Patent ID: 7564444

Claim:
A method comprising: sensing a position of a manipulandum as the manipulandum is moved by a user in at least two degrees of freedom, the manipulandum configured to send a first position signal associated with the sensed position of the manipulandum to a host computer, wherein the first position signal controls movement of a graphical object in a graphical user interface (GUI) in response to movement of the manipulandum; sensing movement of a rotatable member coupled to the manipulandum as the rotatable member is operated by a user's digit, the manipulandum configured to send a second position signal associated with the sensed position of the rotatable member to the host computer, wherein the second position signal controls movement of the graphical object in the GUI in response to movement of the rotatable member; and outputting a force feedback signal to an actuator of the manipulandum when the graphical object is positioned at a designated location in the GUI the force feedback signal responsive to at least the second position signal, wherein a haptic force sensation is output by the actuator to the rotatable member in response to the actuator receiving the force feedback signal.