| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| RE40341 |
Controller |
May 27, 2008 |
| A mouse controller includes a platform mounted on a base for a range of movement in a plane relative to the base of at least 1/2 inch (12.5 mm) in each of two different directions (preferably mutually perpendicular directions). A pair of flat, elongated coils (Lorentz voice coils) are |
| RE39906 |
Gyro-stabilized platforms for force-feedback applications |
November 6, 2007 |
| Force feedback in large, immersive environments is provided by device which a gyro- stabilization to generate a fixed point of leverage for the requisite forces and/or torques. In one embodiment, one or more orthogonally oriented rotating gyroscopes are used to provide a stable platf |
| RE37528 |
Direct-drive manipulator for pen-based force display |
January 22, 2002 |
| A pen-based direct-drive manipulator enables precision manipulation and force display of a control point within three degrees of freedom. The control point exhibits substantially no backlash, very low friction and very low inertia making it useful as a force display. The manipulator also |
| 7453039 |
System and method for providing haptic feedback to a musical instrument |
November 18, 2008 |
| A system and method for generating a haptic feedback signal correlated to a music signal and providing the haptic feedback signal to a musical instrument. The music signal can created by the musical instrument or from a file, e.g., a MIDI file. A processor can generate the haptic fee |
| 7450110 |
Haptic input devices |
November 11, 2008 |
| 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 |
| 7447604 |
Method and apparatus for compensating for position slip in interface devices |
November 4, 2008 |
| Method and apparatus for compensating for position slip in interface devices that may occur between a manipulandum and a sensor of the device due to a mechanical transmission. A device position delta is determined from a sensed position of a manipulandum of an interface device. It is |
| 7446752 |
Controlling haptic sensations for vibrotactile feedback interface devices |
November 4, 2008 |
| Controlling haptic sensations from a vibrotactile feedback device connected to a computer. The vibrotactile device includes an actuator having a rotatable mass, and receives information, which causes a periodic control signal to be produced. The control signal controls the actuator t |
| 7439951 |
Power management for interface devices applying forces |
October 21, 2008 |
| A method and apparatus for providing safe and low-cost force feedback peripherals for consumer applications. A device microprocessor local to an interface device is coupled to the host by a first interface bus. The microprocessor receives host commands from the host computer on the first |
| 7432910 |
Haptic interface device and actuator assembly providing linear haptic sensations |
October 7, 2008 |
| An interface device and method providing haptic sensations to a user. A user physically contacts a housing of the interface device, and a sensor device detects the manipulation of the interface device by the user. An actuator assembly includes an actuator that provides output forces to t |
| 7425675 |
System and method for manipulation of sound data using haptic feedback |
September 16, 2008 |
| In an embodiment, a device which comprises means for generating an audio signal based on sound data, the audio signal configured to produce sound from an audio producing device; means for generating a haptic command based on the sound data, the haptic command configured to cause a haptic |
| 7423631 |
Low-cost haptic mouse implementations |
September 9, 2008 |
| Low-cost haptic interface device implementations for interfacing a user with a host computer. A haptic feedback device, such as a mouse or other device, includes a housing physically contacted by a user, and an actuator for providing motion that causes haptic sensations on the device |
| 7406943 |
Haptic throttle devices and methods |
August 5, 2008 |
| An apparatus includes a sensor configured to be coupled to a throttle interface. The sensor is configured to output a sensor signal associated with a condition of the throttle interface. A first brake element has a first friction surface and a second brake element has a second friction |
| 7405729 |
Systems and methods for user interfaces designed for rotary input devices |
July 29, 2008 |
| Systems and methods for providing visual navigation cues in user interfaces for use with rotary input devices are described. One described method comprises causing a plurality of graphical objects to be displayed in an arc. The curvature of the arc is configured to convey the ordinal |
| 7404716 |
Interface apparatus with cable-driven force feedback and four grounded actuators |
July 29, 2008 |
| A system for providing realistic sensation within a simulation system by providing tactile (haptic) feedback to a user. The system includes an engageable practice tool that the user engages and a mechanical simulation apparatus coupled to the practice tool. The mechanical simulation |
| 7390157 |
Force feedback and texture simulating interface device |
June 24, 2008 |
| A man-machine! interface is disclosed which provides force, texture, pressure and temperature information to sensing body parts. The interface is comprised of a force-generating device (900) that produces a force which is transmitted to a force-applying device (902) via force-transmi |
| 7386415 |
System and method for increasing sensor resolution using interpolation |
June 10, 2008 |
| Systems and methods for increasing sensor resolution using interpolation are described. One described method includes receiving an analog sensor signal associated with a coding surface; deriving a quadrature signal based at least in part on an analog threshold voltage associated with the |
| 7369115 |
Haptic devices having multiple operational modes including at least one resonant mode |
May 6, 2008 |
| An apparatus comprises a signal source, a driver and an electro-mechanical transducer. The signal source is configured to output a haptic feedback signal. The driver is configured to receive the haptic feedback signal and output a drive signal. The electro-mechanical transducer is co |
