Device and process for manipulating real and virtual objects in three-dimensional space
First Claim
1. An apparatus and software for manipulating real and virtual objects in three-dimensional space, comprising:
- a mechanical armature, comprising;
a surface and a stylus movably connected to mechanical linkages and rotational joints so that the stylus and surface may have a location and orientation with six degrees-of-freedom;
a sensor at each rotational joint to determine the location and orientation of the mechanical linkages and rotational joints;
a motor at each rotational joint to rotate the joint and move the mechanical linkage;
a computer for receiving, sending, and processing the location and orientation information from each sensor;
an output mode whereby the motors change the location and orientation of each rotational joint to correspond to a programmed location and orientation so that the armature provides a physical representation of a virtual object;
an input mode whereby an operator moves the stylus, the sensors provide the location and orientation of each rotational joint to the computer, and the computer displays a two-dimensional representation of the armature.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device and software system with input and output capability for manipulating real and virtual objects in 3-dimensional space. The device consists of a six degree-of-freedom mechanical armature that has sensors to determine the location and orientation of a stylus and planar surface. In the input mode, manipulation of the physical armature will result in a corresponding two-dimensional, virtual image of the stylus and surface on a computer screen. The armature also has motors to automatically change the armature location and orientation in order to generate a physical representation in the real world of the location and orientation of a virtual object. The armature is built so that it maintains balance at any location and orientation to statically maintain the armature location and orientation without drifting to a null rest position.
-
Citations
57 Claims
-
1. An apparatus and software for manipulating real and virtual objects in three-dimensional space, comprising:
-
a mechanical armature, comprising;
a surface and a stylus movably connected to mechanical linkages and rotational joints so that the stylus and surface may have a location and orientation with six degrees-of-freedom;
a sensor at each rotational joint to determine the location and orientation of the mechanical linkages and rotational joints;
a motor at each rotational joint to rotate the joint and move the mechanical linkage;
a computer for receiving, sending, and processing the location and orientation information from each sensor;
an output mode whereby the motors change the location and orientation of each rotational joint to correspond to a programmed location and orientation so that the armature provides a physical representation of a virtual object;
an input mode whereby an operator moves the stylus, the sensors provide the location and orientation of each rotational joint to the computer, and the computer displays a two-dimensional representation of the armature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
-
Specification