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).

  • Publication number: 20160004308
    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: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Ali Modarres, Christopher Ullrich
  • Patent number: 9227137
    Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods are provided for generating an impact and/or surface haptic effect for a handheld computer interface such as a video game controller. For example, the handheld computer interface may include a handle coupled to an impact actuator. The impact actuator includes a movable mass and an end stop. The impact actuator may receive a haptic effect signal and in response cause the mass to contact the end stop to generate a haptic effect. A smart material that outputs a surface haptic effect may be coupled to a surface of the handle such that the surface haptic effect is output substantially from the smart material rather than the handle. The handle may be coupled to an end piece having a shape that simulates an object such as a tennis racket, golf club, or other object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin Ramsay, David M. Birnbaum, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Robert W. Heubel, Hendrik Bartel
  • Publication number: 20150355710
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine an 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. Further, the illustrative system includes an inducing electrode configured to receive the ESF signal and induce an electric charge on an induced electrode, wherein the inducing electrode does not contact the induced electrode, and wherein the induced electrode is configured to output the ESF-based haptic effect to a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20150355713
    Abstract: A system is provided that produces haptic effects. The system receives an audio signal that includes a low-frequency effects audio signal. The system further extracts the low-frequency effects audio signal from the audio signal. The system further converts the low-frequency effects audio signal into a haptic signal by shifting frequencies of the low-frequency effects audio signal to frequencies within a target frequency range of a haptic output device. The system further sends the haptic signal to the haptic output device, where the haptic signal causes the haptic output device to output one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Robert LACROIX, Satvir Singh BHATIA, David BIRNBAUM, Christopher J. ULLRICH, Amaya Becvar WEDDLE, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • Publication number: 20150347075
    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: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent LEVESQUE, Danny GRANT, Jean-Francois BLANCHARD-DIONNE, Amaya Becvar WEDDLE, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • Publication number: 20150339898
    Abstract: A haptic authoring tool is provided that recommends one or more haptic effects provides a haptification model generated by learning a human haptic designer style. The haptic authoring tool receives an input comprising at least one of audio and video and a plurality of events. The haptic authoring tool then recommends a type of haptic effect to be associated with a corresponding event from the input based on the learned haptification model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Jamal SABOUNE, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • Publication number: 20150338921
    Abstract: A haptic representation system is provided that generates a haptic effect in response to sensor input. The sensor input is mapped to a haptic signal. The haptic signal is sent to an actuator configured to receive the haptic signal. The actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: David BIRNBAUM, Christopher J. ULLRICH, Danny GRANT, Ali MODARRES, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • Patent number: 9196134
    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: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Patent number: 9158379
    Abstract: A system is provided that transforms haptic signals into vibrotactile haptic effect patterns. The system receives a haptic signal that includes haptic effect patterns. The system further detects a start time and an end time for each haptic effect pattern. The system further detects haptic effect patterns based on a characteristic, and replaces the detected haptic effect patterns with substitute haptic effect patterns. The system further shifts the start time for each haptic effect pattern back by a shift duration. The system further assigns a vibrotactile haptic effect pattern to each haptic effect pattern. The system further sends the vibrotactile haptic effect patterns to a standard-definition haptic output device to generate vibrotactile haptic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Jamal Saboune
  • Publication number: 20150268725
    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: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny Grant, Jamal Seboune, Liwen Wu, Kurt Eerik Stahlberg, Abdelwahab Hamam
  • Publication number: 20150268726
    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: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Jamal SABOUNE, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • Publication number: 20150262376
    Abstract: A system includes an image capture device configured to capture images, and a processor programmed with one or more computer program modules. When executed, the one or more computer program modules are configured to receive the images captured by the image capture device, generate a control signal for a haptic output device as the images are received, synchronize the images and the control signal, and output a video with the synchronized images and the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Jamal SABOUNE, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • Publication number: 20150241975
    Abstract: A haptic conversion system is provided that intercepts frames of audio data, such as a digital audio signal, converts the frames into a haptic signal, and plays the created haptic signal through an actuator to produce haptic effects. The haptic signal is based on a maximum value of each audio data frame, which defines a magnitude of the haptic signal. The haptic signal is applied to the actuator configured to receive the haptic signal, where the actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Satvir Singh BHATIA, Kanav GANDHI, Christopher J. ULLRICH, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Herve Thu TIMONE, Jason Hoi Fun LAU
  • Patent number: 9116546
    Abstract: A haptic representation system is provided that generates a haptic effect in response to sensor input. The sensor input is mapped to a haptic signal. The haptic signal is sent to an actuator configured to receive the haptic signal. The actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich, Danny Grant, Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9064387
    Abstract: A haptic conversion system is provided that intercepts frames of audio data, such as a digital audio signal, converts the frames into a haptic signal, and plays the created haptic signal through an actuator to produce haptic effects. The haptic signal is based on a maximum value of each audio data frame, which defines a magnitude of the haptic signal. The haptic signal is applied to the actuator configured to receive the haptic signal, where the actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Satvir Singh Bhatia, Kanav Gandhi, Christopher J. Ullrich, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Herve Thu Timone, Jason Hoi Fun Lau
  • Patent number: 9064385
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to generating haptic feedback based on video content analysis, sensor information that includes one or more measurements of motion of one or more objects on a video, and/or sensor information that includes one or more measurements of motion of one or more image capture devices. The video content analysis may include image processing of the video. The system may identify one or more events based on the image processing and cause a haptic feedback based on the one or more events. The haptic feedback may vary based on an estimated acceleration of an object of a scene of the video, wherein the estimated acceleration is based on the image processing. The estimated acceleration may be made more accurate at high speeds using the sensor information and an estimated acceleration based on the sensor information may be made more accurate at lower speeds based on the image processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jamal Saboune, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20150169056
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical transmission of haptic display parameters are disclosed. One disclosed method includes receiving an image signal from an image sensor, the image signal associated with an image, determining a haptic signal based at least in part on the image signal, generating a haptic effect signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmitting the haptic effect signal to a haptic output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Amaya Weddle, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20150145657
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor configured to sense an input received from a user at a surface; a first haptic output device configured to generate a first haptic effect at the surface based on the input received from the user, the first haptic effect comprising a friction effect at the surface; a second haptic output device configured to generate a second haptic effect, the second haptic effect comprising vibrotactile feedback; and a processor configured to receive an input signal from the sensor and output a first drive signal to the first haptic output device to generate the first haptic effect and to output a second drive signal to the second haptic output device to generate the second haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Amaya Becvar Weddle, David M. Birnbaum, Danny A. Grant
  • Publication number: 20150145656
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods of transferring/storing digital content, and/or providing haptic feedback via wearable devices directly or indirectly responsive to an event such as a communication, an event occurring in an electronic environment and/or physical environment, the transfer of digital content, and/or other events. Wearable devices may be worn at various locations on a body of the user. Each location may be associated with a wearable device. Different haptic feedback may be provided at different locations based on the event such that the events may be distinguished or otherwise identified based on the location at which haptic feedback is provided. The locations may be stored in a configuration of wearable devices that act as a mapping of the wearable devices. The locations and/or haptic feedback itself may be varied based on the context and/or properties such as size of digital content or status of the transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent LEVESQUE, Ali MODARRES, Amaya Becvar WEDDLE, David M. BIRNBAUM, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Henry DA COSTA