Patents by Inventor Paul D. Batcheller

Paul D. Batcheller 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).

  • Actuator thermal protection in haptic feedback devices
    Patent number: 7233476
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing thermal protection for actuators used in haptic feedback interface devices. An average energy in the actuator over a predetermined period of time is determined, and the maximum allowable current level in the actuator is reduced if the average energy is determined to exceed a predetermined warning energy level. The maximum allowable current level can be reduced to a sustainable current level if the average energy reaches a maximum energy level allowed, and the maximum allowable current level in the actuator can be raised if the average energy is determined to be below the predetermined warning energy level. Preferably, the maximum allowable current level is reduced smoothly as a ramp function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Alex S. Goldenberg, Adam C. Braun, Paul D. Batcheller
  • Actuator thermal protection in haptic feedback devices
    Publication number: 20020126432
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing thermal protection for actuators used in haptic feedback interface devices. An average energy in the actuator over a predetermined period of time is determined, and the maximum allowable current level in the actuator is reduced if the average energy is determined to exceed a predetermined warning energy level. The maximum allowable current level can be reduced to a sustainable current level if the average energy reaches a maximum energy level allowed, and the maximum allowable current level in the actuator can be raised if the average energy is determined to be below the predetermined warning energy level. Preferably, the maximum allowable current level is reduced smoothly as a ramp function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Alex S. Goldenberg, Adam C. Braun, Paul D. Batcheller