Patents by Inventor Robert W. Heubel

Robert W. Heubel 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: 9727217
    Abstract: Interactive content may be presented to a user that is manipulating a peripheral. One or more state parameters that are related to the position of the peripheral may be determined. The peripheral may be identified from a plurality of possible peripherals. The interactive content may be adjusted based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral. Haptic feedback to be provided to the user may be determined based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Danny A. Grant, Robert W. Heubel
  • Patent number: 9727139
    Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a haptic monitor system capable of generating haptic cues based on sensed information are disclosed. The haptic system includes a sensing device, a digital processing unit, and a haptic generator. The sensing device is configured to selectively sense an individual's or user vital information via one or more wearable sensors, and subsequently forwards the sensed vital information to the digital processing unit for data processing. Upon receipt of the vital information, the digital processing unit provides a haptic signal in response to the vital information. The haptic generator, subsequently, generates haptic feedback in accordance with the haptic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. Ramsay, Robert W. Heubel, Neil Olien
  • Patent number: 9710064
    Abstract: A system includes a display configured to display a graphical simulation, a computer configured to run a software program designed to display the graphical simulation on the display, and a stylus constructed and arranged to be manipulated by a user of the system in at least two dimensions to affect the graphical simulation. The stylus includes an actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the user upon receiving a control signal from the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin B. Ramsay, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, David Birnbaum, Robert W. Heubel, Hendrik Bartel, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • Patent number: 9671866
    Abstract: A system is configured to provide haptic stimulation to a user. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with the performance of one or more control gestures through which the user controls, for example, a game, a real world component or piece of equipment, and/or other entity. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with control of virtual equipment by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Robert W. Heubel, David M. Birnbaum, Erin B. Ramsay
  • Publication number: 20170100666
    Abstract: Systems and methods for haptic conversion are described. One disclosed method includes the steps of: determining a characteristic of a target user interface device having a target haptic output device, determining a source haptic effect associated with a source user interface device having a source haptic output device; converting the source haptic effect to a target haptic effect, the conversion based at least in part on the characteristic of the target haptic output device, and generating a haptic signal associated with the target haptic effect, the haptic signal configured to cause the target haptic output device to output the target haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Danny Grant
  • Publication number: 20170065881
    Abstract: Various systems, game controllers, and methods for simulating various objects such as weapons are provided. For example, a game controller may include a trigger, a processor within the body that receives a trigger signal when the trigger is activated by the user. The processor may communicate with a computer running a software program such as a gaming application, and an actuator coupled to the trigger, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the trigger in response to receiving a control signal from the processor. The game controller may simulate a gun and generate a recoil effect. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by impacting a moving mass from a discharge end of the gun to a handle end of the gun. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by using a body part of a user as a tether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Danny Grant, Erin Ramsay, Ali Modarres, David Birnbaum, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Robert W. Heubel, Hendrick Bartel
  • Publication number: 20170069180
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device and a method of providing haptic output by adjusting a tension or compression exhibited by the wearable electronic device is presented. The wearable electronic device comprises a housing, a processor internal to the housing, and a stretch actuator coupled to the processor. The stretch actuator is configured to, in response to an electronic signal from the processor, adjust a tension or a compression exhibited by the wearable electronic device by adjusting a tension or compression exhibited by the stretch actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Francis Jose
  • Publication number: 20170031444
    Abstract: A haptic effect enabled apparatus is presented. The apparatus comprises a surface, a first haptic effect output device, a stretch sensor, a second haptic effect output device, and one or more processors. The surface has a stretch input area. The first haptic effect output device is a stretch haptic effect output device disposed at the stretch input area. The stretch sensor is coupled to the stretch haptic effect output device and to the stretch input area. The stretch sensor is configured to sense a stretch input, and the first haptic effect output device is at least coextensive with the stretch sensor. The second haptic effect output device is disposed at a location outside of the stretch input area. The one or more processors are configured to determine whether a haptic effect output response should occur in response to a stretch input signal received from the stretch sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Francis Jose
  • Patent number: 9558637
    Abstract: Systems and methods for haptic conversion are described. One disclosed method includes the steps of: determining a characteristic of a target user interface device having a target haptic output device, determining a source haptic effect associated with a source user interface device having a source haptic output device; converting the source haptic effect to a target haptic effect, the conversion based at least in part on the characteristic of the target haptic output device, and generating a haptic signal associated with the target haptic effect, the haptic signal configured to cause the target haptic output device to output the target haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W Heubel, Danny Grant
