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Method and apparatus for providing high bandwidth, low noise mechanical I/O for computer systems

  • US 5,731,804 A
  • Filed: 01/18/1995
  • Issued: 03/24/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for interfacing motion of a user-manipulable object with an electrical system comprising:

  • a gimbal mechanism including a plurality of members and providing two revolute degrees of freedom to a user-manipulable object about two axes of rotation, wherein said gimbal mechanism includes a closed loop five member linkage, and wherein each of said five members is rotatably coupled to at least two other members of said linkage, and wherein said five member linkage includes;

    a ground member coupled to a ground surface;

    first and second extension members, each extension member being coupled to said ground member; and

    first and second central members, said first central member having an end coupled to said first extension member and said second central member having an end coupled to said second extension member, wherein said central members are coupled to each other at ends not coupled to said extension members and wherein at least one of said central members is translatably coupled to said linear axis member;

    a linear axis member translatably coupled to said gimbal mechanism and independently translatable with respect to said gimbal mechanism along a linear third axis in a third degree of freedom, wherein said object is coupled to said linear axis member and is independently translatable along said third axis with respect to said gimbal mechanism, said third axis extending approximately through an intersection of said two axes of rotation; and

    a first degree of freedom transducer coupled between two of said members of said gimbal mechanism;

    whereby said transducer provides an electromechanical interface between said object and said electrical system.

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