Patents by Inventor Roman Rak

Roman Rak 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: 9760172
    Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a dynamic tactile layer including a deformable region and a first region, the deformable region operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting, the first region adjacent the deformable region, the deformable region tactilely distinguishable from the first region in the expanded setting; a displacement device including a fluid vessel and an actuator, the actuator displacing fluid from the fluid vessel into the dynamic tactile layer to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting into the expanded setting and displacing fluid from the dynamic tactile layer into the fluid vessel, transitioning the deformable region from the expanded setting into the retracted setting; and a fluid compensation device coupled to the displacement device and adjusting a configuration of the displacement device in response to a change in a volume of fluid contained within the fluid vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Tactus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis A. Ray, Mario Sotelo Garcia, Roman Rak, Forrest Russell Grinstead, Maxwell Harshorn Shimshak
  • Patent number: 9720501
    Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a tactile layer including a deformable region and a peripheral region adjacent the deformable region; a substrate coupled to the tactile layer, the substrate defining fluid channel and cooperating with the deformable region to define a variable volume fluidly coupled to the fluid channel; a displacement device coupled to the bladder, displacing fluid into the variable volume to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting, and displacing fluid out of the variable volume to transition the deformable region from the expanded setting to the retracted setting, the displacement device defining a equilibrium range of fluid pressures within the fluid channel; a reservoir fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and supporting a reserve volume of fluid; and a valve selectively controlling transfer of fluid from the reservoir to the fluid channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Tactus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Ray, Mario Garcia, Roman Rak, Rob Ray, Max Shimshak, Michael Ray, David Anvar, Forrest Grinstead, Nathan Knapp, Micah Yairi, Craig Ciesla
  • Publication number: 20170199573
    Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes a tactile layer defining a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region; a substrate coupled to the peripheral region, a fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region, a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and a via fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and passing through the back surface; a bladder fluidly coupled to the via and the substrate; a structure adjacent a first side of the bladder; and a platen adjacent a second side of the bladder opposite the first side and compressing the bladder against the structure substantially perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the bladder and substantially parallel the substrate to displace fluid from the bladder and into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: Tactus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Calub, Carl Del Rosario, Mario Garcia, Michael Hammersley, Roman Rak, Curtis A. Ray, Micah Yairi, Nathan Knapp, Robert Adrian Ray, Brandon Miller, Kyle K. Gregory, Maxwell Harshorn Shimshak, Craig M. Ciesla
  • Patent number: 9430074
    Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes a tactile layer defining a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region; a substrate coupled to the peripheral region, a fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region, a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and a via fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and passing through the back surface; a bladder fluidly coupled to the via and the substrate; a structure adjacent a first side of the bladder; and a platen adjacent a second side of the bladder opposite the first side and compressing the bladder against the structure substantially perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the bladder and substantially parallel the substrate to displace fluid from the bladder and into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Tactus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Guron Calub, Carl del Rosario, Mario Garcia, Michael Hammersley, Roman Rak, Curtis Ray, Micah Yairi, Nathan Knapp, Robert Adrian Ray, Brandon Gregory Miller, Kyle Gregory, Maxwell Harshorn Shimshak, Craig Ciesla
  • Publication number: 20160187981
    Abstract: A dynamic tactile interface includes a dynamic tactile layer and a manual fluid actuator. The manual fluid actuator includes a displacement device including a bladder, a platen adjacent the bladder, an elongated member coupled to the platen, and a rotary actuator, the elongated member and the rotary actuator translating rotation of the rotary actuator into translation of the platen, the platen compressing the bladder in response to rotation of the rotary actuator in a first direction and expanding the bladder in response to rotation of the rotary actuator in a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Curtis A. Ray, Mario Sotelo Garcia, JR., Roman Rak, Forrest Russell Grinstead, Robert Adrian Ray, Micah Yairi
  • Publication number: 20160187980
    Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a dynamic tactile layer including a deformable region and a first region, the deformable region operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting, the first region adjacent the deformable region, the deformable region tactilely distinguishable from the first region in the expanded setting; a displacement device including a fluid vessel and an actuator, the actuator displacing fluid from the fluid vessel into the dynamic tactile layer to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting into the expanded setting and displacing fluid from the dynamic tactile layer into the fluid vessel, transitioning the deformable region from the expanded setting into the retracted setting; and a fluid compensation device coupled to the displacement device and adjusting a configuration of the displacement device in response to a change in a volume of fluid contained within the fluid vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Curtis A. Ray, Mario Sotelo Garcia, JR., Roman Rak, Forrest Russell Grinstead, Maxwell Harshorn Shimshak
