Patent attributes
A force feedback interface device is coupled to a host computer that displays a graphical environment, the device including a user manipulatable object physically contacted and moveable by a user. A sensor detects a position of the user object and provides a sensor signal to the host computer, where the sensor signal includes information representative of the position of the user object. An actuator is coupled to the device or user object and outputs a force on the user manipulatable object or a housing of the device. The actuator includes a magnet and a grounded coil, where the magnet moves approximately within a plane with respect to the coil, and wherein a current is provided in the coil to generate the force. Other embodiments provide a magnet that moves in a linear degree of freedom within a coil housing, or provide an at least partially spherical magnet providing rotary degrees of freedom to a user manipulatable object coupled to the magnet. One embodiment includes a planar frame support mechanism.
