Method, system and program for topographical interfacing
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsMichael Cooper, Robert Kamper, Michael Paolini
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control surface is enabled that is flexible to provide a tactile-detectable graphical representation of graphical output from a data processing system. Application of external force to the control surface is detected. Closed-loop force feedback through the tactile-detectable graphical representation is controlled, in response to detection of external force applied to the control surface. In addition, adjustment of a view element is detected. The magnification of the graphical output that is represented by the tactile-detectable graphical representation is controlled, in response to detection of adjustment of the view control element.
Claims20
A topographical interface system, said interface comprising:
- a control surface that is flexible to provide a tactile-detectable graphical representation of graphical output from a data processing system, wherein said control surface includes:
- a flexible material;
- a plurality of mechanisms dispersed about said flexible material;
- and
- a plurality of actuators controlled by a controller for controlling a position of said plurality of mechanisms to adjust the topography of said flexible material;
- and
- said controller that controls closed-loop force feedback through said tactile-detectable graphical representation, in response to detection of external force applied to said control surface.
A method for topographical interfacing, said method comprising the steps of:
- enabling a control surface that is flexible to provide a tactile-detectable graphical representation of graphical output from a data processing system;
- detecting application of external force to said control surface;
- and
- controlling closed-loop force feedback through said tactile-detectable graphical representation, in response to detection of external force applied to said control surface, wherein said step of controlling closed-loop force feedback through said tactile-detectable graphical representation, includes the step of controlling the position of a plurality of mechanisms that adjust said control surface.
A method for topographical interfacing, said method comprising the steps of:
- enabling a control surface that is flexible to provide a tactile-detectable graphical representation of graphical output from a data processing system;
- detecting application of external force to said control surface;
- and
- controlling closed-loop force feedback through said tactile-detectable graphical representation, in response to detection of external force applied to said control surface, wherein said step of controlling closed-loop force feedback through said tactile-detectable graphical representation further comprises the steps of:
- detecting an internal force applied to said control surface;
- determining a difference between said internal force and said external force;
- and
- adjusting said internal force of said graphical output, in response to determining a difference between said internal force and said external force.
A program residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:
- means for enabling a control surface to provide a tactile-detectable graphical representation of graphical output;
- means for detecting application of external force to said control surface;
- means for controlling closed-loop force feedback through said tactile-detectable graphical representation, in response to detection of external force applied to said control surface;
- and
- means for controlling the position of a plurality of mechanisms that adjust said control surface.
A program, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:
- means for enabling a control surface to provide a tactile-detectable graphical representation of graphical output;
- means for detecting application of external force to said control surface;
- means for controlling closed-loop force feedback through said tactile-detectable graphical representation, in response to detection of external force applied to said control surface;
- means for detecting internal force applied to said control surface;
- means for determining a difference between said internal force and said external force;
- and
- means for adjusting said internal force of said graphical output, in response to determining a difference between said internal force and said external force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.