Patent ID: 6243078
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: A63F,G06F,H04L

Abstract:
A force feedback mouse coupled to a host computer implementing a host application program, said mouse physically contacted by a user and movable in a planar workspace, the mouse comprising:a sensor device coupled to a housing of said mouse, said sensor device detecting said movement of said mouse in said planar workspace and to output sensor signals representative of said movement;a button coupled to said housing of said mouse and having a degree of freedom and a sensor for detecting a position of said button, such that when said button is pressed by said user to a predetermined position, a command signal is sent to said host computer;a microprocessor-controlled actuator coupled to said button of said mouse, said actuator operative to apply an output spring force in said degree of freedom of said button; anda microprocessor local to said force feedback mouse and separate from said host computer and coupled to said sensor device and to said actuator, said microprocessor receiving a command from said host computer that causes said microprocessor to control said actuator to create said spring force in said degree of freedom of said button, said spring force having a magnitude specified by said command.