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: 9275653
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing voice-to-text haptic augmentation in a user interface are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, a system for converting audible speech information to a haptic effect includes a microphone and a processor in communication with the microphone, the processor configured to receive an audio signal associated with a voice from the microphone, determine a characteristic of the audio signal, and generate an actuator signal based at least in part on the characteristic, the actuator signal configured to cause an actuator to output a haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Erin Ramsay
  • Patent number: 9235969
    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: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Robert W. Heubel, David M. Birnbaum, Erin B. Ramsay
  • Patent number: 9227137
    Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods are provided for generating an impact and/or surface haptic effect for a handheld computer interface such as a video game controller. For example, the handheld computer interface may include a handle coupled to an impact actuator. The impact actuator includes a movable mass and an end stop. The impact actuator may receive a haptic effect signal and in response cause the mass to contact the end stop to generate a haptic effect. A smart material that outputs a surface haptic effect may be coupled to a surface of the handle such that the surface haptic effect is output substantially from the smart material rather than the handle. The handle may be coupled to an end piece having a shape that simulates an object such as a tennis racket, golf club, or other object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin Ramsay, David M. Birnbaum, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Robert W. Heubel, Hendrik Bartel
  • Publication number: 20150325090
    Abstract: A system that generates haptic effects on mobile devices during a group event receives an identity of a first type of haptic effect to be broadcast during the group event and determines a first set of the mobile devices during the group event that will generate the haptic effect. The system then broadcasts the first type of haptic effect to the first set of mobile devices during the group event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventor: Robert W. HEUBEL
  • Publication number: 20150253848
    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: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2013
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Francis Jose
  • Patent number: 9098984
    Abstract: A system that generates haptic effects on mobile devices during a group event receives an identity of a first type of haptic effect to be broadcast during the group event and determines a first set of the mobile devices during the group event that will generate the haptic effect. The system then broadcasts the first type of haptic effect to the first set of mobile devices during the group event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Heubel
  • Publication number: 20150084752
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing voice-to-text haptic augmentation in a user interface are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, a system for converting audible speech information to a haptic effect includes a microphone and a processor in communication with the microphone, the processor configured to receive an audio signal associated with a voice from the microphone, determine a characteristic of the audio signal, and generate an actuator signal based at least in part on the characteristic, the actuator signal configured to cause an actuator to output a haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Erin Ramsey
  • Patent number: 8982068
    Abstract: A device includes a housing, a processor that is coupled to the housing, the processor is configured to process a software program stored in a memory. A touch screen is coupled to the housing and configured to display graphical objects, wherein a sensor signal associated with a user's interaction with the touch screen is provided to the processor. A first actuator is coupled to the touch screen and positioned within the housing. The first actuator is configured to output a first haptic effect to the touch screen upon receiving a first activating signal from the processor. A second actuator is coupled to the housing and configured to output a second haptic effect to the housing upon receiving a second activating signal from the processor. The first activating signal is associated with a foreground event and the second activating signal is associated with a background event occurring in the software program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Robert W. Heubel
  • Publication number: 20150072789
    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: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Danny Grant
  • Patent number: 8963882
    Abstract: A system for generating haptic effects senses at least two generally simultaneous touches on a touchscreen and, in response, generates a dynamic haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Danny A. Grant
  • Publication number: 20150029125
    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: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Danny A. GRANT, Erin B. RAMSAY, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, David BIRNBAUM, Robert W. HEUBEL, Hendrik BARTEL, Christopher J. ULLRICH
  • Publication number: 20140365883
    Abstract: A system that unlocks itself or another device or electronic media enters an unlocked mode by playing a predetermined haptic effect and in response receiving a gesture based interaction input from a user. The system compares the interaction input to a stored predefined interaction input and transitions to the unlocked mode if the interaction input substantially matches the stored predefined interaction input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Erin RAMSAY, Masashi KOBAYASHI, Kurt-Eerik STAHLBERG, Robert W. HEUBEL
  • Patent number: 8902050
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing voice-to-text haptic augmentation in a user interface are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system for converting audible speech information to a haptic effect includes a microphone and a processor in communication with the microphone, the processor configured to receive an audio signal associated with a voice from the microphone, determine a characteristic of the audio signal, and generate an actuator signal based at least in part on the characteristic, the actuator signal configured to cause an actuator to output a haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Erin Ramsay
  • Patent number: 8884870
    Abstract: A gaming concept in which each user in a single-player or a multi-player game is enabled to create artwork or graffiti work virtually or on actual surfaces using haptic-enhanced controllers. The controllers can emulate the experience of using a marker, a paint brush, a paint spray-can or the like. The components of various controllers may be modularized for easily interchanging components to extend the art or graffiti creation experience. The real life experience of using ink or paint on a surface is simulated by haptic feedback. When a paint spray-can controller is used, the experience of paint consumption is recreated by various peripheral enhancements including audio and haptic sensations communicated to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    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: 8854331
    Abstract: A method and device for generating haptic feedback over a touch surface using multi-actuated waveform phasing are disclosed. A haptic device, in one embodiment, includes a touch surface and a group of haptic actuators. The touch surface is capable of sensing an event, wherein the event can be a contact on the touch surface or a movement nearby the surface. A portion of the haptic actuators, which are coupled to the touch surface, is configured to provide haptic feedback on the touch surface in response to the event. Another portion of the haptic actuators is used to minimize unwanted haptic effect on the touch surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Heubel, Ryan Steger, Munibe M. Bakircioglu
  • Publication number: 20140281958
    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: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. BIRNBAUM, Danny A. GRANT, Robert W. HEUBEL
  • Publication number: 20140266644
    Abstract: A system that generates haptic effects on mobile devices during a group event receives an identity of a first type of haptic effect to be broadcast during the group event and determines a first set of the mobile devices during the group event that will generate the haptic effect. The system then broadcasts the first type of haptic effect to the first set of mobile devices during the group event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert W. HEUBEL
  • Publication number: 20140195906
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and associated software are described herein for enabling a regular user of an end user device, such as a cellular telephone, to customize parameters associated with haptic effects applied to the user by the end user device. In one implementation, among several, a method described herein includes enabling a user of an end user device to access software adapted to design or modify haptic effects of the end user device. The method further includes enabling the user to open a haptic track file and enter or modify parameters associated with the haptic effects of the opened haptic track file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. RAMSAY, Robert W. HEUBEL, Jason D. FLEMING, Stephen D. RANK
  • Patent number: 8745284
    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: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Danny A. Grant, Robert W. Heubel
  • Publication number: 20140089792
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and associated software are described herein for enabling a regular user of an end user device, such as a cellular telephone, to customize parameters associated with haptic effects applied to the user by the end user device. In one implementation, among several, a method described herein includes enabling a user of an end user device to access software adapted to design or modify haptic effects of the end user device. The method further includes enabling the user to open a haptic track file and enter or modify parameters associated with the haptic effects of the opened haptic track file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. RAMSAY, Robert W. HEUBEL, Jason D. FLEMING, Stephen D. RANK