Tool Having Multiple Feedback Devices
AssigneeImmersion Corporation
InventorsChristophe Ramstein, Christopher J. Ullrich, Danny A. Grant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for managing how signals, which are sensed on a tool, are presented to an operator of the tool. According to one example of a method for managing signals, the method comprises allowing an operator to manipulate a tool having a plurality of output mechanisms mounted thereon. The method also includes sensing a property of an object located near or adjacent to a distal portion of the tool and processing the sensed property to obtain one or more output signals. Furthermore, the method includes applying the one or more output signals to one or more of the output mechanisms.
Claims20
A tool comprising:
- a handle portion and a distal portion;
- a sensor mounted on the distal portion, the sensor configured to generate sensor signals representing one or more characteristics of an object;
- a processing device configured to process the sensor signals to generate one or more output signals;
- and
- an output system mounted on the handle portion, the output system including one or more output mechanisms selected from the group consisting of a haptic device, a visual device, and an audio device;
- wherein the processing device is further configured to apply the one or more output signals to the one or more output mechanisms.
A method comprising:
- allowing an operator to manipulate a tool having a plurality of output mechanisms mounted thereon;
- sensing a property of an object located near or adjacent to a distal portion of the tool;
- processing the sensed property to obtain one or more output signals;
- and
- applying the one or more output signals to one or more of the output mechanisms.
A surgical tool comprising:
- means for obtaining a sensory signal indicative of a characteristic of a patient under observation, the obtaining means configured to obtain the sensory signal at a distal end of the surgical tool;
- means for processing the characteristic to generate one or more output signals;
- and
- means for providing the one or more output signals to one or more output devices configured to provide feedback information in multiple modes, wherein the multiple modes include at least a visual mode and a haptic mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.