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Magnetically-controllable, semi-active haptic interface system and apparatus

  • US 6,339,419 B1
  • Filed: 11/10/1998
  • Issued: 01/15/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A haptic interface system for providing resistance forces to a haptic interface device movable by an operator in at least one direction of displacement, the haptic interface system comprising:

  • a controller for receiving a variable input signal and providing a variable output signal, said controller adapted for running an interactive program that processes said interactive program and said variable input signal and in response derives said variable output signal corresponding to a semi-active, variable resistance force; and

    a magnetically-controllable device that receives said variable output signal and provides said variable resistance force in proportion to said variable output signal, said magnetically controllable device comprising a volume of a magnetically controllable medium, the variable resistance forces being provided by changing the rheology of the magnetically controllable medium in response to said output signal to thereby directly control the ease of movement of the haptic interface device, said variable resistance forces being provided to resist displacement of the haptic interface device by the operator in at least one direction of displacement of said device.

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