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Method and apparatus for controlling force feedback interface systems utilizing a host computer

  • US 6,219,033 B1
  • Filed: 03/30/1998
  • Issued: 04/17/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A force feedback interface device manipulated by a user and communicating with a host computer implementing a graphical environment, said host computer updating said graphical environment in response to input signals, said force feedback interface device comprising:

  • a microprocessor, separate from said host computer, communicating with said host computer via a communication bus by receiving a texture host command from said host computer and implementing said texture host command in a force process, and by relaying said input signals to said host computer wherein said host computer updates a parallel execution of said graphical environment in response to said input signals, and wherein said texture host command specifies a text force sensation, said texture host command including;

    a command identifier identifying said texture force sensation to be output, wherein said microprocessor runs instructions in a force process allowing said microprocessor to process said command identifier, said texture force sensation including a plurality of forces, each of said plurality of forces being correlated with a different spatial location in said graphical environment; and

    at least one command parameter associated with said command identifier and characterizing said torture force sensation commanded by said texture host command;

    a user object movable in a degree of freedom by a user and being physically contacted by said user;

    an actuator electrically coupled to said microprocessor and outputting said plurality of forces to said user in accordance with a processor force command from said microprocessor, said processor force command being derived from at least one of said texture host command, said force process, and a position or mot on of said user object, wherein said plurality of forces output by said actuator implements at least in part said texture force sensation characterized by said at least one command parameter; and

    a sensor electrically coupled to said microprocessor and detecting motion of said user object in said degree of freedom and outputting said input signals to said microprocessor, said input signals including information representative of said motion of said user object.

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