초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for providing force feedback to a user operating a human/computer interface device and interacting with a computer-generated simulation. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method simulates the interaction of simulated objects displayed to a user who controls one of the simu

A method and apparatus for providing force feedback to a user operating a human/computer interface device and interacting with a computer-generated simulation. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method simulates the interaction of simulated objects displayed to a user who controls one of the simulated objects manipulating a physical object of an interface device. The position of the simulated object, as provided within the simulation and as displayed, is mapped directly to the physical position of the user object. This mapping is broken under conditions that are effective to provide force feedback to the user which imparts a physical sensation corresponding to the interaction of the simulated objects. In another aspect, a ball simulated ball object interacts with a user-controlled simulated object in a simulation to allow the user to utilize a wide range of physical skill and dexterity in interacting with the simulation. In another aspect, a simulation apparatus provides a display device such as one or more display screens or a projection device, and which also provides an intuitive mechanical interface device for the user to skillfully and dexterously manipulate objects within a computer-generated simulation.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A computer-implemented method for simulating the spatial interaction of a user-manipulated displayed first simulated object with a displayed second simulated object in a computer-simulated spatial environment, such that the user is provided with force feedback that repres

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A computer-implemented method for simulating the spatial interaction of a user-manipulated displayed first simulated object with a displayed second simulated object in a computer-simulated spatial environment, such that the user is provided with force feedback that represents the interaction between the first simulated object and second simulated object, the method comprising:a) generating within a computer-simulated spatial environment a first simulated object on a display device, said first simulated object having a simulated location within said simulated spatial environment;b) moving under computer control said first simulated object in response to motion of a physical object of an interface device controlled by a user, wherein said physical object has a physical position in a physical environment, and wherein a mapping between said simulated location of said first simulated object and said physical position of said physical object is created such that the physical position of the physical object in the physical environment has a spatial correspondence to the location of said first simulated object in said simulated spatial environment;c) generating within said computer-simulated spatial environment a second simulated object on said display device, said second simulated object defining a set of boundaries in said motion simulation and on said display device;d) determining whether said first simulated object is interacting with said second simulated object by examining a current location of said first simulated object and a previous location of said first simulated object to determine a path of said first simulated object; ande) breaking said mapping between said simulated location of first simulated object and said physical position of said physical object when said first simulated object interacts with said second simulated object such that said physical position of said physical object is no longer spatially correlated with said simulated location of said first simulated object, said breaking occurring under conditions effective to provide visual feedback and force feedback to said user which are effective to impart to said user a physical sensation that corresponds to a realistic, simulated physical interaction of said first simulated object with said second simulated object.