Interface for controlling a graphical image

• US 7,821,498 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2005
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Kuo, Lawrence, Maier, Felix, Kramer, James F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Nitin
• Application Number:
  US11/195,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20060132433A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,912 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-173, 482/101, 600/117
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

An interface device for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer running an application program and generating a graphical image and a graphical object, comprises a user manipuatable object in, communication with the computer, a sensor to detect a manipulation of the object, the sensor providing a signal to the computer to control the graphical image, and an actuator adapted to provide a haptic sensation to the palm of the user in relation to an interaction between the graphical image, and the graphical object, the actuator comprising a member that is deformable to provide the haptic sensation. In another version, a mouse for interfacing a user with a computer generating a graphical environment comprising a graphical hand comprises a housing, a position detector to detect a position of the mouse, the position detector capable of providing a first position signal to the computer to control the position of the graphical hand in the graphical environment, and a finger position detector to detect a position of a finger of the user, the finger position detector capable of providing a second position signal to the computer to control a graphical finger on the graphical hand in relation to the position of the finger of the user.

Claims

1. A manipulandum comprising:

a position detector to detect movement of the manipulandum, wherein the position detector is configured to provide a position signal representative of the movement to a computer in communication with a display, the position signal configured to manipulate a graphical image on the display in at least a first degree of freedom; and

a first sensor selectively operable by touch and configured to provide a first sensor signal to the computer to manipulate the graphical image in at least a second degree of freedom.

2. The manipulandum of claim 1, wherein the manipulandum is moveable over a planar surface in two dimensions.

3. The manipulandum of claim 1, wherein the first sensor provides a second sensor signal to manipulate the graphical image in an additional degree of freedom.

4. The manipulandum of claim 3, wherein the first sensor provides a third sensor signal to manipulate the graphical image in yet another degree of freedom.

5. The manipulandum of claim 1, wherein the graphical object is manipulable in an additional degree of freedom when the sensor provides the signal and the position detector provides the position signal simultaneously.

6. The manipulandum of claim 1, wherein the sensor is operable to manipulate the graphical object in a first additional degree of freedom when operated in a first direction and in a second additional degree of freedom when operated in a second direction.

7. The manipulandum of claim 1, wherein the graphical image is a cursor on the display.

8. The manipulandum of claim 1, wherein the manipulandum is a computer mouse.

9. The manipulandum of claim 1, wherein the manipulandum is a glove.

10. The manipulandum of claim 1 further comprising a second sensor selectively operable by touch and configured to provide a second sensor signal to the computer to manipulate the graphical image in at least a third degree of freedom.

11. A computer mouse comprising:

a position detector configured to detect movement of the mouse along a planar surface and provide a position signal to a computer in communication with a display, wherein the position signal is capable of manipulating a graphical image on the display in at least a first degree of freedom; and

a sensor operable by touch and configured to provide a first signal to the computer when sensing touch, wherein the graphical image is manipulable in at least a second degree of freedom when the computer receives the first signal.

12. The computer mouse of claim 11, wherein the first sensor provides a second sensor signal configured to manipulate the graphical image in an additional degree of freedom.

13. The computer mouse of claim 12 further comprising a second sensor configured to provides a signal configured to manipulate the graphical image in yet another additional degree of freedom.

14. The computer mouse of claim 11, wherein graphical image is manipulable in an additional degree of freedom when the computer simultaneously receives the signal and the position signal.

15. The computer mouse of claim 11, wherein the graphical image is a cursor on the display.

16. The computer mouse of claim 11, wherein the sensor is operable to manipulate the graphical object in a first additional degree of freedom when operated in a first direction and in a second additional degree of freedom when operated in a second direction.

17. A computer mouse comprising:

means for detecting movement of the mouse along a planar surface, wherein the means for detecting is configured to provide a position signal to a computer in communication with a display, wherein the position signal is capable of manipulating a graphical image on the display in at least a first degree of freedom; and

means for sensing a user'"'"'s touch, wherein the means for sensing provides a signal to the computer to manipulate the graphical image in at least a second degree of freedom.

18. The computer mouse of claim 17 wherein the graphical image is manipulable in an additional degree of freedom when the computer simultaneously receives the signal and the position signal.

19. The computer mouse of claim 17 wherein the graphical image is a cursor on the display.

20. The computer mouse of claim 17 wherein the means for sensing is operable to

manipulate the graphical object in a first additional degree of freedom when operated in a first direction and in a second additional degree of freedom when operated in a second direction.

21. A manipulandum comprising:

a position detector to detect movement of the manipulandum, wherein the position detector is configured to provide a position signal representative of the movement to a computer in communication with a display, the position signal configured to manipulate a graphical image on the display in at least two degrees of freedom; and

a sensor selectively operable by touch and configured to provide a signal to the computer to manipulate the graphical image in at least a third degree of freedom.