Force feedback mouse wheel and other control wheels
US6128006A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 26, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 3, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/014
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A force feedback wheel is provided on a mouse or other interface device manipulated by a user. A sensor detects a position of the mouse in a workspace and sends a position signal to a connected host computer indicating that position. A rotatable wheel is mounted upon the manipulandum and rotates about a wheel axis, where a wheel sensor provides a wheel signal to the host computer indicating a rotary position of the wheel. A wheel actuator coupled to the rotatable wheel applies a computer-modulated force to the wheel about the wheel axis. The mouse can be a standard mouse or a force-feedback mouse, where forces are applied in the mouse workspace. The host computer is preferably running a graphical environment, where the force applied to the wheel can correspond with an event or interaction displayed in the graphical environment. The wheel can also be included on other devices such as remote controls and radios.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.