Patent · US Expired

Force feedback joystick with digital signal processor controlled by host processor

US5742278A · kind A · utility

338Cited by
10References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 1, 1995
Grant dateApr 21, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 1, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F2203/015
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A force feedback joystick unit connected to the serial port of a personal computer applies a variety of force effects to the joystick handle in response to commands from the executing personal computer program. Forces are applied to the joystick, which is mounted on a gimbal support for movement in two degrees of freedom, by a pair of drive motors which operate under the control of a digital signal processor (DSP). The DSP is programmed to respond to predetermined commands issued by a program executing on the personal computer to produce basic force effects including a constant force, a spring force proportional to the displacement of the joystick handle from a reference, a damping force proportional to the velocity of the joystick, and a time varying force effect having a selectable waveform, magnitude and period. More complex forces effects are produced by combining the basic effects. Custom force effects can be defined by the executing application program, the definitions being downloadable from the personal computer into the DSP which thereafter produces the defined custom force effect upon subsequent command from the personal computer. Multiple force effects, including both ba…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.