Abstract: An interface device for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer running an application program and generating a graphical image and a graphical object, comprises a user manipulatable object in communication with the computer, a sensor to detect a manipulation of the object, the sensor providing a signal to the computer to control the graphical image, and an actuator adapted to provide a haptic sensation to the palm of the user in relation to an interaction between the graphical image and the graphical object, the actuator comprising a member that is deformable to provide the haptic sensation.

Abstract: A prescription is provided which specifies constraints, e.g., the type (revolute and/or prismatic) and the number of joints which may be included between any two position-sensing elements (PSEs), where the joints connect the links of a kinematically constrained multi-articulated structure, whereby the defining parameters of the structure may be determined using the spatial placement of the two PSEs and the kinematic constraints of the multi-articulated structure, and where at least the spatial placement of one link is not directly measured. Also provided are preferred placements of PSEs and goniometers on a kinematically constrained multi-articulated structure which will allow determination of the spatial placement of the links, where at least the spatial placement of one link is not directly measured. Revolute joint models of the articulations of the entire human body, as well as preferred PSE and goniometer locations, are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method, and computer program and computer program product are provided for constraining the movement of a graphical hand when the physical hand controlling the graphical hand does not have a similar physical constraint. The constraining technique may comprise use and analysis of a revolute-joint-link-spring model. In such a model, an uncompressed/unextended spring position represents the corresponding measured joint angle or link position. In addition to linear springs which follow Hook's Law, i.e., F=k*x, non-linear springs or other non-linear force functions may be employed to obtain the desired result of allowing a graphical joint or link to deviate from what the corresponding measured joint or link provides.

Abstract: Goniometers are provided having internal compensation employing two opposing variable resistance strain sensing elements separated by a flexible film. The goniometers may be used in sets for detecting complex hinge or joint movements, where patterns of hinge or joint positions may be used to define symbols. Algorithms are provided for parsing values from a system of goniometers in motion having information content.

Abstract: A sensing system is provided for measuring various joints of a human body for applications for performance animation, biomechanical studies and general motion capture. One sensing device of the system is a linkage-based sensing structure comprising rigid links interconnected by revolute joints, where each joint angle is measured by a resistive bend sensor or other convenient goniometer. Such a linkage-based sensing structure is typically used for measuring joints of the body, such as the shoulders, hips, neck, back and forearm, which have more than a single rotary degree of freedom of movement. In one embodiment of the linkage-based sensing structure, a single long resistive bend sensor measures the angle of more that one revolute joint. The terminal ends of the linkage-based sensing structure are secured to the body such that movement of the joint is measured by the device.

Abstract: A prescription is provided which specifies constraints, e.g., the type (revolute and/or prismatic) and the number of joints which may be included between any two position-sensing elements (PSEs), where the joints connect the links of a kinematically constrained multi-articulated structure, whereby the defining parameters of the structure may be determined using the spatial placement of the two PSEs and the kinematic constraints of the multi-articulated structure, and where at least the spatial placement of one link is not directly measured. Also provided are preferred placements of PSEs and goniometers on a kinematically constrained multi-articulated structure which will allow determination of the spatial placement of the links, where at least the spatial placement of one link is not directly measured. Revolute joint models of the articulations of the entire human body, as well as preferred PSE and goniometer locations, are provided.

Abstract: An exoskeleton device is provided for measuring positions of links and angles of joints of an animate body, where the body comprises a plurality of links joined by intervening joints. The device is affixed at a first mobile terminus of said animate body and a second fixed terminus, having device links displaced from animate links, where the device links are connected by device joints and having sensor means for measuring the angle of the device joints. Using the signals from the sensor means, one can determine the position of the terminal device link and based on knowledge of the animate body structure, calculate the animate angle joints.

Abstract: A sensing system is provided for measuring various joints of a human body for applications for performance animation, biomechanical studies and general motion capture. One sensing device of the system is a linkage-based sensing structure comprising rigid links interconnected by revolute joints, where each joint angle is measured by a resistive bend sensor or other convenient goniometer. Such a linkage-based sensing structure is typically used for measuring joints of the body, such as the shoulders, hips, neck, back and forearm, which have more than a single rotary degree of freedom of movement. In one embodiment of the linkage-based sensing structure, a single long resistive bend sensor measures the angle of more that one revolute joint. The terminal ends of the linkage-based sensing structure are secured to the body such that movement of the joint is measured by the device.

