초록 ▼

A man-machine interface is disclosed which provides force, texture, pressure and temperature information to sensing body parts. The interface is comprised of a force-generating device (900) that produces a force which is transmitted to a force-applying device (902) via force-transmitting means (908)

A man-machine interface is disclosed which provides force, texture, pressure and temperature information to sensing body parts. The interface is comprised of a force-generating device (900) that produces a force which is transmitted to a force-applying device (902) via force-transmitting means (908). The force-applying device applies the generated force to a sensing body part. A force sensor (909) associated with the force-applying device measures the actual force applied to the sensing body part, while angle sensors (917) measure the angles of relevant joint body parts. A computing device (911) uses the joint body part position information to determine a desired force value to be applied to the sensing body part. The computing device combines the joint body part position information with the force sensor information to calculate the force command which is sent to the force-generating device. In this manner, the computing device may control the actual force applied to a sensing body part to a desired force which depends upon the positions of related body parts. In addition, the interface is comprised of a displacement-generating device (901) which produces a displacement which is transmitted to a displacement-applying device (902) (e.g., a texture simulator) via displacement-generating structure (920). The displacement-applying device applies the generated displacement to a sensing body part. The force-applying device and displacement-applying device may be combined to simultaneously provide force and displacement information to a sensing body part. Furthermore, pressure and temperature-applying devices may be combined to also provide pressure and temperature sensations to a sensing body part. In addition, a force-applying device may be attached to a sensing body part and apply force to the sensing body part, where the force is applied relative to a reference location not rigidly affixed to the living body.

대표청구항 ▼

A device for producing a signal at a sensing body part of a body simulating the interaction between an interactive entity and a virtual or physical object, wherein said device operates on a portion of the body which comprises said sensing body part, and further comprises, connected to and spatially

A device for producing a signal at a sensing body part of a body simulating the interaction between an interactive entity and a virtual or physical object, wherein said device operates on a portion of the body which comprises said sensing body part, and further comprises, connected to and spatially removed from said sensing body part, a second body part as a non-sensing body part, said device comprising: means for generating a force simulating the interaction between said interactive entity and said object; and positioning means for spatially positioning said second body part in spatial relation to a predetermined reference point; and at least one of: (a) first means for applying said generated force between said sensing body part and said second body part; and (b) second means for applying said generated force to said sensing body part, said applying means comprising an entity displaced from said sensing body part in a first unactivated position and touching said sensing body part in a second activated position.