Patents Assigned to Novint Technologies, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140240109
    Abstract: Portable force feedback controllers (PFFCs) designed to be worn on a user's limb, track the movement of the user's limb, and provide force feedback capability. In some embodiments, the PFFCs may include interchangeable modules that can be quickly and easily connected and disconnected so that the PFFC may be easily modified for a particular application. In yet other embodiments, various PFFC modules are moveably coupled and have at least one degree of freedom so that the PFFC can accurately follow the natural movements of a user's limb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Novint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter A. Aviles, Frank E. Joutras
  • Patent number: 8806974
    Abstract: A device for transmitting movements comprising a parallel kinematics transmission structure adapted to provide at least one degree of freedom including three translational degrees of freedom, the parallel kinematics transmission structure further comprising a base member (2), a moveable member (4), and at least one parallel kinematics chain (6) coupling the base member (2) and the moveable member (4), each parallel kinematics chain (6) having a first arm (8) moveable in a movement plane wherein the movement planes are at a distance to a symmetry axis (40), and each parallel kinematics chain (6) comprising a second arm (10) coupled to the moveable member (4), wherein a first end (18) of the second arm (10) is adapted to be coupled to the first arm (8) and a second end (16) of the second arm (10) is adapted to be coupled to the moveable member (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Novint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Helmer, Francois Conti, Patrice Rouiller, Sebastien Grange
  • Publication number: 20130057467
    Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses that can provide reliable communications between a computer and a haptic interface device. The methods and apparatuses can provide communication that is more secure against errors, failures, or tampering than previous approaches. Haptic devices allow a user to communicate with computer applications using the user's sense of touch, for example by applying and sensing forces with the haptic device. The host computer must be able to communicate with the haptic device in a robust and safe manner. The present invention includes a novel method of accomplishing such communication; a computer-readable medium that, when applied to a computer, causes the computer to communicate according to such a method; and a computer system having a host computer and a haptic device communicating according to such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Novint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Novint Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8300010
    Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses that can provide reliable communications between a computer and a haptic interface device. The methods and apparatuses can provide communication that is more secure against errors, failures, or tampering than previous approaches. Haptic devices allow a user to communicate with computer applications using the user's sense of touch, for example by applying and sensing forces with the haptic device. The host computer must be able to communicate with the haptic device in a robust and safe manner. The present invention includes a novel method of accomplishing such communication; a computer-readable medium that, when applied to a computer, causes the computer to communicate according to such a method; and a computer system having a host computer and a haptic device communicating according to such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Novint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter A Aviles, Thomas G Anderson, V Gerald Grafe
  • Patent number: 7486273
    Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses that can provide reliable communications between a computer and a haptic interface device. The methods and apparatuses can provide communication that is more secure against errors, failures, or tampering than previous approaches. Haptic devices allow a user to communicate with computer applications using the user's sense of touch, for example by applying and sensing forces with the haptic device. The host computer must be able to communicate with the haptic device in a robust and safe manner. The present invention includes a novel method of accomplishing such communication; a computer-readable medium that, when applied to a computer, causes the computer to communicate according to such a method; and a computer system having a host computer and a haptic device communicating according to such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Novint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter A Aviles, Thomas G Anderson, V Gerald Grafe
  • Patent number: 7379048
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of human-computer interfacing that provides efficient implementation of intuitive controls in a three-dimensional space. The method comprises providing a three-dimensional space, characterized by x and y dimensions, together defining a plane approximately orthogonal to the user's direction of view into the space. A z dimension, approximately parallel to the direction of view, further characterizes the three-dimensional space. Objects in the space can be defined by x, y, and z coordinate sets. A control is provided having x and y coordinate sets as any other object. The z coordinate set of the control, however, spans a range of values, giving the control an increased depth. The control's range of z can be infinite, making the control accessible at all depths, or can be a finite range, making the control accessible only from that range of depths. Movement of a cursor into the region corresponding to the control initiates interaction with the user according to the control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Novint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7225115
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of generating haptic interface experiences that is capable of generating haptic companions to existing two-dimensional images. The method exploits the dominance of visual over haptic in humans: human tactile, proprioceptive, and kinesthetic senses do not supply as much fine detail as human vision, and consequently haptic representations do not have to be as detailed as the corresponding visual images to be believable to a human user. An existing two-dimensional image can be used as the visual component of a human-computer interface. A three-dimensional haptic model that is topologically similar to the image can be selected, where topological similarity means that the haptic model provides an acceptable approximation to important characteristics of the haptic experience desired to accompany the two-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Novint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jake S. Jones
  • Patent number: 6954899
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of human-computer interfacing that provides haptic feedback to control interface interactions such as scrolling or zooming within an application. Haptic feedback in the present method allows the user more intuitive control of the interface interactions, and allows the user's visual focus to remain on the application. The method comprises providing a control domain within which the user can control interactions. For example, a haptic boundary can be provided corresponding to scrollable or scalable portions of the application domain. The user can position a cursor near such a boundary, feeling its presence haptically (reducing the requirement for visual attention for control of scrolling of the display). The user can then apply force relative to the boundary, causing the interface to scroll the domain. The rate of scrolling can be related to the magnitude of applied force, providing the user with additional intuitive, non-visual control of scrolling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Novint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6833826
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of human-computer interfacing. Force feedback allows intuitive navigation and control near a boundary between regions in a computer-represented space. For example, the method allows a user to interact with a virtual craft, then push through the windshield of the craft to interact with the virtual world surrounding the craft. As another example, the method allows a user to feel transitions between different control domains of a computer representation of a space. The method can provide for force feedback that increases as a user's locus of interaction moves near a boundary, then perceptibly changes (e.g., abruptly drops or changes direction) when the boundary is traversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Novint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6727924
    Abstract: A method of human-computer interfacing provides efficient intuitive controls in a three-dimensional space. The method provides a three-dimensional space, characterized by a z dimension approximately parallel to the user's direction of view, and x and y dimensions approximately orthogonal thereto. A control has x and y coordinate sets, and a z coordinate set that spans a range of values. The range can be infinite, making the control accessible at all depths, or can be a finite range, making the control accessible from that range of depths. Movement of a cursor into the control's region initiates user interaction according to the control. The control depth reduces the precision of depth perception required to find the control. Once the user is in the control region, the effective depth for interaction can be relative to the depth when the user entered, providing control interaction independent of entering depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Novint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6724400
    Abstract: The present invention provides a human-computer interface. The interface includes provision of an application domain, for example corresponding to a three-dimensional application. The user is allowed to navigate and interact with the application domain. The interface also includes a personal domain, offering the user controls and interaction distinct from the application domain. The separation into two domains allows the most suitable interface methods in each: for example, three-dimensional navigation in the application domain, and two- or three-dimensional controls in the personal domain. Transitions between the application domain and the personal domain are under control of the user, and the transition method is substantially independent of the navigation in the application domain. For example, the user can fly through a three-dimensional application domain, and always move to the personal domain by moving a cursor near one extreme of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Novint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Anderson