HAPTIC DEVICE FOR POSITION DETECTION
First Claim
1. A haptic stylus interface device, comprising:
- a stylus capable of providing feedback forces, and having a surface contact ball capable of rotating in place;
a communications module enabling information transfer with a computer;
a contact ball gripping mechanism that responsively produces a variable contact ball friction force independent of the feedback forces; and
a stylus proximity determination tool that determines the distance from the contact ball to the contact surface.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method, and computer program product for automatically providing a haptic stylus based interface for enhanced user interaction with touch screen devices are disclosed. The stylus communicates with the touch screen device to report stylus operating information from onboard sensors, and to receive application program instructions defining feedback and friction forces to be applied by onboard actuators. The applied feedback and friction forces may be independently controlled. Friction forces are provided via a rolling contact ball gripping mechanism that mimics varying physical engagement between the contact ball and a touch screen display surface by controlling the relative rotational freedom of the contact ball. Embodiments of the invention enable a haptic stylus to mimic three-dimensional interactions for gaming, object manipulation and sculpting, and non-contact proximity-based stylus operation scenarios.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A haptic stylus interface device, comprising:
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a stylus capable of providing feedback forces, and having a surface contact ball capable of rotating in place; a communications module enabling information transfer with a computer; a contact ball gripping mechanism that responsively produces a variable contact ball friction force independent of the feedback forces; and a stylus proximity determination tool that determines the distance from the contact ball to the contact surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer interface for providing interaction between a computer and a user, comprising:
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a computer; and a haptic stylus that communicates with the computer and provides independent feedback and friction surface contact forces to a user, and includes stylus proximity to a surface in its communications.
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19. A method for providing interaction between a computer and a user, comprising:
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transferring information between a computer and a stylus having a contact ball capable of rotating in place, the information including stylus proximity to a surface; and selectively providing independent feedback and friction forces to a user with the stylus.
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20. A computer program product comprising a machine-readable medium tangibly embodying non-transitory program instructions thereon that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:
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transfer information between a computer and a stylus having a contact ball capable of rotating in place, the information including stylus proximity to a surface; and selectively provide independent feedback and friction forces to a user with the stylus.
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Specification