초록 ▼

Interactive simulation including force feedback. The system includes a computer game display unit programmed with simulation rules. A control unit is connected to the computer and provides information and control signals to the computer to interact with the stored simulation rules and to receive inf

Interactive simulation including force feedback. The system includes a computer game display unit programmed with simulation rules. A control unit is connected to the computer and provides information and control signals to the computer to interact with the stored simulation rules and to receive information and control signals from the computer. A movable structure for movement in at least two degrees-of-freedom by an operator is interconnected to the control unit by means of actuators. A programmable unit processes signals and information from the computer to generate signals to drive the actuators so as to apply forces in the at least two degrees-of-freedom to the movable structure and thereby to the operator. The applied forces are based on internal programming within the programmable unit, events occurring in the simulation and movements of and forces applied to the movable structure by the operator. The system of the invention thereby provides continuous interaction among motion of and forces applied by the movable structure, the events in the simulation and forces applied to and applied by the movable structure.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An interactive force feedback simulation system adapted to be used with a computer programmed to implement a simulation, comprising:(a) a control unit adapted to couple with the computer to receive information and control signals and to provide information and input signa

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An interactive force feedback simulation system adapted to be used with a computer programmed to implement a simulation, comprising:(a) a control unit adapted to couple with the computer to receive information and control signals and to provide information and input signals to the computer for use in controlling the simulation, said control unit including a progammable digital memory for storing equations and rules used to define a force feedback that varies in response to events in the simulation, as indicated by the information and control signals received from the computer that cause the control unit to implement the force feedback, the plurality of equations and rules being modifiable by the computer to customize the force feedback;(b) an operator manipulated component coupled to the control unit and movable by an operator in at least one degree-of-freedom;(c) a sensor disposed adjacent to the operator manipulated component for sensing an orientation of the operator manipulated component as the operator manipulated component is moved through said at least one degree-of-freedom, said sensor producing an orientation signal that is input to the control unit, said input signal provided to the computer by the control unit being responsive to the orientation signal and being indicative of the orientation of the operator manipulated component in said at least one degree-of-freedom; and(d) a motor controlled by the control unit and coupled through an actuator to the operator manipulated component to apply the force feedback thereto in said at least one degree-of-freedom, as defined by the equations and rules stored in the control unit, said force feedback also being based on the events occurring in the simulation indicated by the information and control signals provided by the computer, and movement of the operator manipulated component by the operator, so that there is continuous interaction among the movement of the operator manipulated component, the events in the simulation, and forces applied to the operator manipulated component by the motor.