Patents by Inventor Neil Olien

Neil Olien 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: 20240033620
    Abstract: A force feedback device includes a base, a working body, a driving assembly, and a transmission structure. The working body includes a key assembly and a working surface. The working surface is disposed on the key assembly. The working body is rotatably connected to the base through a first transmission shaft. The driving assembly is rotatably disposed on the base. The driving assembly is disposed opposite to the working surface. The transmission structure is disposed on the working surface. The transmission structure is in transmission connection with the driving assembly. Compared with the related art, the first transmission shaft of the driving assembly provides forward and reverse rotation to drive the transmission structure to realize force feedback effects, which is compact in overall space, small in friction resistance, and facilitates user experience effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Yuntong Li, Liang Jiang, Bing Xie, Simon Forest, Neil Olien
  • Patent number: 11652394
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a haptic solenoid assembly for transmission of amplified vibrations to a vibrated member, the haptic solenoid assembly comprising a stationary pole comprising a casing defining a plunger-receiving cavity opening out in the casing and a coil at least partially surrounding the plunger-receiving cavity; a mobile pole comprising a mobile pole body at least partially received in the plunger-receiving cavity and displaceable therein when an electric current is provided to the coil; and a lever-mounting portion protruding outwardly from the plunger-receiving cavity and engageable to the vibrated member; and a solenoid vibration-damping system engaged to the stationary pole and at least partially surrounding the plunger-receiving cavity. The present disclosure also concerns a haptic solenoid system comprising a haptic solenoid assembly and a vibration-transmitting member connected to the lever-mounting end portion of the mobile pole and engageable to the vibrated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: INNOVOBOT INC.
    Inventors: Neil Olien, Robert Paul Gregorio
  • Patent number: 10698491
    Abstract: Embodiments hereof are directed to a haptic device having a pressure-sensitive suspension system. The haptic device includes a housing, a touch surface component mounted to the housing to be movable relative thereto, and a haptic actuator for providing haptic feedback to the touch surface component. At least one suspension component is disposed between the touch surface component and the housing. The suspension component is formed from an elastomer and includes pressure-sensing particles integrated into the elastomer. The pressure-sensing particles are configured to sense pressure applied to the touch surface component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Olien, Vahid Khoshkava
  • Publication number: 20200169155
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a haptic solenoid assembly for transmission of amplified vibrations to a vibrated member, the haptic solenoid assembly comprising a stationary pole comprising a casing defining a plunger-receiving cavity opening out in the casing and a coil at least partially surrounding the plunger-receiving cavity; a mobile pole comprising a mobile pole body at least partially received in the plunger-receiving cavity and displaceable therein when an electric current is provided to the coil; and a lever-mounting portion protruding outwardly from the plunger-receiving cavity and engageable to the vibrated member; and a solenoid vibration-damping system engaged to the stationary pole and at least partially surrounding the plunger-receiving cavity. The present disclosure also concerns a haptic solenoid system comprising a haptic solenoid assembly and a vibration-transmitting member connected to the lever-mounting end portion of the mobile pole and engageable to the vibrated member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Neil OLIEN, Robert Paul GREGORIO
  • Publication number: 20200142492
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Mansoor ALGHOONEH, Robert LACROIX, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Neil OLIEN, Vahid KHOSHKAVA, V
  • Patent number: 10564725
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: IMMERSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mansoor Alghooneh, Robert Lacroix, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Neil Olien, Vahid Khoshkava
  • Patent number: 10445994
    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 haptic signal including a first bit indicating a power state; and transmit a power signal based on the haptic signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate at an actuation state at a fixed power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. Ramsay, Henrique D. da Costa, Neil Olien, Robert A. Lacroix
  • Patent number: 10445996
    Abstract: A haptic actuator comprising a base and a haptic transducer at least partially suspended by the base. The haptic transducer comprises a substrate and a smart material operably connected to the substrate. The smart material has resonance in response to an electrical signal having a determined frequency, and the resonance causes the haptic transducer to vibrate and deliver a haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Mansoor Alghooneh, Vahid Khoshkava, Juan Manuel Cruz Hernandez, Neil Olien, Robert A. Lacroix
  • Patent number: 10394375
    Abstract: A method includes displaying information via a first display, displaying information via a second display, controlling the information displayed via the first display and the second display with a controller, and receiving a first input from a user through a user interface. The first input includes a command to change a setting of the first display or the second display and/or the information being displayed via the first display or the second display. The method also includes generating a first haptic effect to confirm receipt of the first input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Neil Olien
  • Publication number: 20190243452
    Abstract: Embodiments hereof are directed to a haptic device having a pressure-sensitive suspension system. The haptic device includes a housing, a touch surface component mounted to the housing to be movable relative thereto, and a haptic actuator for providing haptic feedback to the touch surface component. At least one suspension component is disposed between the touch surface component and the housing. The suspension component is formed from an elastomer and includes pressure-sensing particles integrated into the elastomer. The pressure-sensing particles are configured to sense pressure applied to the touch surface component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Neil OLIEN, Vahid KHOSHKAVA
