Patent US2699781A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5643087A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5643087A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Input device including digital force feedback apparatus
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
•
Filing: 1994-07-29
•
Granted: 1997-07-01
•
Expires: 2014-07-29
Abstract
Abstract An input device for an interactive computer simulation or game is disclosed which includes a structure having at least two degrees-of-freedom which is moveable by a digit of a user to transmit input signal to a computer. At least one actuator connected to the moveable structure receives inputs from a computer and applies forces in the at least two degrees-of-freedom to the movable structure and thereby to the digit of the user. The actuator may include an electric motor and any of a variety of force transmission schemes including direct, cable, gear or belt drives. The applied forces are typically based on internal programming within the computer, events occurring in the simulation and movements of and forces applied to the movable structure by the operator. The input device of the invention thereby provides continuous interaction among motion of and forces applied by the movable structure, the events in the simulation and forces applied to and applied by the movable structure to enhance user enjoyment and performance.
Inventors
- 👤 Beth A. Marcus
- 👤 Elaine Chen
- 👤 Bin An
- 👤 Timothy Osborne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:25
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/25; A63F13/28; A63F13/285; A63F13/80; A63F13/833; A63F13/90; A63F13/92; G; G05; G05G; G05G1/00; G05G1/04; G05G1/06; G05G9/00; G05G9/02; G05G9/04; G05G9/047; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/011; G06F3/016; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/04; G09B9/08; G09B9/28; A63F13/803; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/10; A63F2300/1006; A63F2300/1037; A63F2300/20; A63F2300/204; A63F2300/80; A63F2300/8017; A63F2300/8029; G05G2009/0474; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/01; G06F2203/013; G06F2203/015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An input device including digital force feedback apparatus, for use in one of a video gaming and a virtual reality environment, comprising: a housing having a size sufficiently small to be supported by one hand of an operator; a moveable structure having at least two degrees-of-freedom of motion attached to said housing and comprising at least one cradle that is moveable by a digit of an operator; and at least one actuator disposed in said housing, said at least one actuator being attached to said moveable structure to provide force feedback to a digit of an operator disposed in said cradle along at least two degrees-of-freedom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An input device including digital force feedback apparatus, for use in one of a video gaming and a virtual reality environment, comprising: a housing having a size sufficiently small to be supported by one hand of an operator; a moveable structure having at least two degrees-of-freedom of motion attached to said housing and comprising at least one cradle that is moveable by a digit of an operator; and at least one actuator disposed in said housing, said at least one actuator being attached to said moveable structure to provide force feedback to a digit of an operator disposed in said cradle along at least two degrees-of-freedom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein: said actuator comprises a motor for generating a torque about an axis of rotation of a shaft thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention according to claim 2 further comprising: means for determining angular position of said motor shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said actuator includes at least one cable drive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a mechanical linkage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a belt drive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a gear drive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cradle is configured and positioned on said housing to conform to a thumb of a user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cradle is comprised of a closed annulus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said cradle further comprises a saddle portion extending therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cradle is comprised of an open annulus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention according to claim 11 wherein said cradle further comprises an adjustable strap spanning an opening formed by said open annulus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention according to claim 12 wherein said cradle further comprises a saddle portion extending therefrom.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cradle is comprised of a passive ball joint.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3220121A
Cited
US3517446A
Cited
US3903614A
Cited
US4236325A
Cited
US4398889A
Cited
US4599070A
Cited
US4513235A
Cited
US4604016A
Cited
US4713007A
Cited
US4708656A
Cited
US4795296A
Cited
US5116180A
Cited
US5044956A
Cited
US5184319A
Cited
US5209661A
Cited
US5223776A
Cited
US5142931A
Cited
US5271290A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-06-30 | 2000-12-30 | 2001-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-30 | 2004-12-30 | 2005-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-30 | 2008-12-30 | 2009-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |