Haptic interface for palpation simulation

• US 20060190823A1
• Filed: 04/19/2006
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Medical Inc (Immersion Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Cohen, Robert F., Feldman, Philip G., Dumas, Russell H., Cunningham, Richard L., Merril, Gregory L., Tasto, Joseph L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,307,619 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/701
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects

Abstract

A palpation simulator comprises an interface for interfacing a user with a computer running a palpation simulation. The computer generates a graphical environment comprising a cursor and a graphical representation of at least a portion of a living body. In one version, a method comprises providing an object in communication with the computer, controlling the cursor in relation to manipulation of at least a portion of the object by the user, and outputting a haptic sensation to the user when the cursor interacts with a region within the graphical representation to provide the user with haptic feedback related to a simulated palpation of the region.

Claims

1. Method for interfacing a user with a computer running an application program, the computer generating a graphical environment comprising a cursor and a graphical representation of at least a portion of a living body, the method comprising:

providing an object in communication with the computer;

controlling the cursor in relation to manipulation of at least a portion of the object by the user; and

outputting a haptic sensation to the user when the cursor interacts with a region within the graphical representation to provide the user with haptic feedback related to a simulated palpation of the region.