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: 20140205260Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Robert Lacroix, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Jamal Saboune
-
Publication number: 20140198130Abstract: A device may be configured to provide feedback based on an augmented reality environment. The device may comprise, for example, a processor configured to receive a control signal from an augmented reality device and a feedback device configured to provide a feedback based on the received control signal. The augmented reality device may generate an augmented reality environment and may be remote from the device. The control signal received by the device may be representative of an event occurring in the augmented reality environment. The augmented reality environment may include a physical space in which at least one physical object exists and an augmented reality space in which one or more virtual objects that augment the physical object are displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventor: Robert LACROIX
-
Patent number: 8700791Abstract: Haptic information in a series of frames of a media transport stream is identified and time stamps corresponding thereto are determined in accordance with a master time code signal embedded in the media transport stream. Each media transport stream frame containing haptic information is subsequently assigned a time stamp so that it will be used to activate an actuator at a proper time responsive to the time stamp to generate a haptic effect in accordance with the haptic information.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2006Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Robert A. Lacroix, Andrianaivo Rabemiarisoa, Henrique D. da Costa, Herve Thu Timone, Stephen D. Rank, Christopher J. Ullrich
-
Publication number: 20140068110Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Henrique D. DA COSTA, Danny A. GRANT, Robert A. LACROIX
-
Patent number: 8572293Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 24, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Henrique D. Da Costa, Danny A. Grant, Robert A. Lacroix
-
Patent number: 8564535Abstract: A gesture recognition system for recognizing gestures on a mobile device receives sensor data in response to a sensed gesture on the mobile device. The sensor data includes a force or impulse. The force or impulse is applied to the simulated physical object and the state of the simulated physical object is then observed. Input is provided to an application based at least on the observed state of the simulated physical object.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Robert Lacroix
-
Publication number: 20120249464Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Henrique D. DA COSTA, Danny A. GRANT, Robert A. LACROIX
-
Patent number: 8260972Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Henrique D. Da Costa, Danny A. Grant, Robert A. Lacroix
-
Publication number: 20120081276Abstract: A gesture recognition system for recognizing gestures on a mobile device receives sensor data in response to a sensed gesture on the mobile device. The sensor data includes a force or impulse. The force or impulse is applied to the simulated physical object and the state of the simulated physical object is then observed. Input is provided to an application based at least on the observed state of the simulated physical object.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Christopher J. ULLRICH, Robert Lacroix
-
Patent number: 8098234Abstract: A haptic feedback system that includes a controller, a memory coupled to the controller, an actuator drive circuit coupled to the controller, and an actuator coupled to the actuator drive circuit. The memory stores at least one haptic effect that is executed by the controller in order to create a haptic effect.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Robert A. Lacroix, Pedro Gregorio, Kollin M. Tierling
-
Publication number: 20110109423Abstract: 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 2-bit signal including a first bit indicating a power state and a second bit indicating an actuation state; and transmit a power signal based on the two bit signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate at the actuation state at a fixed power.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Erin B. Ramsay, Henrique D. da Costa, Neil Olien, Robert A. Lacroix
-
Patent number: 7890863Abstract: A method of generating haptic effects on a device includes detecting the presence of an object near an input area of the device and generating a haptic effect on the device in response to the presence detection.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Danny A. Grant, Pedro Gregorio, Robert A. Lacroix
-
Publication number: 20100287311Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Henrique D. Da Costa, Danny A. Grant, Robert A. Lacroix
-
Publication number: 20100283727Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods for shape deformation of a haptic deformation display device are provided. For example, the haptic deformation display device may receive an input signal when the shape of the haptic deformation display device is in a first shape configuration. In response to the input signal, the haptic deformation display device may activate an actuator of the haptic deformation display device. The actuator may move a deformation component of the haptic deformation display device. The deformation component may at least partially defining a shape of the haptic deformation display device, thereby causing the shape of the haptic deformation display device to deform into a second shape configuration different from the first shape configuration. The second shape configuration may be substantially maintained.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Li Jiang, David M. Birnbaum, Remy Pieron, Christopher J. Ullrich, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Robert Lacroix, Danny A. Grant, Ali Modarres
-
Publication number: 20100283731Abstract: A haptic device includes a processor, a communication module coupled to the processor for receiving a shape input, and a housing for housing the communication module and including a deformable portion. The deformable portion includes a deformation actuator, and the processor provides a signal to the deformation actuator in response to the shape input to deform the housing. The shape of other areas of the device may also change in response to the signal. The shape changes may provide haptic effects, provide information, provide ergonomic changes, provide additional functionality, etc., to a user of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATIONInventors: Danny A. GRANT, Ali MODARRES, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Li JIANG, David M. BIRNBAUM, Remy PIERON, Christopher J. ULLRICH, Robert LACROIX
-
Patent number: 7765333Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2004Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Henrique D. Da Costa, Danny A. Grant, Robert A. Lacroix
-
Publication number: 20100033426Abstract: A haptic enabled gaming peripheral that simulates a musical instrument includes a body, a first sensing element and a first actuator. A processor, located within the body of the gaming peripheral, communicates with a host computer running a software program corresponding to a musical game. The first sensing element, disposed within the body and coupled to the processor, senses an input from the user. The sensed input is communicated to the host processor. The first actuator, disposed within the body and coupled to the processor, outputs a haptic effect in response to receiving an activating signal based on an event that occurs in the software program. In some implementations, the first sensed element is disposed proximate to the first actuator so that the user perceives the haptic effect in response to providing the input.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Robert LaCroix, Erin Ramsay, Hendrik Bartel, Jennifer Janssen
-
Patent number: 7639232Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a resonant device are described. One described method for braking an actuator includes generating a first actuator signal configured to drive the actuator, the first actuator signal having a first frequency approximately resonant to the actuator, and transmitting the first actuator signal to the actuator. The method also includes generating a second actuator signal, having a second frequency approximately 180 degrees out of phase to the first frequency, the second actuator signal configured to cause a braking force on the actuator, and transmitting the second actuator signal to the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Danny A. Grant, Juan Manuel Cruz Hernandez, Pedro Gregorio, Robert A. Lacroix, Patrice Favreau
-
Publication number: 20090250267Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating haptic surface texture with a deformable surface layer are disclosed. The haptic device includes a flexible surface layer, a haptic substrate, and a deforming mechanism. The flexible surface layer is made of elastic materials and is capable of reconfiguring its surface characteristics. The haptic substrate, in one embodiment, provides a first pattern in response to a first activating signal. Alternatively, the haptic substrate is capable of providing a second pattern in accordance with a second activating signal. The deforming mechanism is configured to change the flexible surface from a first surface characteristic to a second surface characteristic in accordance with the first pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2008Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: Immersion Corp.Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Ryan Steger, Robert A. Lacroix, Muge Bakircioglu
-
Publication number: 20090231271Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2008Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Robert W. Heubel, Jason D. Fleming, Erin B. Ramsay, A. Timothy Vetter, Robert A. Lacroix, Pedro Gregorio, Danny A. Grant, Lauri Olli Matias Impivaara