Patent · US Active

Tactile input/output device and system to represent and manipulate computer-generated surfaces

US8203529B2 · kind B2 · utility

19Cited by
9References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 13, 2008
Grant dateJun 19, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 18, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F3/016
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention discloses a tactile input/output device for representing and manipulating computer-generated surfaces. Also disclosed are a novel system and method for implementing the forgoing aspects. In essence, there is provided an intuitive concept of manipulating and editing a computer-generated surface, by employing a combination of traditional input and output devices (keyboard, mouse, display, etc.) and a novel device that enables users to touch, edit and modify a physical representation of the surface. The tactile device includes an array of displaceable pins, which are driven by a control system having a plurality of micro-actuators operating in combination with a rack-and-pinion assembly.

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