Method and apparatus for providing tactile sensations using an interface device
First Claim
1. A method of providing an interface device for use with a host computer, said interface device providing selectively programmable tactile sensations, said method comprising:
- providing a grippable member in said interface device to be engaged and manipulated by a user;
providing a motor in said interface device that produces a tactile sensation felt by said user via said interface device;
providing a tactile control microprocessor in communication with said host computer via a communication link, said host computer running a host software application, said tactile control microprocessor for controlling said motor in accordance with the requirements of said host software application;
providing local memory accessible by said tactile control microprocessor;
receiving tactile data from said host computer and storing a representation of said tactile data in said local memory, said tactile data defining a desired tactile sensation to be generated by said interface device; and
providing firmware run by said tactile control microprocessor, said firmware using said tactile data to influence control of said motor so as to produce said desired tactile sensation in accordance with said requirements of said main software application.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus implementing a user interface device, such as a mouse or trackball, having electronically controllable tactile responsiveness which is flexibly programmable. A user interface device effects positioning of a cursor within a limited area, such as on a display screen, with limits imposed by controllable tactile responsiveness. Programmable force-position characteristics relate the tactile responsiveness of the interface device to the position of the cursor within the limited area or on the display screen. In a described embodiment, the interface device includes at least two sets of wheels that move as the interface device is actuated. The at least two sets of wheels are aligned on mutually orthogonal axes. A servo motor is attached to each of the at least two sets of wheels. A position encoder is associated with each servo motor and outputs position information to a controller that has access to force-position relation information that is a function of a screen display on which the cursor is manipulated. The controller outputs a digital signal, in accordance with the force-display position relation information. The digital signal is converted to an analog current signal applied to the servo motor(s) to generate force in the servo motor. The force, presenting a tactile response to a human interacting with the user interface device, is perceived as a resistance, tactile pressure or lack thereof, or as a positive, assisted motion which is indicative of position on a screen display.
243 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of providing an interface device for use with a host computer, said interface device providing selectively programmable tactile sensations, said method comprising:
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providing a grippable member in said interface device to be engaged and manipulated by a user;
providing a motor in said interface device that produces a tactile sensation felt by said user via said interface device;
providing a tactile control microprocessor in communication with said host computer via a communication link, said host computer running a host software application, said tactile control microprocessor for controlling said motor in accordance with the requirements of said host software application;
providing local memory accessible by said tactile control microprocessor;
receiving tactile data from said host computer and storing a representation of said tactile data in said local memory, said tactile data defining a desired tactile sensation to be generated by said interface device; and
providing firmware run by said tactile control microprocessor, said firmware using said tactile data to influence control of said motor so as to produce said desired tactile sensation in accordance with said requirements of said main software application. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An interface device for use with a host computer, said interface device having selectively programmable tactile responsiveness, said interface device comprising;
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a grippable member to be engaged and manipulated by a user;
a motor coupled to said interface device that produces a tactile sensation felt by said user;
a local memory, wherein tactile data from said host computer is stored in said local memory, said tactile data describing said tactile sensation to be produced by said motor; and
a tactile control microprocessor in communication with said host computer via a communication link and coupled to said local memory, said host computer running a host software application, said tactile control microprocessor controlling said motor in accordance with the requirements of said host software application, wherein firmware is run by said tactile control microprocessor, said firmware accessing said tactile data from said memory and using said tactile data to influence control of said motor so as to produce said tactile sensation in accordance with said requirements of said main software application. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An interface device for use with a host computer, said interface device enabling programmable tactile responsiveness, said interface device comprising:
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an engageable member to be engaged and manipulated by a user;
a motor coupled to said interface device such that controlling a current through said motor produces a tactile sensation felt by said user operating said interface device;
a local memory, wherein tactile data from said host computer is stored in said local memory, said tactile data used in describing said tactile sensation to be generated by the interface device; and
a tactile control microcontroller separate from and in communication with said host computer via a communication link and coupled to said local memory, said host computer running a host software application, said tactile control microcontroller controlling said motor in accordance with the requirements of said host software application, wherein firmware is run by said tactile control microcontroller, said firmware accessing said tactile data from said memory and using said tactile data to influence control of said motor so as to produce said tactile sensation in accordance with said requirements of said main software application. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of providing an interface device for use with a host computer, said interface device providing selectively programmable tactile sensations, said method comprising:
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providing a grippable member in said interface device to be engaged and manipulated by a user;
providing a motor in said interface device that produces a tactile sensation felt by said user via said interface device;
providing a tactile control microprocessor in communication with said host computer via a communication link, said host computer running a host software application, said tactile control microprocessor controlling said motor in accordance with the requirements of said host software application, receiving tactile data from said host computer, and storing said tactile data, said tactile data determining a desired tactile sensation to be generated by said interface device, and wherein said microprocessor uses said tactile data to influence control of said motor so as to produce said desired tactile sensation in accordance with said requirements of said main software application; and
providing local memory accessible by said tactile control microprocessor, wherein said local microprocessor stores said tactile data in said local memory.
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Specification