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Tactiley responsive user interface device and method therefor

  • US 5,889,672 A
  • Filed: 06/03/1998
  • Issued: 03/30/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A programmable input and output device electrically coupled to a host computer running a host application, said device comprising:

  • a moveable member manipulatable by a human user in at least one degree of freedom;

    a sensor that produces position signals specifying the position of said moveable member with respect to said at least one degree of freedom;

    a memory, separate from a memory of said host computer and local to said device, in which a plurality of tactile responsiveness definitions are stored and are individually accessible in accordance with requirements of said host application;

    a processor that is electrically coupled to said memory to access a desired tactile responsiveness definition that is selected from said plurality of stored tactile responsiveness definitions in accordance with requirements of said host application, said processor producing a torque signal in accordance with said selected tactical responsiveness definition; and

    an actuator electrically coupled to said processor and mechanically coupled to said moveable member, said actuator applying a torque upon said moveable member in said at least one degree of freedom in response to said torque signal, thereby generating a tactile responsiveness to said moveable member, the direction and a magnitude of said torque being specified by said selected tactile responsiveness definition.

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