초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for use with a computer for providing commands to a computer through tracked manual gestures and for providing feedback to the user through forces applied to the interface. A user manipulatable object is coupled to a mechanical linkage which is, in turn, supportable on a fixed

A method and apparatus for use with a computer for providing commands to a computer through tracked manual gestures and for providing feedback to the user through forces applied to the interface. A user manipulatable object is coupled to a mechanical linkage which is, in turn, supportable on a fixed surface. The mechanical linkage or the user manipulatable object is tracked by sensors for sensing the location and/or orientation of the object. A multi-processor system architecture is disclosed wherein a host computer system is interfaced with a dedicated microprocessor which is responsive to the output of the sensors and provides the host computer with information derived from the sensors. The host computer has an application program which responds to the information provided via the microprocessor and which can provide force-feedback commands back to the microprocessor. The force feedback is felt by a user via the user manipulatable object.

대표청구항 ▼

An interactive device for use in conjunction with a host computer, images displayed on a computer display screen, and a fixed surface, comprising: a stylus having a pencil-like configuration to allow writing-like manipulations between fingers of a user; a mechanical linkage coupled to a fixed surfac

An interactive device for use in conjunction with a host computer, images displayed on a computer display screen, and a fixed surface, comprising: a stylus having a pencil-like configuration to allow writing-like manipulations between fingers of a user; a mechanical linkage coupled to a fixed surface and coupled to said stylus for supporting said stylus while allowing at least five degrees of freedom in the motion of said stylus, said mechanical linkage providing a user the ability to manipulate both the orientation and location of said stylus in three-dimensional space; and a sensor for producing an interactive stylus locative signal which is responsive to and corresponding with the position and movement of the stylus at any point in time during its normal operation, said stylus locative signal providing information about the orientation, location, and movement of said stylus for use by said host computer and said computer display screen to manipulate images displayed by said computer display screen in accordance with said orientation, location, or movement of said stylus, said images including a cursor whose position on said computer display screen is controlled by said stylus locative signal; and a force generator for generating a force on said stylus in at least one of said five degrees of freedom in response to force signals provided to said interactive device, said force signals correlated to information displayed on said computer display screen.