Patents by Inventor Erik J. Shahoian
Erik J. Shahoian 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: 8936544Abstract: A system for sexual stimulation includes a first sexual stimulation device having a first sensor and a first actuator and a second sexual stimulation device having a second sensor and a second actuator. The first sexual stimulation device is configured to communicate information from the first sensor to actuate the second actuator of the second sexual stimulation device and the second sexual stimulation device is configured to communicate information from the second sensor to actuate the first actuator of the first sexual stimulation device.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2014Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Sparq Laboratories, LLCInventors: Erik J. Shahoian, John A. McCoy
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Publication number: 20140336452Abstract: A system for sexual stimulation includes a first sexual stimulation device having a first sensor and a first actuator and a second sexual stimulation device having a second sensor and a second actuator. The first sexual stimulation device is configured to communicate information from the first sensor to actuate the second actuator of the second sexual stimulation device and the second sexual stimulation device is configured to communicate information from the second sensor to actuate the first actuator of the first sexual stimulation device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventors: Erik J. SHAHOIAN, John A. MCCOY, Alex S. GOLDENBERG
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Patent number: 8830161Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for providing customized “haptic messaging” to users of handheld communication devices in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, a method of providing virtual touch to a handheld communication device includes: receiving an input signal associated with a virtual touch; outputting a request relating to a contact with a user-interface member coupled to a handheld communication device; and providing a control signal associated with the contact to an actuator coupled to the handheld communication device, the control signal being configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the virtual touch.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2003Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Danny A. Grant, Jeffrey Eid, Shoichi Endo, Erik J. Shahoian, Dean C. Chang
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Patent number: 8803795Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for providing customized “haptic messaging” to users of handheld communication devices in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, a method of using haptic effects to relate location information includes: receiving an input signal associated with a position of a handheld communication device (100); determining the position of the handheld communication device (100) relative to a predetermined location; and providing a haptic effect associated with a distance between the position of the handheld communication device (100) and the predetermined location. In another embodiment, a handheld communication device (100) can be used as a two-way haptic remote control.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2003Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Danny A. Grant, Jeffrey Eld, Shoichi Endo, Erik J. Shahoian, Dean C. Chang
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Publication number: 20140194891Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, function by aligning a first device with a tympanic membrane of the first ear; inputting a command to an input device operatively coupled to the first device to generate a signal; and actuating the first device in response to the signal so as to drive a penetrator of the device through the tympanic membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Acclarent, Inc.Inventor: Erik J. Shahoian
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Patent number: 8648829Abstract: Systems and methods for providing haptic cues to a touch-sensitive input device having a rotary degree of freedom are described. One described method includes the steps of receiving data from at least one packet, determining navigation within at least one list based at least in part on the data, and determining whether to output a haptic effect, the haptic effect based at least in part on the data.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Erik J Shahoian, Alexander Jasso
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Patent number: 8462116Abstract: In an aspect, an electronic device includes a housing; a manipulandum positioned in the housing, wherein the manipulandum is moveable in at least one rotary degree of freedom in response to a user moving the manipulandum; a sensor coupled to the manipulandum, the sensor outputs sensor signals associated with the movement of the manipulandum in the at least one rotary degree of freedom by the user's direct contact; a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to output one or more activating signals based on the sensor signals; a first actuator coupled to the manipulandum, wherein the first actuator outputs a contact force to the manipulandum upon receiving a first activating signal; and a second actuator positioned within the housing and separate from the first actuator, wherein the second actuator outputs an inertial force to the housing upon receiving a second activating signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Ryan D. Bruneau, Ramon Alarcon, Louis B. Rosenberg, Erik J. Shahoian
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Patent number: 8441444Abstract: An interface device providing haptic feedback to a user is in communication with a host computer. The device includes a housing, at least one sensor for detecting user input, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes a grounded flexure suspension coupled to an inertial mass which moves when the actuator assembly is energized to cause inertial sensations. The inertial mass includes a pole piece surrounding a magnet, and a grounded coil between magnet and pole piece causes the motion of the inertial mass when current is flowed therethrough. Another embodiment provides directional haptic feedback to a user and includes at least two actuator assemblies oriented such that the inertial masses oscillate substantially orthogonally, and can be controlled to output the inertial sensations approximately along a single axis having a desired orientation.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: David F. Moore, Erik J. Shahoian, Bruce M. Schena
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Publication number: 20120302095Abstract: High-speed interposer connectors that may be space-efficient, reliable, and may be readily manufactured. One example may provide an interposer connector that may be particularly space-efficient in a vertical direction by using an interposer to form an electrical connection between conductors and a main-logic board or other appropriate substrate. Another example may provide a reliable connection between conductors and a main-logic board by using fasteners to fix an interposer to the main-logic board. Another example may provide connectors that are well-suited to handling high-speed signals by providing a shield to at least partially cover a top of an interposer connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventor: Erik J. Shahoian
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Patent number: 8316166Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for providing customized “haptic messaging” to users of handheld communication devices in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, a method of haptic messaging includes: receiving an input signal associated with an actuation of a user-interface member; determining a haptic code associated with the actuation; and including the haptic code in an output signal to be sent to a remote handheld communication device. In another embodiment, a method of haptic messaging includes: receiving an input signal; outputting a request relating to a contact with a user-interface member coupled to a handheld communication device; and providing a control signal associated with the contact to an actuator coupled to the handheld communication device, the control signal being configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the input signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2003Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Danny A. Grant, Jeffrey Eid, Shoichi Endo, Erik J. Shahoian, Dean C. Chang
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Publication number: 20120270419Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that limit the number of types of connectors needed by an electronic device. One example may provide a connector receptacle capable of adapting to multiple types of connector inserts. In this way, connector inserts conveying one of a number of interfaces can be accepted by the same connector receptacle. This may reduce the number and types of connector receptacles needed on an electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Erik J. Shahoian, Gregory A. Springer
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Publication number: 20120235942Abstract: A haptic feedback touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that provides position information to a computer based on a location of user contact. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position information, 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. The actuator can move the touchpad laterally, or a separate surface member can be actuated. A flat E-core actuator, piezoelectric actuator, or other types of actuators can be used to provide forces. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Erik J. Shahoian, Bruce M. Schena, Louis B. Rosenberg
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Patent number: 8248363Abstract: Systems and methods for providing passive haptic feedback are described. Embodiments of the present invention comprise an actuator for bringing a manipulandum and braking surface into contact and thereby providing a resistance. The manipulandum includes scroll wheels, scroll drums, linear sliders and similar user input devices. The actuator may be, for example, electromagnetic or piezo-electric. An embodiment of the present invention may include a processor in communication with the actuator for providing the haptic effects.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2007Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: George Anastas, Erik J. Shahoian, Alex Jasso
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Patent number: 8212772Abstract: An interface device and method providing haptic sensations to a user. A user physically contacts a housing of the interface device, and a sensor device detects the manipulation of the interface device by the user. An actuator assembly includes an actuator that provides output forces to the user as haptic sensations. In one embodiment, the actuator outputs a rotary force, and a flexure coupled to the actuator moves an inertial mass and/or a contact member. The flexure can be a unitary member that includes flex joints allowing a portion of the flexure to be linearly moved. The flexure can converts rotary force output by the actuator to linear motion, where the linear motion causes a force that is transmitted to the user. In another embodiment, the actuator outputs a force, and a mechanism coupling the actuator to the device housing uses the force to move the actuator with respect to the device housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventor: Erik J. Shahoian
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Patent number: 8188981Abstract: A haptic feedback touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that provides position information to a computer based on a location of user contact. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position information, 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. The actuator can move the touchpad laterally, or a separate surface member can be actuated. A flat E-core actuator, piezoelectric actuator, or other types of actuators can be used to provide forces. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Erik J. Shahoian, Bruce M. Schena, Louis B. Rosenberg
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Patent number: 8169402Abstract: Vibrotactile haptic feedback devices are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, a device includes: a mass, an actuator configured to vibrate the mass, and a coupling disposed between the actuator and the mass or between the mass and a housing, the coupling having a first configuration with a compliance and a second configuration with a compliance, the compliance of the coupling in the first configuration being different from the compliance of the coupling in the second configuration, the actuator being configured to output haptic feedback associated with the first configuration of the coupling and haptic feedback associated with the second configuration of the coupling, the haptic feedback associated with the first configuration of the coupling being different from the haptic feedback associated with the second configuration of the coupling.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Erik J Shahoian, Kenneth M Martin, Bruce M Schena, David F Moore
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Publication number: 20120096351Abstract: Systems and methods for providing haptic cues to a touch-sensitive input device having a rotary degree of freedom are described. One described method includes the steps of receiving data from at least one packet, determining navigation within at least one list based at least in part on the data, and determining whether to output a haptic effect, the haptic effect based at least in part on the data.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Erik J. Shahoian, Alexander Jasso
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Patent number: 8125453Abstract: Systems and methods for providing haptic cues to a touch-sensitive input device having a rotary degree of freedom are described. One system described comprises a touch sensitive input device is configured to move in a rotary degree of freedom. The system further comprises an actuator configured to produce a rotational force on the touch-sensitive input device. In one such system, the actuator comprises an electromagnetic core configured to produce force on a magnet affixed to the touch-sensitive input device. In another such system, a motor provides the rotational force.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Erik J. Shahoian, Alexander Jasso
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Patent number: 8063892Abstract: A haptic feedback touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that provides position information to a computer based on a location of user contact. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position information, 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. The actuator can move the touchpad laterally, or a separate surface member can be actuated. A flat E-core actuator, piezoelectric actuator, or other types of actuators can be used to provide forces. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Erik J. Shahoian, Bruce M. Schena, Louis B. Rosenberg
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Patent number: 8059104Abstract: A haptic feedback touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that provides position information to a computer based on a location of user contact. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position information, 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. The actuator can move the touchpad laterally, or a separate surface member can be actuated. A flat E-core actuator, piezoelectric actuator, or other types of actuators can be used to provide forces. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Erik J. Shahoian, Bruce M. Schena, Louis B. Rosenberg