초록 ▼

According to the present invention, a haptic interface system, also known as a force feedback system, comprises a motor for supplying actuating energy and a magnetically-controllable device that transfers the actuating energy into force feedback sensations. The magnetically-controllable device conta

According to the present invention, a haptic interface system, also known as a force feedback system, comprises a motor for supplying actuating energy and a magnetically-controllable device that transfers the actuating energy into force feedback sensations. The magnetically-controllable device contains a magnetically-controllable medium beneficially providing variable resistance forces in proportion to the strength of an applied magnetic field. The system further comprises a computer system having a processor that runs an interactive program or event, a video display for displaying the interactive program or event, and a haptic interface device in operable contact with an operator for controlling inputs to the interactive program. Based on the received inputs and on processing the interactive program, the computer system provides a variable output signal, corresponding to a feedback force, to control the magnetically-controllable device in transferring the actuating energy into feedback force that is actively applied to haptic interface device.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A haptic interface system for providing force feedback to an operator, comprising:a computer system for receiving a variable input signal and providing a variable output signal, said computer system adapted for running an interactive program that processes said variable

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A haptic interface system for providing force feedback to an operator, comprising:a computer system for receiving a variable input signal and providing a variable output signal, said computer system adapted for running an interactive program that processes said variable input signal and in response derives said variable Output signal;a device including a magnetically-controllable medium, said device receives said variable output signal and provides a variable, active, force feedback based upon said variable output signal;a magnetic field generating device energizable by said variable output signal to provide a variable strength magnetic field;a first member adjacent to said magnetic field generating deivice, said first member adapted to receive an actuating energy;a second member adjacent to said magnetic field generating device adn in communication with said gaptic interface device;a haptic interface device adapted to be in operative contact with said operator for controlling and responding to said inteactive program, said haptic interface device in communication with said device and having a plurality of positions, said haptic interface device reciving said force feedback; andsaid magnetically-controllable medium located between said first and said second member, said magnetically-controllable medium providing variable resistance forces in response to said variable strength magnetic field between said first member and said second member for controlling said force feedback applied to said haptic interface device.