A haptic feedback planar touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor of the computer based on a location of user contact on the touch surface. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user contacting the touch surface. The touch input device can be a touchpad separate from the computer's display screen, or can be a touch screen. Output haptic sensations on the touch input device can include pulses, vibrations, and spatial textures. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.

Haptic feedback for touchpads and other touch control

A haptic feedback touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that provides position information to a computer based on a location of user contact. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position information, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user. The actuator can move the touchpad laterally, or a separate surface member can be actuated. A flat E-core actuator, piezoelectric actuator, or other types of actuators can be used to provide forces. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.

Haptic interface for laptop computers and other portable devices

A man-machine interface is disclosed which provides force and texture information to sensing body parts. The interface is comprised of a force actuating device that produces a force which is transmitted to a force applying device. The force applying device applies the generated force to a pressure sensing body part. A force sensor on the force applying device measures the actual force applied to the pressure sensing body part, while angle sensors measure the angles of relevant joint body parts. A computing device uses the joint body part position information to determine a desired force value to be applied to the pressure sensing body part. The computing device combines the joint body part position information with the force sensor information to calculate the force command which is sent to the force actuating device. In this manner, the computing device may control the actual force applied to a pressure sensing body part to a desired force which depends upon the positions of related joint body parts. In addition, the interface is comprised of a displacement actuating device which produces a displacement which is transmitted to a displacement applying device (e.g., a texture simulator). The displacement applying device applies the generated displacement to a pressure sensing body part. The force applying device and displacement applying device may be combined to simultaneously provide force and displacement information to a pressure sensing body part.

Force feedback and texture simulating interface device

A haptic device having a plurality of operational modes, including a first operational mode and a second operational mode is provided. The first operational mode is associated with a frequency range. The second operational mode is associated with a frequency range that is different from the frequency range of the first operational mode. A controller is coupled to the haptic device, and is configured to send the haptic device a plurality of control schemes. Each control scheme is uniquely associated with an operational mode from the plurality of operational modes. Another embodiment provides a method that includes providing power to a haptic device configured to cause the haptic device to provide a haptic sensation above a pre-determined sensation threshold. A voltage pulse that is configured to change the haptic sensation output by the haptic device by a pre-determined amount within a pre-determined time period is also applied to the haptic device.

System and method for controlling haptic devices having multiple operational modes

An apparatus (14) for controlling and providing force feedback using an interface device manipulated by a user and connected to a host computer system (12). A microprocessor (26) is provided local to the interface device and reads sensor data from sensors that describes the positioning of a user object moved by the user, such as a joystick. The microprocessor controls actuators (30) to provide forces on the user object. The host computer sends high level host commands to the local microprocessor and the microprocessor independently implements a local reflex process based on the high level command to provide force values to actuators using sensor data and other parameters. A host command protocol includes a variety of different types of host commands and associated command parameters. By providing a relatively small set of high level host commands, the protocol further shifts the computational burden from the host computer to the local microprocessor.

Method and apparatus for controlling force feedback interface systems utilizing a host computer

An aircraft controls simulator, for use with a computer programmed for aircraft flight simulation, having a yoke, a throttle control and a rudder control. A cabinet has a shaft extending therefrom attached to a simulated yoke control. The shaft operates an elevator potentiometer responsive to horizontal movement of the shaft and an aileron control responsive to rotation of the shaft. A throttle knob connected to a second shaft operates a throttle potentiometer. A foot operated potentiometer produces rudder control signals. A cable connects the potentiometers to the computer which utilizes the potentiometer positions to operate the flight simulation program.

Aircraft controls simulator

A device for determining a patient's threshold of pain having a gas-tight member, such as a cylinder, for confining a fixed amount of gas and a two-ended member, such as a rod. A first end of the rod is pressed against the patient's body to apply gradually increasing pressure, and a second end decreases the volume of the fixed amount of gas. Indicia are provided for indicating how much the volume of gas decreases. The device may also be modified to test materials for softness or firmness.

Eugene P. Alban

Papers

Aircraft controls simulator

Pain threshold gage and softness tester