초록 ▼

A low-cost force feedback interface device for providing low cost force feedback for enhancing interactions and manipulations in a graphical environment provided by a computer. One embodiment provides a mouse movable in a planar workspace and providing output sensor signals representative of thatmov

A low-cost force feedback interface device for providing low cost force feedback for enhancing interactions and manipulations in a graphical environment provided by a computer. One embodiment provides a mouse movable in a planar workspace and providing output sensor signals representative of thatmovement. Mouse button movement is detected to send command signals to the host computer, and an actuator coupled to the button applies an output force in the degree of freedom of the button. In a different embodiment, a force feedback pointing device includes a cylindrical member that may be rotated about an axis and translated along that axis to provide sensor signals to control a position of a graphical object such as a cursor. A command sensor detects motion of the cylindrical member perpendicular to the translation, such as when the cylindrical member is pressed down by the user. An actuator applies an output force in the perpendicular degree of freedom of the cylindrical member. The output force is correlated with interaction of the controlled cursor with other graphical objects in the graphical environment. The force sensation can be a jolt, vibration, constant force, texture force, or other type of force.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A force feedback mouse coupled to a host computer implementing a host application program, said mouse physically contacted by a user and movable in a planar workspace, the mouse comprising:a sensor device coupled to a housing of said mouse, said sensor device detecting

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A force feedback mouse coupled to a host computer implementing a host application program, said mouse physically contacted by a user and movable in a planar workspace, the mouse comprising:a sensor device coupled to a housing of said mouse, said sensor device detecting said movement of said mouse in said planar workspace and to output sensor signals representative of said movement;a button coupled to said housing of said mouse and having a degree of freedom and a sensor for detecting a position of said button, such that when said button is pressed by said user to a predetermined position, a command signal is sent to said host computer;a microprocessor-controlled actuator coupled to said button of said mouse, said actuator operative to apply an output spring force in said degree of freedom of said button; anda microprocessor local to said force feedback mouse and separate from said host computer and coupled to said sensor device and to said actuator, said microprocessor receiving a command from said host computer that causes said microprocessor to control said actuator to create said spring force in said degree of freedom of said button, said spring force having a magnitude specified by said command.