| 7345672 |
Force feedback system and actuator power management |
March 18, 2008 |
| A system and method for providing a tactile virtual reality to a user is present. The position and orientation of the user is utilized to generate a virtual reality force field. Forces are in turn generated on the user as a function of this force field. A six-axis manipulator is presente |
| 7339572 |
Haptic devices using electroactive polymers |
March 4, 2008 |
| Haptic feedback device and method for using an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator to provide haptic feedback force sensation to a user. The device includes a sensor that detects the a user's touch on a touch surface and an electroactive polymer actuator responsive to input signals from |
| 7336260 |
Method and apparatus for providing tactile sensations |
February 26, 2008 |
| Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback |
| 7327348 |
Haptic feedback effects for control knobs and other interface devices |
February 5, 2008 |
| The present invention provides haptic sensations for a haptic feedback device and especially for a rotational device such as a knob. Force effects such as a hill force effect and barrier force effect allow easier selection of menu items, menus, values, or other options by the user. F |
| 7319374 |
Moving magnet actuator |
January 15, 2008 |
| An apparatus includes an electromagnetically conductive assembly including a first member having a first end and a second end and a second member disposed between the first end and the second end of the first member. The second member and the first end of the first member define a first |
| 7283123 |
Textures and other spatial sensations for a relative haptic interface device |
October 16, 2007 |
| A low-cost haptic feedback device that provides spatially-based sensations such as textures in correlation with a displayed graphical environment. The device includes a housing, a sensor device, and an actuator for applying a force to the user. A local processor reports relative sensor |
| 7283120 |
Method and apparatus for providing haptic feedback having a position-based component and a prede |
October 16, 2007 |
| A manipulandum includes a sensor and an actuator. The sensor is configured to output a position signal when the manipulandum is moved from the first position to the second position. Additionally, the actuator is configured to output haptic feedback having a position-based component and a |
| 7280095 |
Hierarchical methods for generating force feedback effects |
October 9, 2007 |
| Embodiments of the invention relate to a hierarchical method for generating force feedback effects. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a first force contribution associated with a first (e.g., previous) position of a manipulandum; determining a second force contribution |
| 7265750 |
Haptic feedback stylus and other devices |
September 4, 2007 |
| A force feedback interface and method including an actuator in a non-primary axis or degree of freedom. The force feedback interface device is connected to a host computer that implements a host application program or graphical environment. The interface device includes a user manipu |
| 7253803 |
Force feedback interface device with sensor |
August 7, 2007 |
| A force feedback mouse interface device connected to a host computer and providing realistic force feedback to a user. The mouse interface device includes a mouse object and a linkage coupled to the mouse that includes a plurality of members rotatably coupled to each other in a planar |
| 7249951 |
Method and apparatus for providing an interface mechanism for a computer simulation |
July 31, 2007 |
| A mechanical interface for providing high bandwidth and low noise mechanical input and output for computer systems. A gimbal mechanism includes multiple members that are pivotably coupled to each other to provide two revolute degrees of freedom to a user manipulatable about a pivot p |
| 7245202 |
Systems and methods for networked haptic devices |
July 17, 2007 |
| Systems and methods for haptic devices are described. One described method comprises receiving a first input signal from a first control node and generating an output signal configured to administer a haptic effect on a second control node that is based at least in part on the first inpu |
| 7236157 |
Method for providing high bandwidth force feedback with improved actuator feel |
June 26, 2007 |
| A method and apparatus for providing low-cost, realistic force feedback including an improved actuator. The invention provides force sensations to a user and includes an interface device coupled to a host computer and allowing a user to interact with a host application program. A user |
| 7233476 |
Actuator thermal protection in haptic feedback devices |
June 19, 2007 |
| Method and apparatus for providing thermal protection for actuators used in haptic feedback interface devices. An average energy in the actuator over a predetermined period of time is determined, and the maximum allowable current level in the actuator is reduced if the average energy |
| 7233315 |
Haptic feedback devices and methods for simulating an orifice |
June 19, 2007 |
| An apparatus comprises an input device and an actuator. The input device has an interface portion. The interface portion defines a selectively adjustable orifice having a range of sizes. The interface portion defines a plane and a longitudinal axis. An actuator is coupled to the interfac |
| 7233313 |
Control knob with multiple degrees of freedom and force feedback |
June 19, 2007 |
| The present invention provides a control knob on a device that allows a user to control functions of the device. In one embodiment, the knob is rotatable in a rotary degree of freedom and moveable in at least one transverse direction approximately perpendicular to the axis. An actuator |
| 7218310 |
Providing enhanced haptic feedback effects |
May 15, 2007 |
