US 2002/0163498 A1 · Design of force sensations for haptic feedback computer interfaces

Abstract

A design interface tool for designing force sensations for use with a host computer and haptic feedback interface device. A haptic feedback device communicates with a host computer that displays the interface tool. The user selects and characterizes force sensations using the interface tool, and a graphical representation of the characterized force sensation is displayed. The characterized force sensation is output to a user manipulatable object of the force feedback device so that the user can feel the designed force sensation The user can include multiple force sensations in a compound force sensation, where the compound sensation is graphically displayed to indicate the relative start times and duration of each of the force sensations. The user can also associate a sound with the force sensation, such that the sound is output in conjunction with the output of the force sensation.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A method for providing a force sensation design interface implemented by a computer, the method comprising:

enabling a design interface to be displayed on a display device of said computer;
enabling a selection of a force sensation based on input from a user in said design interface, said force sensation to be commanded by a host computer and output by a haptic feedback interface device, said input also specifying characteristics of said force sensation;
enabling a display of a graphical representation of said selected force sensation in said design interface, wherein said graphical representation includes visual representations of said characteristics of said force sensation such that said user can view an effect of said parameters on said force sensation;
and
enabling an association of a sound with said selected force sensation by said user in said design interface, such that when said characterized force sensation is commanded to be output by said haptic feedback interface device in communication with said host computer, said sound is output in conjunction with said output of said force sensation to said user and in conjunction with a visual demonstration of said feel of said characterized force sensation.

2 more elements

A method for implementing a force sensation design interface, said method comprising:

enabling a display of said force sensation design interface on a display device of a host computer;
enabling a selection of a plurality of individual force sensations to be commanded by said host computer and output by a haptic feedback interface device based on input from a user to said force sensation design interface, wherein each of said individual force sensations is provided with an edit display window displayed in said force sensation design interface and displaying a graphical representation of said individual force sensations;
enabling said plurality of selected force sensations to be included in a compound force sensation based on input received from said user;
and
enabling a display of a time-based representation of said compound force sensation, said representation displaying each of said individual force sensations included in said compound force sensation.

2 more elements

A method for implementing a force sensation design interface, said method comprising:

enabling a display of said force sensation design interface on a display device of a host computer;
enabling a selection of a type of force sensation to be commanded by said host computer and output by a haptic feedback interface device based on input received from a user to said force sensation design interface;
enabling a setting of physical characteristics of said selected force sensation based on input from a user defining said physical characteristics;
enabling a display of a graphical representation of said selected force sensation as characterized by said user, wherein said graphical representation provides said user with a visual demonstration of a feel of said characterized force sensation;
and
enabling a command of said characterized force sensation to said haptic feedback interface device in communication with said host computer such that at least one actuator of said haptic feedback interface device outputs said force sensation to a user contacting said interface device in conjunction with said visual demonstration of said feel of said characterized force sensation;
and
enabling a reception of changes to said characterized force sensation from said user in said design interface after said force sensation is output and displaying said additional changes in said graphical representation, wherein a force sensation modified in accordance with said additional changes is output by said at least one actuator.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Design of force sensations for haptic feedback computer interfaces

Life of this patent

Design of force sensations for haptic feedback computer interfaces

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29