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).

  • Systems and methods for shape input and output for a haptically-enabled deformable surface
    Patent number: 10203757
    Abstract: One illustrative computing device disclosed herein includes a first sensor configured to detect a position associated with a deformable surface and transmit a sensor signal associated with the position; and a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the sensor signal; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative computing device also includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant, Jamal Saboune, Abdelwahab Hamam, William Rihn
  • Haptic feedback in a haptically noisy environment
    Patent number: 10204493
    Abstract: A method for providing haptic feedback is provided for a device that produces haptic noise, such as a power tool with an electric motor that produces noises and vibrations while in operation. An environmental condition of the device can be sensed while the device is being operated and generating haptic noise. A haptic noise characteristic of the device can be determined. A haptic drive signal based on the environmental condition and haptic noise characteristic can be generated. The haptic drive signal can be applied to a haptic output device associated with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Vincent Levesque, Jamal Saboune, Danny Grant, Robert Lacroix, Abdelwahab Hamam
  • Systems and Methods for Deformation-Based Haptic Effects
    Publication number: 20190038966
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a deformation sensor configured to detect a deformation of a deformable surface and transmit a first sensor signal associated with the deformation. The system also includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a user input device and transmit a second sensor signal associated with the user interaction. The system further includes a processor configured to: receive the first sensor signal; receive the second sensor signal; execute a function based at least in part on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal. The processor is also configured to: determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the first sensor signal or the second sensor signal; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Ali Modarres, William Rihn
  • HAPTIC IMPLANTS
    Publication number: 20190038496
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to haptic devices for implantation in a human subject. Such haptic devices can include various actuators, including both active and passive haptic actuators, for providing feedback to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Vincent LEVESQUE, David M. BIRNBAUM, Benoit Paul BELLEY, Jamal SABOUNE, Abdelwahab HAMAM, Ravikumar PATEL, Christopher ULLRICH, Mohammadreza MOTAMEDI, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • SINGLE ACTUATOR HAPTIC EFFECTS
    Publication number: 20190041986
    Abstract: A haptic enabled device that is configured to render one or more haptic effects is provided. The haptic enabled device includes an actuator and a plurality of user input elements. Each of the plurality of user input elements is configured to be selectively coupled to the actuator. In addition, the actuator is configured to be positioned to render the one or more haptic effects at each of the plurality of user input elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: William S. RIHN, Mohammadreza MOTAMEDI, Danny A. GRANT, Neil T. OLIEN, Vincent LEVESQUE, Jamal SABOUNE
  • Delivery of haptics to select recipients of a message
    Patent number: 10200332
    Abstract: Systems and methods, by which a sender can deliver haptic messages to selected recipients within a larger group of recipients that are otherwise receiving a common message, are disclosed. The haptic messages can be individualized according to a recipient's profile, preference, and/or relationship with the sender. The haptic message can be created by the sender or selected from a pre-existing library of messages, and can be delivered automatically or assigned by the sender. The haptic messages can be dynamically changed in response to haptic feedback and supplemental data collected from the recipients that is used to update preferences and profiles of message recipients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Liwen Wu, Henry Da Costa, Changyu Yang, Vincent Levesque, Hua Yu, David M. Birnbaum, Christopher Ullrich
  • Haptic feedback for opportunistic displays
    Patent number: 10198072
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a computing device in communication with a sensor configured to detect a display device near the sensor, the computing device, or within a field of view of a user of the computing device. The sensor can also be configured to transmit a signal associated with the display device to a processor in communication with the sensor. The processor is configured to determine an availability of the display device to display or output content (e.g., texts, images, sounds, videos, etc.) and a location of the display device based on the signal. The processor is also configured to determine a haptic effect based on the availability and the location of the display device and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vincent Levesque
  • System, device, and method for providing haptic feedback responsive to transfer of digital content
    Patent number: 10192211
    Abstract: A system, method, and device for providing haptic feedback is presented. The system comprises a first device, a second device, and a third device. The first device has a first haptic output device, a first processor, and a first wireless communication unit. The second device has a second haptic output device, a second processor, and a second wireless communication unit. The third device has a third processor and a third wireless communication unit configured to transfer digital content between the third device and at least the first device. At least one processor of the first processor, second processor, and third processor is configured, when digital content is transferred or is being transferred between the third device and the first device, to cause the first haptic output device to output a first haptic feedback and to cause the second haptic output device to output a second haptic feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Ali Modarres, Amaya Becvar Weddle, David M. Birnbaum, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Henry Da Costa
  • Systems and methods for location-based notifications for shopping assistance
    Patent number: 10185986
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for location-based notifications for shopping assistance. One disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a list of items for a shopping list; obtaining a location of at least one of the items in the list; responsive to a determination that a proximity of a user device to the location is within a threshold proximity of the location: generating a notification signal based on the proximity of the user device to the location; and outputting the notification signal to cause the user device to output a notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Alex Zhu, Eric Gervais, Fengtian An, Johnny N. Maalouf, Eric Lajeunesse
  • Systems and methods for position-based haptic effects
    Patent number: 10185441
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a gesture and transmit an associated sensor signal. The gesture includes a first position at a distance from a surface and a second position contacting the surface. The system also includes a processor in communication with the sensor and configured to: receive the sensor signal from the sensor, and determine one or more haptic effects based at least in part on the sensor signal. The one or more haptic effects are configured to provide substantially continuous haptic feedback throughout the gesture. The processor is also configured to generate one or more haptic signals based at least in part on the one or more haptic effects, and transmit the one or more haptic signals. The system includes a haptic output device for receiving the one or more haptic signals and outputting the one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vahid Khoshkava, Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Mansoor Alghooneh, William Rihn
