Force feedback mouse wheel

• US 20060033716A1
• Filed: 10/17/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Schena, Bruce M., Rosenberg, Louis B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,564,444 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks

Abstract

A force feedback wheel is provided on a mouse or other interface device manipulated by a user. A sensor detects a position of the mouse in a workspace and sends a position signal to a connected host computer indicating that position. A rotatable wheel is mounted upon the manipulandum and rotates about a wheel axis, where a wheel sensor provides a wheel signal to the host computer indicating a rotary position of the wheel. A wheel actuator coupled to the rotatable wheel applies a computer-modulated force to the wheel about the wheel axis. The mouse can be a standard mouse or a force-feedback mouse, where forces are applied in the mouse workspace. The host computer is preferably running a graphical environment, where the force applied to the wheel can correspond with an event or interaction displayed in the graphical environment. The wheel can also be included on other devices such as remote controls and radios.

Claims

1. An interface device for interfacing a user'"'"'s input with a host computer and providing force feedback to said user, said interface device comprising:

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

a manipulandum sensor coupled to said user manipulandum for detecting a position of said user manipulandum in said planar workspace and operative to send a position signal to said host computer indicating a position of said user manipulandum in said workspace;

a rotatable wheel coupled to said user manipulandum and rotatable about a wheel axis;

a wheel sensor coupled to said wheel and providing a wheel signal to said host computer indicating a rotary position of said wheel;

a wheel actuator coupled to said rotatable wheel and operative to apply a computer-modulated force to said rotatable wheel about said wheel axis, wherein said force is modulated as a function of time or wheel position about said wheel axis.

2-35. -35. (canceled)