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9504914
    Abstract: Various systems, game controllers, and methods for simulating various objects such as weapons are provided. For example, a game controller may include a trigger, a processor within the body that receives a trigger signal when the trigger is activated by the user. The processor may communicate with a computer running a software program such as a gaming application, and an actuator coupled to the trigger, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the trigger in response to receiving a control signal from the processor. The game controller may simulate a gun and generate a recoil effect. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by impacting a moving mass from a discharge end of the gun to a handle end of the gun. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by using a body part of a user as a tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin Ramsay, Ali Modarres, David M. Birnbaum, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Robert W. Heubel, Hendrik Bartel
  • Patent number: 9510164
    Abstract: A system that generates haptic effects during a group event having a plurality of users in attendance receives an identity of a first type of haptic effect to be broadcast during the group event, where the group event includes a plurality of haptic events. The system broadcasts the first type of haptic effect to a first set of the users, where the broadcasting causes the first type of haptic effect to be generated on a device corresponding to each of the first set of users. The first type of haptic effect is synchronized with one of the haptic events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Heubel
  • Patent number: 9501147
    Abstract: Systems using haptic effect output devices with stretch characteristics are provided. In some embodiments, the stretch haptic effect output devices provide stretch effects responsive to software control. In other embodiments, the stretch haptic effect output devices provide stretch effects responsive to user input as well. Moreover, in some embodiments, the stretch haptic effect output devices provide stretch effects in conjunction and coordination with non-stretch haptic effect output devices as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Francis Jose
  • Publication number: 20160334924
    Abstract: An electronic interactive device having a user interface with a flexible surface, a sensor configured to sense a flex gesture applied to the flexible surface, a haptic device configured to generate a haptic effect in response to the flex gesture, and a controller in signal communication with the sensor and the haptic device. The controller is configured to trigger the haptic device to provide haptic confirmation of the flex gesture and to trigger an application action associated with the flex gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventor: Robert W. Heubel
  • Publication number: 20160231814
    Abstract: A system is configured to provide haptic stimulation to a user. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with the performance of one or more control gestures through which the user controls, for example, a game, a real world component or piece of equipment, and/or other entity. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with control of virtual equipment by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Danny A. GRANT, Robert W. HEUBEL, David M. BIRNBAUM, Erin B. RAMSAY
  • Publication number: 20160234662
    Abstract: A system that generates haptic effects during a group event having a plurality of users in attendance receives an identity of a first type of haptic effect to be broadcast during the group event, where the group event includes a plurality of haptic events. The system broadcasts the first type of haptic effect to a first set of the users, where the broadcasting causes the first type of haptic effect to be generated on a device corresponding to each of the first set of users. The first type of haptic effect is synchronized with one of the haptic events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventor: Robert W. HEUBEL
  • Patent number: 9411423
    Abstract: An electronic interactive device having a user interface with a flexible surface, a sensor configured to sense a flex gesture applied to the flexible surface, a haptic device configured to generate a haptic effect in response to the flex gesture, and a controller in signal communication with the sensor and the haptic device. The controller is configured to trigger the haptic device to provide haptic confirmation of the flex gesture and to trigger an application action associated with the flex gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Heubel
  • Publication number: 20160166929
    Abstract: A video game system records video gameplay by a player interacting with an endpoint, such as a game controller. The recording includes recording a haptic track of haptic effects generated on the endpoint during the gameplay and recording a video track of video generated during the gameplay. The recording further includes encoding the haptic track with the video track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: William S. RIHN, David M. BIRNBAUM, Robert W. HEUBEL
  • Patent number: 9349264
    Abstract: A system that produces a haptic effect receives a first type of haptic effect to be broadcast during a group event, where the group event includes a plurality of audio events and a plurality of haptic events. The system transmits the first type of haptic effect to a first set of the users. The system produces the first type of haptic effect on a haptic output device corresponding to each of the first set of users. The first type of haptic effect is synchronized with at least one of the plurality of audio events and at least one of the plurality of haptic events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Heubel
  • Patent number: 9318006
    Abstract: Systems and methods for haptic confirmation of commands are disclosed. For example a system for generating haptic effects to confirm receipt of a voice command includes a microphone; a housing configured to be contacted by a user, and an actuator in communication with the housing, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the housing. The system also includes a processor in communication with the microphone and the actuator, the processor configured to receive speech information from the microphone; recognize the speech information and determine a command associated with the speech information. If the speech information is recognized and the command is determined, the processor is configured to generate a first actuator signal configured to cause the actuator to output a first haptic effect, and transmit the first actuator signal to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Erin Ramsay