  • Systems and methods to generate haptic feedback for skin-mediated interactions
    Patent number: 10176679
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor configured to sense an input at a skin surface, a processor configured to receive an output signal from the sensor and generate a haptic control signal based on the output signal, and a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect based on the haptic control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Systems and Methods for Providing Haptic Feedback Via a Case
    Publication number: 20190004608
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a case configured to mechanically couple with a mobile device and position the mobile device such that the mobile device serves as a display for the case. The system also includes a processor coupled to the case and configured to generate a haptic signal based at least in part on a characteristic of the case. The system also includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor and configured to receive the haptic signal and output a haptic effect in response to the haptic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant, Razmik Mousakhanian, Andry Rabemiarisoa, Gor Isajanyan, Alex Zhu
  • Wearable Article Having An Actuator That Performs Non-Haptic and Haptic Operations
    Publication number: 20180365941
    Abstract: A haptic zipper is provided. The haptic zipper includes a first chain, a second chain opposing the first chain, a slider, an actuator coupled to the slider, and a controller coupled to the actuator. The slider is coupled to the first chain and the second chain to mesh or disengage opposing teeth of the first and second chains. The controller is configured to process an input signal including data related to a haptic effect, generate a haptic drive signal based on the data, and transmit the haptic drive signal to the actuator to render the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Vahid Khoshkava
  • Haptically enabled flexible devices
    Patent number: 10152125
    Abstract: A haptic effect enabled flexible device is presented that includes a flexible frame, a processor, a flexible display and an actuator system. The processor is configured to receive a data stream where the data stream contains visual content. The flexible display is connected to the flexible frame and is designed to display the visual content from the data stream. The actuator system is also connected to the flexible frame and receives drive commands from the processor as a result of the processor executing a plurality of haptic instructions. The drive commands direct the actuator system to deform the flexible device. Execution of the plurality of haptic instructions is synchronized with the display of the visual content on the flexible display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vincent Levesque
  • EXTERNALLY-ACTIVATED HAPTIC DEVICES AND SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20180350201
    Abstract: Examples of externally-activated devices and systems are disclosed. One example system includes a first device having an actuation component; and a second device having a haptic output component, wherein: the first device and the second device are configured to be physically separable from each other; the actuation component is configured to transmit an actuation signal to the haptic output component while the first device and the second device are physically separated from each other, and the haptic output component configured to output a haptic effect in response to receiving the actuation signal and while the first device and the second device are physically separated from each other, the haptic effect based on the actuation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, David M. Birnbaum, Benoit Belley, Jamal Saboune, Vahid Khoshkava, Simon Forest, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Automated haptic setting generation
    Patent number: 10146314
    Abstract: A system and method of generating a set of preferred haptic settings for a user based on haptic settings chosen by other similar users is presented. The method includes maintaining a database of haptic software applications with associated haptic configuration settings. When a user loads a haptic software application such as a computer game or video, a server receives a communication identifying the particular computer game or video and the identity of the user. The server searches the database for other users of the computer game or video where the other users have similar setting preferences as the user. The server calculates a preferred set of configuration settings and sends those settings to the user where a haptic output device produces haptic effects based on the preferred set of configuration settings. A system that generates haptic setting based on similar users is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vincent Levesque
  • HAPTIC NOTIFICATION MANAGER
    Publication number: 20180341451
    Abstract: A notification manager is provided that manages notifications for a user. The notification manager detects a notification event and determines a context of the notification event. The notification manager determines a target device for the notification event based on the determined context and one or more available displays. The notification manager then generates a notification on one or more of the one or more available displays to direct the user's attention to the target device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Vincent LEVESQUE, Danny GRANT, Jean-Francois BLANCHARD-DIONNE, Amaya Becvar WEDDLE, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ
  • Method and apparatus for simulating surface features on a user interface with haptic effects
    Patent number: 10139912
    Abstract: A haptic effect enabled device for simulating a tactile sensation on a surface. In some cases, the haptic effect enabled device may be a user interface device, and the tactile sensation may be simulated on a surface of the user interface device. The interface device may include a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect, such as a periodic haptic effect, at the surface. The interface device may include a drive module configured to generate a periodic drive signal based on a touch input at the surface of the interface device and based on the tactile sensation to be simulated at the surface. The interface device may include a drive circuit operatively coupled to the drive module and the haptic output device and configured to apply the periodic drive signal to the haptic output device. In some cases, the surface may be separate from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Method and system for providing haptic effects based on information complementary to multimedia content
    Patent number: 10140823
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Jamal Saboune
  • Systems and Methods for Object Manipulation with Haptic Feedback
    Publication number: 20180335847
    Abstract: One illustrative computing device disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a physical object and transmit a sensor signal associated with the user interaction. The illustrative computing device also includes a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine a characteristic of the physical object based on the sensor signal; determine a haptic effect associated with the characteristic; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative computing device further includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Wei Zhu, Eric Gervais, Fengtain An, Eric Lajeunesse, Johnny Maalouf