Method, system and program for topographical interfacing

• US 6,509,892 B1
• Filed: 12/17/1999
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Cooper, Michael, Paolini, Michael, Kamper, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Application Number:
  US09/466,437
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173-178, 345/701, 345/702, 178/18.01, 178/18-3-, 341/21, 341/27
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/046 by electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/004 Details of particular tactile cells, e.g. electro-mechanical or mechanical layout

Abstract

A control surface is enabled that is flexible to provide a tactile-detectable graphical representation of graphical output from a data processing system. Application of external force to the control surface is detected. Closed-loop force feedback through the tactile-detectable graphical representation is controlled, in response to detection of external force applied to the control surface. In addition, adjustment of a view element is detected. The magnification of the graphical output that is represented by the tactile-detectable graphical representation is controlled, in response to detection of adjustment of the view control element.

Claims

1. A topographical interface system, said interface comprising:

a control surface that is flexible to provide a tactile-detectable graphical representation of graphical output from a data processing system, wherein said control surface includes;

a flexible material;

a plurality of mechanisms dispersed about said flexible material; and

a plurality of actuators controlled by a controller for controlling a position of said plurality of mechanisms to adjust the topography of said flexible material; and

said controller that controls closed-loop force feedback through said tactile-detectable graphical representation, in response to detection of external force applied to said control surface.

2. The topographical interface system according to claim 1, wherein said interface further comprises;

a sensitivity element that detects external force applied to said control surface.

3. The topographical interface system according to claim 2, wherein said sensitivity element further comprises:

a capacitive layer embedded with said control surface.

4. The topographical interface system according to claim 1, wherein said interface further comprises:

a display surface embedded within said control surface that provides a visual graphical representation of graphical output from said data processing system.

5. The topographical interface system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of actuators control a resistance of said plurality of mechanisms.

6. The topographical interface system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of actuators detect external force applied to said plurality of mechanisms.

7. The topographical interface system according to claim 1, wherein said flexible material is vacuum-sealed about said plurality of mechanisms.

8. The topographical interface system according to claim 1, wherein said controller further comprises:

a processor for interpreting and dispersing data transmitted to said topographical interface system; and

said processor for converting and controlling the transmission of data from said topographical interface system.

9. The topographical interface system according to claim 8, wherein said processor receives a graphical display signal and maps said graphical display signal to control said tactile-detectable graphical representation on said control surface.

10. The topographical interface system according to claim 9, wherein said processor adjusts mapping of said graphical display signal to control said tactile-detectable graphical representation on said control surface, in response to application of external force.

11. The topographical interface system according to claim 1, wherein said interface further comprises a communication element for transferring data between said data processing system and said topographical interface system.

12. A method for topographical interfacing, said method comprising the steps of:

enabling a control surface that is flexible to provide a tactile-detectable graphical representation of graphical output from a data processing system;

detecting application of external force to said control surface; and

controlling closed-loop force feedback through said tactile-detectable graphical representation, in response to detection of external force applied to said control surface, wherein said step of controlling closed-loop force feedback through said tactile-detectable graphical representation, includes the step of controlling the position of a plurality of mechanisms that adjust said control surface.

13. The method for topographical interfacing according to claim 12, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

controlling a display surface embedded within said control surface that provides a visual graphical representation of graphical output from said data processing system.

14. The method for topographical interfacing according to claim 12, wherein said method further comprises the step of:

controlling the resistance of said plurality of mechanisms.

15. A method for topographical interfacing, said method comprising the steps of:

enabling a control surface that is flexible to provide a tactile-detectable graphical representation of graphical output from a data processing system;

detecting application of external force to said control surface; and

controlling closed-loop force feedback through said tactile-detectable graphical representation, in response to detection of external force applied to said control surface, wherein said step of controlling closed-loop force feedback through said tactile-detectable graphical representation further comprises the steps of;

detecting an internal force applied to said control surface;

determining a difference between said internal force and said external force; and

adjusting said internal force of said graphical output, in response to determining a difference between said internal force and said external force.

16. The method for topographical interfacing according to claim 15, wherein said step of adjusting said internal force of said graphical output, further comprises the step of:

mapping control signals that control said tactile-detectable graphical representation from said adjusted internal force of said graphical output.

17. A program residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for enabling a control surface to provide a tactile-detectable graphical representation of graphical output;

means for detecting application of external force to said control surface;

means for controlling closed-loop force feedback through said tactile-detectable graphical representation, in response to detection of external force applied to said control surface; and

means for controlling the position of a plurality of mechanisms that adjust said control surface.

18. The program according to claim 17, said program further comprising;

means for enabling a visual graphical representation of graphical output.

19. The program according to claim 17, said program further comprising:

means for controlling the resistance of said plurality of mechanisms.

20. A program, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for enabling a control surface to provide a tactile-detectable graphical representation of graphical output;

means for detecting application of external force to said control surface;

means for controlling closed-loop force feedback through said tactile-detectable graphical representation, in response to detection of external force applied to said control surface;

means for detecting internal force applied to said control surface;

means for determining a difference between said internal force and said external force; and

means for adjusting said internal force of said graphical output, in response to determining a difference between said internal force and said external force.