  • Patent number: 9372565
    Abstract: The dynamic tactile interface includes: a tactile layer defining a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region and operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting; a substrate including an attachment surface and coupled to the peripheral region and defining a fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit; a border region proximal a periphery of the substrate and defining a cavity configured to receive an instrument, the cavity supporting the instrument in a first configuration and releasing the instrument in a second configuration; and a bladder fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and coupled to the cavity, the instrument compressing a portion of the bladder in the first configuration to displace fluid from the bladder into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Tactus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Guron Calub, Carl del Rosario, Mario Garcia, Michael Hammersley, Roman Rak, Curtis Ray, Micah Yairi, Nathan Knapp, Robert Adrian Ray, Brandon Gregory Miller, Kyle Gregory, Maxwell Harshorn Shimshak, Craig Ciesla
  • Publication number: 20160162029
    Abstract: A dynamic tactile interface including a substrate including an attachment surface, a cavity, and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the cavity; a pedestal arranged within the cavity, pivotable within the cavity, and including a mating surface and an exterior surface; a tactile layer including a peripheral region coupled to the attachment surface, a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region and arranged over the pedestal, and a tactile surface opposite the substrate; and a displacement device displacing fluid to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting, the pedestal pivotable within the cavity between a first position and a second position in the retracted setting, the deformable region flush with the peripheral region in the first position and the pedestal partially elevated out of the cavity and the deformable region defining a second formation tactilely distinguishable from the peripheral region in the expanded setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Micah Yairi, Roman Rak, Jonathon Jenkins, Craig Ciesla
  • Patent number: 9298262
    Abstract: A dynamic tactile interface including a substrate including an attachment surface, a cavity, and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the cavity; a pedestal arranged within the cavity, pivotable within the cavity, and including a mating surface and an exterior surface; a tactile layer including a peripheral region coupled to the attachment surface, a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region and arranged over the pedestal, and a tactile surface opposite the substrate; and a displacement device displacing fluid to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting, the pedestal pivotable within the cavity between a first position and a second position in the retracted setting, the deformable region flush with the peripheral region in the first position and the pedestal partially elevated out of the cavity and the deformable region defining a second formation tactilely distinguishable from the peripheral region in the expanded setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Tactus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Micah Yairi, Roman Rak, Jonathon Jenkins, Craig Ciesla
  • Patent number: 9239623
    Abstract: A dynamic tactile interface including a substrate including a fluid conduit, a shelf adjacent the fluid conduit, and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit; a flap including a distal end and a proximal end, the flap extending across the fluid conduit and hinged to the substrate at the proximal end; a tactile layer including a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region and arranged over the flap, and a tactile surface opposite the substrate; and a displacement device displacing fluid to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting, the distal end of the flap engaging the shelf in the retracted setting, and the distal end of the flap lifted off of the shelf and the deformable region in the expanded setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Tactus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Micah Yairi, Roman Rak, Jonathon Jenkins, Craig Ciesla
  • Publication number: 20150293633
    Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a tactile layer including a deformable region and a peripheral region adjacent the deformable region; a substrate coupled to the tactile layer, the substrate defining fluid channel and cooperating with the deformable region to define a variable volume fluidly coupled to the fluid channel; a displacement device coupled to the bladder, displacing fluid into the variable volume to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting, and displacing fluid out of the variable volume to transition the deformable region from the expanded setting to the retracted setting, the displacement device defining a equilibrium range of fluid pressures within the fluid channel; a reservoir fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and supporting a reserve volume of fluid; and a valve selectively controlling transfer of fluid from the reservoir to the fluid channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Curtis Ray, Mario Garcia, Roman Rak, Rob Ray, Max Shimshak, Michael Ray, David Anvar, Forrest Grinstead, Nathan Knapp, Micah Yairi, Craig Ciesla
  • Publication number: 20150205419
    Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes a tactile layer defining a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region; a substrate coupled to the peripheral region, a fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region, a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and a via fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and passing through the back surface; a bladder fluidly coupled to the via and the substrate; a structure adjacent a first side of the bladder; and a platen adjacent a second side of the bladder opposite the first side and compressing the bladder against the structure substantially perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the bladder and substantially parallel the substrate to displace fluid from the bladder and into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Ben Guron Calub, Carl del Rosario, Mario Garcia, Michael Hammersley, Roman Rak, Curtis Ray, Micah Yairi, Nathan Knapp, Robert Adrian Ray, Brandon Gregory Miller, Kyle Gregory, Maxwell Harshorn Shimshak, Craig Ciesla
  • Publication number: 20150205420
    Abstract: The dynamic tactile interface includes: a tactile layer defining a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region and operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting; a substrate including an attachment surface and coupled to the peripheral region and defining a fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit; a border region proximal a periphery of the substrate and defining a cavity configured to receive an instrument, the cavity supporting the instrument in a first configuration and releasing the instrument in a second configuration; and a bladder fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and coupled to the cavity, the instrument compressing a portion of the bladder in the first configuration to displace fluid from the bladder into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Ben Guron Calub, Carl del Rosario, Mario Garcia, Michael Hammersley, Roman Rak, Curtis Ray, Micah Yairi, Nathan Knapp, Robert Adrian Ray, Brandon Gregory Miller, Kyle Gregory, Maxwell Harshorn Shimshak, Craig Ciesla
  • Publication number: 20150077367
    Abstract: A dynamic tactile interface including a substrate including an attachment surface, a cavity, and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the cavity; a pedestal arranged within the cavity, pivotable within the cavity, and including a mating surface and an exterior surface; a tactile layer including a peripheral region coupled to the attachment surface, a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region and arranged over the pedestal, and a tactile surface opposite the substrate; and a displacement device displacing fluid to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting, the pedestal pivotable within the cavity between a first position and a second position in the retracted setting, the deformable region flush with the peripheral region in the first position and the pedestal partially elevated out of the cavity and the deformable region defining a second formation tactilely distinguishable from the peripheral region in the expanded setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Micah Yairi, Roman Rak, Jonathon Jenkins, Craig Ciesla
  • Publication number: 20150077366
    Abstract: A dynamic tactile interface including a substrate including a fluid conduit, a shelf adjacent the fluid conduit, and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit; a flap including a distal end and a proximal end, the flap extending across the fluid conduit and hinged to the substrate at the proximal end; a tactile layer including a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region and arranged over the flap, and a tactile surface opposite the substrate; and a displacement device displacing fluid to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting, the distal end of the flap engaging the shelf in the retracted setting, and the distal end of the flap lifted off of the shelf and the deformable region in the expanded setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Micah Yairi, Roman Rak, Jonathon Jenkins, Craig Ciesla
  • Patent number: 8963744
    Abstract: A key activation system for use in an electronic device is provided. The system comprises an activation mechanism associated with a key in the system, a first feedback system and a second feedback system. The activation mechanism is associated with the key activation system and provides a first feedback sense when the activation mechanism has triggered the first activation condition. The second feedback system provides a second feedback sense indicating when the key triggers the second activation condition. In the system, the second feedback system operates independently from the activation mechanism and the first activation condition is triggered before the second activation condition when the activation mechanism is initially engaged. An activation mechanism may be centrally located for a set of keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jason Griffin, Roman Rak, Steven Fyke, Norman Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 8822861
    Abstract: A friction device, keypad assembly and portable electronic device are disclosed. In one embodiment, there is provided a keypad assembly for a portable electronic device, comprising: a keypad having a number of keys each having an actuator post attached to a back side thereof; a circuit board; a light guide located between the keypad and the circuit board, the light guide defining a number of holes which provide paths for respective actuator posts to travel through to contact respective electrical switches on the circuit board; and at least one friction device located in one of the holes of the light guide, the friction device providing a physical barrier limiting movement of the actuator post in a direction normal to a direction of actuation, the friction device applying friction to at least one side of the actuator post and resisting movement of the actuator post in the direction of actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Roman Rak, Albert Murray Pegg
  • Patent number: D771634
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Tactus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Garcia, Roman Rak, Katja Piililä, Kenny Woo
  • Patent number: D777728
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Tactus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Garcia, Roman Rak, Katja Piililä, Kenny Woo
  • Patent number: D795860
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Tactus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roman Rak, Mario Garcia, Curtis Ray, Forrest Grinstead, Katja Piililä, Kenny Woo, Michael Stanley Roberts, Hanna marie Bossmark, Gregorie Vandenbussche, Christopher Kuh