Input/output device and method for the computer-based display and exploration of real or virtual object surfaces

An input/output device for a data processing system, comprising:

• a housing;
• and
• a plurality of actuators in operative connection with the housing,
• wherein the actuators are arranged within the housing and configured to effect in a user through the housing a tactile perception of at least two dimensions selected from the group consisting of microscopic roughness, macroscopic roughness, friction, hardness, and thermal conductivity, and
• wherein the plurality of actuators comprises a fourth actuator which is arranged in the housing to adjust a displaceability of the input/output device relative to a pad to simulate friction of a surface.

An input/output device for a data processing system, comprising:

• a housing;
• and
• a plurality of actuators in operative connection with the housing,
• wherein the actuators are arranged within the housing and configured to effect in a user through the housing a tactile perception of at least two dimensions selected from the group consisting of microscopic roughness, macroscopic roughness, friction, hardness, and thermal conductivity, and
• wherein the plurality of actuators comprises a third actuator which is arranged in the housing to generate a tactilely perceivable mobility of a first part of the housing relative to a second part of the housing around one or more tilt axes to simulate hardness of a surface.

An input/output device for a data processing system, comprising:

• a housing;
• and
• a plurality of actuators in operative connection with the housing,
• wherein the actuators are arranged within the housing and configured to effect in a user through the housing a tactile perception of at least two dimensions selected from the group consisting of microscopic roughness, macroscopic roughness, friction, hardness, and thermal conductivity, and
• wherein the plurality of actuators comprises a fifth actuator which is arranged in the housing to adjust a heat transfer through a body of the input/output device to simulate thermal conductivity of a surface.