Bizarre Patents
Nicotine Containing Dental Floss
Keep away cavities and cancer at the same time.
PatentStorm News
Make the Most of PatentStorm
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest patents by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Got questions? Ask a Patent Expert!
Registered users: Manage your profile, comments and alerts.
US Patent 6271828 - Force feedback interface devices providing resistance forces using a fluid
US Patent Issued on August 7, 2001
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
November 12, 2019Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
November 12, 2019Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.AbstractA method and apparatus for interfacing the motion of an object with a digital processing system includes a sensor for detecting movement of the object along a degree of freedom. A passive pneumatic or hydraulic damper is coupled to the object to provide a damping resistance to the object along the degree of freedom and resist a movement of the object. The damping resistance is provided by regulating the control of a fluid with a digital computing apparatus, thus providing a low-cost, low-power force-feedback interface that is safe for the user. The damper and sensor provide an electromechanical interface between the object and the electrical system. A gimbal or other interface mechanism can be coupled between the damper and the object. The interface is well suited for simulations or video games in which an object such as a joystick is moved and manipulated by the user.Other References
| InventorsApplicationNo. 439836 filed on 11/12/1999US Classes:345/156, DISPLAY PERIPHERAL INTERFACE INPUT DEVICE74/471XY, Control moves in two planes200/6A, Universally pivoted handle345/161JoystickField of Search345/156, DISPLAY PERIPHERAL INTERFACE INPUT DEVICE345/157, Cursor mark position control device345/161, Joystick345/162, Positional storage means345/179, Stylus74/471XY, Control moves in two planes200/6A, Universally pivoted handle341/21, For handicapped user318/568.1, With program recording or composing means318/568.16, With particular sensing device318/568.17With multimode control (e.g., course-fine, position-force, etc.)ExaminersPrimary: Chow, Dennis-DoonAttorney, Agent or FirmUS Patent References2906179, 3490059, 3531868, 3795150, 3875488, 3890958, 3903614, 3919691, 3944798, Method and apparatus for measuring directionIssued on: 03/16/1976 Inventor: Eaton4148014, System with joystick to control velocity vector of a display cursor Issued on: 04/03/1979 Inventor: Burson4216467, Hand controller Issued on: 08/05/1980 Inventor: Colston4391282, Coeliac cavity ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus Issued on: 07/05/1983 Inventor: Ando , et al.4398889, Flight simulator Issued on: 08/16/1983 Inventor: Lam , et al.4436188, Controlled motion apparatus Issued on: 03/13/1984 Inventor: Jones4448083, Device for measuring components of force and moment in plural directions Issued on: 05/15/1984 Inventor: Hayashi4477043, Biodynamic resistant control stick Issued on: 10/16/1984 Inventor: Repperger4477973, Three dimensional graphics tablet Issued on: 10/23/1984 Inventor: Davies4489304, Spring disconnect mechanism for self centering multiple axis analog control stick Issued on: 12/18/1984 Inventor: Hayes4550221, Touch sensitive control device Issued on: 10/29/1985 Inventor: Mabusth4550617, Multi axis force and moments transducer Issued on: 11/05/1985 Inventor: Fraignier , et al.4560983, Dynamically interactive responsive control device and system Issued on: 12/24/1985 Inventor: Williams4571834, Knee laxity evaluator and motion module/digitizer arrangement Issued on: 02/25/1986 Inventor: Fraser , et al.4593470, Portable three dimensional graphics tablet Issued on: 06/10/1986 Inventor: Davies4601206, Accelerometer system Issued on: 07/22/1986 Inventor: Watson4604016, Multi-dimensional force-torque hand controller having force feedback Issued on: 08/05/1986 Inventor: Joyce4632341, Stabilizing