Locomotion simulation apparatus, system and method
First Claim
1. A locomotion simulation apparatus for providing force feedback to a user in response to movement of the user, comprising:
- two foot supports, each foot support being adapted to support a foot of a user;
cables connected to the foot supports, so as to support each of the two foot supports independently from one another in a suspended position; and
an actuator for each of the cables, each of the actuators being mounted to a frame, and being connected to an associated one of the cables so as to control the length of the associated one of the cables to constrain movement of the foot supports such that the user moves in a selected motion.
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Abstract
A motion simulation system for providing force feedback to a user in response to movement of the user within a virtual environment comprises a virtual environment system for producing a virtual environment to the user. Cables are connected to a user interface to support the user interface in a suspended position. Actuators are associated to each cable to adjust the length of the cables. A cable tension controller is connected to the actuators and to the virtual environment system to calculate a position and orientation of the user within the virtual environment as a function of the length of the cables, and to control the actuators so as to constrain movement of the user interface as a function of interactions between the user and the virtual environment, to provide force feedback to the user. A locomotion simulation apparatus and method are provide as well.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A locomotion simulation apparatus for providing force feedback to a user in response to movement of the user, comprising:
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two foot supports, each foot support being adapted to support a foot of a user;
cables connected to the foot supports, so as to support each of the two foot supports independently from one another in a suspended position; and
an actuator for each of the cables, each of the actuators being mounted to a frame, and being connected to an associated one of the cables so as to control the length of the associated one of the cables to constrain movement of the foot supports such that the user moves in a selected motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A motion simulation system for providing force feedback to a user in response to movement of the user within a virtual environment, comprising:
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a virtual environment system for producing a virtual environment to the user;
a user interface;
cables connected to the user interface to support the user interface in a suspended position;
actuators associated to each cable to adjust the length of the cables; and
a cable tension controller connected to the actuators and to the virtual environment system to calculate a position and orientation of the user within the virtual environment as a function of the length of the cables, and to control the actuators so as to constrain movement of the user interface as a function of interactions between the user and the virtual environment, to provide force feedback to the user. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for providing force feedback as a function of a virtual environment to a moving user provided with a user interface constrained by cables of adjustable length, comprising the steps of:
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i) determining a position and orientation of the user interface;
ii) comparing the position and orientation of the user interface with respect to a virtual environment to determine interactions therebetween; and
iii) adjusting a length of the cables to provide force feedback to the user as a function of said interactions. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification