Patent ID: 6078308
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: A63F,G05G,G06F,H01H,H04L

Abstract:
A method of providing a click surface in a graphical environment implemented on a host computer for use with a force feedback interface device coupled to said host computer, the method comprising:determining when a click surface of a first graphical object displayed in a graphical environment is contacted by a user-controlled second graphical object at an original position of said click surface, said user-controlled second graphical object being displayed at a position corresponding to a position of a physical user object of said interface device in a physical object workspace, said user object physically contacted by a user and moveable in a degree of freedom;outputting a force opposing movement of said user object in a direction corresponding to movement into said click surface and into said first graphical object, wherein said click surface remains displayed at said original position while said user object moves in said direction corresponding to movement into said click surface; andwhen said user object has moved to or past a trigger position past said original position said click surface, sending a command gesture signal to said host computer indicating said first graphical object has been selected as if a physical input device on said user object had been activated by said user.