force feedback in bio-actuated control systems Issued on: 12/30/1986 Inventor: Repperger , et al.4638798, Stereotactic method and apparatus for locating and treating or removing lesions Issued on: 01/27/1987 Inventor: Shelden , et al.4653011, Method of measuring by coordinate measuring instrument and coordinate measuring instrument Issued on: 03/24/1987 Inventor: Iwano4654648, Wireless cursor control system Issued on: 03/31/1987 Inventor: Herrington , et al.4676002, Mechanisms to determine position and orientation in space Issued on: 06/30/1987 Inventor: Slocum4679331, Apparatus and method for determining contour characteristics of a contoured article Issued on: 07/14/1987 Inventor: Koontz4688983, Low cost robot Issued on: 08/25/1987 Inventor: Lindbom4689449, Tremor suppressing hand controls Issued on: 08/25/1987 Inventor: Rosen4703443, Device for measuring the shape of a three-dimensional object Issued on: 10/27/1987 Inventor: Moriyasu4704909, Multicomponent force-torque sensor Issued on: 11/10/1987 Inventor: Grahn , et al.4750487, Stereotactic frame Issued on: 06/14/1988 Inventor: Zanetti4769763, Control for coordinate measuring instruments Issued on: 09/06/1988 Inventor: Trieb , et al.4782327, Computer control Issued on: 11/01/1988 Inventor: Kley , et al.4787051, Inertial mouse system Issued on: 11/22/1988 Inventor: Olson4791934, Computer tomography assisted stereotactic surgery system and method Issued on: 12/20/1988 Inventor: Brunnett4798919, Graphics input tablet with three-dimensional data Issued on: 01/17/1989 Inventor: Miessler , et al.4800721, Force feedback lever Issued on: 01/31/1989 Inventor: Cemenska , et al.4803413, Magnetic isolating and pointing gimbal apparatus Issued on: 02/07/1989 Inventor: Kendig , et al.4811608, Force and torque converter Issued on: 03/14/1989 Inventor: Hilton4819195, Method for calibrating a coordinate measuring machine and the like and system therefor Issued on: 04/04/1989 Inventor: Bell , et al.4823634, Multifunction tactile manipulatable control Issued on: 04/25/1989 Inventor: Culver4839838, Spatial input apparatus Issued on: 06/13/1989 Inventor: LaBiche , et al.4849692, Device for quantitatively measuring the relative position and orientation of two bodies in the presence of metals utilizing direct current magnetic fields Issued on: 07/18/1989 Inventor: Blood4861269, Sidestick flight control simulator Issued on: 08/29/1989 Inventor: Meenen, Jr.4879556, Joystick control unit using multiple substrates Issued on: 11/07/1989 Inventor: Duimel4888877, Articulating head for a coordinate-measuring instrument Issued on: 12/26/1989 Inventor: Enderle, et al.4891889, Apparatus for measure and/or check the position and orientation of characteristic spots or areas in structures, particularly in motor-vehicle bodies Issued on: 01/09/1990 Inventor: Tomelleri4907970, Sidestick-type thrust control simulator Issued on: 03/13/1990 Inventor: Meenen, Jr.4907973, Expert system simulator for modeling realistic internal environments and performance Issued on: 03/13/1990 Inventor: Hon4942545, Calibration of eddy current profilometry Issued on: 07/17/1990 Inventor: Sapia4945305, Device for quantitatively measuring the relative position and orientation of two bodies in the presence of metals utilizing direct current magnetic fields Issued on: 07/31/1990 Inventor: Blood4945501, Method for determining position within the measuring volume of a coordinate measuring machine and the like and system therefor Issued on: 07/31/1990 Inventor: Bell, et al.4949119, Gearshift for a vehicle simulator using computer controlled realistic real world forces Issued on: 08/14/1990 Inventor: Moncrief, et al.4961038, Torque estimator for switched reluctance machines Issued on: 10/02/1990 Inventor: MacMinn4961138, System and apparatus for providing three dimensions of input into a host processor Issued on: 10/02/1990 Inventor: Gorniak4961267, Method and apparatus for making coordinate measurements Issued on: 10/09/1990 Inventor: Herzog4962448, Virtual pivot handcontroller Issued on: 10/09/1990 Inventor: DeMaio, et al.4962591, Calibration-test member for a coordinate-measuring instrument Issued on: 10/16/1990 Inventor: Zeller, et al.4982504, Method for determining positional errors and for compensating for such errors, and apparatus for carrying out the method Issued on: 01/08/1991 Inventor: Soderberg, et al.4983786, XY velocity controller Issued on: 01/08/1991 Inventor: 5007085, Remotely sensed personal stylus Issued on: 04/09/1991 Inventor: Greanias, et al.5007300, Multi-axis hand controller Issued on: 04/16/1991 Inventor: Siva5040306, Surface-sensing device Issued on: 08/20/1991 Inventor: McMurtry, et al.5044956, Control device such as a steering wheel for video vehicle simulator with realistic feedback forces Issued on: 09/03/1991 Inventor: Behensky, et al.5050608, System for indicating a position to be operated in a patient's body Issued on: 09/24/1991 Inventor: Watanabe, et al.5072361, Force-reflective teleoperation control system Issued on: 12/10/1991 Inventor: Davis, et al.5076517, Programmable, linear collective control system for a helicopter Issued on: 12/31/1991 Inventor: Ferranti, et al.5088046, Mounting for surface-sensing stylus and a method of using said mounting Issued on: 02/11/1992 Inventor: McMurtry5088055, Coordinate measuring apparatus having a stylus friction compensating means Issued on: 02/11/1992 Inventor: Oyama5095303, Six degree of freedom graphic object controller Issued on: 03/10/1992 Inventor: Clark, et al.5103404, Feedback for a manipulator Issued on: 04/07/1992 Inventor: McIntosh5107080, Multiple degree of freedom damped hand controls Issued on: 04/21/1992 Inventor: Rosen5116051, Strain gauge pressure-sensitive video game control Issued on: 05/26/1992 Inventor: Moncrief, et al.5126948, Digital position encoder and data optimizer Issued on: 06/30/1992 Inventor: Mitchell, et al.5128671, Control device having multiple degrees of freedom Issued on: 07/07/1992 Inventor: Thomas, Jr.5131844, Contact digitizer, particularly for dental applications Issued on: 07/21/1992 Inventor: Marinaccio, et al.5132672, Three degree of freedom graphic object controller Issued on: 07/21/1992 Inventor: Clark5139261, Foot-actuated computer game controller serving as a joystick Issued on: 08/18/1992 Inventor: Openiano5142506, Ultrasonic position locating method and apparatus therefor Issued on: 08/25/1992 Inventor: Edwards5142931, 3 degree of freedom hand controller Issued on: 09/01/1992 Inventor: Menahem5143505, Actuator system for providing force feedback to a dextrous master glove Issued on: 09/01/1992 Inventor: Burdea, et al.5146566, Input/output system for computer user interface using magnetic levitation Issued on: 09/08/1992 Inventor: Hollis, Jr., et al.5148377, Coordinate measuring system Issued on: 09/15/1992 Inventor: McDonald5178012, Twisting actuator accelerometer Issued on: 01/12/1993 Inventor: Culp5181181, Computer apparatus input device for three-dimensional information Issued on: 01/19/1993 Inventor: Glynn5182557, Motorized joystick Issued on: 01/26/1993 Inventor: Lang5184306, Automated high-precision fabrication of objects of complex and unique geometry Issued on: 02/02/1993 Inventor: Erdman, et al.5184319, Force feedback and textures simulating interface device Issued on: 02/02/1993 Inventor: Kramer5185561, Torque motor as a tactile feedback device in a computer system Issued on: 02/09/1993 Inventor: Good, et al.5186629, Virtual graphics display capable of presenting icons and windows to the blind computer user and method Issued on: 02/16/1993 Inventor: Rohen5187874, Coordinate measuring machine with protected origin point blocks Issued on: 02/23/1993 Inventor: Takahashi, et al.5189806, Method of and apparatus for scanning the surface of a workpiece Issued on: 03/02/1993 Inventor: McMurtry, et al.5193963, Force reflecting hand controller Issued on: 03/16/1993 Inventor: McAffee, et al.5204824, Method of and apparatus for copy controlling coordinate measuring probe with rotary