Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-07
2001-04-03
Hjerpe, Richard (Department: 2774)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
active
06211861
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to interface devices for allowing humans to interface with computer systems, and more particularly to computer interface devices that allow the user to provide input to computer systems and allow computer systems to provide haptic feedback to the user.
A user can interact with an environment displayed by a computer to perform functions and tasks on the computer, such as playing a game, experiencing a simulation or virtual reality environment, using a computer aided design system, operating a graphical user interface (GUI), etc. Common human-computer interface devices used for such interaction include a mouse, joystick, trackball, steering wheel, stylus, tablet, pressure-sensitive sphere, or the like, that is connected to the computer system controlling the displayed environment. Typically, the computer updates the environment in response to the user's manipulation of a physical manipulandum such as a joystick handle or mouse, and provides visual and audio feedback to the user utilizing the display screen and audio speakers. The computer senses the user's manipulation of the user object through sensors provided on the interface device that send locative signals to the computer. For example, the computer displays a cursor or other graphical object in a graphical environment, where the location of the cursor is responsive to the motion of the user object.
In some interface devices, force feedback or tactile feedback is also provided to the user, more generally known herein as “haptic feedback.” These types of interface devices can provide physical sensations which are felt by the user manipulating a user manipulandum of the interface device. One or more motors or other actuators are coupled to the joystick or mouse and are connected to the controlling computer system. The computer system controls forces on the joystick or mouse in conjunction and coordinated with displayed events and interactions by sending control signals or commands to the actuators. The computer system can thus convey physical force sensations to the user in conjunction with other supplied feedback as the user is grasping or contacting the interface device or manipulatable object of the interface device. For example, when the user moves the manipulatable object and causes a displayed cursor to interact with a different displayed graphical object, the computer can issue a command that causes the actuator to output a force on the physical object, conveying a feel sensation to the user.
One problem with current force feedback controllers in the home consumer market is the high manufacturing cost of such devices, which makes the devices expensive for the consumer. A large part of this manufacturing expense is due to the inclusion of multiple actuators and corresponding control electronics in the force feedback device. In addition, high quality mechanical and force transmission components such as linkages and bearings must be provided to accurately transmit forces from the actuators to the user manipulandum and to allow accurate sensing of the motion of the user object. These components are complex and require greater precision in their manufacture than many of the other components in an interface device, and thus further add to the cost of the device. A need therefore exists for a force feedback device that is lower in cost to manufacture yet offers the user force feedback to enhance the interaction with computer applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a low-cost tactile feedback mouse device connected to a computer system, the mouse device having a simple actuator for low cost force feedback for enhancing interactions and manipulations in a displayed graphical environment.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a haptic feedback interface device that is coupled to a host computer which implements a host application program. In a preferred embodiment, the device is a mouse that is physically contacted by a user and movable in a planar workspace. The mouse includes a housing and a sensor device able to detect the movement of the mouse in the planar workspace and to output sensor signals representative of that movement. An actuator is coupled to the housing of the mouse and applies an inertial force in a particular degree of freedom, preferably approximately along an axis perpendicular to the planar workspace, where the inertial force is transmitted through the housing to the user contacting the housing. Preferably, the actuator outputs said inertial force to the housing by moving an inertial mass. The actuator can be a linear actuator, such as a voice coil actuator, that moves the inertial mass bi-directionally along a linear axis that is substantially perpendicular to the planar workspace; or a rotary actuator that rotates a shaft and provides an approximately linear inertial force.
The output force is preferably correlated with interaction of a controlled cursor with other graphical objects or areas in a graphical environment displayed by the host computer. The force can be a pulse, vibration, texture force, or other type of force. A local microprocessor, separate from the host computer, can receive host signals or commands from said host computer and output force signals to the actuator for controlling the inertial force, receive and process sensor signals, and report locative data to the host computer derived from the sensor signals. The sensor device can include a ball that frictionally contacts the surface under the mouse or can include an optical sensor that detects motion of the surface relative to the mouse housing. A method for providing haptic feedback similarly includes detecting motion of the mouse device in a planar workspace, receiving information from the host computer indicating that a tactile sensation is to be output, and outputting an inertial force on the housing of the mouse device along an axis substantially perpendicular to the planar workspace, where the inertial force is caused by moving an inertial mass coupled to an actuator.
The present invention advantageously provides a haptic feedback device that is significantly lower in cost than other types of haptic feedback devices and is thus quite suitable for home consumer applications. A single actuator can be provided that applies inertial force in a particular degree of freedom, such as the Z-axis perpendicular to the X-Y plane of mouse movement. This allows crisp forces to be output without interfering with the motion or control of the mouse in the X-Y plane, and also enhances the user's experience of a third dimension relative to the mouse workspace. Furthermore, the actuator of the present invention can provide a variety of different types of force sensations to enhance the user's interfacing and experience with a computer application.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following specification of the invention and a study of the several figures of the drawing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3919691 (1975-11-01), Noll
patent: 4787051 (1988-11-01), Olson
patent: 4795296 (1989-01-01), Jau
patent: 4868549 (1989-09-01), Affinito et al.
patent: 4896554 (1990-01-01), Culver
patent: 4949119 (1990-08-01), Moncrief et al.
patent: 5044956 (1991-09-01), Behensky et al.
patent: 5107262 (1992-04-01), Cadoz et al.
patent: 5146566 (1992-09-01), Hollis, Jr. et al.
patent: 5184319 (1993-02-01), Kramer
patent: 5185561 (1993-02-01), Good et al.
patent: 5186629 (1993-02-01), Rohen
patent: 5203563 (1993-04-01), Loper, III
patent: 5220260 (1993-06-01), Schuler
patent: 5296871 (1994-03-01), Paley
patent: 5355148 (1994-10-01), Anderson
patent: 5388992 (1995-02-01), Franklin et al.
patent: 5399091 (1995-03-01), Misumoto
patent: 5405152 (1995-04-01), Katanics et al.
patent: 5414337 (1995-05-01), Schuler
patent: 5451924 (1995-09-01), Massimino et al.
patent: 5506605 (1996-04-01), Paley
patent: 5542672 (1996-08-01), Meredith
patent: 5550562 (1996-08-01
Martin Kenneth M.
Rosenberg Louis B.
Hjerpe Richard
Immersion Corporation
Laneau Ronald
Riegel James R.
LandOfFree
Tactile mouse device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tactile mouse device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tactile mouse device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2449599