Patents by Inventor Erin B. Ramsay

Erin B. Ramsay 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).

  • Patent number: 9959714
    Abstract: Systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: an actuator; and a control-circuit in communication with the actuator, the control circuit configured to: receive a haptic signal including a first bit indicating a power state; and transmit a power signal based on the haptic signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate at an actuation state at a fixed power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. Ramsay, Henrique D. da Costa, Neil Olien, Robert A. Lacroix
  • Patent number: 9921656
    Abstract: A system that generates a haptic effect using an Eccentric Rotating Mass (“ERM”) actuator determines a back electromotive force (“EMF”) of the ERM actuator during operation of the device and receives a haptic effect signal including one or more parameters, where one of the parameters is a voltage amplitude level as a function of time. Based on the determined back EMF, the system determines if the ERM actuator is spinning and varies the voltage amplitude level based on the back EMF to generate a varied haptic effect signal, where the varying includes, when the ERM actuator is determined to be spinning, reducing the voltage amplitude level compared to when the ERM actuator is determined to not be spinning. The system then applies the varied haptic effect signal to the ERM actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Lacroix, Michael A. Greenish, Erin B. Ramsay
  • Patent number: 9916741
    Abstract: Method, device, and computer readable medium for generating haptically enabled messages. One disclosed method comprises the steps of receiving a user generated input, mapping the user generated input to a predetermined haptic feedback, assigning a haptic feedback command to the predetermined haptic feedback, inserting the haptic feedback command into a text message, and sending the text message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin B. Ramsay, Pedro Gregorio, Jason D. Fleming, Natasha M. Flaherty
  • Publication number: 20170357323
    Abstract: A system is configured to provide haptic stimulation to a user. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with the performance of one or more control gestures through which the user controls, for example, a game, a real world component or piece of equipment, and/or other entity. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with control of virtual equipment by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Danny A. GRANT, Robert W. HEUBEL, David M. BIRNBAUM, Erin B. RAMSAY
  • Publication number: 20170322630
    Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a haptic monitor system capable of generating haptic cues based on sensed information are disclosed. The haptic system includes a sensing device, a digital processing unit, and a haptic generator. The sensing device is configured to selectively sense an individual's or user vital information via one or more wearable sensors, and subsequently forwards the sensed vital information to the digital processing unit for data processing. Upon receipt of the vital information, the digital processing unit provides a haptic signal in response to the vital information. The haptic generator, subsequently, generates haptic feedback in accordance with the haptic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Erin B. RAMSAY, Robert W. HEUBEL, Neil OLIEN
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20170269694
    Abstract: A system that generates a haptic effect using an Eccentric Rotating Mass (“ERM”) actuator determines a back electromotive force (“EMF”) of the ERM actuator during operation of the device and receives a haptic effect signal including one or more parameters, where one of the parameters is a voltage amplitude level as a function of time. Based on the determined back EMF, the system determines if the ERM actuator is spinning and varies the voltage amplitude level based on the back EMF to generate a varied haptic effect signal, where the varying includes, when the ERM actuator is determined to be spinning, reducing the voltage amplitude level compared to when the ERM actuator is determined to not be spinning. The system then applies the varied haptic effect signal to the ERM actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Robert A. LACROIX, Michael A. GREENISH, Erin B. RAMSAY
  • Patent number: 9754078
    Abstract: A haptic health feedback monitor includes a health parameter monitor that detects a health parameter. A haptic feedback generator receives the health parameter and compares it to a predetermined level. If the health parameter reaches or exceeds the level, a type of haptic feedback to generate is determined. The type of feedback may depend on which predetermined level is reached or exceeded. The haptic feedback generator then generates the determined type of haptic feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. Ramsay, Robert W. Heubel, Neil Thomas Olien
  • Patent number: 9727139
    Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a haptic monitor system capable of generating haptic cues based on sensed information are disclosed. The haptic system includes a sensing device, a digital processing unit, and a haptic generator. The sensing device is configured to selectively sense an individual's or user vital information via one or more wearable sensors, and subsequently forwards the sensed vital information to the digital processing unit for data processing. Upon receipt of the vital information, the digital processing unit provides a haptic signal in response to the vital information. The haptic generator, subsequently, generates haptic feedback in accordance with the haptic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. Ramsay, Robert W. Heubel, Neil Olien
  • Patent number: 9710065
