Patents by Inventor Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez

Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez 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).

  • 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
  • Systems and Methods for Providing Features in a Friction Display
    Publication number: 20180348875
    Abstract: A touch-enabled device can simulate one or more features in a touch area. Features may include, but are not limited to, changes in texture and/or simulation of boundaries, obstacles, or other discontinuities in the touch surface that can be perceived through use of an object in contact with the surface. Systems include a sensor configured to detect a touch in a touch area when an object contacts a touch surface, an actuator, and one or more processors. The processor can determine a position of the touch using the sensor and select a haptic effect to generate based at least in part on the position, the haptic effect selected to simulate the presence of a feature at or near the determined position. Some features are simulated by varying the coefficient of friction of the touch surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny A. Grant
  • RENDERING HAPTICS WITH AN ILLUSION OF FLEXIBLE JOINT MOVEMENT
    Publication number: 20180350203
    Abstract: Rendering haptics includes applying a haptic effect proximate to a flexible joint of an individual using a haptic output device. In response, an illusion of joint movement is conveyed at the flexible joint of the individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • HAPTIC ENABLED USER INTERFACE DEVICE NCORPORATING ELECTROPERMANENT MAGNET
    Publication number: 20180350205
    Abstract: A haptic actuator is presented. The haptic actuator has an electropermanent magnet having a deactivated state and an activated state for a net magnetic field thereof. A layer of ferromagnetic material or magneto-active polymer is located opposite an end of the electropermanent magnet, and is configured to generate a haptic effect by being actuated toward the end of the electropermanent magnet in response to the net magnetic field of the electropermanent magnet being in the activated state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Vahid KHOSHKAVA, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • ELECTROSTATIC ADHESIVE BASED HAPTIC OUTPUT DEVICE
    Publication number: 20180348874
    Abstract: A haptic output device includes a substrate, an array of electrodes disposed on the substrate, and a layer of dielectric material disposed on the array of electrodes. The layer of dielectric material has an exposed outer surface comprising a micro-patterned texture configured to increase adhesion between the exposed outer surface and a contact surface in contact with the exposed outer surface. The haptic output device includes a controller configured to direct a voltage potential across the array of electrodes to generate an electrostatic adhesive force between the exposed outer surface and the contact surface as a haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Vahid KHOSHKAVA, Juan Manuel CRUZ HERNANDEZ
  • EXTERNALLY-ACTIVATED HAPTIC DEVICES AND SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20180350201
    Abstract: Examples of externally-activated devices and systems are disclosed. One example system includes a first device having an actuation component; and a second device having a haptic output component, wherein: the first device and the second device are configured to be physically separable from each other; the actuation component is configured to transmit an actuation signal to the haptic output component while the first device and the second device are physically separated from each other, and the haptic output component configured to output a haptic effect in response to receiving the actuation signal and while the first device and the second device are physically separated from each other, the haptic effect based on the actuation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, David M. Birnbaum, Benoit Belley, Jamal Saboune, Vahid Khoshkava, Simon Forest, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Systems and methods for impedance coupling for haptic devices
    Patent number: 10146308
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny Grant
  • HAPTIC NOTIFICATION MANAGER
    Publication number: 20180341451
    Abstract: A notification manager is provided that manages notifications for a user. The notification manager detects a notification event and determines a context of the notification event. The notification manager determines a target device for the notification event based on the determined context and one or more available displays. The notification manager then generates a notification on one or more of the one or more available displays to direct the user's attention to the target device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Vincent LEVESQUE, Danny GRANT, Jean-Francois BLANCHARD-DIONNE, Amaya Becvar WEDDLE, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • Method and system for providing haptic effects based on information complementary to multimedia content
    Patent number: 10140823
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for providing haptic effects based on information complementary to multimedia content. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving multimedia data comprising multimedia content and complementary data, wherein the complementary data describes the multimedia content, determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the complementary data, and outputting the haptic effect while playing the multimedia content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Jamal Saboune
  • Method and apparatus for simulating surface features on a user interface with haptic effects
    Patent number: 10139912
    Abstract: A haptic effect enabled device for simulating a tactile sensation on a surface. In some cases, the haptic effect enabled device may be a user interface device, and the tactile sensation may be simulated on a surface of the user interface device. The interface device may include a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect, such as a periodic haptic effect, at the surface. The interface device may include a drive module configured to generate a periodic drive signal based on a touch input at the surface of the interface device and based on the tactile sensation to be simulated at the surface. The interface device may include a drive circuit operatively coupled to the drive module and the haptic output device and configured to apply the periodic drive signal to the haptic output device. In some cases, the surface may be separate from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING HAPTIC EFFECTS IN RESPONSE TO DEFORMATION OF A COVER FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
    Publication number: 20180321752
    Abstract: A system includes an electronic device that includes a display screen, a cover configured to cover the display screen, a sensor configured to sense an input gesture comprising deformation and/or movement of the cover relative to the electronic device, and a processor configured to determine an action for the electronic device to perform based on the input gesture, to determine a haptic effect to generate based on the input gesture and/or the action for the electronic device to perform, and to initiate the action. The system also includes a haptic output device configured to generate the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Vincent LEVESQUE, Jamal SABOUNE, Juan Manuel CRUZ HERNANDEZ, Abdelwahab HAMAM, Vahid KHOSHKAVA, Liwen WU
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POSITION-BASED HAPTIC EFFECTS
    Publication number: 20180321787
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a gesture and transmit an associated sensor signal. The gesture includes a first position at a distance from a surface and a second position contacting the surface. The system also includes a processor in communication with the sensor and configured to: receive the sensor signal from the sensor, and determine one or more haptic effects based at least in part on the sensor signal. The one or more haptic effects are configured to provide substantially continuous haptic feedback throughout the gesture. The processor is also configured to generate one or more haptic signals based at least in part on the one or more haptic effects, and transmit the one or more haptic signals. The system includes a haptic output device for receiving the one or more haptic signals and outputting the one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vahid Khoshkava, Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Mansoor Alghooneh, William Rihn
  • Parallel plate actuator
    Patent number: 10120449
    Abstract: The present application relates generally to haptic actuators. For example, the application is directed to high performance parallel plate actuators, and more particularly an actuator that can be used to provide haptic feedback in a variety applications such as buttons, panels, track pads, touch panels, wearables, gaming devices and/or touch-sensitive surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vahid Khoshkava, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • HANDHELD DEVICE CONFIGURED TO SELECTIVELY HIDE COMPONENTS FROM TACTILE PERCEPTION
    Publication number: 20180314332
    Abstract: A user interface device having a user input component, a mechanical metamaterial region, one or more actuators, and a control unit is presented. The mechanical metamaterial region is located over the user input component. The one or more actuators are coupled to the mechanical metamaterial region, which has an internal structure that is mechanically alterable with the one or more actuators, and has a mechanical property that changes in response to the alteration of the internal structure by the one or more actuators. The control unit is in communication with the one or more actuators, and is configured to determine whether the user input component is to be hidden from tactile perception, and to activate the one or more actuators to mechanically alter the internal structure of the mechanical metamaterial region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jamal SABOUNE, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Vahid KHOSHKAVA
  • Systems and Methods For Converting Sensory Data To Haptic Effects
    Publication number: 20180314335
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor, a processor configured to receive a signal output by the sensor, determine a position and descriptor of the sensor, determine a scene selection of a video, and create a haptic signal based on the selected scene, the signal output by the sensor, and the position and descriptor of the sensor, and a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and generate a haptic effect based on the haptic signal. A system includes a sensor, a processor configured to receive a signal from the sensor, determine a type of event and activity associated with the sensor, and generate a haptic signal based on the signal from the sensor and the type of event and activity associated with the sensor, and a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect based on the haptic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jamal Saboune, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Systems and Methods for Force-Based Object Manipulation and Haptic Sensations
    Publication number: 20180314333
    Abstract: Systems and methods for force-based object manipulation and haptic sensations are disclosed. One disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a first signal indicating a location of a user interaction and receiving a second signal indicating a first force. The method also includes, if the location of the user interaction corresponds to an object displayed on a display screen: outputting a first haptic signal to a haptic output device to cause a first haptic effect; and outputting a second haptic signal to the haptic output device to cause a second haptic effect if the first force meets or exceeds a first force threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny Grant, Jamal Saboune, Liwen Wu, Kurt Eerik Stahlberg, Abdelwahab Hamam
  • Systems, devices and methods for wirelessly delivering haptic effects
    Patent number: 10115274
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for wirelessly delivering haptic effects are provided. The devices may include haptic actuators secured to various substrates, including the body and clothing of a user. The haptic actuators may be secured via adhesive and/or may be applied as a curable liquid. The haptic actuators may include an actuator element and a power element. The power element may include an antenna for receiving wireless power and control signals that may be transferred to the haptic actuator to cause a haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexia Mandeville, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Vahid Khoshkava
  • Systems and methods for surface elements that provide electrostatic haptic effects
    Patent number: 10108267
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Ali Modarres, Christopher Ullrich
  • Haptic effect enabled system using fluid
    Patent number: 10109162
    Abstract: A haptic effect enabled system generates a haptic effect using an electric potential responsive fluid. A haptic enabled apparatus includes a fluid and a substrate. The fluid is responsive to an electric field. The substrate is at least partially flexible and defines a channel. The fluid is positioned within at least a portion of the channel. A portion of the substrate proximal to the fluid is stiffer than a portion of the substrate spaced from the fluid, thereby creating a haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mansoor Alghooneh, Vahid Khoshkava, Juan Manuel Cruz Hernandez, Mohammadreza Motamedi
  • MULTI-STABLE HAPTIC FEEDBACK SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20180286189
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to haptic feedback systems that include multi-stable materials for providing haptic feedback to a user. Such haptic feedback systems are useful in structural materials, such as elements of wearables or accessories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Mohammadreza MOTAMEDI, Mansoor ALGHOONEH, Vahid KHOSHKAVA, Vincent LEVESQUE, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Jamal SABOUNE