US 6,271,833 B1Granted

Low cost force feedback peripheral with button activated feel sensations

AssigneeImmersion Corporation

InventorsLouis B. Rosenberg, Adam C. Braun, Bruce M. Schena

Life of this patent

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Abstract

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 interface bus, such as an RS-232 interface, and commands an actuator to apply a force to a user object, such as a joystick, in response to host commands. A sensor detects positions of the user object and outputs signals to the host on a second interface bus, such as a PC game port bus, separate from the first bus. In a “recoil” embodiment, a user initiates force feedback by pressing a button on the joystick, which sends an activation signal to the actuator. In other recoil embodiments, the host computer can transmit one or more enable signals and/or activation signals to the actuator to enable or command forces. A safety switch of the present invention disables the actuator when the interface device is not in use and enables the actuator when an amount of weight over a predetermined amount is placed on the joystick created by a user grasping the joystick. A circuit of the present invention includes a capacitor for storing power provided by an input signal and supplied to the actuator when forces are to be output.

Claims45

Dependent claims

A force feedback interface device used by a user and for use with a host computer running a software application, said interface device providing a reflex capability wherein a force sensation is generated locally, the interface device comprising:

a user object physically contacted by a user for manipulation by said user in at least one degree of freedom with respect to an origin;
a sensor for detecting motion of said user object in said degree of freedom and producing a locative sensor signal, wherein a representation of said locative sensor signal is conveyed to said host computer, thereby allowing said software application to update a process in response to said manipulation of said user object;
a user adjustable button local to said interface apparatus, a state of said button being conveyed to said host computer to allow said software application to update a process in response to said state of said button;
an actuator physically coupled to a housing of said interface device, said actuator applying forces to said user to produce said force sensation;
and
a local microprocessor separate from said host computer and electrically coupled to said actuator and to said user adjustable button, said local microprocessor executing a local process, said local microprocessor coupled to said host computer by a communication bus and outputting signals to said actuator such that said actuator applies said forces in response to signals produced by said local microprocessor, wherein said local process locally generates a force sensation independently of said host computer by modulating a magnitude of said forces produced by said actuator over a period of time, said locally-generated force sensation initiated when said button is depressed by said user such that said force sensation feels associated with said button press.

3 more elements

A method for interfacing a user of a force feedback device with a host computer running a software application, said force feedback device providing a force reflex capability and including a user object that is physically contacted by said user for manipulation by said user in at least one degree of freedom with respect to an origin, the method comprising:

detecting motion of said user object in said degree of freedom and producing a locative sensor signal, wherein a representation of said locative sensor signal is conveyed to said host computer, thereby allowing said software application to update a process in response to manipulation of said user object;
conveying a state of a user adjustable button to said host computer to allow said software application to update a process in response to said state of said button, said button being local to said force feedback device;
applying forces to said user to produce said force sensation using an actuator physically coupled to a housing of said force feedback device;
and
executing a local process using a local microprocessor separate from said host computer and electrically coupled to said actuator and to said button, and outputting signals from said local microprocessor to said actuator such that said actuator applies said forces in response to signals produced by said local microprocessor, wherein said local process locally generates a force sensation by modulating a magnitude of said forces produced by said actuator over a period of time, said locally-generated force sensation initiated when said button is depressed by said user such that said force sensation feels associated with said button press.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/035,726Filed 5 Mar 1998 · continuation
Priority: 27 Sep 1995
Granted: 7 Aug 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification28 codes

G06F 3/016
Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer: input arrangements with force or tactile…
A63F 13/21
Input arrangements for video game devices: characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
A63F 13/23
Input arrangements for video game devices: for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
A63F 13/235
For interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console: using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or…

Family

Application08/534,791Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 27 Sep 1995
Application08/566,282Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 1 Dec 1995
Application08/623,660Parent of this division · filed 28 Mar 1996
Application08/825,726Parent of this continuation · filed 2 Apr 1997
US 5,929,607 AParent of this continuation
Application08/825,726Parent of this division
US 5,691,898 AParent of this division
Application08/623,660Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,734,373 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,739,811 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 6,271,833 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.