  • Patent number: 10338681
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine a haptic effect, wherein the haptic effect includes a static ESF effect or a confirmation ESF effect; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the 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 an ESF device in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device including an ESF cell and configured to receive the ESF signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Christopher Ullrich, Danny Grant, Neil Olien, Vincent Levesque
  • Publication number: 20190164394
    Abstract: A system includes a wearable device, a second device remote from and in communication with the wearable device, a processor configured to generate a control signal representative of an event occurring in an environment related to the wearable device and/or the second device, and a haptic output device configured to provide haptic feedback based on the generated control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Allan VISITACION, Trevor JONES, Daniel Gregory PARKER, Kohei IMOTO, Keith REED, Jesica E. FERRO, Aaron KAPELUS, Neil OLIEN, Danny A. GRANT, Robert LACROIX
  • Patent number: 10275032
    Abstract: Embodiments hereof are directed to a haptic device having a pressure-sensitive suspension system. The haptic device includes a housing, a touch surface component mounted to the housing to be movable relative thereto, and a haptic actuator for providing haptic feedback to the touch surface component. At least one suspension component is disposed between the touch surface component and the housing. The suspension component is formed from an elastomer and includes pressure-sensing particles integrated into the elastomer. The pressure-sensing particles are configured to sense pressure applied to the touch surface component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Olien, Vahid Khoshkava
  • Patent number: 10269222
    Abstract: A system includes a wearable device, a second device remote from and in communication with the wearable device, a processor configured to generate a control signal representative of an event occurring in an environment related to the wearable device and/or the second device, and a haptic output device configured to provide haptic feedback based on the generated control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Allan Visitacion, Trevor Jones, Daniel Gregory Parker, Kohei Imoto, Keith Reed, Jesica E. Ferro, Aaron Kapelus, Neil Olien, Danny A. Grant, Robert Lacroix
  • Patent number: 10232773
    Abstract: A system for generating haptic effects in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a seat and a seat belt, is provided. The system comprises one or more haptic output devices positioned at or attached to the seat belt. The system further comprises a processor configured to receive a sensor signal from a sensor that is configured to sense information associated with the vehicle's environment or the vehicle's condition. The system is further configured to determine whether to generate a haptic effect based on the sensor signal, and to output a haptic control signal and communicate the haptic control signal to the one or more haptic output devices in response to a determination to generate the haptic effect. The one or more haptic output devices are configured to generate the haptic effect based on the haptic control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny A. Grant, Neil Olien
  • Publication number: 20180374321
    Abstract: A haptic actuator comprising a base and a haptic transducer at least partially suspended by the base. The haptic transducer comprises a substrate and a smart material operably connected to the substrate. The smart material has resonance in response to an electrical signal having a determined frequency, and the resonance causes the haptic transducer to vibrate and deliver a haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Mansoor ALGHOONEH, Vahid KHOSHKAVA, Juan Manuel CRUZ HERNANDEZ, Neil OLIEN, Robert A. LACROIX
  • Publication number: 20180350204
    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 haptic signal including a first bit indicating a power state; and transmit a power signal based on the haptic signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate at an actuation state at a fixed power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. Ramsay, Henrique D. da Costa, Neil Olien, Robert A. Lacroix
  • Publication number: 20180275757
    Abstract: One illustrative example of the present disclosure includes a visual display for displaying one or more images. The visual display may include a haptically-enabled cell forming a pixel of the visual display. The haptically-enabled cell may include an anode, a cathode, and/or a light-emitting element having a light-emitting material. The light-emitting element may be positioned between the anode and the cathode. The light-emitting material may be configured to emit visible light in response to an electrical signal communicated by the anode or the cathode. The haptically-enabled cell may include a haptic output device configured to output a haptic effect in response to a haptic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Vahid Khoshkava, Neil Olien
  • Publication number: 20180275759
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Mansoor Alghooneh, Robert Lacroix, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Neil Olien, Vahid Khoshkava
  • Publication number: 20180246573
    Abstract: One illustrative electrostatic actuator disclosed herein includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first insulation layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, a first resilient material between the first electrode and the second electrode, a third electrode, a second insulation layer between the second electrode and the third electrode, and a second resilient material between the second electrode and the third electrode. The first electrode and the third electrode receive power from a power supply and responsively generate a first polarity. The second electrode receives power from the power supply and responsively generates a second polarity that is opposite the first polarity. The first polarity and the second polarity generate a first attractive force between the first electrode and the second electrode and a second attractive force between the second electrode and the third electrode. The electrostatic actuator may be part of a user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Olien, Michael A. Greenish