    Abstract: A system that generates a haptic effect on a device using an Eccentric Rotating Mass (“ERM”) actuator determines an acceleration of the device during operation of the device and receives a haptic effect signal including one or more parameters, where one of the parameters is a voltage output level. The system varies the voltage output level parameter based at least on determined acceleration, and applies the varied haptic effect signal to the ERM actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Lacroix, Michael A. Greenish, Erin B. Ramsay
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9671866
    Abstract: A system is configured to provide haptic stimulation to a user. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with the performance of one or more control gestures through which the user controls, for example, a game, a real world component or piece of equipment, and/or other entity. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with control of virtual equipment by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Robert W. Heubel, David M. Birnbaum, Erin B. Ramsay
  • Publication number: 20170084139
    Abstract: A method of generating a haptic effect on a linear resonance actuator (“LRA”) having a resonant frequency includes receiving a haptic effect signal for the haptic effect, where the haptic effect comprises a desired frequency that is off-resonant from the LRA. The method further includes generating a first sine wave at the desired frequency and generating a second sine wave at or near the resonant frequency. The method further includes combining the first sine wave and the second sine wave to generate a drive signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen D. RANK, Erin B. RAMSAY, Henry DA COSTA, Arnab SEN, Elena Renee REDELSHEIMER
  • Patent number: 9529435
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor configured to sense relative movement between a surface and a user's skin; a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect at the surface; and a processor configured to receive an input signal from the sensor indicating the sensed movement between the surface and the skin of the user, determine whether a notification is to be sent to the user, and output an output signal, based on the notification, to the haptic output device to generate the haptic effect if it is determined that the notification is to be sent to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, David M. Birnbaum, Amaya Becvar Weddle, Robert Lacroix, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny A. Grant, Neil Olien, Erin B. Ramsay, Ali Modarres
  • Patent number: 9524624
    Abstract: A method of generating a haptic effect on a linear resonance actuator (“LRA”) having a resonant frequency includes receiving a haptic effect signal for the haptic effect, where the haptic effect comprises a desired frequency that is off-resonant from the LRA. The method further includes generating a first sine wave at the desired frequency and generating a second sine wave at or near the resonant frequency. The method further includes combining the first sine wave and the second sine wave to generate a drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen D. Rank, Erin B. Ramsay, Henry Da Costa, Arnab Sen, Elena Renee Redelsheimer
  • Patent number: 9513704
    Abstract: A device has a user interface that generates a haptic effect in response to user inputs or gestures. In one embodiment, the device receives an indication that the user is scrolling through a list of elements and an indication that an element is selected. The device determines the scroll rate and generates a haptic effect that has a magnitude that is based on the scroll rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Jason D. Fleming, Erin B. Ramsay, A. Timothy Vetter, Robert A. Lacroix, Pedro Gregorio, Danny A. Grant, Lauri Olli Matias Impivaara
  • Publication number: 20160284173
    Abstract: Systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: an actuator; and a control-circuit in communication with the actuator, the control circuit configured to: receive a haptic signal including a first bit indicating a power state; and transmit a power signal based on the haptic signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate at an actuation state at a fixed power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Erin B. Ramsay, Henrique D. da Costa, Neil Olien, Robert A. Lacroix
  • Publication number: 20160231814
    Abstract: A system is configured to provide haptic stimulation to a user. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with the performance of one or more control gestures through which the user controls, for example, a game, a real world component or piece of equipment, and/or other entity. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with control of virtual equipment by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Danny A. GRANT, Robert W. HEUBEL, David M. BIRNBAUM, Erin B. RAMSAY
  • Patent number: 9358689
    Abstract: Systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: an actuator; and a control-circuit in communication with the actuator, the control circuit configured to: receive a 2-bit signal including a first bit indicating a power state and a second bit indicating an actuation state; and transmit a power signal based on the two bit signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate at the actuation state at a fixed power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. Ramsay, Henrique D. da Costa, Neil Olien, Robert A. Lacroix
  • Publication number: 20160110969
    Abstract: Method, device, and computer readable medium for generating haptically enabled messages. One disclosed method comprises the steps of receiving a user generated input, mapping the user generated input to a predetermined haptic feedback, assigning a haptic feedback command to the predetermined haptic feedback, inserting the haptic feedback command into a text message, and sending the text message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Danny A. GRANT, Erin B. RAMSAY, Pedro GREGORIO, Jason D. FLEMING, Natasha M. FLAHERTY