Method and apparatus for providing force sensations in virtual environments in accordance with host software
US6057828A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2003/008
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing force sensations in virtual environments includes a human/computer interface device and method used in conjunction with a host computer and which can provide feel sensations to a user of the device. A user manipulatable object physically contacted by a user, such as a joystick, stylus, pool cue, or other object, is movable in multiple degrees of freedom using a gimbal mechanism. A local microprocessor, separate from the host computer, enables communication with the host computer and receives commands from the host, decodes the commands, outputs actuator signals in accordance with commands, receives sensor signals, and reports data to the host in response to commands. Actuators generate feel sensations by providing a force on the user object in response to actuator signals from the local microprocessor, and sensors detect the motion of the user object and reports sensor signals to the local microprocessor. Memory is included locally to the local microprocessor for storing program instructions and routines enabling feel sensations and host-microprocessor communication. The feel sensation generated on the user is, in one embodiment, a damping sensa…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.