing composite haptic effects are disclosed. One disclosed method includes detecting a touch occurring in a touch area when an object contacts a touch surface and selecting a composite haptic effect to generate in response to the touch, the composite haptic effect including at least one surface-based haptic effect and at least one other effect. Based on the selected composite haptic effect, a first haptic signal can be sent to cause an actuator to vary a coefficient of friction of the touch surface and a second actuator can be caused to provide a second haptic output in addition to the variation in the coefficient of friction. The second haptic signal can be sent to a second actuator or the same actuator(s) used to vary the coefficient of friction can generate the second haptic output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny A. Grant
  • Haptically Enhanced Interactivity with Interactive Content
    Publication number: 20180356963
    Abstract: Interactive content may be presented to a user that is manipulating a peripheral. One or more state parameters that are related to the position of the peripheral may be determined. The peripheral may be identified from a plurality of possible peripherals. The interactive content may be adjusted based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral. Haptic feedback to be provided to the user may be determined based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Danny A. Grant, Robert W. Heubel
  • System and method for ordering haptic effects
    Patent number: 10152128
    Abstract: A signal associated with multiple haptic effects is received, each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects being associated with a time slot from multiple time slots. Each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects is associated with an effect slot from multiple effect slots at least partially based on the time slot associated with that haptic effect. An output signal is sent for each effect slot from the multiple effect slots, when the associated haptic effect is scheduled for its time slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Henrique D. Da Costa, Danny A. Grant, Robert A. Lacroix
  • User interface device responsive to data tag associated with physical location
    Patent number: 10152134
    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: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    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 enhanced haptic effects
    Patent number: 10152124
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced haptic effects are described. One described method includes receiving an input signal having haptic information and multimedia data, the input signal formatted in a first format, decoding the haptic information from the input signal, and determining a parameter associated with an actuator in a haptic device. The method further includes generating an actuator signal based at least in part on the parameter and the haptic information, and generating an output signal comprising the multimedia data and the actuator signal, the output signal formatted in a second format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Lacroix, Danny Grant
  • Systems and methods for multi-pressure interaction on touch-sensitive surfaces
    Patent number: 10152131
    Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-pressure interaction on touch-sensitive surfaces are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment of a method comprises receiving a first sensor signal from a touch-sensitive input device in response to a first contact of a first object on the touch-sensitive input device, the first sensor signal comprising a first location and a first pressure of the first contact, receiving a second sensor signal from the touch-sensitive input device in response to a second contact of a second object on the touch-sensitive input device substantially simultaneously with the first contact, the second sensor signal comprising a second location of the second contact and a second pressure of the second contact, generating a signal based at least in part on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, the signal configured to cause a haptic effect, and outputting the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny Grant, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Ali Modarres
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAPPING MESSAGE CONTENTS TO VIRTUAL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES FOR VIBROTACTILE MESSAGING
    Publication number: 20180348870
    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 displaying a first visual representation of a virtual message object having an associated virtual physical parameter at a first device, generating a haptic effect based on the virtual physical parameter at the first device, and sending a message to a second device, the message being configured to display a second visual representation of the virtual message object at the second device and generate the haptic effect based on the virtual physical parameter at the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: David M. BIRNBAUM, Christopher J. ULLRICH, Danny GRANT