Patents by Inventor Vincent Levesque

Vincent Levesque 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).

  • Publication number: 20150145656
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods of transferring/storing digital content, and/or providing haptic feedback via wearable devices directly or indirectly responsive to an event such as a communication, an event occurring in an electronic environment and/or physical environment, the transfer of digital content, and/or other events. Wearable devices may be worn at various locations on a body of the user. Each location may be associated with a wearable device. Different haptic feedback may be provided at different locations based on the event such that the events may be distinguished or otherwise identified based on the location at which haptic feedback is provided. The locations may be stored in a configuration of wearable devices that act as a mapping of the wearable devices. The locations and/or haptic feedback itself may be varied based on the context and/or properties such as size of digital content or status of the transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent LEVESQUE, Ali MODARRES, Amaya Becvar WEDDLE, David M. BIRNBAUM, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Henry DA COSTA
  • Patent number: 9041647
    Abstract: A user interface device includes a housing, a user input element supported by the housing, and a haptic output device supported by the housing. The haptic output device is configured to generate a haptic effect at a surface of the user interface device. The surface is part of the housing and/or the user input element. A processor disposed within the housing. The processor is configured to receive an input command from the user input element, communicate the input command to a host computer, receive an output command from the host computer, and output a haptic signal based on the output command to the haptic output device to generate the haptic effect at the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Vincent Levesque
  • Publication number: 20150070150
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for providing haptic effects based on information complementary to multimedia content. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving multimedia data comprising multimedia content and complementary data, wherein the complementary data describes the multimedia content, determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the complementary data, and outputting the haptic effect while playing the multimedia content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Jamal Saboune
  • Publication number: 20150070154
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for converting a control track designed for use with a number and/or type of haptic output devices to be used with other numbers and/or types of haptic output devices. For example, a computing device may convert the control track into another control track that can be applied to other types and/or numbers of haptic output devices. The converted control track may be compatible for use with a smartphone or other system that includes a different number and/or type of haptic feedback devices than the system for which the haptic track was originally designed. In this manner, the user of the smartphone or other system may experience haptic feedback using a device that is different from another haptic feedback system for which the control track was originally designed for use. The conversion may occur locally at the smartphone or other system and/or remotely at another device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Vincent LEVESQUE, Jamal SABOUNE, David M. BIRNBAUM
  • Publication number: 20150070148
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating haptic effects associated with audio signals are disclosed. One disclosed system for outputting haptic effects includes a processor configured to: receive an audio signal; determine a haptic effect based in part on the audio signal by: identifying one or more components in the audio signal; and determining a haptic effect associated with the one or more components; and output a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Jamal Saboune, Vincent Levesque, Ali Modarres
  • Publication number: 20150042573
    Abstract: Systems and methods for haptic fiddling are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor signal indicating an interaction with an electronic device is received by the electronic device. In response to receiving the sensor signal, the electronic device may output an output signal. The output signal may be output to a display, a haptic output device, an audio device, and/or another output device. The output signal can correspond to a modality. After outputting the output signal, another sensor signal indicating another interaction with the electronic device may be received by the electronic device. This interaction may be associated with the previously-received interaction. In response to receiving this interaction, the electronic device may output another output signal to the same output device(s) and/or different output device(s). The second output signal may correspond to one or more different modalities than the previous output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Danny Grant, Vincent Levesque, Amaya Weddle, David Birnbaum, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hermandez, Jamal Saboune
  • Publication number: 20150022466
    Abstract: A system configured to activate a hidden control includes a sensor configured to sense an input by a user. The input includes a gesture. The system includes a haptic output device configured to output a haptic feedback as the input is being sensed, and a processor configured to determine if the sensed input corresponds to a predetermined gesture associated with activation of a control, and if the sensed input corresponds to the predetermined gesture to activate the control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Vincent Levesque
  • Publication number: 20150009168
    Abstract: Systems and methods for perceptual normalization of haptic effects are disclosed. One system may include a first sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a touch surface and transmit a first sensor signal associated with the user interaction; a second sensor configured to detect a feature associated with the touch surface and transmit a second sensor signal associated with the feature; a processor in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor, the processor configured to: determine a first haptic effect based on the user interaction; determine a modified haptic effect based in part first haptic effect and on the feature; output a haptic signal associated with the modified haptic effect; and a haptic output device in communication with the processor and coupled to the touch surface, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the modified haptic effect to the touch surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Ali Modarres, Neil Olien, Danny Grant, Erin Ramsay, David Birnbaum, Amaya Weddle
  • Publication number: 20140320431
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a first haptic output device configured to receive a first haptic signal and output a first haptic effect to a deformable surface and a second haptic output device configured to receive a second haptic signal and output a second haptic effect to the deformable surface. The illustrative system further includes a processor coupled to the first haptic output device and the second haptic output device, the processor configured to: determine an event, determine a first haptic effect and a second haptic effect based at least in part on the event, transmit a first haptic signal associated with the first haptic effect to the first haptic output device, and transmit a second haptic signal associated with the second haptic effect to the second haptic output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny Grant, Vincent Levesque, Ali Modarres
  • Publication number: 20140320393
    Abstract: A flexible device includes a bendable-foldable display that has bendable flaps connected by a hinge. The display has sensors for detecting a folding characteristic between the at least two flaps and for detecting a bending characteristic in at least one flap. The display has a haptic system with haptic output devices, where the haptic system receives input from the sensors indicating deformation of the bendable-foldable display device. A flexible device also includes bendable, foldable, or rollable displays that have sensors and actuators to augment user interaction with the device. Based on one or more measurements provided by the input, the haptic system interprets the input to determine deformation characteristics of the bendable-foldable display device. The haptic system generates haptic feedback based on the deformation characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Ali MODARRES, Vincent LEVESQUE, Danny GRANT, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • Publication number: 20140320436
    Abstract: A user interface device includes a flexible layer comprising a touch surface configured to receive a touch by a user, a plurality of haptic cells covered by the flexible layer, each haptic cell comprising a haptic output device, a sensor configured to sense an amount and/or rate of deformation of the flexible layer when a user touches the touch surface, and a processor configured to receive an output signal from the sensor, generate a haptic control signal based on the output signal from the sensor, and output the haptic control signal to at least one haptic output device of the plurality of haptic cells to cause the haptic output device to deform an associated haptic cell in response to the sensed deformation of the flexible layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ali MODARRES, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Danny A. GRANT, Vincent LEVESQUE
  • 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: 20140267065
    Abstract: A system that generates haptic effects senses contact on an interface by a contactor/object. The system then determines one or more properties of the contactor and generates a type of haptic effect in response to the contact. The type of haptic effect is based at least on the one or more properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vincent LEVESQUE
  • Publication number: 20140267013
    Abstract: A user interface device includes a housing, a user input element supported by the housing, and a haptic output device supported by the housing. The haptic output device is configured to generate a haptic effect at a surface of the user interface device. The surface is part of the housing and/or the user input element. A processor disposed within the housing. The processor is configured to receive an input command from the user input element, communicate the input command to a host computer, receive an output command from the host computer, and output a haptic signal based on the output command to the haptic output device to generate the haptic effect at the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Vincent Levesque
  • Publication number: 20140256438
    Abstract: Systems, electronic devices, and methods provide haptic sensations as a function of eye gaze. A system may include a detector configured to determine a direction of an eye gaze of a user of the system, a processor configured to generate signal representative of a haptic effect based on the direction of the eye gaze, and a haptic output device configured to receive the signal from the processor and output the haptic effect to the user. A method for providing a haptic effect to a user of a system may include determining a direction of an eye gaze of the user of the system, generating a haptic effect based on the direction of the eye gaze, and outputting the haptic effect to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Vincent Levesque
  • Publication number: 20140253303
    Abstract: A system is provided that automatically adjusts a haptic effect. The system generates a haptic effect based on one or more haptic parameters. The system measures an affective state of a user that experiences the haptic effect. The system adjusts at least one haptic parameter of the one or more haptic parameters based on the measured affective state. The system generates a new haptic effect based on the one or more haptic parameters, where the at least one haptic effect parameter causes the new haptic effect to be different from the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Vincent LEVESQUE
  • Publication number: 20140253302
    Abstract: Systems and methods for haptics in vibrating environments and devices are disclosed. For example, one described system includes: a haptic output device; a processor coupled to the haptic output device, the processor configured to: determine that a haptic effect should be generated; receive a signal associated with a parasitic vibration; determine a haptic effect based in part on the parasitic vibration; and output a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to the haptic output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Amaya Weddle
  • Publication number: 20140232534
    Abstract: A haptically enabled system receives information and determines that a user of the system should be notified of the information. The system further receives and analyzes inputs to determine a context of the user. The system then generates an instinctive alert based on the context, where the instinctive alert is configured to impart a desired emotion on the user. The system then displays the instinctive alert based on the context.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: David BIRNBAUM, Vincent LEVESQUE, Danny GRANT
  • Publication number: 20140208204
    Abstract: A haptic device includes a display configured to display an image, a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect to a user when the user interacts with the display, and a processor configured to receive information related to the image displayed on the display. The processor is also configured to create a friction based haptic effect map associated with the image displayed on the display, and generate a signal to the haptic output device to output the haptic effect when the user interacts with the display when the image is displayed on the display, the haptic effect being configured to simulate a feel of the image in three dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Lacroix, Vincent Levesque
  • Publication number: 20140139448
    Abstract: A haptic effect enabled device for producing a haptic effect. In some cases, the haptic effect may represent a component of a spatial pattern represented on a surface of the haptic effect enabled device. In some cases, the haptic effect enabled device may comprise a haptic output device, a drive module, and a drive circuit. The drive module may receive information indicative of a location of a touch input at the surface and determine whether the touch input's location corresponds with a location of one of multiple components of the spatial pattern. The drive module may generate a drive signal that the drive circuit then applies to the haptic output device to generate the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