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Force feedback interface device with force functionality button

  • US 20020030664A1
  • Filed: 12/11/2000
  • Published: 03/14/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1995
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A mouse interface device for interfacing a user'"'"'s motion with a host computer and providing force feedback to said user, said mouse interface device comprising:

  • a mouse object contacted and manipulated by a user and moveable in a planar workspace with respect to a ground surface;

    a planar linkage including five members rotatably coupled to each other, wherein said linkage is arranged such that a first base member is rotatably coupled to a ground member, a first link member is rotatably coupled to said first base member, a second base member is rotatably coupled to said ground member, and a second link member is rotatably coupled to said first link member and said second base member, wherein said mouse object is coupled to said planar linkage at said coupling of said first link member and said second link member;

    a plurality of electromagnetic actuators providing forces in said planar workspace of said mouse object, said forces caused by interactions between an electric field and a magnetic field, wherein each of said actuators includes a coil portion integrated with one of said members of said linkage and a magnet portion coupled to said ground surface through which said coil portion moves, and wherein said actuators are controlled from commands output by said host computer; and

    a plurality of sensors coupled to said ground surface and separate from said actuators, said sensors detecting movement of said coil portions of said actuators, wherein said sensor provides a sensor signal including information describing said movement of said coil portion from which a position of said mouse object in said planar workspace are determined.

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