Patent ID: 6169540
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: A63F,G05G,G06F,H01H

Abstract:
A method for implementing a force sensation design interface, said method comprising: displaying said force sensation design interface on a display device of a host computer; receiving input from a user to said force sensation design interface, said input selecting a type of force sensation to be commanded by said host computer and output by a force feedback interface device, said force feedback interface device including a user manipulatable object graspable by a device user and moveable in a degree of freedom; receiving input from said user defining physical characteristics of said selected force sensation; displaying a graphical representation of said selected force sensation as characterized by said user, wherein said graphical representation provides said user with a visual demonstration of a feel of said characterized force sensation; commanding said characterized force sensation to said force feedback interface device coupled to said host computer such that actuators of said force feedback interface device output said force sensation on said user manipulatable object in conjunction with said visual demonstration of said feel of said characterized force sensation; and receiving additional changes to said characterized force sensation from said user after said force sensation is output and displaying said additional changes in said graphical representation, wherein a force sensation modified in accordance with said additional changes is output by said actuators on said user manipulatable object.