초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for providing safe and low-cost force feedback peripherals for consumer applications. A device microprocessor local to an interface device is coupled to the host by a first interface bus. The microprocessor receives host commands from the host computer on the first interface b

A method and apparatus for providing safe and low-cost force feedback peripherals for consumer applications. A device microprocessor local to an interface device is coupled to the host by a first interface bus. The microprocessor receives host commands from the host computer on the first interface bus, such as an RS-232 interface, and commands an actuator to apply a force to a user object, such as a joystick, in response to host commands. A sensor detects positions of the user object and outputs signals to the host on a second interface bus, such as a PC game port bus, separate from the first bus. In a “recoil”embodiment, a user initiates force feedback by pressing a button on the joystick, which sends an activation signal to the actuator. In other recoil embodiments, the host computer can transmit one or more enable signals and/or activation signals to the actuator to enable or command forces. A safety switch of the present invention disables the actuator when the interface device is not in use and enables the actuator when an amount of weight over a predetermined amount is placed on the joystick created by a user grasping the joystick. A circuit of the present invention includes a capacitor for storing power provided by an input signal and supplied to the actuator when forces are to be output.

대표청구항 ▼

A force feedback interface apparatus for use with a host computer displaying a graphical environment, said interface apparatus providing locative signals to said host computer which are used by said host computer to update said graphical environment in response to user manipulation of said interface

A force feedback interface apparatus for use with a host computer displaying a graphical environment, said interface apparatus providing locative signals to said host computer which are used by said host computer to update said graphical environment in response to user manipulation of said interface apparatus, said interface apparatus providing force sensations to the user and button reflex capability wherein a force sensation is generated locally in response to a press of a button of said interface apparatus, said interface apparatus comprising: a user object being physically contacted and manipulated by a user and having at least one degree of freedom of movement with respect to an origin; an actuator coupled to said user object for applying a force along said degree of freedom to said user object, a sensor for detecting motion of said user object along said degree of freedom and outputting a sensor signal, wherein a representation of said sensor signal being received by said host computer via an interface bus coupling said interface apparatus to said host computer wherein said host computer updates said graphical environment in response to said sensor signal; and at least one button coupled to said interface apparatus and manipulable by said user, said button providing a state signal to said host computer via an interface bus, said state signal conveying a state of said button as selected by said user, thereby allowing said host computer to execute a process in response to said state of said button; control electronics coupled to said actuator and to said at least one button, said control electronics locally varying said force over time, thereby generating a force sensation felt by said user in said degree of freedom, said control electronics having button-reflex capability allowing local generation of a force sensation to be initiated in response to a locally detected change in said state of said button and generated locally over a period of time after being so initiated.