| Method and apparatus for providing high strength, low frequency tactile sensations using an inertial actuator in a haptic feedback interface device, such as an actuator driving an oscillating inertial mass. A commanded low frequency is modulated or combined with a higher frequency at |
| 7215326 |
Physically realistic computer simulation of medical procedures |
May 8, 2007 |
| An apparatus for interfacing the movement of a shaft with a computer includes a support, a gimbal mechanism having two degrees of freedom, and three electromechanical transducers. When a shaft is engaged with the gimbal mechanism, it can move with three degrees of freedom in a spheri |
| 7209118 |
Increasing force transmissibility for tactile feedback interface devices |
April 24, 2007 |
| Method and apparatus for increasing the transmissibility of inertial forces produced by an inertial actuator on the housing of a tactile feedback interface device. A tactile interface device, coupled to a host computer, outputs tactile sensations to a user based on interactions and e |
| 7209117 |
Method and apparatus for streaming force values to a force feedback device |
April 24, 2007 |
| A method and apparatus for shaping force signals for a force feedback device. A source wave is provided and is defined by a set of control parameters (including a steady state magnitude, a frequency value and a duration value) and modified by a set of impulse parameters (including an |
| 7209028 |
Position sensor with resistive element |
April 24, 2007 |
| A position sensor comprises a resistive element positionable on a first surface. A pair of leads are on the resistive element, the pair of leads adapted to supply a first voltage, such as by being grounded. An intermediate lead is positioned on the resistive element between the pair |
| 7208671 |
Sound data output and manipulation using haptic feedback |
April 24, 2007 |
| Sound data output and manipulation with haptic feedback. Haptic sensations are associated with sound data to assist in navigating through and editing the sound data. The sound data is loaded into computer memory and played such that sound is output from an audio device. The sound playing |
| 7205981 |
Method and apparatus for providing resistive haptic feedback using a vacuum source |
April 17, 2007 |
| A method and apparatus is described for applying haptic feedback using a vacuum source. A housing includes a cavity. The cavity can be positioned near a moveable member such that the cavity of the housing and the moveable member define a volume. The volume has an associated internal |
| 7199790 |
Providing force feedback to a user of an interface device based on interactions of a user-contro |
April 3, 2007 |
| A method and apparatus for providing force feedback to a user operating a human/computer interface device in conjunction with a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed by a host computer system. A physical object, such as a joystick or a mouse, controls a graphical object, such as a |
| 7198137 |
Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback with position sensing |
April 3, 2007 |
| Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback with position sensing are described. In one described system, a first and second brake surfaces are configured to contact each other. An actuator may be configured to exert a force on at least one of the first and second brake surfaces in |
| 7196688 |
Haptic devices using electroactive polymers |
March 27, 2007 |
| Haptic feedback interface devices using electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators to provide haptic sensations and/or sensing capabilities. A haptic feedback interface device is in communication with a host computer and includes a sensor device that detects the manipulation of the interf |
| 7193607 |
Flexure mechanism for interface device |
March 20, 2007 |
| A flexure mechanism for an interface device that interfaces a user with a computer system. An interface device includes a manipulandum physically contacted by the user. A five-bar closed-loop mechanism is coupled to the manipulandum to provide two rotary degrees of freedom to the man |
| 7191191 |
Haptic authoring |
March 13, 2007 |
| Methods are presented for authoring geometrical databases which incorporate touch or haptic feedback. In particular, a database of geometrical elements incorporates attributes necessary to support haptic interactions such as stiffness, hardness, friction, and so forth. Users may inst |
| 7182691 |
Directional inertial tactile feedback using rotating masses |
February 27, 2007 |
| Directional haptic feedback for a haptic feedback interface device. A haptic feedback interface device, in communication with a host computer, includes a housing physically contacted by a user operating the interface device, and a plurality of actuators producing inertial forces when the |
| 7168042 |
Force effects for object types in a graphical user interface |
January 23, 2007 |
| Force effects for a graphical user interface of a computer are provided based on user preference information, which indicates the types of graphical objects in the graphical user interface which are to have force effects associated with them, and at least one particular force effect |
| 7161580 |
Haptic feedback using rotary harmonic moving mass |
January 9, 2007 |
| A haptic device comprises an actuator and a mass. The actuator has a shaft. The actuator is elastically coupled to the mass and/or a base. |
| 7159008 |
Chat interface with haptic feedback functionality |
January 2, 2007 |
| A chat interface allowing a user to exchange haptic chat messages with other users in a chat session over a computer network. A chat interface can be displayed by a local computer and receives input data from a user of the local computer, such as text characters or speech input. The inpu |
| 7158112 |
Interactions between simulated objects with force feedback |
January 2, 2007 |
| A method and apparatus for providing force feedback to a user operating a human/computer interface device and interacting with a computer-generated simulation. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method simulates the interaction of simulated objects displayed to a user who controls one |
