US6147674A — Method and apparatus for designing force sensatio…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 124 words

A computer readable medium including program instructions for implementing a force sensation design interface, said program instructions performing steps of: receiving input from a user on a host computer, said input selecting a type of force sensation to be commanded by a host computer and output by a force feedback interface device, said force feedback interface device including a user manipulatable object graspable by a user and moveable in a degree of freedom; receiving input from a user defining physical characteristics of a particular force sensation of said selected type; and displaying a graphical representation of said particular 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.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 124 words

A computer readable medium including program instructions for implementing a force sensation design interface, said program instructions performing steps of: receiving input from a user on a host computer, said input selecting a type of force sensation to be commanded by a host computer and output by a force feedback interface device, said force feedback interface device including a user manipulatable object graspable by a user and moveable in a degree of freedom; receiving input from a user defining physical characteristics of a particular force sensation of said selected type; and displaying a graphical representation of said particular 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.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 34 words

A computer readable medium as recited in claim 1 further comprising program instructions for receiving additional changes to said characterized force sensation from said user and displaying said additional changes in said graphical representation.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 47 words

A computer readable medium as recited in claim 1 further comprising program instructions for commanding said characterized force sensation on 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 object.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 38 words

A computer readable medium as recited in claim 3 wherein said force sensation has a duration, and wherein said graphical representation is updated in accordance with a current force output on said user object during said force sensation.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 33 words

A computer readable medium as recited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of force sensations are selectable by said user, and wherein said selectable types of force sensations include conditions, effects, and dynamics.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 39 words

A computer readable medium as recited in claim 1 wherein said selected type of force sensation is a spring condition, and wherein said graphical representation is a representation of said user manipulatable object and an image of a spring.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 33 words

A computer readable medium as recited in claim 1 wherein said selected type of force sensation is a periodic force sensation, and wherein said graphical representation is an image of a periodic waveform.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

A computer readable medium as recited in claim 7 wherein said characterization includes specifying an envelope for said periodic waveform, said envelope being displayed in said graphical representation.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 139 words

A method for providing a force sensation design interface implemented by a computer, said method comprising: displaying a design interface on a display device of a computer; receiving input in said design interface from a user, said input selecting a type of force sensation to be commanded by a host computer and output by a force feedback interface device, said force feedback interface device including a user manipulatable object graspable by a user and moveable in a degree of freedom; receiving input from a user to specify parameters which define characteristics of a particular force sensation of said selected type; and displaying a graphical representation of said characterized force sensation in said design interface, wherein said graphical representation includes visual representations of said parameters such that said user can view an effect of said parameters on said force sensation.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 139 words

A method for providing a force sensation design interface implemented by a computer, said method comprising: displaying a design interface on a display device of a computer; receiving input in said design interface from a user, said input selecting a type of force sensation to be commanded by a host computer and output by a force feedback interface device, said force feedback interface device including a user manipulatable object graspable by a user and moveable in a degree of freedom; receiving input from a user to specify parameters which define characteristics of a particular force sensation of said selected type; and displaying a graphical representation of said characterized force sensation in said design interface, wherein said graphical representation includes visual representations of said parameters such that said user can view an effect of said parameters on said force sensation.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 59 words

A method as recited in claim 9 further comprising: commanding said characterized force sensation on 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 object; and updating said graphical representation in accordance with said force sensation being output on said user object.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 33 words

A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said graphical representation includes portions that can be graphically manipulated by said user using a displayed cursor when performing said updating of said graphical representation.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said graphical representation includes a representation of a spring, and wherein said particular force sensation is a spring force sensation.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method as recited in claim 12 wherein said user can modify a size of saturation of said spring sensation and a stiffness of said spring sensation.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method as recited in claim 12 wherein said graphical representation includes an animated graphical representation of a spring that is compressible through user manipulation of said user manipulatable object.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said graphical representation includes a force versus time graph, and wherein said particular force sensation is a periodic force sensation.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said user can modify a size of a deadband of said force sensation.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method as recited in claim 16 wherein said deadband is portrayed in said graphical representation as a space between two spring images.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method as recited in claim 9 further comprising receiving additional input from said user to modify at least one of said parameters defining characteristics of said force sensation.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said graphical representation can be associated with a specific axis of said force feedback interface device, said force feedback interface device having multiple axes.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said graphical representation can be associated with said force sensation that is implemented on multiple axes of said force feedback interface device simultaneously.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 16 words

