초록 ▼

An apparatus for providing a tactile stimulus to a part of the body of a physical operator when a virtual operator, created by movements of the physical operator, encounters a virtual object defined by a computer. A signalling unit communicates with the computer and emits a signal when the virtual o

An apparatus for providing a tactile stimulus to a part of the body of a physical operator when a virtual operator, created by movements of the physical operator, encounters a virtual object defined by a computer. A signalling unit communicates with the computer and emits a signal when the virtual operator encounters a virtual object. A stimulus unit responsive to the signalling unit is disposed in close proximity to a part of the body of the physical operator for providing a tactile stimulus when the virtual operator encounters a virtual object. The stimulus unit may comprise a segment of memory metal which undergoes a martensitic transformation to a different form or a solenoid having a member which moves in response to a signal emitted by the signalling unit. A vibrating member, such as a piezoceramic bender may be used instead of or in addition to the solenoid or memory metal.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An apparatus for providing a stimulus to a human operator, the apparatus for use in a virtual reality system in which a part of the body of the human operator is depicted as a virtual body part in a visual display, the apparatus comprising:a signaling unit configured to provide an

[ We claim:] [1.] An apparatus for providing a stimulus to a human operator, the apparatus for use in a virtual reality system in which a part of the body of the human operator is depicted as a virtual body part in a visual display, the apparatus comprising:a signaling unit configured to provide an indication in response to the virtual body part contacting a virtual object; anda stimulus unit configured to provide a stimulus to the human operator in response to the indication from the signaling unit;wherein the stimulus unit comprises:a segment of memory metal disposed in close proximity to a part of the body of the human operator; anda signal generator operable to produce, depending upon the indication from the signaling unit, a signal to cause the segment of memory metal to change form, whereby a movement of the segment of memory metal into a different form imparts a tactile stimulus to the human operator.