Patent ID: 6215470
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: A61B,G05B,G09B

Abstract:
A user interface device for interfacing the motion of a user manipulatable object with a computer system, comprising:a) a cylindrical user manipulatable object contacted and manipulatable by a user;b) a coupling provided between said user manipulatable object and a surface that allows translation of said user manipulatable object with respect to said surface;c) at least one sensor coupled to said user manipulatable object that measures said translation of said object, wherein images are displayed by said computer system in coordination with said translation; and(d) a brake mechanism applying a frictional resistive force upon said user manipulatable object in response to an electric signal, said brake mechanism applying said frictional resistive force to impede said translation of said user manipulatable object in coordination with said images displayed by said computer system said frictional resistive force being produced by moving a member of said braking mechanism against said cylindrical user manipulatable object and thereby applying a force substantially perpendicular to said translation of said user manipulatable object.