Force feedback device including safety switch and force magnitude ramping
US6348911B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L67/131
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A force feedback interface device including safety features. The interface device includes a sensor that senses the position of a user manipulatable object in a degree of freedom and provides a sensor signal indicating the position of the user manipulatable object to a host computer. An actuator of the device applies a force to the user manipulatable object in the degree of freedom. A safety switch of the interface device disables the actuator when the user is not using the interface device and enables the actuator when the user is using the device. A device is included in the interface device to execute a force ramping process when the safety switch enables the actuator, the force ramping process causing the force to be produced at a reduced magnitude and slowly increased to a desired magnitude over a period of time to avoid an abrupt application of initial force.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.