The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 25, 2005
Filed:
Dec. 14, 2001
Ralph E. Jennings, Jr., Stow, MA (US);
Thomas Harold Massie, Windham, NH (US);
Bradley A. Payne, Andover, MA (US);
Walter C. Shannon, Iii, West Newton, MA (US);
Ralph E. Jennings, Jr., Stow, MA (US);
Thomas Harold Massie, Windham, NH (US);
Bradley A. Payne, Andover, MA (US);
Walter C. Shannon, III, West Newton, MA (US);
SensAble Technologies, Inc., Woburn, MA (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods for modifying a virtual object stored within a computer. The systems and methods allow virtual object modifications that are otherwise computationally inconvenient. The virtual object is represented as a volumetric representation. A portion of the volumetric model is converted into an alternative representation. The alternative representation can be a representation having a different number of dimensions from the volumetric representations. A stimulus is applied to the alternative representation, for example by a user employing a force-feedback haptic interface. The response of the alternative representation to the stimulus is calculated. The change in shape of the virtual object is determined from the response of the alternative representation. The representations of the virtual object can be displayed at any time for the user. The user can be provided a force-feedback response. Multiple stimuli can be applied in succession. Multiple alternative representations can be employed in the system and method.