Patents by Inventor Nina Buttafoco

Nina Buttafoco 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: 7079995
    Abstract: A tactile simulator for use in conjunction with a video display. The tactile simulator comprises a tactile bar, and a video program player capable of generating audio, video, and control outputs upon reading a video medium having encoded simulation control information. The signals which are transmitted to the tactile bar by the video program player control the motion of weights located within the tactile bar, vibration of motors within the tactile bar, and temperature changes of the tactile bar. Two motors having eccentric weights cause the tactile bar to selectively vibrate. Additionally, the movement of the weights within the tactile bar impart a sense of motion. Two embodiments of the tactile bar are presented. The first embodiment is ā€œUā€ shaped and is connected by wire to a control output on the video program player. A second version is wireless and receives infrared signals generated by the video program player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Nina Buttafoco