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).

  • WEARABLE DEVICE WITH FLEXIBLY MOUNTED HAPTIC OUTPUT DEVICE
    Publication number: 20180330585
    Abstract: A system includes a wearable device configured to be worn by a user. The wearable device includes a flexible mounting, and a haptic output device connected to the flexible mounting. The system includes a signal generator configured to generate a haptic signal and communicate the haptic signal to the haptic output device. The haptic signal includes a short duration control pulse configured to create a small deformation sensation to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Danny A. GRANT, Vincent LEVESQUE, Elena REDELSHEIMER, Daniel Gregory PARKER
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POSITION-BASED HAPTIC EFFECTS
    Publication number: 20180321787
    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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vahid Khoshkava, Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Mansoor Alghooneh, William Rihn
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING HAPTIC EFFECTS IN RESPONSE TO DEFORMATION OF A COVER FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
    Publication number: 20180321752
    Abstract: A system includes an electronic device that includes a display screen, a cover configured to cover the display screen, a sensor configured to sense an input gesture comprising deformation and/or movement of the cover relative to the electronic device, and a processor configured to determine an action for the electronic device to perform based on the input gesture, to determine a haptic effect to generate based on the input gesture and/or the action for the electronic device to perform, and to initiate the action. The system also includes a haptic output device configured to generate the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Vincent LEVESQUE, Jamal SABOUNE, Juan Manuel CRUZ HERNANDEZ, Abdelwahab HAMAM, Vahid KHOSHKAVA, Liwen WU
  • Systems and Methods for Force-Based Object Manipulation and Haptic Sensations
    Publication number: 20180314333
    Abstract: Systems and methods for force-based object manipulation and haptic sensations are disclosed. One disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a first signal indicating a location of a user interaction and receiving a second signal indicating a first force. The method also includes, if the location of the user interaction corresponds to an object displayed on a display screen: outputting a first haptic signal to a haptic output device to cause a first haptic effect; and outputting a second haptic signal to the haptic output device to cause a second haptic effect if the first force meets or exceeds a first force threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny Grant, Jamal Saboune, Liwen Wu, Kurt Eerik Stahlberg, Abdelwahab Hamam
  • Haptic effects conflict avoidance
    Patent number: 10102726
    Abstract: A method and system for avoiding haptic effects conflict is presented. A haptic enabled device configured to generate haptic effects associated with a first signature is used by a user. The system detects an additional source of haptic effects and determines a second signature associated with the haptic effects produced by the source. The system determines a preferred set of haptic configurations and modifies either the first or second signature based on the preferred set of haptic configurations to achieve a minimal conflict between the first and second signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vincent Levesque
  • Wearable article having an actuator that performs non-haptic and haptic operations
    Patent number: 10102722
    Abstract: A wearable haptics-enabled apparatus comprises a wearable article comprising an actuator and an input device. A controller is electrically connected to the actuator and the input device. The controller is configured to selectively transmit operation and haptic drive signals to the actuator, and to generate the haptic drive signal upon receiving an input signal from the input device. The haptic drive signal embodies a message. A method of delivering haptic feedback through a wearable article comprises: selectively generating a non-haptic drive signal and applying the non-haptic drive signal to an actuator; and selectively generating a haptic drive signal and applying the haptic drive signal to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Vahid Khoshkava
  • Method of and apparatus for converting control tracks for providing haptic feedback
    Patent number: 10102725
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Jamal Saboune, David M. Birnbaum
  • Systems and Methods for a Haptically-Enabled Projected User Interface
    Publication number: 20180292905
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a user input associated with a projected user interface and transmit a sensor signal associated with the user interaction, and a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal, determine a remote haptic effect based at least in part on the user input, generate a haptic signal based at least in part on the remote haptic effect, and transmit the haptic signal. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the remote haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Ali Modarres, Amaya B. Weddle, David M. Birnbaum
  • Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback via a case
    Patent number: 10095311
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant, Razmik Mousakhanian, Andry Rabemiarisoa, Gor Isajanyan, Alex Zhu
  • MULTI-STABLE HAPTIC FEEDBACK SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20180286189
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to haptic feedback systems that include multi-stable materials for providing haptic feedback to a user. Such haptic feedback systems are useful in structural materials, such as elements of wearables or accessories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Mohammadreza MOTAMEDI, Mansoor ALGHOONEH, Vahid KHOSHKAVA, Vincent LEVESQUE, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Jamal SABOUNE
