Systems and Methods For Resonance Detection

United States Patent Application	20090243997
Kind Code	A1
Tierling; Kollin M. ; et al.	October 1, 2009

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Systems and Methods For Resonance Detection

Abstract

Systems and methods for resonance detection are disclosed. For example, one method for resonance detection includes the step of transmitting an actuator signal to an actuator coupled to a surface of a device. The actuator signal is configured to cause the actuator to output a force to the surface. The method further includes the steps of receiving a response of the surface to the force; determining a resonant frequency of the surface based at least in part on the response; and outputting a signal indicative of the resonant frequency.

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Inventors:	Tierling; Kollin M.; (Milpitas, CA) ; Grant; Danny A.; (Laval, CA)
Correspondence Name and Address:	PATENT DEPARTMENT (51851);KILPATRICK STOCKTON LLP 1001 WEST FOURTH STREET WINSTON-SALEM NC 27101 US
Assignee Name and Adress:	Immersion Corporation San Jose CA
Serial No.:	057186
Series Code:	12
Filed:	March 27, 2008

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING MULTI-POINT HAPTIC FEEDBACK TEXTURE SYSTEMS

United States Patent Application	20090250267
Kind Code	A1
Heubel; Robert W. ; et al.	October 8, 2009

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING MULTI-POINT HAPTIC FEEDBACK TEXTURE SYSTEMS

Abstract

A method and apparatus for generating haptic surface texture with a deformable surface layer are disclosed. The haptic device includes a flexible surface layer, a haptic substrate, and a deforming mechanism. The flexible surface layer is made of elastic materials and is capable of reconfiguring its surface characteristics. The haptic substrate, in one embodiment, provides a first pattern in response to a first activating signal. Alternatively, the haptic substrate is capable of providing a second pattern in accordance with a second activating signal. The deforming mechanism is configured to change the flexible surface from a first surface characteristic to a second surface characteristic in accordance with the first pattern.

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Inventors:	Heubel; Robert W.; (San Leandro, CA) ; Steger; Ryan; (Sunnyvale, CA) ; Lacroix; Robert A.; (Saint-Lambert, CA) ; Bakircioglu; Muge; (San Jose, CA)
Correspondence Name and Address:	WOMBLE CARLYLE SANDRIDGE & RICE, PLLC ATTN: PATENT DOCKETING, P.O. BOX 7037 ATLANTA GA 30357-0037 US
Assignee Name and Adress:	Immersion Corp. San Jose CA
Serial No.:	061463
Series Code:	12
Filed:	April 2, 2008

Systems and Methods for Surgical Simulation and Training

United States Patent Application	20090263775
Kind Code	A1
Ullrich; Christopher J.	October 22, 2009

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Systems and Methods for Surgical Simulation and Training

Abstract

A surgical simulation and training platform can mimic human physiology to the extent possible, while enabling dynamic pathology and complication introduction to facilitate training and evaluation needs. The platform can include a subject body having an outer surface and defining at least one cavity, with a capture mechanism configured to receive an instrument and mounted to a robotic positioning assembly within the cavity. The system can further include one or more sensors configured to determine the position of at least one instrument or provide data for determining the position, and a processor. The processor can receive data indicating a position of at least one instrument relative to the cavity in a subject body and provide a command to the robotic positioning assembly to adjust the position of the capture mechanism to encounter and engage the instrument during surgical simulation.

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Inventors:	Ullrich; Christopher J.; (Ventura, CA)
Correspondence Name and Address:	PATENT DEPARTMENT (51851);KILPATRICK STOCKTON LLP 1001 WEST FOURTH STREET WINSTON-SALEM NC 27101 US
Assignee Name and Adress:	Immersion Medical Gaithersburg MA
Serial No.:	427856
Series Code:	12
Filed:	April 22, 2009

Providing Haptic Effects To Users In A Short Range Wireless System

United States Patent Application	20090270045
Kind Code	A1
Flaherty; Natasha Margaret Minenko	October 29, 2009

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Providing Haptic Effects To Users In A Short Range Wireless System

Abstract

Systems, methods, and associated software for imposing a haptic effect upon a user are disclosed herein. A user device, which is operable within a wireless interaction system according to one implementation, includes a transceiver that is configured to communicate wirelessly with a host device. The user device further includes a processor that is configured to determine whether a specific interaction event occurs. The interaction event, for example, is related to an interaction with the host device. The user device also includes a haptic actuator that is configured to impose a haptic effect upon a user when the processor determines that the specific interaction event has occurred.

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Inventors:	Flaherty; Natasha Margaret Minenko; (Belmont, CA)
Correspondence Name and Address:	WOMBLE CARLYLE SANDRIDGE & RICE, PLLC ATTN: PATENT DOCKETING, P.O. BOX 7037 ATLANTA GA 30357-0037 US
Assignee Name and Adress:	Immersion Corporation San Jose CA

Controlling Haptic Sensations For Vibrotactile Feedback Interface Devices

United States Patent Application	20090278819
Kind Code	A1
Goldenberg; Alex S. ; et al.	November 12, 2009

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Controlling Haptic Sensations For Vibrotactile Feedback Interface Devices

Abstract

An apparatus comprises an actuator that includes an eccentric mass that is coupled to a rotatable shaft of the actuator which defines an axis of rotation. A circuit is coupled to the actuator, the circuit is configured to produce a control signal such that, when the control signal is received by the actuator. The actuator is configured to produce a force effect having a magnitude and a frequency by rotating the mass about the axis of rotation in a first direction. The magnitude of the vibration is based on a duty cycle of the control signal and independent of the frequency. An obstacle member is coupled to the actuator and includes a compliance portion configured to increase energy in the movement of the mass in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the mass comes into contact with the obstacle member.

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Inventors:	Goldenberg; Alex S.; (Mountain View, CA) ; Alarcon; Ramon; (Santa Clara, CA)
Correspondence Name and Address:	PATENT DEPARTMENT (51851);KILPATRICK STOCKTON LLP 1001 WEST FOURTH STREET WINSTON-SALEM NC 27101 US
Assignee Name and Adress:	IMMERSION CORPORATION San Jose CA

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Powerball Drawings to Be Available Live on the Internet

PENSACOLA, Fla., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Powerball, the nation's best-known lotto game, and TinBu, the leading provider of lottery data to online media groups, are pleased to announce an agreement to begin streaming live Powerball drawings on the web.

With lottery drawings taking place every Wednesday and Saturday night, the number of players looking for Powerball results reaches into the tens of millions for each draw. Powerball's jackpots have reached as high as $365 million.

"TinBu is very excited to be adding this dynamic, in-demand feature to our interactive lottery data content. We provide lottery data to most of the major online media groups in the United States, and we look forward to giving our online publishing partners the opportunity to add live Powerball drawings for their online audience to view. When the word lottery comes to mind, Powerball is the king of the hill in the U.S., and we are confident these live online drawings will be viewed regularly by a tremendous amount of people," said John Brier, TinBu's CEO.

TinBu will connect directly with the Powerball studio at Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida and has secured delivery bandwidth through Navisite that will allow hundreds of thousands of simultaneous online viewers of the live Powerball drawings. The system will automatically scale up as needed to handle anticipated audience growth.

"We are pleased to be able to open another channel for our live Powerball drawings," said Rebecca Hargrove, Chair of MUSL's Powerball Game Group. "Even though Powerball drawings are shown on nearly 100 television stations throughout the United States, the technology to add the live draws through the Internet will allow millions of additional players to watch the drawings, live or on demand."