Interface device with tactile feedback button
First Claim
1. A force feedback interface device in communication with a host computer implementing a host application program, said interface device physically contacted by a user, the interface device comprising:
- a sensor device operative to detect movement of said interface device, or a manipulandum thereof, and to output sensor signals representative of said movement;
a button coupled to said housing of said interface device and having a degree of freedom and including a sensor for detecting a position of said button, such that when said button is pressed by said user to a predetermined position, a command signal is sent to said host computer;
a processor-controlled actuator coupled to said button, said actuator operative to apply an output spring force in said degree of freedom of said button; and
a processor local to said force feedback interface device and separate from said host computer and coupled to said sensor device and to said actuator, said processor receiving a command from said host computer that causes said processor to control said actuator to create said spring force in said degree of freedom of said button, said spring force having a magnitude specified by said command.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low-cost force feedback interface device for providing low cost force feedback for enhancing interactions and manipulations in a graphical environment provided by a computer. One embodiment provides a mouse movable in a planar workspace and providing output sensor signals representative of that movement. Mouse button movement is detected to send command signals to the host computer, and an actuator coupled to the button applies an output force in the degree of freedom of the button. In a different embodiment, a force feedback pointing device includes a cylindrical member that may be rotated about an axis and translated along that axis to provide sensor signals to control a position of a graphical object such as a cursor. A command sensor detects motion of the cylindrical member perpendicular to the translation, such as when the cylindrical member is pressed down by the user. An actuator applies an output force in the perpendicular degree of freedom of the cylindrical member. The output force is correlated with interaction of the controlled cursor with other graphical objects in the graphical environment. The force sensation can be a jolt, vibration, constant force, texture force, or other type of force.
201 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A force feedback interface device in communication with a host computer implementing a host application program, said interface device physically contacted by a user, the interface device comprising:
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a sensor device operative to detect movement of said interface device, or a manipulandum thereof, and to output sensor signals representative of said movement;
a button coupled to said housing of said interface device and having a degree of freedom and including a sensor for detecting a position of said button, such that when said button is pressed by said user to a predetermined position, a command signal is sent to said host computer;
a processor-controlled actuator coupled to said button, said actuator operative to apply an output spring force in said degree of freedom of said button; and
a processor local to said force feedback interface device and separate from said host computer and coupled to said sensor device and to said actuator, said processor receiving a command from said host computer that causes said processor to control said actuator to create said spring force in said degree of freedom of said button, said spring force having a magnitude specified by said command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for providing force feedback in an input device in communication with a host computer, the method comprising:
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outputting sensor signals to said host computer, said sensor signals representing a position of said input device;
outputting a button signal to said host computer in response to a button on said input device being moved by a user in a degree of freedom of said button; and
outputting a jolt on said button in said degree of freedom of said button based on a host command sent to said input device from said host computer, said jolt correlated with the interaction of a user-controlled graphical object with a graphical object displayed in a graphical user interface, said jolt including an impulse of force that rises to a maximum magnitude and then is reduced in magnitude or turned off, said impulse of force moving said button in said degree of freedom of said button. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A force feedback interface device in communication with a host computer implementing a host application program, said interface device physically contacted by a user and moveable in a planar workspace, the mouse comprising:
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a sensor device coupled to a housing of said mouse, said sensor device detecting said movement of said mouse in said planar workspace and to output sensor signals representative of said movement;
a button coupled to said housing of said mouse and having a degree of freedom and a button sensor for detecting a position of said button, such that when said button is pressed by said user to a predetermined position, a command signal is sent to said host computer;
an actuator coupled to said button of said mouse, said actuator operative to apply an output jolt in said degree of freedom of said button; and
a processor local to said force feedback device and separate from said host computer and coupled to said sensor device and to said actuator, said processor receiving a command from said host computer that causes said processor to control said actuator to create said jolt in said degree of freedom of said button, said jolt including an impulse of force that rises to a maximum magnitude and then is reduced in magnitude or turned off, said impulse of force moving said button in said degree of freedom of said button. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification