Force reflecting haptic interface

• US 8,994,643 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2008
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc. (3D Systems Corporation)
• Original Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc. (3D Systems Corporation)
• Inventors: Massie, Thomas H., Goodwin, William A., Chen, Elaine, Kapoor, Deepak, Cohen, Abbe J., Itkowitz, Brandon
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kumar
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sadio, Insa
• Application Number:
  US12/169,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20080291161A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,457 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-184, 463/38
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/206 comprising thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors

Abstract

A multi-function force reflecting haptic interface including various sub-assemblies is disclosed. The sub-assemblies include multiple function user interfaces, a user interface docking station for setting the interface to a home position, temperature monitoring and control systems, and various kinematic cable drive systems.

Claims

1. A docking station for a force reflecting haptic interface, the docking station being secured within a housing of the haptic interface, and comprising:

a mating structure adapted to releasably engage at least a portion of a user interface, wherein

the user interface comprises a nose section for tracing a physical model or drawing. and the mating structure comprises a matching barrel formed in the housing of the haptic interface and sized to fit at least a portion of the nose section of the user interface;

the user interface is configured to function as a force feedback device for the force reflecting haptic interface, and

the user interface is configured to be at least one of (a) donned by, (b) grasped by, or (c) connected to a user; and

a switch disposed proximate the mating structure, wherein the switch is configured to detect the presence of the portion of the user interface upon engagement of the portion of the user interface with the mating structure.

2. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the switch is actuatable by insertion of at least a portion of the nose section into the barrel.

3. The docking station of claim 2, wherein, upon actuation of the switch, the haptic interface is set to a home position.

4. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising a retainer for retaining the user interface in the docking station.

5. The docking station of claim 4, wherein the retainer comprises:

a spring loaded projection disposed on one of the user interface or the docking station; and

a mating recess for receiving the projection disposed on the other of the user interface or the docking station.

6. The docking station of claim 5, wherein the spring loaded projection is disposed within the barrel, and the mating recess is disposed on the user interface.

7. The docking station of claim 4, wherein the docking station comprises a sensor configured to indicate mating of the user interface with the docking station upon engagement of the retainer.

8. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising a visual indicator located inside the barrel at a base thereof.

9. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising a visual indicator located proximate the barrel constructed of a clear material.

10. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising an indicator that indicates at least one of a fault condition or a status.

11. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a sensor.

12. A force reflecting haptic interface comprising:

a user interface configured to function as a force feedback device for the force reflecting haptic interface, wherein

the user interface comprises a nose section for tracing a physical model or drawing, and

the user interface is configured to be at least one of (a) donned by, (b) grasped by, or (c) connected to a user; and

a docking station secured within a housing of the haptic interface and comprising;

a mating structure adapted to releasably engage at least a portion of the user interface, wherein the mating structure comprises a matching barrel formed in the housing of the haptic interface sized to fit at least a portion of the nose section of the user interface; and

a sensor disposed proximate the mating structure, wherein the sensor is configured to detect engagement of the portion of the user interface with the mating structure.

13. The force reflecting haptic interface of claim 12, wherein the user interface comprises a stylus.

14. The force reflecting haptic interface of claim 12, wherein, upon detection of engagement of the portion of the user interface with the mating structure, a spatial position associated with the force reflecting haptic interface is set to a home position.

15. The force reflecting haptic interface of claim 14, wherein the home position is a user-defined home position.

16. The force reflecting haptic interface of claim 12, wherein the sensor comprises a switch.

17. The force reflecting haptic interface of claim 12, wherein:

the docking station further comprises a projection disposed within the barrel; and

the user interface comprises a recess configured to receive the projection.