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: 9866924
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny Grant, Pamela Pimentel, Eric Gervais, Vincent Levesque, Aaron Kapelus, Mina Chang, Daniel Parker, David Birnbaum, Li Jiang, Stephen Rank
  • Publication number: 20170301195
    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: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Henry DA COSTA, Herve Thu TIMONE, Robert HEUBEL, Stephen RANK, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Danny GRANT
  • Publication number: 20160320842
    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: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Jamal SABOUNE, Stephen RANK, Amer ALHALABI, Shadi ASFOUR, Changyu YANG
  • Publication number: 20160195930
    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: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Srivatsav VENKATESAN, Kaniyalal SHAH, Douglas George BILLINGTON, Stephen RANK, Daniel PARKER, Aaron KAPELUS
  • Publication number: 20160175705
    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: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Srivatsav Venkatesan, Kaniyalal Shah, Douglas George Billington, Stephen Rank, Daniel Parker, Aaron Kapelus
  • Publication number: 20160179220
    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: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Srivatsav VENKATESAN, Kaniyalal SHAH, Douglas George BILLINGTON, Stephen RANK
  • Publication number: 20160175704
    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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Srivatsav VENKATESAN, Kaniyalal SHAH, Stephen RANK, William S. RIHN
  • Publication number: 20140267911
    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: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Immerison Corporation
    Inventors: Danny Grant, Pamela Pimentel, Eric Gervais, Vincent Levesque, Aaron Kapelus, Mina Chang, Daniel Parker, David Birnbaum, Li Jiang, Stephen Rank
  • Publication number: 20060066569
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for providing customized “haptic messaging” to users of handheld communication devices in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, a method of providing haptic messaging to a hand communication device includes: associating an input signal with an event; determining a source of the event and selecting the control signal based on the determination; and outputting a control signal to an actuator coupled to the hand communication device. The control signal is configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the event. An event in the above may be a user interface navigation event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Jeffrey Eid, Shoichi Endo, Danny Grant, Stephen Rank