초록 ▼

A force feedback interface having isotonic and isometric control capability coupled to a host computer that displays a graphical environment such as a GUI. The interface includes a user manipulatable physical object movable in physical space, such as a mouse or puck. A sensor detects the object's mo

A force feedback interface having isotonic and isometric control capability coupled to a host computer that displays a graphical environment such as a GUI. The interface includes a user manipulatable physical object movable in physical space, such as a mouse or puck. A sensor detects the object's movement and an actuator applies output force on the physical object. A mode selector selects isotonic and isometric control modes of the interface from an input device such as a physical button or from an interaction between graphical objects. Isotonic mode provides input to the host computer based on a position of the physical object and updates a position of a cursor, and force sensations can be applied to the physical object based on movement of the cursor. Isometric mode provides input to the host computer based on an input force applied by the user to the physical object, where the input force is determined from a sensed deviation of the physical object in space. The input force opposes an output force applied by the actuator and is used to control a function of an application program, such as scrolling a document or panning or zooming a displayed view. An overlay force, such as a jolt or vibration, can be added to the output force in isometric mode to indicate an event or condition in the graphical environment

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for enabling isotonic and isometric control from a user utilizing a single interface device coupled to a host computer system displaying a graphical environment, the method comprising:receiving a selection of a control mode of said interface device, wherein sai

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for enabling isotonic and isometric control from a user utilizing a single interface device coupled to a host computer system displaying a graphical environment, the method comprising:receiving a selection of a control mode of said interface device, wherein said control mode is either an isotonic control mode or an isometric control mode, and wherein said selection of said mode includes closing a switch located on a user manipulatable physical object of said interface device;providing isotonic input to said host computer system if said interface device is in said isotonic mode, wherein said isotonic input is used by said host computer system to update a position of a user-controlled graphical object in said graphical environment; andproviding isometric input to said host computer system if said interface device is in said isometric mode, wherein said isometric input is used by said host computer system to control an isometric function of said graphical environment based on an input force applied by said user to said physical object, said isometric input being provided as motion of said physical object opposing an output force generated by computer-controlled actuators.