초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for shaping force signals for a force feedback device. A source wave is provided and is defined by a set of control parameters (including a steady state magnitude, a frequency value and a duration value) and modified by a set of impulse parameters (including an impulse magnitu

A method and apparatus for shaping force signals for a force feedback device. A source wave is provided and is defined by a set of control parameters (including a steady state magnitude, a frequency value and a duration value) and modified by a set of impulse parameters (including an impulse magnitude, and a settle time representing a time required for the impulse magnitude to change to the steady-state magnitude). Optionally, application parameters specifying a direction of force signal and trigger parameters specifying activating buttons can also be provided for the source wave. Using a host processor or a local processor, the force signal is formed from the source wave and the sets of control parameters and impulse parameters, where the force signal includes an impulse signal followed by a continual steady-state signal after an expiration of the settle time. A feel sensation is generated to a user of the force feedback device as physical forces produced by actuators on the force feedback device in response to the force signal. The steady-state magnitude value is lower than a magnitude value of a non-impulse-shaped force signal required to create a corresponding feel sensation having a similar apparent sensation to the user.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for providing information to a force feedback device to generate a force signal for creating a feel sensation upon a user of said force feedback device, the method comprising:providing a set of control parameters defining characteristics for said feel sensation

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for providing information to a force feedback device to generate a force signal for creating a feel sensation upon a user of said force feedback device, the method comprising:providing a set of control parameters defining characteristics for said feel sensation, said control parameters including at least one of a steady-state magnitude value, a frequency value, and a duration value, said steady-state magnitude value representing a steady-state magnitude of said feel sensation, said frequency value representing a frequency of said feel sensation, and said duration value representing a duration of said feel sensation; andproviding a set of impulse parameters, including:an impulse value, said impulse value specifying an impulse force level of said feel sensation applied to said user, said impulse force level being different than said steady-state magnitude; anda settle time, said settle time representing a time required for a magnitude of said force signal to change from said impulse force level to said steady-state magnitude,wherein said set of control parameters and said set of impulse parameters are provided to a force feedback device, said force feedback device forming, using a processor, said force signal from said control parameters and said impulse parameters, said force signal being used to cause said feel sensation to be output.