US5482051A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electromyographic virtual reality system
Assignee: University of Akron
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Filing: 1994-03-10
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Granted: 1996-01-09
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Expires: 2014-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A finite element model of a structure is manipulated according to electromyographic signal from the musculature of an operator. The resulting forces are fed back to the operator and a display provides visual feedback of the resulting displacements.
Inventors
- 👤 Narender P. Reddy
- 👤 Sujat M. Sukthankar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/48; A61B5/486; A61B5/24; A61B5/316; A61B5/389
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of manipulating a computer simulation of a physical structure in response to an operator having musculature, said method comprising: detecting an electromyographic signal from said musculature; producing a force signal in response to said electromyographic signal; applying said force to a computer model of said physical structure, said model having nodes; determining force values and displacements for said nodes; and providing a visual representation of said model, said representation being formed in response to said displacements.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of manipulating a computer simulation of a physical structure in response to an operator having musculature, said method comprising: detecting an electromyographic signal from said musculature; producing a force signal in response to said electromyographic signal; applying said force to a computer model of said physical structure, said model having nodes; determining force values and displacements for said nodes; and providing a visual representation of said model, said representation being formed in response to said displacements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said electromyographic signal is from operator hand muscles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of producing a force signal includes determining a statistical value of said electromyographic signal and providing a force signal corresponding to said statistical value according to a predetermined calibration curve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said model is a finite element model.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a force to said musculature in response to said force values.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for manipulating a computer simulation of a physical structure in response to an operator having musculature, said apparatus comprising: a detector for detecting an electromyographic signal from said musculature; a signal processor producing a force signal in response to said electromyographic signal; a modelling engine containing a computer model of said physical structure, said model having nodes and said force signal being applied to said model to determine force values and displacements for said nodes; and a visual display, said display displaying a representation of said model being deformed in response to said displacements.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for manipulating a computer simulation of a physical structure in response to an operator having musculature, said apparatus comprising: a detector for detecting an electromyographic signal from said musculature; a signal processor producing a force signal in response to said electromyographic signal; a modelling engine containing a computer model of said physical structure, said model having nodes and said force signal being applied to said model to determine force values and displacements for said nodes; and a visual display, said display displaying a representation of said model being deformed in response to said displacements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said electromyographic signal is from operator hand muscles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said signal processor includes means to determine the mean-square value of said electromyographic signal and a look-up table to provide a force signal in response to said mean-square value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said model is a finite element model.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a force feedback device that provide a force to said musculature in response to said force values.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for manipulating a computer simulation of a physical structure in response to an operator having musculature, said apparatus comprising: a sensor connected to said musculature for sensing an electromyographic signal; a band pass filter communicating with said sensor for filtering said electromyographic signal; a mean-square calculating device communicating with said filter for determining the mean-square value of said filtered electromyographic signal; a look-up table communicating with said calculating device, said mean-square value producing a corresponding force signal; a modelling engine containing a finite element computer model of said physical structure, said model having nodes and said force signal being applied to said model to determine force values and displacements for said nodes; a visual display communicating with said modelling engine and displaying a representation of said model being deformed in response to said displacements; and a force feedback device communicating with said modelling engine and providing a force to said musculature in response to said force values.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for manipulating a computer simulation of a physical structure in response to an operator having musculature, said apparatus comprising: a sensor connected to said musculature for sensing an electromyographic signal; a band pass filter communicating with said sensor for filtering said electromyographic signal; a mean-square calculating device communicating with said filter for determining the mean-square value of said filtered electromyographic signal; a look-up table communicating with said calculating device, said mean-square value producing a corresponding force signal; a modelling engine containing a finite element computer model of said physical structure, said model having nodes and said force signal being applied to said model to determine force values and displacements for said nodes; a visual display communicating with said modelling engine and displaying a representation of said model being deformed in response to said displacements; and a force feedback device communicating with said modelling engine and providing a force to said musculature in response to said force values.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-08 | 1999-07-10 | 2000-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-08 | 2003-07-10 | 2004-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-08 | 2007-07-10 | 2008-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |