Patents by Inventor Pedro Gregorio

Pedro Gregorio 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: 10908686
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pre-touch and true touch are disclosed. For example, in one described system for pre-touch and true touch includes a touch-sensitive interface configured to detect a user interaction and transmit a first interface signal based at least in part on the user interaction. The system also includes a processor in communication with the touch-sensitive interface and configured to receive the first interface signal and determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the first interface signal. The processor is further configured to preload a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The system also includes a cache in communication with the processor and configured to store the preloaded haptic signal for a time period and then transmit the haptic signal and a haptic effect generator in communication with the cache and configured to receive the haptic signal from the cache and, in response, output a haptic effect based at least in part on the haptic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin Ramsay, Pedro Gregorio
  • Patent number: 10593166
    Abstract: Method, device, and computer readable medium for generating haptically enabled messages. One disclosed method comprises the steps of receiving a user generated input, mapping the user generated input to a predetermined haptic feedback, assigning a haptic feedback command to the predetermined haptic feedback, inserting the haptic feedback command into a text message, and sending the text message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin B. Ramsay, Pedro Gregorio, Jason D. Fleming, Natasha M. Flaherty
  • Patent number: 10338798
    Abstract: A device has a user interface that generates a haptic effect in response to user inputs or gestures. In one embodiment, the device receives an indication that the user is scrolling through a list of elements and an indication that an element is selected. The device determines the scroll rate and generates a haptic effect that has a magnitude that is based on the scroll rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Jason D. Fleming, Erin B. Ramsay, A. Timothy Vetter, Robert A. Lacroix, Pedro Gregorio, Danny A. Grant, Lauri Olli Matias Impivaara
  • Publication number: 20190138176
    Abstract: A device has a user interface that generates a haptic effect in response to user inputs or gestures. In one embodiment, the device receives an indication that the user is scrolling through a list of elements and an indication that an element is selected. The device determines the scroll rate and generates a haptic effect that has a magnitude that is based on the scroll rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Jason D. Fleming, Erin B. Ramsey, A. Timothy Vetter, Robert Lacroix, Pedro Gregorio, Danny Grant, Lauri Olli Matias Impivaara
  • Publication number: 20180218578
    Abstract: Method, device, and computer readable medium for generating haptically enabled messages. One disclosed method comprises the steps of receiving a user generated input, mapping the user generated input to a predetermined haptic feedback, assigning a haptic feedback command to the predetermined haptic feedback, inserting the haptic feedback command into a text message, and sending the text message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Danny A. GRANT, Erin B. RAMSAY, Pedro GREGORIO, Jason D. FLEMING, Natasha M. FLAHERTY
  • Publication number: 20180074591
    Abstract: Systems and methods for haptic feedback using laterally driven piezoelectric actuators are disclosed. For example, one described apparatus for haptic feedback using laterally driven piezoelectric actuators includes: a base; a touch-sensitive interface comprising an interface surface, the touch-sensitive interface affixed to the base and configured to move in a direction lateral to the interface surface; and a piezoelectric actuator mounted to the base and to the touch-sensitive interface and configured to receive a haptic signal and output a force in a direction lateral to the interface surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Modarres, Li Jiang, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Remy Pieron, Frank Ye, Pedro Gregorio, Danny Grant, Neil Olien
  • Patent number: 9916741
    Abstract: Method, device, and computer readable medium for generating haptically enabled messages. One disclosed method comprises the steps of receiving a user generated input, mapping the user generated input to a predetermined haptic feedback, assigning a haptic feedback command to the predetermined haptic feedback, inserting the haptic feedback command into a text message, and sending the text message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin B. Ramsay, Pedro Gregorio, Jason D. Fleming, Natasha M. Flaherty
  • Patent number: 9870053
    Abstract: Systems and methods for haptic feedback using laterally driven piezoelectric actuators are disclosed. For example, one described apparatus for haptic feedback using laterally driven piezoelectric actuators includes: a base; a touch-sensitive interface comprising an interface surface, the touch-sensitive interface affixed to the base and configured to move in a direction lateral to the interface surface; and a piezoelectric actuator mounted to the base and to the touch-sensitive interface and configured to receive a haptic signal and output a force in a direction lateral to the interface surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Modarres, Li Jiang, Manuel Cruz, Remy Pieron, Frank Ye, Pedro Gregorio, Danny Grant, Neil Olien
  • Patent number: 9727141
    Abstract: Products and processes for providing haptic feedback in a user interface device are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a process comprises defining a first cell, mapping a first location of a matrix with the defined first cell, and mapping a second location of the matrix with the defined first cell. The first cell comprises a first parameter representing a first haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny Grant, Pedro Gregorio, Neil T. Olien, Adam C. Braun
  • Publication number: 20170108931
    Abstract: A haptic effect device includes a housing and a touchscreen coupled to the housing through a suspension. An actuator is coupled to the touchscreen. The suspension is tuned so that when the actuator generates first vibrations at a first frequency, the first vibrations are substantially isolated from the housing and are applied on the touchscreen to simulate a mechanical button. Further, when the actuator generates second vibrations at a second frequency, the second vibrations are substantially passed through to the housing to create a vibratory alert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Pedro GREGORIO, Danny A. GRANT, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • Patent number: 9600075
    Abstract: A method of generating a haptic effect on a device includes detecting a position of an object relative to the device. The method further includes, based at least on the position, determining a gesture indicated by the object, and generating the haptic effect on the device based on the determined gesture, where the haptic effect is generated without the object contacting the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Pedro Gregorio, Robert Andre Lacroix
  • Patent number: 9579143
    Abstract: A surgical tool system including a laparoscopic surgical tool for heating, ablating, sealing, and/or dissecting tissue, a control system for monitoring impedance of the tissue during treatment thereof, and a tactile feedback system integrated onto a handle of the tool that generates relevant feedback from the control system in at least the form of haptic effects to the user. The tactile feedback alerts the tool user of changes in tissue properties, i.e., when the impedance of the tissue indicates that the treatment procedure is complete. In addition, the tactile feedback provided may supply information relating to the operating status of the control system to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Ullrich, Pedro Gregorio
  • Publication number: 20170046035
    Abstract: A device has a user interface that generates a haptic effect in response to user inputs or gestures. In one embodiment, the device receives an indication that the user is scrolling through a list of elements and an indication that an element is selected. The device determines the scroll rate and generates a haptic effect that has a magnitude that is based on the scroll rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Heubel, Jason D. Fleming, Erin B. Ramsey, A. Timothy Vetter, Robert Lacroix, Pedro Gregorio, Danny Grant, Lauri Olli Matias Impivaara
  • Patent number: 9513709
    Abstract: A system that generates a haptic effect generates a drive cycle signal that includes a drive period and a monitoring period. The drive period includes a plurality of drive pulses that are based on the haptic effect. The system applies the drive pulses to a resonant actuator during the drive period and receives a signal from the resonant actuator that corresponds to the position of a mass in the actuator during the monitoring period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Pedro Gregorio, Danny A. Grant, Patrice Favreau, Eric Meunier
  • Patent number: 9513704
    Abstract: A device has a user interface that generates a haptic effect in response to user inputs or gestures. In one embodiment, the device receives an indication that the user is scrolling through a list of elements and an indication that an element is selected. The device determines the scroll rate and generates a haptic effect that has a magnitude that is based on the scroll rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Jason D. Fleming, Erin B. Ramsay, A. Timothy Vetter, Robert A. Lacroix, Pedro Gregorio, Danny A. Grant, Lauri Olli Matias Impivaara
  • Publication number: 20160110969
    Abstract: Method, device, and computer readable medium for generating haptically enabled messages. One disclosed method comprises the steps of receiving a user generated input, mapping the user generated input to a predetermined haptic feedback, assigning a haptic feedback command to the predetermined haptic feedback, inserting the haptic feedback command into a text message, and sending the text message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Danny A. GRANT, Erin B. RAMSAY, Pedro GREGORIO, Jason D. FLEMING, Natasha M. FLAHERTY
  • Patent number: 9197735
    Abstract: Method, device, and computer readable medium for generating haptically enabled messages. One disclosed method comprises the steps of receiving a user generated input, mapping the user generated input to a predetermined haptic feedback, assigning a haptic feedback command to the predetermined haptic feedback, inserting the haptic feedback command into a text message, and sending the text message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A Grant, Erin B Ramsay, Pedro Gregorio, Jason D Fleming, Natasha M Flaherty
  • Publication number: 20150220148
    Abstract: A system that generates a haptic effect generates a drive cycle signal that includes a drive period and a monitoring period. The drive period includes a plurality of drive pulses that are based on the haptic effect. The system applies the drive pulses to a resonant actuator during the drive period and receives a signal from the resonant actuator that corresponds to the position of a mass in the actuator during the monitoring period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Pedro GREGORIO, Danny A. GRANT, Patrice FAVREAU, Eric MEUNIER
  • Publication number: 20150106707
    Abstract: Products and processes for providing haptic feedback in a user interface device are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a process comprises defining a first cell, mapping a first location of a matrix with the defined first cell, and mapping a second location of the matrix with the defined first cell. The first cell comprises a first parameter representing a first haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny Grant, Pedro Gregorio, Neil T. Olien, Adam C. Braun
  • Patent number: 8994518
    Abstract: A system that generates a haptic effect generates a drive cycle signal that includes a drive period and a monitoring period. The drive period includes a plurality of drive pulses that are based on the haptic effect. The system applies the drive pulses to a resonant actuator during the drive period and receives a signal from the resonant actuator that corresponds to the position of a mass in the actuator during the monitoring period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Pedro Gregorio, Danny A. Grant, Patrice Favreau, Eric Meunier