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David M. Birnbaum, Oakland US

David M. Birnbaum, Oakland, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100013653Systems And Methods For Mapping Message Contents To Virtual Physical Properties For Vibrotactile Messaging - Systems and methods for mapping message contents to virtual physical properties for vibrotactile messaging are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, the sensor configured to detect an interaction with a messaging device, determining a virtual physical property of a virtual message object based at least in part on the sensor signal, determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the virtual physical parameter; and generating a haptic signal configured to cause an actuator to output the haptic effect.01-21-2010
20100013761Systems And Methods For Shifting Haptic Feedback Function Between Passive And Active Modes - Systems and methods for shifting haptic feedback function between passive and active modes are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes receiving a first signal from a sensor, the first signal associated with a mode of interaction with a graphical user interface; receiving a second signal associated with an interaction with the graphical user interface; determining a haptic feedback effect based at least in part on the mode of interaction with the graphical user interface and the interaction with the graphical user interface; and generating a haptic signal configured to output the haptic feedback effect.01-21-2010
20100017489Systems and Methods For Haptic Message Transmission - Systems and methods for haptic message transmission are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor configured to sense a physical interaction with a messaging device, determining a virtual force based at least in part on the sensor signal, and applying the virtual force to a virtual message object within a virtual message environment.01-21-2010
20100017759Systems and Methods For Physics-Based Tactile Messaging - Systems and methods for physics-based tactile messaging are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor configured to sense a physical interaction with a messaging device; determining an interaction between one or more virtual message objects and a virtual message environment, the interaction based at least in part on the sensor signal and a virtual physical parameter of at least one of the one or more virtual message objects; and determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the interaction. The method additionally includes the step of generating a haptic signal configured to cause an actuator to output the haptic effect.01-21-2010
20100173686Programmable Game-Based Haptic Enabled Gun Controller - Various systems, game controllers, and methods for simulating various objects such as weapons are provided. For example, a game controller may include a trigger, a processor within the body that receives a trigger signal when the trigger is activated by the user. The processor may communicate with a computer running a software program such as a gaming application, and an actuator coupled to the trigger, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the trigger in response to receiving a control signal from the processor. The game controller may simulate a gun and generate a recoil effect. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by impacting a moving mass from a discharge end of the gun to a handle end of the gun. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by using a body part of a user as a tether.07-08-2010
20100214243Systems and Methods For Interpreting Physical Interactions With A Graphical User Interface - Embodiments of systems and methods for interpreting physical interactions with a graphical user interface are disclosed. For example, one system for interpreting physical interactions with a graphical user interface is a device having a housing configured to be grasped by a user, a display disposed in the housing, the display configured to display a graphical user interface, and a sensor disposed in the housing, the sensor configured to detect a movement of the housing in a degree of freedom. The device also includes a processor disposed in the housing and in communication with the display and the sensor, the processor configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor, the sensor signal comprising a parameter associated with the movement, to determine a command associated with the graphical user interface based on the parameter, to determine a function to be executed based on the command, and to execute the function.08-26-2010
20100245232Handheld Computer Interface With Haptic Feedback - A handheld computer interface includes an enclosure, a mass coupled to the enclosure, and an actuator coupled to the mass to change a position of the mass relative to the enclosure. When the actuator receives a signal indicating a change in the center of mass of the interface, it changes the position of the mass.09-30-2010
20100283727SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHAPE DEFORMATION AND FORCE DISPLAY OF DEVICES - Various systems, devices, and methods for shape deformation of a haptic deformation display device are provided. For example, the haptic deformation display device may receive an input signal when the shape of the haptic deformation display device is in a first shape configuration. In response to the input signal, the haptic deformation display device may activate an actuator of the haptic deformation display device. The actuator may move a deformation component of the haptic deformation display device. The deformation component may at least partially defining a shape of the haptic deformation display device, thereby causing the shape of the haptic deformation display device to deform into a second shape configuration different from the first shape configuration. The second shape configuration may be substantially maintained.11-11-2010
20100283731METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A HAPTIC FEEDBACK SHAPE-CHANGING DISPLAY - A haptic device includes a processor, a communication module coupled to the processor for receiving a shape input, and a housing for housing the communication module and including a deformable portion. The deformable portion includes a deformation actuator, and the processor provides a signal to the deformation actuator in response to the shape input to deform the housing. The shape of other areas of the device may also change in response to the signal. The shape changes may provide haptic effects, provide information, provide ergonomic changes, provide additional functionality, etc., to a user of the device.11-11-2010
20110018697Interactive Touch Screen Gaming Metaphors With Haptic Feedback - A game is provided on one or more portable computing device in which a virtual object travels through views of the game displayed on the interfaces of the one or more portable computing devices. Haptic effects corresponding to the travel of the virtual object through the views are provided on the individual portable computing devices. The haptic effects may be determined based on one or more parameters of the travel of the virtual object, one or more parameters of objects and/or features with which the virtual object interacts, and/or other parameters. The haptic effects may include haptic effects to be provided on portable computing devices that are not currently displaying the virtual object corresponding to the haptic effects.01-27-2011
20110021272SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING COMPLEX HAPTIC STIMULATION DURING INPUT OF CONTROL GESTURES, AND RELATING TO CONTROL OF VIRTUAL EQUIPMENT - A system is configured to provide haptic stimulation to a user. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with the performance of one or more control gestures through which the user controls, for example, a game, a real world component or piece of equipment, and/or other entity. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with control of virtual equipment by the user.01-27-2011
20110102332Method for Haptic Display of Data Features - A method is disclosed for transferring digital information from a first electronic device to a second electronic device. In one example, the first device is a computer having a touch screen and the second device is a personal memory device carried or worn by an individual. The method includes selecting information on the first electronic device to be transferred, which can be done by touching the touch screen and performing a predefined finger gesture on the screen. Next, communication is established between the first electronic device and the second electronic device, preferably through a wireless connection such as Bluetooth. The selected information from the first electronic device then begins to upload to the second electronic device. As the information is transferred, vibrotactile sensations are imparted to the body of an individual with the vibrotactile sensations being indicative of the upload of information. For instance, sensations might be sequentially imparted in a line along an individual's arm to convey the progress of information upload to the individual.05-05-2011
20110102462Systems and Methods For Compensating For Visual Distortion Caused By Surface Features On A Display - Systems and methods for compensating for visual distortion caused by surface features on a display are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: a display including one ore more surface features; a processor configured to: receive a display signal including graphical data; determine a location of the surface feature; transform the display signal based at least in part on the location of the surface feature; and cause the transformed display signal to be displayed.05-05-2011
20110121953Handheld Computer Interface with Haptic Feedback - Various systems, devices, and methods are provided for generating an impact and/or surface haptic effect for a handheld computer interface such as a video game controller. For example, the handheld computer interface may include a handle coupled to an impact actuator. The impact actuator includes a movable mass and an end stop. The impact actuator may receive a haptic effect signal and in response cause the mass to contact the end stop to generate a haptic effect. A smart material that outputs a surface haptic effect may be coupled to a surface of the handle such that the surface haptic effect is output substantially from the smart material rather than the handle. The handle may be coupled to an end piece having a shape that simulates an object such as a tennis racket, golf club, or other object.05-26-2011