Patents by Inventor Stephen Rank

Stephen Rank 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: 10725548
    Abstract: The embodiments are directed toward techniques for isolating a user input signal at a haptic output device. A signal originating from a user input element associated with the haptic output device is received. The received signal is separated into a first component including the user input signal, and a second component including a haptic feedback signal. While the first component is processed, the second component can be discarded or otherwise ignored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Srivatsav Venkatesan, Kaniyalal Shah, Douglas George Billington, Stephen Rank, Daniel Parker, Aaron Kapelus
  • Patent number: 10627907
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering a haptic effect at a user input element associated with a haptic output device are provided. A primary range and a secondary range of positions are defined for the user input element associated with the haptic output device. In addition, a boundary range of positions is defined for the user input element associated with the haptic output device, the boundary range partially overlapping each of the primary and secondary ranges. A position of the user input element is monitored, and the haptic effect rendered in response to an entry of the user input element to positions within the boundary range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Srivatsav Venkatesan, Kaniyalal Shah, Douglas George Billington, Aaron Kapelus, Stephen Rank, Daniel Parker
  • Patent number: 10613628
    Abstract: The embodiments are directed toward techniques for modifying a haptic effect that is rendered based on a media stream. Upon receiving the media stream, a haptic drive signal is generated based on the media stream. The haptic drive signal is then applied to render the haptic effect at a haptic output device. Within a media editing application, the media stream may be modified. In response to the modification, a modified haptic drive signal may be generated based on the modification to the media stream. As a result, a modified haptic effect is rendered at the haptic output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Srivatsav Venkatesan, Kaniyalal Shah, Stephen Rank, William S. Rihn
  • Patent number: 10613636
    Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting the playback rate of haptic effects to a desired playback rate. A desired playback rate is determined. A portion of a haptic signal based on the desired playback rate is generated. The portion of the haptic signal is sent to a haptic output device, causing the haptic output device to output haptic effects at a playback rate corresponding to the desired playback rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Jamal Saboune, Stephen Rank, Amer Alhalabi, Shadi Asfour, Changyu Yang
  • Patent number: 10467870
    Abstract: A haptic conversion system is provided that analyzes an audio signal, generates a plurality of haptic signals based on the analysis of the audio signal, and plays the generated plurality of haptic signals through a plurality of actuators to produce one or more haptic effects. The haptic conversion system maps the generated plurality of haptic signals to the plurality of actuators based on one or more audio characteristics of the audio signal. Each generated haptic signal includes one or more haptic parameters, and is played at its mapped actuator to generate the one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henry Da Costa, Herve Thu Timone, Robert Heubel, Stephen Rank, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny Grant
  • Patent number: 10452170
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power and/or current consumption for multiple haptic output devices are provided. Various features of the haptic output device may be described within a data structure. In response to a haptic instruction, a power budget for the haptic output device may be determined in accordance with its operational characteristics. A drive signal may then be applied to the haptic output device to produce the haptic effect in accordance with the calculated power budget. The calculated power budget may be configured to limit the current or power drawn by the haptic output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Srivatsav Venkatesan, Kaniyalal Shah, Douglas George Billington, Stephen Rank
  • Publication number: 20190272035
    Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting the playback rate of haptic effects to a desired playback rate. A desired playback rate is determined. A portion of a haptic signal based on the desired playback rate is generated. The portion of the haptic signal is sent to a haptic output device, causing the haptic output device to output haptic effects at a playback rate corresponding to the desired playback rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Jamal SABOUNE, Stephen RANK, Amer ALHALABI, Shadi ASFOUR, Changyu YANG
  • Publication number: 20190258328
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power and/or current consumption for multiple haptic output devices are provided. Various features of the haptic output device may be described within a data structure. In response to a haptic instruction, a power budget for the haptic output device may be determined in accordance with its operational characteristics. A drive signal may then be applied to the haptic output device to produce the haptic effect in accordance with the calculated power budget. The calculated power budget may be configured to limit the current or power drawn by the haptic output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Srivatsav VENKATESAN, Kaniyalal SHAH, Douglas George BILLINGTON, Stephen RANK
  • Patent number: 10268286
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power and/or current consumption for multiple haptic output devices are provided. Various features of the haptic output device may be described within a data structure. In response to a haptic instruction, a power budget for the haptic output device may be determined in accordance with its operational characteristics. A drive signal may then be applied to the haptic output device to produce the haptic effect in accordance with the calculated power budget. The calculated power budget may be configured to limit the current or power drawn by the haptic output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Srivatsav Venkatesan, Kaniyalal Shah, Douglas George Billington, Stephen Rank
  • Patent number: 10261582
    Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting the playback rate of haptic effects to a desired playback rate. A desired playback rate is determined. A portion of a haptic signal based on the desired playback rate is generated. The portion of the haptic signal is sent to a haptic output device, causing the haptic output device to output haptic effects at a playback rate corresponding to the desired playback rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jamal Saboune, Stephen Rank, Amer Alhalabi, Shadi Asfour, Changyu Yang
  • Publication number: 20190087006
    Abstract: Devices and methods for modifying haptic effects are provided. The devices may include computer systems and haptic enabled devices. A haptic output command configured to produce desired haptic effects may be determined. Fatigue levels may be determined according to haptic effect density of performed haptic effects and inputs received from control devices. According to fatigue levels, modified haptic effects may be determined to replace the desired haptic effects and corresponding haptic output commands may be generated and output to haptic output devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: William RIHN, Stephen Rank
  • Publication number: 20190051125
    Abstract: A haptic conversion system is provided that analyzes an audio signal, generates a plurality of haptic signals based on the analysis of the audio signal, and plays the generated plurality of haptic signals through a plurality of actuators to produce one or more haptic effects. The haptic conversion system maps the generated plurality of haptic signals to the plurality of actuators based on one or more audio characteristics of the audio signal. Each generated haptic signal includes one or more haptic parameters, and is played at its mapped actuator to generate the one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Henry DA COSTA, Herve Thu TIMONE, Robert HEUBEL, Stephen RANK, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Danny GRANT
  • Publication number: 20190041990
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering a haptic effect at a user input element associated with a haptic output device are provided. A primary range and a secondary range of positions are defined for the user input element associated with the haptic output device. In addition, a boundary range of positions is defined for the user input element associated with the haptic output device, the boundary range partially overlapping each of the primary and secondary ranges. A position of the user input element is monitored, and the haptic effect rendered in response to an entry of the user input element to positions within the boundary range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Srivatsav VENKATESAN, Kaniyalal SHAH, Douglas George BILLINGTON, Aaron KAPELUS, Stephen RANK, Daniel PARKER
  • Publication number: 20180321751
    Abstract: The embodiments are directed toward techniques for isolating a user input signal at a haptic output device. A signal originating from a user input element associated with the haptic output device is received. The received signal is separated into a first component including the user input signal, and a second component including a haptic feedback signal. While the first component is processed, the second component can be discarded or otherwise ignored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Srivatsav VENKATESAN, Kaniyalal SHAH, Douglas George BILLINGTON, Stephen RANK, Daniel PARKER, Aaron KAPELUS
  • Patent number: 10078370
    Abstract: Devices and methods for modifying haptic effects are provided. The devices may include computer systems and haptic enabled devices. A haptic output command configured to produce desired haptic effects may be determined. Fatigue levels may be determined according to haptic effect density of performed haptic effects and inputs received from control devices. According to fatigue levels, modified haptic effects may be determined to replace the desired haptic effects and corresponding haptic output commands may be generated and output to haptic output devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Rihn, Stephen Rank
  • Patent number: 10074246
    Abstract: A haptic conversion system is provided that analyzes an audio signal, generates a plurality of haptic signals based on the analysis of the audio signal, and plays the generated plurality of haptic signals through a plurality of actuators to produce one or more haptic effects. The haptic conversion system maps the generated plurality of haptic signals to the plurality of actuators based on one or more audio characteristics of the audio signal. Each generated haptic signal includes one or more haptic parameters, and is played at its mapped actuator to generate the one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henry Da Costa, Herve Thu Timone, Robert Heubel, Stephen Rank, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny Grant
  • Patent number: 10073523
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering a haptic effect at a user input element associated with a haptic output device are provided. A primary range and a secondary range of positions are defined for the user input element associated with the haptic output device. In addition, a boundary range of positions is defined for the user input element associated with the haptic output device, the boundary range partially overlapping each of the primary and secondary ranges. A position of the user input element is monitored, and the haptic effect rendered in response to an entry of the user input element to positions within the boundary range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Srivatsav Venkatesan, Kaniyalal Shah, Douglas George Billington, Stephen Rank, Daniel Parker, Aaron Kapelus
  • Patent number: 9996156
    Abstract: The embodiments are directed toward techniques for isolating a user input signal at a haptic output device. A signal originating from a user input element associated with the haptic output device is received. The received signal is separated into a first component including the user input signal, and a second component including a haptic feedback signal. While the first component is processed, the second component can be discarded or otherwise ignored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Srivatsav Venkatesan, Kaniyalal Shah, Douglas George Billington, Stephen Rank, Daniel Parker, Aaron Kapelus
  • Publication number: 20180143688
    Abstract: Devices and methods for modifying haptic effects are provided. The devices may include computer systems and haptic enabled devices. A haptic output command configured to produce desired haptic effects may be determined. Fatigue levels may be determined according to haptic effect density of performed haptic effects and inputs received from control devices. According to fatigue levels, modified haptic effects may be determined to replace the desired haptic effects and corresponding haptic output commands may be generated and output to haptic output devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: William RIHN, Stephen RANK
  • Publication number: 20180124475
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced television interaction are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes receiving notification information, the notification information indicating an event associated with video content displayed by a television device; determining a haptic effect associated with the notification information; generating and transmitting a haptic signal to a haptic output device, the haptic signal configured to cause the haptic output device to output the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny Grant, Pamela Pimentel, Eric Gervais, Vincent Levesque, Aaron Kapelus, Mina Chang, Daniel Parker, David Birnbaum, Li Jiang, Stephen Rank