US 7,131,073 B2 · Force feedback applications based on cursor engagement with graphical targets

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing a click surface in a graphical environment, such as a graphical user interface, implemented on a host computer for use with a force feedback interface device. A displayed cursor is controlled by a user-moveable user object, such as a mouse, of the interface device. A click surface is displayed with an associated graphical object, such as a graphical button or an edge of a window, icon, or other object. When the click surface is contacted by the cursor, a force is output opposing movement of the user object in a direction into the click surface and into the graphical object. When the user object has moved to or past a trigger position past the contact with the click surface, a command gesture signal is provided to the host computer indicating that the graphical object has been selected as if a physical input device on the user object, such as a button, has been activated by the user. Preferably, the host computer displays the graphical environment including the click surface and cursor, while a microprocessor local to the interface device controls the force output of the click surface in parallel with the host display.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

updating a display of a cursor within a graphical user interface using sensor information received from an interface device, the sensor information representing motion of at least a portion of the interface device;
detecting a speed of the cursor when the cursor engages the graphical target;
and
outputting a tactile sensation based upon the speed of the cursor when the cursor engages the graphical target.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

09/992,123Filed 13 Nov 2001 · continuation

Priority

13 Dec 1995

Published

US 2002/0050978 A12 May 2002

Granted

31 Oct 2006

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

G06F 3/016
Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer: input arrangements with force or tactile…
G05G 9/047
In which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously: the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
G06F 3/011
Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer: arrangements for interaction with the…
G06F 3/0354
Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor: with detection of…

Family

Application08/571,606Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 13 Dec 1995

Application08/756,745Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 26 Nov 1996

Application08/879,296Parent of this continuation · filed 18 Jun 1997

Application09/590,856Parent of this continuation · filed 8 Jun 2000

US 2002/0050978 A1Pre-grant publication · published 2 May 2002

US 6,317,116 B1Parent of this continuation

US 6,078,308 AParent of this continuation

US 5,825,308 AParent of this continuation-in-part

Application08/879,296Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 6,219,032 B1Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 7,131,073 B2This patent

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

Force feedback applications based on cursor engagement with graphical targets

Life of this patent

Force feedback applications based on cursor engagement with graphical targets

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21