A method as recited in claim 20 wherein said axes include an x-axis and a y-axis.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said force sensation is output in a particular angle in a two axis plane, said angle being selectable by said user.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method as recited in claim 9 further comprising receiving inputs from said user to graphically assign said selected force sensation to a button on said force feedback interface device.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 51 words

A method as recited in claim 23 wherein said graphically assigning said selected force sensation to a button includes allowing said user to drag an icon representing said selected force sensation and drop said icon at an icon or area that represents a particular button on said force feedback interface device.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method as recited in claim 9 further comprising saving said characterized force sensation as resource file of parameters which can be accessed by other application programs having force feedback functionality.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 127 words

A method for graphically allowing a user to design the feel of a simulated vibration sensation to be output by a force feedback interface device coupled to a host computer, said method comprising: displaying a graphical profile using said host computer, said graphical profile being representative of the force versus time characteristics of said simulated vibration sensation; providing points on said graphical profile that can be manipulated by the user to modify the feel of said simulated vibration sensation; and commanding said simulated vibration sensation to said force feedback interface device coupled to said host computer such that actuators of said force feedback interface device modify a force output by said interface device as a function of time in accordance with requirements of said simulated vibration sensation.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 127 words

A method for graphically allowing a user to design the feel of a simulated vibration sensation to be output by a force feedback interface device coupled to a host computer, said method comprising: displaying a graphical profile using said host computer, said graphical profile being representative of the force versus time characteristics of said simulated vibration sensation; providing points on said graphical profile that can be manipulated by the user to modify the feel of said simulated vibration sensation; and commanding said simulated vibration sensation to said force feedback interface device coupled to said host computer such that actuators of said force feedback interface device modify a force output by said interface device as a function of time in accordance with requirements of said simulated vibration sensation.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as recited in claim 26 wherein said graphical profile includes a waveform fitted within an envelope.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method as recited in claim 27 wherein at least one of said points allows said user to modify a magnitude of said waveform.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method as recited in claim 26 wherein at least one of said points allows said user to modify attack characteristics of said waveform.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method as recited in claim 26 wherein at least one of said points allows said user to modify fade parameters of said waveform.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method as recited in claim 26 wherein said graphical profile is associated with a specific direction of a multi axis force feedback device.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method as recited in claim 26 wherein said graphical profile can be displayed at a given angle in a two axis plane, said angle being selectable by said user.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method as recited in claim 26 wherein a basic shape of said waveform can be selected by said user from a set that includes a sine wave and a square wave.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 41 words

A method as recited in claim 26 further comprising assigning said modified vibration sensation to one of a plurality of buttons of said force feedback interface device, wherein said user designates which of said buttons is assigned said modified vibration sensation.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 130 words

A method for graphically allowing a user to design the feel of a simulated force sensation to be output by a force feedback interface device coupled to a host computer, said method comprising: displaying a graphical profile using said host computer, said graphical profile being representative of the force versus time characteristics of said simulated force sensation; adjusting a shape of said graphical profile in response to said user manipulating said graphical profile using a user-controlled cursor to modify the feel of said simulated force sensation; and commanding said modified simulated force sensation to said force feedback interface device coupled to said host computer such that actuators of said force feedback interface device output a force as a function of time in accordance with requirements of said simulated force sensation.

Claim 39

Independent Claim 130 words

A method for graphically allowing a user to design the feel of a simulated force sensation to be output by a force feedback interface device coupled to a host computer, said method comprising: displaying a graphical profile using said host computer, said graphical profile being representative of the force versus time characteristics of said simulated force sensation; adjusting a shape of said graphical profile in response to said user manipulating said graphical profile using a user-controlled cursor to modify the feel of said simulated force sensation; and commanding said modified simulated force sensation to said force feedback interface device coupled to said host computer such that actuators of said force feedback interface device output a force as a function of time in accordance with requirements of said simulated force sensation.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method as recited in claim 35 further comprising receiving inputs from said user to graphically assign said selected force sensation to a button on said force feedback interface device.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 20 words

A method as recited in claim 35 further comprising saving said modified simulated force sensation as resource file of parameters.

Claim 42

Independent Claim 178 words

A method for providing a force sensation design interface implemented by a computer, said method comprising: displaying a design interface on a display device of a computer; receiving input in said design interface from a user, said input selecting a spring of force sensation to be commanded by a host computer and output by a force feedback interface device, said force feedback interface device including a user manipulatable object graspable by a user and moveable in a degree of freedom; receiving input from a user to specify parameters which define characteristics of said spring force sensation, said parameters including a deadband of said spring force sensation; and displaying a graphical representation of said characterized spring force sensation in said design interface, wherein said graphical representation includes visual representations of said parameters such that said user can view an effect of said parameters on said spring force sensation, wherein said graphical representation includes a representation of a spring including two spring images, wherein said deadband is portrayed in said graphical representation as a space between said two spring images.

Claim 43

Independent Claim 178 words

A method for providing a force sensation design interface implemented by a computer, said method comprising: displaying a design interface on a display device of a computer; receiving input in said design interface from a user, said input selecting a spring of force sensation to be commanded by a host computer and output by a force feedback interface device, said force feedback interface device including a user manipulatable object graspable by a user and moveable in a degree of freedom; receiving input from a user to specify parameters which define characteristics of said spring force sensation, said parameters including a deadband of said spring force sensation; and displaying a graphical representation of said characterized spring force sensation in said design interface, wherein said graphical representation includes visual representations of said parameters such that said user can view an effect of said parameters on said spring force sensation, wherein said graphical representation includes a representation of a spring including two spring images, wherein said deadband is portrayed in said graphical representation as a space between said two spring images.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method as recited in claim 38 wherein said graphical representation includes an animated graphical representation of a spring that is compressible through user manipulation of said user manipulatable object.

Claim 45

Independent Claim 183 words

A method for providing a force sensation design interface implemented by a computer, said method comprising: displaying a design interface on a display device of a computer; receiving input in said design interface from a user, said input selecting a type of force sensation to be commanded by a host computer and output by a force feedback interface device, said force feedback interface device including a user manipulatable object graspable by a user and moveable in a degree of freedom; receiving input from a user to specify parameters which define characteristics of a particular force sensation of said selected type; displaying a graphical representation of said characterized force sensation in said design interface, wherein said graphical representation includes visual representations of said parameters such that said user can view an effect of said parameters on said force sensation; and receiving inputs from said user to graphically assign said particular force sensation to a particular one of a plurality of buttons on said force feedback interface device, wherein said user can test the output of said particular force sensation by pressing said particular button.

Claim 46

Independent Claim 183 words

A method for providing a force sensation design interface implemented by a computer, said method comprising: displaying a design interface on a display device of a computer; receiving input in said design interface from a user, said input selecting a type of force sensation to be commanded by a host computer and output by a force feedback interface device, said force feedback interface device including a user manipulatable object graspable by a user and moveable in a degree of freedom; receiving input from a user to specify parameters which define characteristics of a particular force sensation of said selected type; displaying a graphical representation of said characterized force sensation in said design interface, wherein said graphical representation includes visual representations of said parameters such that said user can view an effect of said parameters on said force sensation; and receiving inputs from said user to graphically assign said particular force sensation to a particular one of a plurality of buttons on said force feedback interface device, wherein said user can test the output of said particular force sensation by pressing said particular button.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-11-14	2004-05-15	2004-11-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-11-14	2008-05-15	2008-11-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-11-14	2012-05-15	2012-11-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for designing force sensations in force feedback computer applications

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