Patents by Inventor Laura Winfield

Laura Winfield 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: 11500487
    Abstract: A device including a body configured to be grasped by a user's hand and a touch surface oriented on a first surface of the body, wherein the touch surface is configured to be engaged by an appendage of the user's hand when the body is grasped by the user's hand. The device also includes a friction modulator associated with the touch surface, wherein the friction modulator is configured to modulate a coefficient of friction between the user's appendage and the touch surface to provide haptic feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Publication number: 20210255726
    Abstract: A device including a body configured to be grasped by a user's hand and a touch surface oriented on a first surface of the body, wherein the touch surface is configured to be engaged by an appendage of the user's hand when the body is grasped by the user's hand. The device also includes a friction modulator associated with the touch surface, wherein the friction modulator is configured to modulate a coefficient of friction between the user's appendage and the touch surface to provide haptic feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Patent number: 11016597
    Abstract: A device including a body configured to be grasped by a user's hand and a touch surface oriented on a first surface of the body, wherein the touch surface is configured to be engaged by an appendage of the user's hand when the body is grasped by the user's hand. The device also includes a friction modulator associated with the touch surface, wherein the friction modulator is configured to modulate a coefficient of friction between the user's appendage and the touch surface to provide haptic feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Publication number: 20200183520
    Abstract: A device including a body configured to be grasped by a user's hand and a touch surface oriented on a first surface of the body, wherein the touch surface is configured to be engaged by an appendage of the user's hand when the body is grasped by the user's hand. The device also includes a friction modulator associated with the touch surface, wherein the friction modulator is configured to modulate a coefficient of friction between the user's appendage and the touch surface to provide haptic feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Patent number: 10620769
    Abstract: A device including a body configured to be grasped by a user's hand and a touch surface oriented on a first surface of the body, wherein the touch surface is configured to be engaged by an appendage of the user's hand when the body is grasped by the user's hand. The device also includes a friction modulator associated with the touch surface, wherein the friction modulator is configured to modulate a coefficient of friction between the user's appendage and the touch surface to provide haptic feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Patent number: 10594049
    Abstract: A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable (e.g., while the cable is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cable tray). The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end (before, during and/or after an electrical connection is established).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Lowe's Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Tuck McGregor, James Michael Broughman, Allen R. Nelson, Darren Michael Mark, Laura Winfield Alexander, Donald Collins Meves
  • Patent number: 10564790
    Abstract: A method of creating a haptic effect on a touch surface, the method including the steps of detecting a location of a first appendage and a second appendage on a touch surface, applying a mechanical force to the first and second appendages at the detected locations on the touch surface, modulating the amplitude of the mechanical force to adjust a friction force applied to the first appendage and second appendage to simulate a texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Publication number: 20190265818
    Abstract: A device including a body configured to be grasped by a user's hand and a touch surface oriented on a first surface of the body, wherein the touch surface is configured to be engaged by an appendage of the user's hand when the body is grasped by the user's hand. The device also includes a friction modulator associated with the touch surface, wherein the friction modulator is configured to modulate a coefficient of friction between the user's appendage and the touch surface to provide haptic feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Patent number: 10331285
    Abstract: A method of creating a haptic effect on a touch surface, the method including the steps of detecting a location of a first appendage and a second appendage on a touch surface, applying a mechanical force to the first and second appendages at the detected locations on the touch surface, modulating the amplitude of the mechanical force to adjust a friction force applied to the first appendage and second appendage to simulate a texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Publication number: 20190187842
    Abstract: A method of creating a haptic effect on a touch surface, the method including the steps of detecting a location of a first appendage and a second appendage on a touch surface, applying a mechanical force to the first and second appendages at the detected locations on the touch surface, modulating the amplitude of the mechanical force to adjust a friction force applied to the first appendage and second appendage to simulate a texture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Patent number: 10048823
    Abstract: A method of imitating a texture on a touch surface, the method including the steps of sensing a position of a user's finger on the touch surface, modulating a coefficient of friction of the touch surface in response to the sensed position of a user's appendage relative to the touch surface and/or a derivative thereof, where the friction modulator does not alter the contour of the touch surface in a manner that is perceptible to a user's sight or touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Publication number: 20180191087
    Abstract: A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable (e.g., while the cable is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cable tray). The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end (before, during and/or after an electrical connection is established).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Jean Tuck McGregor, James Michael Broughman, Allen R. Nelson, Darren Michael Mark, Laura Winfield Alexander, Donald Collins Meves
  • Publication number: 20180120982
    Abstract: A method of creating a haptic effect on a touch surface, the method including the steps of detecting a location of a first appendage and a second appendage on a touch surface, applying a mechanical force to the first and second appendages at the detected locations on the touch surface, modulating the amplitude of the mechanical force to adjust a friction force applied to the first appendage and second appendage to simulate a texture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Patent number: 9948012
    Abstract: A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable. The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end (before, during and/or after an electrical connection is established).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: LOWE'S COMPANIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jean Tuck McGregor, James Michael Broughman, Allen R. Nelson, Darren Michael Mark, Laura Winfield Alexander, Donald Collins Meves
  • Publication number: 20180011571
    Abstract: A method of imitating a texture on a touch surface, the method including the steps of sensing a position of a user's finger on the touch surface, modulating a coefficient of friction of the touch surface in response to the sensed position of a user's appendage relative to the touch surface and/or a derivative thereof, where the friction modulator does not alter the contour of the touch surface in a manner that is perceptible to a user's sight or touch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Patent number: 9804724
    Abstract: An indirect haptic device having a substrate having a touch surface, a position sensor of a user's clothed appendage relative to the touch surface, a friction modulator associated with the substrate, a control device connected to the position sensor and the friction modulator, wherein a coefficient of friction on the touch surface is modulated in response to a sensed position of a user's clothed appendage relative to the touch surface and/or a derivative thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Publication number: 20170133770
    Abstract: A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable. The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end (before, during and/or after an electrical connection is established).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Jean Tuck McGregor, James Michael Broughman, Allen R. Nelson, Darren Michael Mark, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Patent number: 9583843
    Abstract: A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable. The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end (before, during and/or after an electrical connection is established).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: LOWE'S COMPANIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jean Tuck McGregor, James Michael Broughman, Allen R. Nelson, Darren Michael Mark, Laura Winfield Alexander, Donald Collins Meves
  • Patent number: 9391377
    Abstract: A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable. The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end (before, during and/or after an electrical connection is established).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: LOWE'S COMPANIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jean Tuck McGregor, James Michael Broughman, Allen R. Nelson, Darren Michael Mark, Laura Winfield Alexander, Donald Collins Meves
  • Publication number: 20150355714
    Abstract: An indirect haptic device having a substrate having a touch surface, a position sensor of a user's clothed appendage relative to the touch surface, a friction modulator associated with the substrate, a control device connected to the position sensor and the friction modulator, wherein a coefficient of friction on the touch surface is modulated in response to a sensed position of a user's clothed appendage relative to the touch surface and/or a derivative thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander