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).

  • Publication number: 20160070353
    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: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Robert A. LACROIX, Michael A. GREENISH, Erin B. RAMSAY
  • Patent number: 9235969
    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: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Robert W. Heubel, David M. Birnbaum, Erin B. Ramsay
  • Patent number: 9202354
    Abstract: A system that generates a haptic effect using an Eccentric Rotating Mass (“ERM”) actuator determines a vibration level of the device during operation of the device. The system 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. The system varies the voltage amplitude level based at least on vibration level and applies the varied haptic effect signal to the ERM actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Lacroix, Michael A. Greenish, Erin B. Ramsay
  • Patent number: 9197735
    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: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A Grant, Erin B Ramsay, Pedro Gregorio, Jason D Fleming, Natasha M Flaherty
  • Publication number: 20150185849
    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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    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
  • Publication number: 20150029125
    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: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Danny A. GRANT, Erin B. RAMSAY, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, David BIRNBAUM, Robert W. HEUBEL, Hendrik BARTEL, Christopher J. ULLRICH
  • Patent number: 8884870
    Abstract: A gaming concept in which each user in a single-player or a multi-player game is enabled to create artwork or graffiti work virtually or on actual surfaces using haptic-enhanced controllers. The controllers can emulate the experience of using a marker, a paint brush, a paint spray-can or the like. The components of various controllers may be modularized for easily interchanging components to extend the art or graffiti creation experience. The real life experience of using ink or paint on a surface is simulated by haptic feedback. When a paint spray-can controller is used, the experience of paint consumption is recreated by various peripheral enhancements including audio and haptic sensations communicated to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin B. Ramsay, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, David Birnbaum, Robert W. Heubel, Hendrik Bartel, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • Publication number: 20140327530
    Abstract: A system that generates a haptic effect using an Eccentric Rotating Mass (“ERM”) actuator determines a vibration level of the device during operation of the device. The system 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. The system varies the voltage amplitude level based at least on vibration level and applies the varied haptic effect signal to the ERM actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Robert A. LACROIX, Michael A. GREENISH, Erin B. RAMSAY
  • Patent number: 8791799
    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 and receives a haptic effect signal comprising one or more parameters, where one of the parameters is a voltage amplitude level as a function of time. The system varies the voltage amplitude level based at least on the back EMF, and applies the varied haptic effect signal to the ERM actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Lacroix, Michael A. Greenish, Erin B. Ramsay
  • Publication number: 20140195906
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and associated software are described herein for enabling a regular user of an end user device, such as a cellular telephone, to customize parameters associated with haptic effects applied to the user by the end user device. In one implementation, among several, a method described herein includes enabling a user of an end user device to access software adapted to design or modify haptic effects of the end user device. The method further includes enabling the user to open a haptic track file and enter or modify parameters associated with the haptic effects of the opened haptic track file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. RAMSAY, Robert W. HEUBEL, Jason D. FLEMING, Stephen D. RANK
  • Publication number: 20140167941
    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: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen D. RANK, Erin B. RAMSAY, Henry DA COSTA, Arnab SEN, Elena Renee REDELSHEIMER
  • Publication number: 20140089792
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and associated software are described herein for enabling a regular user of an end user device, such as a cellular telephone, to customize parameters associated with haptic effects applied to the user by the end user device. In one implementation, among several, a method described herein includes enabling a user of an end user device to access software adapted to design or modify haptic effects of the end user device. The method further includes enabling the user to open a haptic track file and enter or modify parameters associated with the haptic effects of the opened haptic track file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. RAMSAY, Robert W. HEUBEL, Jason D. FLEMING, Stephen D. RANK
  • Publication number: 20140009273
    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: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Robert W. Heubel, David M. Birnbaum, Erin B. Ramsay
  • Patent number: 8621348
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and associated software are described herein for enabling a regular user of an end user device, such as a cellular telephone, to customize parameters associated with haptic effects applied to the user by the end user device. In one implementation, among several, a method described herein includes enabling a user of an end user device to access software adapted to design or modify haptic effects of the end user device. The method further includes enabling the user to open a haptic track file and enter or modify parameters associated with the haptic effects of the opened haptic track file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. Ramsay, Robert W. Heubel, Jason D. Fleming, Stephen D. Rank
  • Patent number: 8469806
    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: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Robert W. Heubel, David M. Birnbaum, Erin B. Ramsay
  • Publication number: 20130045761
    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: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin B. Ramsay, Pedro Gregorio, Jason D. Fleming, Natasha M. Flaherty
  • Patent number: 8315652
    Abstract: A mobile terminal device receives a haptically enabled message that includes text and at least one haptic feedback command. The device determines the timing of the haptic feedback command within the message. When the device receives an indication that the message is being displayed by a user, the device synchronizes a haptic effect corresponding to the haptic feedback command. The synchronizing is based on the timing and the indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin B. Ramsay, Pedro Gregorio, Jason D. Fleming, Natasha M. Flaherty
  • Publication number: 20110309918
    Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating for the effects of aging on actuators are provided. For example, the system may obtain and/or otherwise maintain aging information of an actuator. Based on the aging information, the system may determine a compensation factor. Using the compensation factor, the system may adjust a control signal that causes the actuator to generate a haptic effect. The system may output the control signal to the actuator. In this manner, the system may compensate for the effects of aging on the actuator by adjusting the control signal according to the age of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: Erin B. Ramsay
  • Publication number: 20110109423
    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: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. Ramsay, Henrique D. da Costa, Neil Olien, Robert A. Lacroix
  • Publication number: 20110021272
    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: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Robert W. Heubel, David M. Birnbaum, Erin B. Ramsay