Recent Patents in Signal Processing (October 2012) - Haptic Signal Processing

For the October 2012 edition, we focus on recent patents in haptic signal processing. Many people today use and like haptic feedback on touch-screen devices, but the applications of haptics extend far beyond tablets and smartphones. The selection below includes patents issued in the recent past on various applications of haptics, including haptic feedback for navigation and steering, interaction with devices, interaction with augmented environments and haptics in medical applications.

US 8,243,099, "Method and system for haptic interaction in augmented reality", by J. Ryu, B. -C. Lee, S. -U. Hwang, H. Park, Y. -G. Lee , filed 3 February 2009, issued 14 August 2012, assigned to Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (Gwangju, KR).

US 8,093,995, "Method and apparatus for distributing haptic synchronous signals", by R. Steger and B. Kruse, filed 22 November 2010, issued 10 January 2012, assigned to Immersion Corporation (San Jose, CA).

US 7,979,146, "System and method for automatically producing haptic events from a digital audio signal", by C. Ullrich, D. Grant, S. Rank and M. Bakircioglu, filed 31 August 2006, issued 12 July 2011, assigned to Immersion Corporation (San Jose, CA).

US 8,217,768, "Video reproduction apparatus and method for providing haptic effects", by H. -J. Lee, Y. -M. Lee, S. -Y. Cho, H. -S. Seo, Y. -H. Choi and J. -H. Jung, filed 7 July 2009, issued 10 July 2012, assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd (Korea).

US 8,203,531, "Vector-specific haptic feedback", by C. Peterson, H. Huska, J. Schlosser and D. Krumpelman, filed 12 March 2009, issued 19 June 2012, assigned to Pacinian Corporation (Spokane, WA).

US 8,022,933, "One button remote control with haptic feedback", by R. Hardacker and J. Amendolagine, filed 21 February 2008, issued 20September 2011, assigned to Sony Corporation (Tokyo, Japan).

US 8,034,108, "Intraocular lens having a haptic that includes a cap", by T. Bumbalough, filed 28 March 2008, issued 11October 2011, assigned to Abbott Medical Optics Inc. (Santa Ana, CA).

US 8,154,512, "Products and processes for providing haptic feedback in resistive interface devices", by N. Olien and P. Gergorio, filed 20 April 2009, issued 10 April 2012, assigned to Immersion Coporation (San Jose, CA).

US 8,098,236, "Touch-sensitive screen with haptic acknowledgement", by M. Klein and D. Nau, filed 23 February 2006, issued 17 January 2012, assigned to Siemens VDO Automotive AG (Regensburg, Germany) .

US 8,067,709, "Haptic steering wheel switch device and haptic steering wheel switch system including the same", by C. Han and H. Lee, filed 26 May 2009, issued 29 November 2011, assigned to Daesung Electric Co., Ltd (Ansan-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea).

If you have an interesting patent to share when we next feature patents on haptic signal processing, or if you are especially interested in a signal processing research field that you would want to be highlighted in this section, please send email to Shantanu Rane (rane AT merl DOT com).