table Issued on: 04/20/1993 Inventor: Fujimaki5209131, Metrology Issued on: 05/11/1993 Inventor: Baxter5220260, Actuator having electronically controllable tactile responsiveness Issued on: 06/15/1993 Inventor: Schuler5223776, Six-degree virtual pivot controller Issued on: 06/29/1993 Inventor: Radke, et al.5228356, Variable effort joystick Issued on: 07/20/1993 Inventor: Chuang5230623, Operating pointer with interactive computergraphics Issued on: 07/27/1993 Inventor: Guthrie, et al.5243266, Teaching control device for manual operation in an industrial robots-system Issued on: 09/07/1993 Inventor: Kasagami, et al.5251127, Computer-aided surgery apparatus Issued on: 10/05/1993 Inventor: Raab5251156, Method and apparatus for non-contact measurement of object surfaces Issued on: 10/05/1993 Inventor: Heier, et al.5259120, Calibration and measurement device Issued on: 11/09/1993 Inventor: Chapman, et al.5259894, Method for solvent bonding non-porous materials to automatically create variable bond characteristics Issued on: 11/09/1993 Inventor: Sampson5262777, Device for generating multidimensional input signals to a computer Issued on: 11/16/1993 Inventor: Low, et al.5264768, Active hand controller feedback loop Issued on: 11/23/1993 Inventor: Gregory, et al.5275565, Modular display simulator and method Issued on: 01/04/1994 Inventor: Moncrief5277281, Magnetorheological fluid dampers Issued on: 01/11/1994 Inventor: Carlson, et al.5284330, Magnetorheological fluid devices Issued on: 02/08/1994 Inventor: Carlson, et al.5286203, Simulating horizontal stabilizer trimming in an aircraft Issued on: 02/15/1994 Inventor: Fuller, et al.5296846, Three-dimensional cursor control device Issued on: 03/22/1994 Inventor: Ledley5351692, Laparoscopic ultrasonic probe Issued on: 10/04/1994 Inventor: Dow, et al.5354162, Actuator system for providing force feedback to portable master support Issued on: 10/11/1994 Inventor: Burdea, et al.5379663, Multi-axial joy stick device Issued on: 01/10/1995 Inventor: Hara5384460, Encoder with a light emitting editing wheel Issued on: 01/24/1995 Inventor: Tseng5389865, Method and system for providing a tactile virtual reality and manipulator defining an interface device therefor Issued on: 02/14/1995 Inventor: Jacobus, et al.5390296, Method and apparatus for calculation with display data Issued on: 02/14/1995 Inventor: Crandall, et al.5396266, Kinesthetic feedback apparatus and method Issued on: 03/07/1995 Inventor: Brimhall5396267, Reconfigurable video game system Issued on: 03/07/1995 Inventor: Bouton5397323, Remote center-of-motion robot for surgery Issued on: 03/14/1995 Inventor: Taylor, et al.5402582, Three dimensional coordinate measuring apparatus Issued on: 04/04/1995 Inventor: Raab5405152, Method and apparatus for an interactive video game with physical feedback Issued on: 04/11/1995 Inventor: Katanics, et al.5412880, Method of constructing a 3-dimensional map of a measurable quantity using three dimensional coordinate measuring apparatus Issued on: 05/09/1995 Inventor: Raab5414337, Actuator having electronically controllable tactile responsiveness Issued on: 05/09/1995 Inventor: Schuler5417696, Acetabular cup positioning insert with release mechanism Issued on: 05/23/1995 Inventor: Kashuba, et al.5428748, Method and apparatus for automatically configuring a computer peripheral Issued on: 06/27/1995 Inventor: Davidson, et al.5429140, Integrated virtual reality rehabilitation system Issued on: 07/04/1995 Inventor: Burdea, et al.5436542, Telescopic camera mount with remotely controlled positioning Issued on: 07/25/1995 Inventor: Petelin, et al.5436640, Video game and simulator joystick controller with geared potentiometer actuation Issued on: 07/25/1995 Inventor: Reeves5445166, System for advising a surgeon Issued on: 08/29/1995 Inventor: Taylor5451924, Apparatus for providing sensory substitution of force feedback Issued on: 09/19/1995 Inventor: Massimino, et al.5459382, Method and system for providing a tactile virtual reality and manipulator defining an interface device therefor Issued on: 10/17/1995 Inventor: Jacobus, et al.5467763, Surgical instruments Issued on: 11/21/1995 Inventor: McMahon, et al.5492312, Multi-degree of freedom magnetorheological devices and system for using same Issued on: 02/20/1996 Inventor: Carlson5512919, Three-dimensional coordinates input apparatus Issued on: 04/30/1996 Inventor: Araki5513100, Velocity controller with force feedback stiffness control Issued on: 04/30/1996 Inventor: Parker, et al.5570111, Graphical user interface cursor positioning device having a negative inertia transfer function Issued on: 10/29/1996 Inventor: Barrett, et al.5576727, Electromechanical human-computer interface with force feedback Issued on: 11/19/1996 Inventor: Rosenberg, et al.5587937, Force reflecting haptic interface Issued on: 12/24/1996 Inventor: Massie, et al.5589828, 6 Degrees of freedom controller with capability of tactile feedback Issued on: 12/31/1996 Inventor: Armstrong5589854, Touching feedback device Issued on: 12/31/1996 Inventor: Tsai5591082, Side-mounted throttle and weapons controller for computer video games and flight simulation Issued on: 01/07/1997 Inventor: Jensen, et al.5591924, Force and torque converter Issued on: 01/07/1997 Inventor: Hilton5623582, Computer interface or control input device for laparoscopic surgical instrument and other elongated mechanical objects Issued on: 04/22/1997 Inventor: Rosenberg5625576, Force reflecting haptic interface Issued on: 04/29/1997 Inventor: Massie, et al.5629594, Force feedback system Issued on: 05/13/1997 Inventor: Jacobus, et al.5642469, Direct-drive manipulator for pen-based force display Issued on: 06/24/1997 Inventor: Hannaford, et al.5643087, Input device including digital force feedback apparatus Issued on: 07/01/1997 Inventor: Marcus, et al. 5666138, 5701140, Method and apparatus for providing a cursor control interface with force feedback Issued on: 12/23/1997 Inventor: Rosenberg, et al.5709219, Method and apparatus to create a complex tactile sensation Issued on: 01/20/1998 Inventor: Chen, et al.5721566, Method and apparatus for providing damping force feedback Issued on: 02/24/1998 Inventor: Rosenberg, et al.5724068, Joystick with uniform center return force Issued on: 03/03/1998 Inventor: Sanchez, et al.5731804, Method and apparatus for providing high bandwidth, low noise mechanical I/O for computer systems Issued on: 03/24/1998 Inventor: Rosenberg5734373, Method and apparatus for controlling force feedback interface systems utilizing a host computer Issued on: 03/31/1998 Inventor: Rosenberg, et al.5739811, Method and apparatus for controlling human-computer interface systems providing force feedback Issued on: 04/14/1998 Inventor: Rosenberg, et al.5742278, Force feedback joystick with digital signal processor controlled by host processor Issued on: 04/21/1998 Inventor: Chen, et al.5767839, Method and apparatus for providing passive force feedback to human-computer interface systems Issued on: 06/16/1998 Inventor: Rosenberg5781172, Data input device for use with a data processing apparatus and a data processing apparatus provided with such a device Issued on: 07/14/1998 Inventor: Engel, et al.5790108, Controller Issued on: 08/04/1998 Inventor: Salcudean, et al.5816105, Three degree of freedom parallel mechanical linkage Issued on: 10/06/1998 Inventor: Adelstein5821920, Control input device for interfacing an elongated flexible object with a computer system Issued on: 10/13/1998 Inventor: Rosenberg, et al.5872438, Whole-body kinesthetic display Issued on: 02/16/1999 Inventor: Roston5880714, Three-dimensional cursor control interface with force feedback Issued on: 03/09/1999 Inventor: Rosenberg, et al.5889670, Method and apparatus for tactilely responsive user interface Issued on: 03/30/1999 Inventor: Schuler, et al.5889672Tactiley responsive user interface device and method therefor Issued on: 03/30/1999 Inventor: Schuler, et al. Foreign Patent References
International ClassG09G 005/00 |
