Interactive simulation including force feedback

An interactive simulation system adapted to be used with a computer programmed with simulation rules for controlling elements of a simulation or a game graphically displayed by the computer, comprising:

• a control unit adapted to connect to the computer and to provide information and control signals to the computer to interact with the stored simulation rules and to receive information and control signals from the computer, said simulation rules being used for controlling feedback and modeling interaction of the operator with the elements graphically displayed in the simulation or the game;
• a joystick adapted to be moved with at least two degrees-of-freedom by an operator and by actuators interconnecting the joystick to the control unit;
• and
• programmable means for processing signals from the computer to generate signals to drive the actuators to move the joystick and to apply force and touch feedback in the at least two degrees-of-freedom to the joystick and to the operator, the applied forces based on internal programming within the programmable means, events occurring in the simulation or in the game and movements of and forces applied to the joystick by the operator that enable the operator to feel the elements graphically displayed by applying a force to the operator through the joystick that corresponds to a state of at least one of the elements that are graphically displayed, whereby there is continuous interaction among motion of the joystick, the events and the elements graphically displayed in the simulation or in the game, and forces applied to and applied by the joystick.