Abstract: A surgical training system comprising: a virtual environment including a virtual model of a surgical site; a trainer's haptic device for controlling a surgical tool in the virtual environment; a trainee's haptic device for controlling the surgical tool in the virtual environment, wherein the trainee's haptic device applies force feedback in dependence on signals received from the trainer's haptic device; and a controller for scaling the force feedback applied by the trainee's haptic device in dependence on a specified scaling value.

Abstract: A method of creating a system for haptically and graphically rendering one or more scenes. The method includes generating one or more haptic targets for haptically rendering the scene as a virtual scene. The scene is haptically rendered as the virtual scene. The method also includes providing one or more graphics targets for graphically rendering the scene as a graphical scene, generating an initial data packet for the scene, and transmitting the initial data packet to the graphics target. The method also includes loading the initial data packet on the graphics target to create the graphical scene.

Abstract: A transparent haptic overlay device, system and method are provided. The transparent haptic overlay device (10) includes a transparent overlay (22) for transmitting the force of the user to a display (20), an actuator (24) for generating forces corresponding to haptic effects and imparting these forces to the user's finger and a controller (28) for simulating the haptic effects. The display (20) may be a touch sensitive display, which has a functionality of sensing the position of the user. Through the overlay (22), the user receives the haptic effects in response to the motion relative to the image of the objects (14) on the display (20).

Abstract: A method of creating a system for haptically and graphically rendering one or more scenes. The method includes generating one or more haptic targets for haptically rendering the scene as a virtual scene. The scene is haptically rendered as the virtual scene. The method also includes providing one or more graphics targets for graphically rendering the scene as a graphical scene, generating an initial data packet for the scene, and transmitting the initial data packet to the graphics target. The method also includes loading the initial data packet on the graphics target to create the graphical scene.

Abstract: A haptic reconfigurable dashboard system for controlling and monitoring vehicle subsystems is disclosed. The haptic dashboard system comprises (a) a computer for controlling the haptic reconfigurable dashboard system, (b) a virtual device panel for displaying a virtual control device or indicator, the virtual control device or indicator corresponding to one of the subsystems to be controlled or monitored, (c) a haptic device for manipulating the virtual control device or indicator displayed on the virtual device panel, and (d) a haptic feedback mechanism for providing a force effect to the haptic device when it manipulates the virtual control device or indicator. According to virtual controls being carried out in the dashboard system, the subsystems can be controlled or monitored through an interface between the dashboard system and the subsystems, and a user can feel a sense of touching or force through the haptic device while controlling or monitoring the vehicle subsystems.

Abstract: A thin client based intelligent transportation system includes a server that coordinates the data flow and functionality of a data network, a plurality of clients implementing the controls generated by the server, and a communication infrastructure for interconnecting the modules of the system. A platform is installed in each client, which provides real time control capabilities with the modules of the clients. The platform may be installed in a server. The system may include a geographic information system (GIS) containing data on the local geographic infrastructure and a global positioning system (GPS) providing data to allow the clients and the server, to compute their location data and to synchronize events.

Abstract: A Hard Real Time Control Center (HRTCC), comprised of hardware, software and firmware, with time synchronisation and time delay compensation methodologies that allows Application Hardware and/or User Input Devices to be networked together on any communications network as if there were negligible network delays in the system, is disclosed. This will allow Application Hardware and/or User Input Devices (connected to an HRTCC at one location (node) on the network) to control or operate Application Hardware and/or User Input Devices connected to another HRTCC at a remote location without the detrimental effects of network time delays. The time synchronisation of the various HRTCCs on the network can be enabled using hardware (e.g. a global positioning system (GPS)) or any other software method (e.g. Network Time Protocol). Using time stamps from the time synchronisation, the time delay of the signals (data) transferred over the network can be determined.

Abstract: A navigation controller and method for performing navigation control are provided. According to the method, a time varying prediction model is determined based on a predictor having a model component and a correlation processor component. The time varying linear prediction model is then used to formulate a predictive controller or to update the controller in use. The controller is then used to control navigation. Because of the correlation processor, the predictor is better adapted to compensate for shortcomings in the model thus making the automated navigation control superior. In use, the method controls vessel navigation in any of a number of predefined modes such as cruising and turning modes. Moreover, through the selection of the operational scenario, the controller can be made to adapt to differing control objectives—for example tight tracking or increased operational efficiency of the vessel.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the swing of a sport implement and player over time in three dimensional space involving implanting implement sensors at numerous locations in the implement adapted for measurement of linear motion on three axes and angular motion on said three axes, such as: linear motion inertial sensors; angular motion sensors; axial strain gauges; flexural strain gauges; and torsional strain gauges. Player sensors are set at a number of locations on the player's body, also adapted for measurement of linear motion on three axes and angular motion on said three axes. Data from the sensor suites are communicated via a wireless communications device to a processing unit by: infrared; radio frequency; or the Bluetooth system. Data is processed from the sensor units to derive an output communicated to the player via an interface such as: visual graphics display; text display; sound interface; tactile device; and vibratory device.