Immersion Corporation

Shoichi Endo

Danny A Grant

Erik James Shahoian

Dean C Chang

Jeffrey Eid

Alexander Jasso

Jeffrey Eld

Interactive gaming systems and methods with haptic feedback are described. One described apparatus comprises: a portable manipulandum configured to simulate an element associated with a sports activity; a sensor in communication with the portable manipulandum and configured to detect a movement of the portable manipulandum; an actuator disposed in the portable manipulandum; and a processor in communication with the sensor and the actuator. The processor is configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor associated with the movement of the portable manipulandum and to output a control signal to the actuator based at least in part on the sensor signal. The control signal is configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic feedback associated with the movement of the portable manipulandum, e.g., simulating an impact between the portable manipulandum and an object.

Interactive gaming systems with haptic feedback

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 virtual touch to a handheld communication device includes: receiving an input signal associated with a virtual touch; outputting a request relating to a contact with a user-interface member coupled to a handheld communication device; and providing a control signal associated with the contact to an actuator coupled to the handheld communication device, the control signal being configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the virtual touch.

Methods and systems for providing a virtual touch haptic effect to handheld communication devices

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 using haptic effects to relate location information includes: receiving an input signal associated with a position of a handheld communication device (); determining the position of the handheld communication device () relative to a predetermined location; and providing a haptic effect associated with a distance between the position of the handheld communication device () and the predetermined location. In another embodiment, a handheld communication device () can be used as a two-way haptic remote control.

Haptic communication devices

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 haptic messaging includes: receiving an input signal associated with an actuation of a user-interface member; determining a haptic code associated with the actuation; and including the haptic code in an output signal to be sent to a remote handheld communication device. In another embodiment, a method of haptic messaging includes: receiving an input signal; outputting a request relating to a contact with a user-interface member coupled to a handheld communication device; and providing a control signal associated with the contact to an actuator coupled to the handheld communication device, the control signal being configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the input signal.

Haptic messaging in handheld communication devices

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 connection event.

Methods and systems for providing haptic messaging to handheld communication devices

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, businesses and organizations may each be associated with a distinct haptic logo and include their haptic logos in various messages sent to the handheld communication devices of their customers. In another embodiment, haptically-enabled avatars can be used in a chat session between users of handheld communication devices.

Growing community of inventors

Cupertino, CA, United States of America

Shoichi Endo