Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Patent
1993-09-28
1999-08-31
Mengistu, Amare
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
345156, G09G 508
Patent
active
059459786
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a haptic computer output device and more specifically to human/computer interface equipment which, when mounted on or adjacent a part of the human body, will apply tactile stimuli to the body under the control of the computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recent years have seen the development of "virtual reality". The user of the system is presented with computer-generated images which change in response to changes in the notional relative positions of the viewer and the virtual object so that the viewer has the sense of occupying a fully three-dimensional, artificial world. Virtual reality is described in United Kingdom Patent Specification Serial No. 2 201 069A and reference is made thereto for a fuller understanding of the present invention.
It is desirable that the viewer of virtual objects should be able to "interact" with them, such as by "picking them up" and "moving them about". For this it is desirable that one of the objects viewed is a cursor representing e.g. the hand of the viewer. By moving his real hand he causes corresponding movements of the cursor, and when this occupies the same apparent space as another virtual object the computer must react appropriately. If the object "contacted" is notionally movable the computer must show it moving; if notionally immovable the movement of the cursor must be arrested, all to preserve the simulation of reality.
A deficiency in the realism currently experienced when interacting in this way with virtual objects is that the viewer experiences no tactile sensations when the cursor representing his hand "touches" an object. This lack of one of the normal sensory experiences detracts from the illusion. If the experience of virtual reality is solely visual, or visual and auditory, the lack of the corresponding sensation of touch will remind the viewer that he is inhabiting an artificial world, enabling him to preserve sane of the detachment of a film or television audience and the experience will be less than the completely absorbing one which virtual reality has the potential to provide.
A principal object of the present invention is to redress this deficiency of previous virtual reality proposals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a haptic computer output device comprising an exoskeleton member having digital extensions comprising ring formations adapted to encircle human appendages, at least same of said ring formations comprising a respective cavity located on the ring formation to open inwardly thereof, a membrane of a more resiliently deformable material than that of the exoskeleton member spanning the opening of the cavity in a gas-tight manner, and conduit means communicating with each said cavity whereby pressurised gas may be selectively introduced into the cavities to cause deformation of the respective membranes outwardly of the associated cavities and inwardly of the associated ring formations such that in use of the device the membranes may be caused selectively to apply tactile stimuli to human appendages inserted through the ring formations.
The device may be in the form of a data glove and the exoskeleton member may be adapted to be located on the back of a human hand with said digital extensions passing along the backs of the fingers or the fingers and thumb of said hand, said exoskeleton member being of a flexible material and said ring formations being adapted to retain the extensions in contact with the fingers or fingers and thumb during flexing movements of the latter.
Said cavities are preferably located on the ring formations at positions spaced angularly therearound from the associated extension.
Each said cavity is preferably a blind bore formed in the thickness of the exoskeleton member.
Said conduit means may be controlled by valve means which is in turn controlled by a computer which generates images perceived by the user of the device, and the computer may be adapted to apply
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M. Bergamasco et al, Advanced Inferfaces for Teleoperated Biomedical Robots, Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Med. and Bio. Society vol. 11, Nov. 1989, pp. 912-913.
Mengistu Amare
Retinal Displays, Inc.
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