Force feedback system including multi-tasking graphical host environment and interface device
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A haptic system comprising:
- first generating means for generating a first force sensation in response to receiving a first signal; and
second generating means for generating a second force sensation in response to receiving a second signal;
wherein the first signal is associated with a first application program, the first application program running during a first time period; and
wherein the second signal is associated with a second application program, the second application program running during a second time period that overlaps with the first time period in a multi-tasking environment.
1 Assignment
Litigations
2 Petitions
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A force feedback system provides components for use in a force feedback system including a host computer and a force feedback interface device. An architecture for a host computer allows multi-tasking application programs to interface with the force feedback device without conflicts. One embodiment of a force feedback device provides both relative position reporting and absolute position reporting to allow great flexibility. A different device embodiment provides relative position reporting device allowing maximum compatibility with existing software. Information such as ballistic parameters and screen size sent from the host to the force feedback device allow accurate mouse positions and cursor positions to be determined in the force feedback environment. Force feedback effects and structures are further described, such as events and enclosures.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A haptic system comprising:
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first generating means for generating a first force sensation in response to receiving a first signal; and second generating means for generating a second force sensation in response to receiving a second signal; wherein the first signal is associated with a first application program, the first application program running during a first time period; and wherein the second signal is associated with a second application program, the second application program running during a second time period that overlaps with the first time period in a multi-tasking environment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A haptic computer system comprising:
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a computer memory storing a first application program and a second application program; means for running the first application program during a first time period, and the second application during a second time period that overlaps with the first time period in a multi-tasking environment; a force sensation generator configured to output a first set of one or more force sensations associated with the first application program, and a second set of one or more force sensations associated with the second application program.
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12. A haptic system comprising:
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a moveable device; a first processor configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, the first processor being configured to send a first signal, wherein the first signal indicates absolute position information of the moveable device when the first processor is operating in the first mode, and wherein the first signal indicates relative position information of the moveable device when the first processor is operating in the second mode; and a force sensation generator configured to output a force sensation when the first processor is operating in the first mode, the force sensation generator not being configured to output a force sensation when the first processor is operating in the second mode. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A software method in a multi-tasking environment comprising:
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storing a plurality of data sets in memory, each data set comprising a representation of one or more force effects, wherein each one of the plurality of data sets is associated with one software application; calling an application programming interface; determining which one of a plurality of application programs is active in the multi-tasking environment; and generating a signal representing the data set associated with the active application program.
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19. A computer-implemented method for allowing a user to associate an event with a haptic effect, comprising:
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providing, by one or more processors of a computing device, a user with a selectable plurality of haptic effects; receiving, by the computing device from the user, an association of at least one haptic effect from among the selectable plurality of haptic effects with at least one graphical object; storing, by the computing device, the association; and causing, by the computing device, the associated at least one haptic effect to be output based at least in part on the stored association. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification