Gerald P Roston

US Patent:

RE39906, Nov 6, 2007

Filed:

Jun 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/888291

Inventors:

Gerald P. Roston - Saline MI, US
Charles J. Jacobus - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

Immersion Corporation - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G05B 13/02
B25J 9/00

US Classification:

318561, 31856811, 318649, 414 5

Abstract:

Force feedback in large, immersive environments is provided by device which a gyro- stabilization to generate a fixed point of leverage for the requisite forces and/or torques. In one embodiment, one or more orthogonally oriented rotating gyroscopes are used to provide a stable platform to which a force-reflecting device can be mounted, thereby coupling reaction forces to a user without the need for connection to a fixed frame. In one physical realization, a rigid handle or joystick is directly connected to the three-axis stabilized platform and using an inventive control scheme to modulate motor torques so that only the desired forces are felt. In an alternative embodiment, a reaction sphere is used to produce the requisite inertial stabilization. Since the sphere is capable of providing controlled torques about three arbitrary, linearly independent axes, it can be used in place of three reaction wheels to provide three-axis stabilization for a variety of space-based and terrestrial applications.

US Patent:

7661442, Feb 16, 2010

Filed:

Jun 13, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/138765

Inventors:

Gerald Roston - Saline MI, US
Ralph Hubbs - Brooklyn MI, US

Assignee:

Limo-Reid, Inc. - Deerfield MI

International Classification:

F16L 55/04

US Classification:

138 31, 138 30

Abstract:

A lightweight, optimally efficient, easily serviced, piston-in-sleeve high pressure accumulator is provided. The accumulator includes one or more cylindrical composite pressure vessel separate end cap manifolds. A piston slidably disposed in a thin impermeable internal sleeve in the accumulator separates two chambers, one adapted for containing a working fluid and the other adapted for containing gas under pressure. Gas is provided in a volume between the impermeable internal sleeve and the composite pressure vessel wall. Additional gas is optionally provided in gas cylinders. Further components are provided for withstanding harmful effects of radial flexing of the composite vessel wall under high pressures, and from stresses present in use in mobile applications such as with a hydraulic power system for a hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle.

US Patent:

RE44396, Jul 30, 2013

Filed:

Jul 25, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/782998

Inventors:

Gerald P. Roston - Saline MI, US
Charles J. Jacobus - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

Immersion Corporation - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G05B 13/02
B25J 9/00

US Classification:

318561, 31856811, 318649, 414 5

Abstract:

Force feedback in large, immersive environments is provided by device which a gyro- stabilization to generate a fixed point of leverage for the requisite forces and/or torques. In one embodiment, one or more orthogonally oriented rotating gyroscopes are used to provide a stable platform to which a force-reflecting device can be mounted, thereby coupling reaction forces to a user without the need for connection to a fixed frame. In one physical realization, a rigid handle or joystick is directly connected to the three-axis stabilized platform and using an inventive control scheme to modulate motor torques so that only the desired forces are felt. In an alternative embodiment, a reaction sphere is used to produce the requisite inertial stabilization. Since the sphere is capable of providing controlled torques about three arbitrary, linearly independent axes, it can be used in place of three reaction wheels to provide three-axis stabilization for a variety of space-based and terrestrial applications.

US Patent:

20070198098, Aug 23, 2007

Filed:

Feb 15, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/706668

Inventors:

Gerald P. Roston - Saline MI, US
Renard G. Tubergen - Alto MI, US

International Classification:

A61F 2/72
A61F 2/66

US Classification:

623 26, 623 57

Abstract:

An improved prosthetic device having a plurality of independently movable members that operate at peak efficiency for a majority of the time that it is in the on state, thereby extending battery life, includes at least two members that are independently movable, a fluid actuator associated with each of the independently movable members for effecting movement, a fluid pump or compressor having a fluid inlet and a compressed or pressurized fluid outlet, an electrical motor coupled to the pump or compressor, a fluid conveying conduit between the pump or compressor outlet and the actuator, a fluid reservoir in communication with the conduit between the pump or compressor outlet and the actuator, and at least one valve associated with each of the independently movable members.

US Patent:

20100198841, Aug 5, 2010

Filed:

Jan 12, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/685964

Inventors:

Charles T. Parker - East Lansing MI, US
Catherine M. Lyons - Edinburgh, GB
Gerald P. Roston - Saline MI, US
George M. Garrity - Okemos MI, US

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

707750, 707802, 707705, 707736, 707E17005, 707E17014, 707E17044

Abstract:

The present invention provides systems and methods for automatically identifying name-like-strings in digital resources, matching these name-like-string against a set of names held in an expertly curated database, and for those name-like-strings found in said database, enhancing the content by associating additional matter with the name, wherein said matter includes information about the names that is held within said database and pointers to other digital resources which include the same name and it synonyms.

US Patent:

57540233, May 19, 1998

Filed:

Oct 22, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/736016

Inventors:

Gerald P. Roston - Whitmore Lake MI
Charles J. Jacobus - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Cybernet Systems Corporation - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

G05B 1302
B25J 900

US Classification:

318561

Abstract:

Force feedback in large, immersive environments is provided by device which a gyro- stabilization to generate a fixed point of leverage for the requisite forces and/or torques. In one embodiment, one or more orthogonally oriented rotating gyroscopes are used to provide a stable platform to which a force-reflecting device can be mounted, thereby coupling reaction forces to a user without the need for connection to a fixed frame. In one physical realization, a rigid handle or joystick is directly connected to the three-axis stabilized platform and using an inventive control scheme to modulate motor torques so that only the desired forces are felt. In an alternative embodiment, a reaction sphere is used to produce the requisite inertial stabilization. Since the sphere is capable of providing controlled torques about three arbitrary, linearly independent axes, it can be used in place of three reaction wheels to provide three-axis stabilization for a variety of space-based and terrestrial applications.

US Patent:

60680733, May 30, 2000

Filed:

May 9, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/853655

Inventors:

Gerald P. Roston - Whitmore Lake MI
Eric Endsley - Ypsilanti MI

Assignee:

Cybernet Systems Corporation - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

B62D 57028

US Classification:

180 85

Abstract:

A versatile robot provides a plurality of different, primary locomotion means and the capability of switching between modes of movement on a rapid basis to traverse a variety of terrains at high speed. In the preferred embodiment, the robot uses a plurality of legs as a first primary means of locomotion and a plurality of wheels as a second, primary means of locomotion. As such, the robot may use the wheels for high speed locomotion (in excess of 10 mph) over prepared surfaces, and the legs for traversing unprepared surfaces and man-made obstacles at lower speed. The system further employs means for monitoring leg or joint position to determine ground contact or obstacles.

US Patent:

58724389, Feb 16, 1999

Filed:

Jul 1, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/886315

Inventors:

Gerald Roston - Whitmore Lake MI

Assignee:

Cybernet Systems Corporation - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

F41A 3300
A63B 2400

US Classification:

31856811

Abstract:

A virtual-reality system provides a full-body, digitally programmed, kinesthetic display in the form of a foot-haptic system incorporating a pair of footpads, one associated with each foot of a user, and a multi-axis electromechanical interface responsive to user position and orientation. A computer, in communication with the electromechanical interface, permits the user to interact with a virtual terrain, vertical features, or other users. In a preferred physical realization, the system includes three major components: a locomotion simulator, a ground plane 104, and a vertical feature emulator. A head-mounted display provides all visual clues. The system may be operated in a first mode of operation, wherein the user's feet and the footpads remain in constant contact with each other, or an alternative mode of operation, wherein the user makes and breaks contact with the footpads in a cyclical manner.