  • Systems And Methods For Determining Haptic Effects For Multi-Touch Input
    Publication number: 20180275761
    Abstract: A system of the present disclosure may include a haptic output device configured to output a haptic effect to a touch surface; a touch sensitive input device configured to detect a first user interaction and transmit a first sensor signal, the touch sensitive input device further configured to detect a second user interaction and transmit a second sensor signal, wherein at least part of the first user interaction occurs at the same time as the second user interaction; a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal; determine a haptic effect based in part on the first user interaction and the second user interaction; transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to the haptic output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Crowd-based haptics
    Patent number: 10083578
    Abstract: A system produces haptic effects. The system receives input data associated with an event, identifies an element of the event in the input data, generates the haptic effects based on the element of the event, and produces the haptic effects via a haptic output device. In one embodiment, the haptic effects are generated by haptifying the element of the event. In one embodiment, the haptic effects are designed haptic effects and are adjusted based on the element of the event. In one embodiment, the input data is associated with a crowd that attends the event, and the element of the event is caused by the crowd. In one embodiment, the input data includes haptic data collected by one or more personal devices associated with the crowd. In one embodiment, the input data is indicative of a location of the one or more personal devices associated with the crowd.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Gervais, Shadi Asfour, Jamal Saboune, Amer Alhalabi, Vincent Levesque
  • Deformable haptic wearables with variable physical properties
    Patent number: 10082872
    Abstract: A haptically-enabled device has an interface for receiving an instruction to provide haptic information. The device includes a tangible element with a physical property including length, stiffness, or texture. A haptic output device is attached to the tangible element and a haptic response module provides haptic information to the haptic output device. The haptic output device causes the tangible element to be altered from a first state to a second state of the physical property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Jamal Saboune, Abdelwahab Hamam, Vincent Levesque
  • Systems and methods for deformation-based haptic effects
    Patent number: 10080957
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Ali Modarres, William Rihn
  • Method and apparatus for providing haptic cues for guidance and alignment with electrostatic friction
    Patent number: 10078384
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Haptic notification manager
    Patent number: 10073666
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant, Jean-Francois Blanchard-Dionne, Amaya Becvar Weddle, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DEFORMATION AND HAPTIC EFFECTS
    Publication number: 20180253123
    Abstract: Systems and methods for deformation and haptic effects are disclosed. For example, one method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, the sensor signal indicating a contact with a device and a location of the contact on the device; determining a deformation effect based on the contact and the location of the contact, the deformation effect configured to cause a change in a shape of the device; and outputting the deformation effect to a deformation device configured to change the shape of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Abdelwahab Hamam, Danny A. Grant
  • Systems and Methods for Monitoring Insulation Integrity for Electrostatic Friction
    Publication number: 20180246575
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring insulation integrity for electrostatic friction are disclosed. One system may include a touch sensitive interface configured to detect user interaction; an electrostatic haptic output device configured to output one or more electrostatic haptic effects to the touch sensitive interface; a processor in communication with the touch sensitive interface and the electrostatic haptic output device, the processor configured to: determine an operating condition associated with the electrostatic haptic output device; determine a corrective action associated with the operating condition; and apply the corrective action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Kaniyalal Shah, Vincent Levesque
  • SIMULATION OF TANGIBLE USER INTERFACE INTERACTIONS AND GESTURES USING ARRAY OF HAPTIC CELLS
    Publication number: 20180246574
    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 24, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ali MODARRES, Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Danny A. GRANT, Vincent LEVESQUE
  • Systems and Methods for Viewport-Based Augmented Reality Haptic Effects
    Publication number: 20180239418
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a display configured to receive a display signal and output an image, and an image capture device configured to capture an area image and transmit an image signal. The illustrative system also includes a processor in communication with the image capture device and the display, the processor configured to: receive the image signal; determine a virtual object based in part on the image signal; determine the display signal based in part on the image signal, wherein the display signal includes data associated with the virtual object; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the virtual object; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant