Interface for controlling a graphical image

• US 8,004,492 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2010
• Issued: 08/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Maier, Felix, Kramer, James F., Kuo, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Nitin
• Application Number:
  US12/910,156
• Publication Number:
  US 20110032187A1
• Time in Patent Office: 305 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-173, 715/701, 715/856, 715/863
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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 manipulatable 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. 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, the interface deice comprising:

a user manipulatable 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.

2. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the member is bowed to provide the haptic sensation.

3. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the member is biased away from the palm of the user.

4. The interface device of claim 1 wherein the graphical image is a graphical hand and wherein the haptic sensation is provided to the user when the graphical hand grasps the graphical object.

5. The interface device of claim 1 wherein the user manipulatable object comprises an instrumented glove.

6. An actuator for providing a haptic sensation to a user interfacing with a computer running an application program, the actuator comprising:

a deformable member having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion; and

a tendon capable of displacing the first end relative to the second end in response to the computer to cause the intermediate portion to contact the user and thereby provide a haptic sensation to the user.

7. The actuator of claim 6, wherein the deformable member is a leaf spring.

8. The actuator of claim 6, wherein the tendon passes through a guide member fixed to the first or second end of the deformable member.

9. The actuator of claim 6 wherein the deformable member is capable of providing a tactile sensation to the user.

10. The actuator of claim 6 wherein the deformable member is capable of providing a tactile sensation to the user.

11. A mouse for interfacing a user with a computer generating a graphical environment comprising a graphical hand, the mouse comprising:

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.

12. The mouse of claim 11 further comprising an actuator capable of providing a haptic sensation to the finger of the user.

13. The mouse of claim 12, wherein the actuator comprises a deformable member.

14. The mouse of claim 11 further comprising a position detector for each finger on the hand of the user.

15. The mouse of claim 11 wherein the finger position detector comprises a button on the mouse.

16. The mouse of claim 15, wherein the button comprises first and second sensing portions.