Patents by Inventor Robert Lacroix

Robert Lacroix 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: 20220142514
    Abstract: Introduced here are computer programs that are able to generate computer vision data through local analysis of image data (also referred to as “raw data” or “input data”). The image data may be representative of one or more digital images that are generated by an image sensor. Also introduced here are apparatuses for generating and handling the image data and computer vision data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Kruszewski, Wenxin Zhang, Robert Lacroix, Ryan Russell
  • Patent number: 11175739
    Abstract: A user interface device having a haptic actuator, a sensor, a storage device, and a control circuit is presented. The sensor is configured to measure movement output by the haptic actuator. The control circuit is configured to apply a first drive signal to the haptic actuator to generate a first haptic effect, and to receive a sensor measurement that describes movement of the haptic actuator in response to the first drive signal, and to generate or update, based on the measurement, an actuator model that describes how the haptic actuator moves in response to drive signals. The control circuit is further configured to generate a second drive signal based on a desired movement for a second haptic effect and based on the actuator model, and to control the haptic actuator to generate the second haptic effect by applying the second drive signal to the haptic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. Lacroix, Kaniyalal Shah, Christopher Ullrich, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny A. Grant
  • Patent number: 11137828
    Abstract: A system includes a video recorder configured to record video data, a sensor configured to sense movement of an object and output sensor data representative of the movement of the object, a transformer configured to transform the sensor data into a haptic output signal, a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect to a user based on the haptic output signal, a display configured to display a video, and a processor configured to synchronize the video data and the haptic output signal, and output the video data to the display and the haptic output signal to the haptic output device so that the haptic effect is synchronized with the video displayed on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Lacroix, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Jamal Saboune
  • Patent number: 11054907
    Abstract: A haptic device includes a display configured to display an image, a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect to a user when the user interacts with the display, and a processor configured to receive information related to the image displayed on the display. The processor is also configured to create a friction based haptic effect map associated with the image displayed on the display, and generate a signal to the haptic output device to output the haptic effect when the user interacts with the display when the image is displayed on the display, the haptic effect being configured to simulate a feel of the image in three dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lacroix, Vincent Levesque
  • Publication number: 20200393903
    Abstract: Multi-directional kinesthetic actuation systems are provided. The multi-directional kinesthetic actuation systems are configured to provide kinesthetic effects in multiple directions through both pulling and pushing forces. Multi-directional kinesthetic actuation systems include at least an active linkage, one or more hinges, and a motor. The motor is employed to advance or retract the active linkage. The active linkage is activated to provide increased buckling strength to transfer force to the hinges and deactivated to increase flexibility to facilitate retraction by the motor. The hinges are configured to translate the pushing or pulling force provided by the active linkage into a torque to be provided to a user's finger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Vahid KHOSHKAVA, Robert LACROIX, Colin SWINDELLS, Sanya ATTARI
  • Publication number: 20200272238
    Abstract: A haptic device includes a display configured to display an image, a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect to a user when the user interacts with the display, and a processor configured to receive information related to the image displayed on the display. The processor is also configured to create a friction based haptic effect map associated with the image displayed on the display, and generate a signal to the haptic output device to output the haptic effect when the user interacts with the display when the image is displayed on the display, the haptic effect being configured to simulate a feel of the image in three dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lacroix, Vincent Levesque
  • Patent number: 10741189
    Abstract: Embodiments that generate multiple haptic effects receive a first haptic effect signal having a first priority and corresponding to a first haptic effect, and receive a second haptic effect signal having a second priority and corresponding to a second haptic effect. When the first priority is less than the second priority, embodiments generate an interaction parameter using the second haptic effect signal. When the second priority is less than the first priority, embodiments generate the interaction parameter using the first haptic effect signal. Embodiments then apply a drive signal to a haptic output device according to the interaction parameter, where the drive signal causes the first haptic effect and the second haptic effect to be generated by the haptic output device concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lacroix, Satvir Singh Bhatia, David Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich, Amaya Becvar Weddle, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20200245038
    Abstract: A multi-device system includes at least one media server system, a primary viewing device including a display screen, and a secondary device including a haptic output device. The at least one media server system includes a source of audio-video content and haptic content and is configured to transfer the audio-video content and the haptic content. The haptic content is associated with the audio-video content. The primary viewing device is configured to output the audio-video content received from the at least one media server system. The secondary device is configured to output the haptic content received from the at least one media server system as a haptic effect via the haptic output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventor: Robert LACROIX
  • Patent number: 10667022
    Abstract: A multi-device system includes at least one media server system, a primary viewing device including a display screen, and a secondary device including a haptic output device. The at least one media server system includes a source of audio-video content and haptic content and is configured to transfer the audio-video content and the haptic content. The haptic content is associated with the audio-video content. The primary viewing device is configured to output the audio-video content received from the at least one media server system. The secondary device is configured to output the haptic content received from the at least one media server system as a haptic effect via the haptic output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert Lacroix
  • Patent number: 10656718
    Abstract: A signal associated with multiple haptic effects is received, each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects being associated with a time slot from multiple time slots. Each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects is associated with an effect slot from multiple effect slots at least partially based on the time slot associated with that haptic effect. An output signal is sent for each effect slot from the multiple effect slots, when the associated haptic effect is scheduled for its time slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Henrique D. Da Costa, Danny A. Grant, Robert A. Lacroix
  • Patent number: 10650859
    Abstract: A system includes a recorder configured to record audio and/or video of a subject of interest and output a recording of the subject of interest and a non-contact sensor associated with the recorder. The non-contact sensor is constructed and arranged to measure movement and/or vibration of the subject of interest from substantially the same perspective and at the same time as the recorder. The system includes a controller configured to transform the measured movement and/or vibration of the subject of interest measured by the non-contact sensor into a tactile data stream for sending to a haptic display device for playback with the recording of the subject of interest by the recorder and providing haptic effects corresponding to the measured movement and/or vibration to a user of the haptic display device in synchronization with the recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Robert Lacroix
  • Patent number: 10649530
    Abstract: A haptic device includes a display configured to display an image, a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect to a user when the user interacts with the display, and a processor configured to receive information related to the image displayed on the display. The processor is also configured to create a friction based haptic effect map associated with the image displayed on the display, and generate a signal to the haptic output device to output the haptic effect when the user interacts with the display when the image is displayed on the display, the haptic effect being configured to simulate a feel of the image in three dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lacroix, Vincent Levesque
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20200057501
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for remote projection of haptic effects are provided. The systems and devices include ultrasonic arrays, positioning devices, and target sensors. The target sensors detect the presence, location, and movement of potential haptic targets. The positioning devices are configured to orient the ultrasonic arrays towards the haptic targets detected by the target sensors. The ultrasonic arrays are configured to produce an ultrasonic beam configured to project a haptic effect at a remote location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventor: Robert A. Lacroix
  • Publication number: 20200057506
    Abstract: Systems and methods for user generated content authoring are disclosed. One illustrative method disclosure herein includes: receiving a video signal; displaying a user interface associated with haptic authoring; detecting a gesture associated with a haptic effect; determining a haptic effect based in part on the gesture; associating the haptic effect with a location in the video signal; and storing the video signal and the associated haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich, Robert Lacroix, Satvir Singh Bhatia, Michael Powell, Stephen D. Rank, Iva Segalman, Amaya Weddle, Paige Raynes
  • 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: 10529197
    Abstract: A system is provided that controls an offline haptic conversion. The system receives an input from a source. The system further converts the input into haptic signals. The system further encodes the haptic signals. The system further stores the haptic signals within the source, where the haptic signals are combined with the input within the source. Alternately, rather than encoding the haptic signals and storing the haptic signals within the source, the system handles the haptic signals separately, independent of the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lacroix, Satvir Singh Bhatia, Jean-Francois Blanchard-Dionne, Stephen D. Rank, Christopher J. Ullrich, Loc Tien Phan
  • Patent number: 10471331
    Abstract: A pacing system for pacing an activity receives a desired pace that includes a timing interval and generates a first pace signal based on the desired pace and corresponding to the timing interval. The system receives feedback on an actual pace of the activity and determines if the actual pace is different than the desired pace. When the actual pace is different, the system generates a second pace signal having a timing that is different than the timing interval. When the actual pace is not different, the system generates the second pace signal in accordance with the timing interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Lacroix, Danny Grant
  • Publication number: 20190339781
    Abstract: A signal associated with multiple haptic effects is received, each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects being associated with a time slot from multiple time slots. Each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects is associated with an effect slot from multiple effect slots at least partially based on the time slot associated with that haptic effect. An output signal is sent for each effect slot from the multiple effect slots, when the associated haptic effect is scheduled for its time slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Henrique D. DA COSTA, Danny A. GRANT, 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