Force feedback interface device having isometric functionality
First Claim
1. A method of providing pan, scroll, or zoom functions for a displayed image on a display screen of a host computer, the method comprising:
- providing a user manipulatable object coupled to an actuator, said user manipulatable object being moved in at least one degree of freedom by a user, wherein a force output by said actuator is controlled by a local microprocessor;
causing a resistance using said actuator to oppose said movement of said user manipulatable object in said at least one degree of freedom; and
performing a scroll, pan, or zoom function for said displayed image in response to said movement of said user manipulatable object against said resistance.
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Abstract
A force feedback interface having isotonic and isometric control capability coupled to a host computer that displays a graphical environment such as a GUI. The interface includes a user manipulatable physical object movable in physical space, such as a mouse or puck. A sensor detects the object'"'"'s movement and an actuator applies output force on the physical object. A mode selector selects isotonic and isometric control modes of the interface from an input device such as a physical button or from an interaction between graphical objects. Isotonic mode provides input to the host computer based on a position of the physical object and updates a position of a cursor, and force sensations can be applied to the physical object based on movement of the cursor. Isometric mode provides input to the host computer based on an input force applied by the user to the physical object, where the input force is determined from a sensed deviation of the physical object in space. The input force opposes an output force applied by the actuator and is used to control a function of an application program, such as scrolling a document or panning or zooming a displayed view. An overlay force, such as a jolt or vibration, can be added to the output force in isometric mode to indicate an event or condition in the graphical environment.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method of providing pan, scroll, or zoom functions for a displayed image on a display screen of a host computer, the method comprising:
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providing a user manipulatable object coupled to an actuator, said user manipulatable object being moved in at least one degree of freedom by a user, wherein a force output by said actuator is controlled by a local microprocessor;
causing a resistance using said actuator to oppose said movement of said user manipulatable object in said at least one degree of freedom; and
performing a scroll, pan, or zoom function for said displayed image in response to said movement of said user manipulatable object against said resistance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for allowing isometric control from a user utilizing a force feedback interface device coupled to a host computer displaying a graphical environment, the method comprising:
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receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, said sensor signal including information from which a motion of a user manipulatable object in a degree of freedom is derived;
causing a resistance to be output in opposition to said motion of said user manipulatable object in said degree of freedom using an actuator;
providing to said host computer an indication of a deviation of said user manipulatable object against said resistance, said deviation being in reference to a reference position of said user manipulatable object when said resistance was first applied; and
causing an overlaid force to be output on said user manipulatable object based on an event occurring in said graphical environment in addition to said resistance. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of controlling an audio parameter stored within an electrical system based on input from a user, the method comprising:
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receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, said sensor signal including information from which a motion of a user manipulatable object in a degree of freedom is derived;
applying a resistance opposing said motion of said user manipulatable object, said resistance being applied using an actuator; and
adjusting a value of said audio parameter in response to said user pushing said user manipulatable object against said resistance, said adjusting being a function of a magnitude of said pushing, wherein said audio parameter is used, at least in part, in the output of an audio signal to said user. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of controlling a visual parameter stored within an electrical system based on input from a user, the method comprising:
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receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, said sensor signal including information from which a motion of a user manipulatable object in a degree of freedom is derived;
applying a resistance opposing said motion of said user manipulatable object, said resistance being applied using an actuator; and
adjusting a value of said visual parameter in response to said user pushing said user manipulatable object against said resistance, said adjusting being a function of a magnitude of said pushing, wherein said visual parameter is used, at least in part, in the output of an image to said user on a display device to indicate said degree of said pushing. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification