Hemispherical, high bandwidth mechanical interface for computer systems
First Claim
1. An interface mechanism providing motion in at least two degrees of freedom for a user and interfacing said motion with a computer, said interface mechanism comprising:
- a gimbal mechanism including a plurality of members pivotably coupled to each other and providing two revolute degrees of freedom about a single pivot point located remotely from said plurality of members, said pivot point located at about an intersection of axes of rotation of said members; and
a user manipulatable object coupled to at least one of said plurality of members, said user manipulatable object being rotatable in said two revolute degrees of freedom about said pivot point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mechanical interface for providing high bandwidth and low noise mechanical input and output for computer systems. A gimbal mechanism includes multiple members that are pivotably coupled to each other to provide two revolute degrees of freedom to a user manipulatable about a pivot point located remotely from the members at about an intersection of the axes of rotation of the members. A linear axis member, coupled to the user object, is coupled to at least one of the members, extends through the remote pivot point and is movable in the two rotary degrees of freedom and a third linear degree of freedom. Transducers associated with the provided degrees of freedom include sensors and actuators and provide an electromechanical interface between the object and a computer. Capstan band drive mechanisms transmit forces between the transducers and the object and include a capstan and flat bands, where the flat bands transmit motion and force between the capstan and interface members. Applications include simulations of medical procedures, e.g. epidural anesthesia, where the user object is a needle or other medical instrument, or other types of simulations or games.
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Citations
54 Claims
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1. An interface mechanism providing motion in at least two degrees of freedom for a user and interfacing said motion with a computer, said interface mechanism comprising:
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a gimbal mechanism including a plurality of members pivotably coupled to each other and providing two revolute degrees of freedom about a single pivot point located remotely from said plurality of members, said pivot point located at about an intersection of axes of rotation of said members; and a user manipulatable object coupled to at least one of said plurality of members, said user manipulatable object being rotatable in said two revolute degrees of freedom about said pivot point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for providing a simulation using a computer system and an interface apparatus, the method comprising:
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providing an interface apparatus coupled to a user manipulatable object, said interface apparatus including a gimbal mechanism that provides two rotary degrees of freedom in a spherical workspace to said user manipulatable object, wherein said user manipulatable object may be rotated about a pivot point remote from said gimbal mechanism and located at a center of a sphere defined by said spherical workspace, and wherein said interface apparatus also provides a third linear degree of freedom to said user manipulatable object through said remote pivot point; detecting on a computer system the position of said user manipulatable object in said linear degree of freedom from a sensor included on said interface apparatus; and outputting a force on said user manipulatable object in said linear degree of freedom using an actuator coupled to said interface apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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- 30. A method as recited in claim wherein said physical property profile is selected additionally based on a trajectory of said needle within said tissue.
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32. A mechanism for providing motion in at least two degrees of freedom, said mechanism comprising:
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a linear axis member able to move in two revolute degrees of freedom in a spherical workspace; and a gimbal mechanism coupled to said linear axis member, said gimbal mechanism including a plurality of members pivotably coupled to each other and providing said two revolute degrees of freedom for said linear axis member about a pivot point located remotely from said plurality of members, said pivot point located at about an intersection of axes of rotation of said members at a center of a sphere defined by said spherical workspace. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. An interface mechanism for interfacing motion with a computer system, said interface mechanism comprising:
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a plurality of members, each of said members being coupled to at least one other of said members and movable with respect to said other members, said plurality of members providing two revolute degrees of freedom to a user manipulatable object about a pivot point located remotely from said plurality of members, said pivot point located at about an intersection of axes of rotation of said members; an actuator for providing a force in said degree of freedom of said user manipulable object; a sensor for sensing positions of said user manipulatable object in said at least one degree of freedom; and a band drive mechanism, said band drive mechanism including a capstan and a flat band, said capstan coupled to a particular one of said members and to a rotating shaft of said actuator, wherein said capstan is coupled to said particular member by said flat band such that force is applied to said particular member in said at least one degree of freedom when said rotating shaft of said actuator is rotated. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification