Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Elaine Y Chen

Bin An

Timothy R Osborne

Beth A Marcus

Brian Eberman

Matthew L Coill

Paul DiLascia

A force feedback joystick unit connected to the serial port of a personal computer applies a variety of force effects to the joystick handle in response to commands from the executing personal computer program. Forces are applied to the joystick, which is mounted on a gimbal support for movement in two degrees of freedom, by a pair of drive motors which operate under the control of a digital signal processor (DSP). The DSP is programmed to respond to predetermined commands issued by a program executing on the personal computer to produce basic force effects including a constant force, a spring force proportional to the displacement of the joystick handle from a reference, a damping force proportional to the velocity of the joystick, and a time varying force effect having a selectable waveform, magnitude and period. More complex forces effects are produced by combining the basic effects. Custom force effects can be defined by the executing application program, the definitions being downloadable from the personal computer into the DSP which thereafter produces the defined custom force effect upon subsequent command from the personal computer. Multiple force effects, including both basic predefined effects and complex custom effects can be simultaneously operative and can be independently initiated and terminated by commands from the personal computer.

Force feedback joystick with digital signal processor controlled by host

A system for providing haptic information to a human operator. The system utilizes display devices that dynamically convey touch sensations to the human operator, thereby creating various tactile sensations such as texture and slippage. The system can combine multiple display devices as needed in order to create a specified sense.

Method and apparatus to create a complex tactile sensation

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.

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Boston, MA, United States of America

Elaine Y Chen