Three dimensional position sensing interface with force output
US6046727A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2003/008
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for use with a computer for tracking the position of a user manipulatable object and for providing forces to lock the apparatus. The manipulatable object is coupled to a mechanical linkage which is supportable on a fixed surface and is tracked by sensors for sensing the location and/or orientation of the object. Force generators coupled to the linkage can lock one or more joints of the linkage in position. A multiprocessor system architecture is disclosed wherein a host computer system is interfaced with a dedicated microprocessor which is responsive to the output of the sensors and provides the host computer with information derived from the sensors. The host computer runs an application program which responds to sensor information and can display images in accordance therewith.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.