Three-dimensional tactile computer input device
US5396265A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 17, 1990 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0346
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A tactile computer input device which simulates an object being designed is used with a computer aided design (CAD) system. The input device allows a user to manually manipulate the input device as if it were the object under design. A preferred embodiment is directed toward the design of sheet metal parts. The design begins with a virtual metal sheet which is then manipulated by a user through manual manipulation of the input device. Bending of the virtual object is accomplished by bending of the input device. Stretching and shrinking of the virtual object is accomplished by expanding and compressing the input device. Spatial orientation of the virtual object follows the spatial orientation of the input device by providing the input device with a Polhemus orientation sensor. Other functions for manipulating the virtual sheet metal object include cutting, embossing, and punching.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.