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).
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Patent number: 10606358Abstract: A system is provided that converts an input, such as audio data, into one or more haptic effects. The system applies a granular synthesis algorithm to the input in order to generate a haptic signal. The system subsequently outputs the one or more haptic effects based on the generated haptic signal. The system can also shift a frequency of the input, and also filter the input, before the system applies the granular synthesis algorithm to the input.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Juan Manuel Cruz Hernandez, Ali Modarres, Liwen Wu, David Birnbaum
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Publication number: 20200097089Abstract: A bi-functional apparatus for sensing touch and delivering a haptic signal. The bi-functional apparatus comprises first and second electrodes. The first electrode provides a haptic interface for delivering an electrostatic force and has a top surface and a bottom surface. A dielectric insulator covers the top surface of the first electrode. A sensor is positioned between the bottom surface of the first electrode and the second electrode. The sensor selectively provides electrical conductivity between the first and second electrodes in response to at least a threshold amount of pressure exerted against the dielectric insulator. A method of sensing touch and delivering a haptic signal with a single device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2019Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: Vahid KHOSHKAVA, Abdelwahab HAMAM, Juan Manuel CRUZ HERNANDEZ
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Patent number: 10599218Abstract: A system is provided that converts an input into one or more haptic effects using frequency shifting. The system receives an input signal. The system further performs a fast Fourier transform of the input signal. The system further shifts one or more frequencies of the transformed input signal to one or more frequencies within a shift-to frequency range. The system further performs an inverse fast Fourier transform of the frequency-shifted signal, where the inversely transformed signal forms a haptic signal. The system further generates the one or more haptic effects based on the haptic signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Jamal Saboune, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
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Patent number: 10599221Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for providing limited duration haptic effects are disclosed. Systems for providing limited duration haptic effects include sensors, control circuits, and vibration actuators configured closed loop feedback control of the vibration actuators. The sensors are configured to measure motion characteristics induced by the vibration actuators. The control circuits are configured to receive motion characteristic information from the sensors and provide closed loop feedback control of the vibration actuators. Closed loop feedback control permits precise control of vibration actuator output during limited duration haptic effects.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Juan Manuel Cruz Hernandez, Danny A. Grant, Christopher J. Ullrich
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Patent number: 10591994Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
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Patent number: 10591995Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 7, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin B. Ramsay, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, David Birnbaum, Robert W. Heubel, Hendrik Bartel, Christopher J. Ullrich
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Publication number: 20200082678Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Vincent Levesque, David M. Birnbaum, Benoit Belley, Jamal Saboune, Vahid Khoshkava, Simon Forest, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
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Patent number: 10585483Abstract: A haptic actuator assembly includes a haptic actuator configured to output displacement along a perpendicular axis and a pre-load device. The pre-load device is disposed adjacent to the haptic actuator and configured to generate a compressive load on the haptic actuator along the perpendicular axis to oppose expansion of the haptic actuator along the perpendicular axis. The haptic actuator is disposed within an enclosed cavity formed by a casing. A pressure within the enclosed cavity is varied in order to create the compressive load on the haptic actuator along the perpendicular axis. The pre-load device may alternatively be a connector component formed from a shrinkable material that is configured to longitudinally shrink to exert a force in order to create the compressive load on the haptic actuator along the perpendicular axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Vahid Khoshkava, Juan Manuel Cruz Hernandez, Kaniyalal Shah
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Patent number: 10583359Abstract: A wearable device for providing haptic effects includes a wearable housing configured to be worn on to a portion of a hand of a wearer and an actuator secured to the wearable housing. The wearable housing includes a first digit segment configured to conform to a finger of the hand and a second digit segment configured to conform to another finger or a thumb of the hand. The actuator is configured to receive a command signal indicative of a virtual interaction related to touching or grasping a virtual object. In response to the command signal, the actuator provides a force onto the portion of the hand or provides a force to render a resistance to movement of the first and second digit segments toward each other. The actuator uses the wearable housing to mechanically stabilize the force towards the portion of the hand.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Robert Heubel, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Vahid Khoshkava, Sanya Attari, Colin Swindells, Satoshi Araki
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Patent number: 10584689Abstract: A haptic actuator device includes a surface with a mechanical property responsive to localized temperature changes. The surface can include a layer or sheet comprising a shape-memory material. The haptic actuator device can further include an actuator configured to selectively deform a plurality of regions in the sheet; and a temperature controller adapted to control the temperatures of the plurality of regions. A method of localized actuation includes selectively controlling the temperatures of the plurality of regions to be above a shape-memory transition temperature of the shape-memory material; selectively deforming at least one of the regions; while maintaining the deformation of the at least one region, lowering the temperature of the at least one region to below the shape-memory transition temperature; subsequently withdrawing the applied stress; and thereafter heating the at least one region to above the shape-memory transition temperature, causing the region to return to its pre-deformation shape.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Vahid Khoshkava, Juan Manuel Cruz Hernandez, Vincent Levesque
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Patent number: 10579146Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-level closed loop control of haptic effects are disclosed. One illustrative system for multi-level closed loop control of haptic effects includes a haptic output device configured to output a haptic effect, a sensor configured to sense the output of the haptic output device and generate a sensor signal, and a processor in communication with the sensor. The processor is configured to: receive a reference signal, receive the sensor signal, determine an error based at least in part on the reference signal and the sensor signal, generate a haptic signal based at least in part on the reference signal and the error, and transmit the haptic signal to a haptic output device configured to output a haptic effect based on the haptic signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny A. Grant, Jamal Saboune, Christopher J. Ullrich
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Patent number: 10572017Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a computing device that comprises a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The system also includes an xPC target machine that is capable of achieving sampling rates of at least 100 khz and in communication with the computing device and a user device that includes a sensor and a haptic output device. The processor generates a simulate reality environment and determines a haptic effect based on the simulated reality environment or a sensor signal from the sensor. The processor transmits data about a parameter of the haptic effect or the sensor signal to the xPC target machine, which determines the parameter of the haptic effect and generates, in substantially real time, a haptic signal. The xPC target machine transmits the haptic signal to the haptic output device, which is configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Liwen Wu, Danny A. Grant, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
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Patent number: 10572021Abstract: A haptic-enabled user interface device comprising a user input component, an elastomer suspension, a signal generating circuit, a signal sensing circuit, one or more switches, and a control unit is presented. The elastomer suspension is formed by at least one stack that includes an elastomeric layer, wherein the at least one stack forms at least one capacitor. The control unit is configured, in an actuation mode, to cause the one or more switches to electrically connect the signal generating circuit to the at least one capacitor and to electrically disconnect the signal sensing circuit from at least one capacitor, and to cause the signal generating circuit to apply a drive signal to the at least one capacitor. The control unit is further configured, in a sensing mode, to cause the one or more switches to electrically connect the signal sensing circuit to the at least one capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2019Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Vahid Khoshkava, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Neil T. Olien
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Publication number: 20200057500Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to receive a sensor signal from a neural interface configured to detect an electrical signal associated with a nervous system. The processor is also configured to determine an interaction in with a virtual object in a virtual environment based on the sensor signal. The processor is also configured to determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the interaction with the virtual object in the virtual environment. The processor is also configured to transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventor: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
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Patent number: 10564721Abstract: Systems and methods for using multiple actuators to realize textures are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes, a system including: a first actuator configured to receive a first haptic signal and output a first haptic effect based at least in part on the first haptic signal; a second actuator configured to receive a second haptic signal and output a second haptic effect based at least in part on the second haptic signal; and a processor configured to: determine the first haptic effect and the second haptic effect, the first and second haptic effects configured when combined to output a texture; and transmit the first haptic signal to the first actuator and transmit the second haptic signal to the second actuator.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny A Grant
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Patent number: 10564725Abstract: Haptic feedback is provided by rendering haptic effects on a haptically-enabled device that includes a front screen, a back cover coupled to the front screen, and a haptic output device attached to or formed within the front screen or the back cover. The haptic output device is configured to render a high-definition (HD) vibratory haptic effect, a low-frequency vibratory haptic effect, and a deformation haptic effect.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: IMMERSON CORPORATIONInventors: Mansoor Alghooneh, Robert Lacroix, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Neil Olien, Vahid Khoshkava
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Publication number: 20200043301Abstract: Systems and methods for generating haptic effects associated with audio signals are disclosed. One disclosed system for outputting haptic effects includes a processor configured to: receive an audio signal; determine a haptic effect based in part on the audio signal by: identifying one or more components in the audio signal; and determining a haptic effect associated with the one or more components; and output a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Jamal Saboune, Vincent Levesque, Ali Modarres
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Patent number: 10551964Abstract: One illustrative system of the present disclosure includes a sensor configured to detect a gesture that includes a movement through multiple positions in real space. The multiple positions can include a first position that is distant from a touch sensitive surface and a second position that is closer to the touch sensitive surface than the first position. The system also includes a processor in communication with the sensor. The processor can output a graphical user interface (GUI) that includes multiple available user interface levels. During the gesture, the processor can activate a sequence of user interface levels, where each user interface level in the sequence is selected from among the multiple available user interface levels and is activated at a respective position among the multiple positions in the gesture. The processor can also cause a haptic output device to provide haptic feedback associated with each user interface level.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Vahid Khoshkava, Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Mansoor Alghooneh, William Rihn
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Patent number: 10551924Abstract: An electronic device having a user interface device that has a flexible surface, a haptic output device operatively coupled to the flexible surface and configured to cause a deformation of the flexible surface, and a controller in signal communication with the haptic output device. The controller is configured to trigger the haptic output device to cause the deformation of the flexible surface based on a simulated physical behavior of a virtual element represented on the user interface.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2017Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: David M. Birnbaum, Li Jiang, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Ali Modarres, Christophe Ramstein, Danny A. Grant
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Publication number: 20200035072Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Mansoor ALGHOONEH, Vahid KHOSHKAVA, Juan Manuel CRUZ HERNANDEZ, Mohammadreza MOTAMEDI