Abstract: A man-machine interface is disclosed which provides force information to sensing body parts. The interface is comprised of a force-generating device (106) that produces a force which is transmitted to a force-applying device (102) via force-transmitting means (104). The force-applying device applies the generated force to a sensing body part. A force sensor associated with the force-applying device and located in the force applicator (126) measures the actual force applied to the sensing body part, while angle sensors (136) measure the angles of relevant joint body parts. A force-control unit (108) uses the joint body part position information to determine a desired force value to be applied to the sensing body part. The force-control unit combines the joint body part position information with the force sensor information to calculate the force command which is sent to the force-generating device.

Abstract: An interface device for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer running an application program and generating a graphical image and a graphical object, comprises a user manipulatable object in communication with the computer, a sensor to detect a manipulation of the object, the sensor providing a signal to the computer to control the graphical image, and an actuator adapted to provide a haptic sensation to the palm of the user in relation to an interaction between the graphical image and the graphical object, the actuator comprising a member that is deformable to provide the haptic sensation.

Abstract: A man-machine interface is disclosed which provides force, texture, pressure and temperature information to sensing body parts. The interface is comprised of a force-generating device (900) that produces a force which is transmitted to a force-applying device (902) via force-transmitting means (908). The force-applying device applies the generated force to a sensing body part. A force sensor (909) associated with the force-applying device measures the actual force applied to the sensing body part, while angle sensors (917) measure the angles of relevant joint body parts. A computing device (911) uses the joint body part position information to determine a desired force value to be applied to the sensing body part. The computing device combines the joint body part position information with the force sensor information to calculate the force command which is sent to the force-generating device.

Abstract: An exoskeleton device is provided for measuring positions of links and angles of joints of an animate body, where the body comprises a plurality of links joined by intervening joints. The device is affixed at a first mobile terminus of said animate body and a second fixed terminus, having device links displaced from animate links, where the device links are connected by device joints and having sensor means for measuring the angle of the device joints. Using the signals from the sensor means, one can determine the position of the terminal device link and based on knowledge of the animate body structure, calculate the animate angle joints.

Abstract: A prescription is provided which specifies constraints, e.g., the type (revolute and/or prismatic) and the number of joints which may be included between any two position-sensing elements (PSEs), where the joints connect the links of a kinematically constrained multi-articulated structure, whereby the defining parameters of the structure may be determined using the spatial placement of the two PSEs and the kinematic constraints of the multi-articulated structure, and where at least the spatial placement of one link is not directly measured. Also provided are preferred placements of PSEs and goniometers on a kinematically constrained multi-articulated structure which will allow determination of the spatial placement of the links, where at least the spatial placement of one link is not directly measured. Revolute joint models of the articulations of the entire human body, as well as preferred PSE and goniometer locations, are provided.

Abstract: In accordance with the subject invention, devices and methods are provided for the accurate reporting of movement of an entity. Sensors which are accurate, but provide a delayed signal ("delayed signal sensors"), which delay is unacceptable for many applications, may be used in conjunction with fast sensors ("fast signal sensors"), which are usually subject to drift and other inaccuracies in providing information about a position. Additional sensors which may provide even more accurate and/or less signal sensor delay for a period of time, but which sensor signal is subject to periods of interrupted or undesirable output thereby making it unreliable ("unreliable signal sensors") may also be used in combination with one or more of the delayed signal sensors and fast signal sensors. By using a combination of such sensors, accurate, reliable position information is rapidly obtained to allow high-resolution and/or real-time analysis and depictions of movement.

Abstract: An exoskeleton device is provided for measuring positions of links and angles of joints of an animate body, where the body comprises a plurality of links joined by intervening joints. The device is affixed at a first mobile terminus of said animate body and a second fixed terminus, having device links displaced from animate links, where the device links are connected by device joints and having sensor means for measuring the angle of the device joints. Using the signals from the sensor means, one can determine the position of the terminal device link and based on knowledge of the animate body structure, calculate the animate angle joints.

Abstract: A man-machine interface device is provided which employs rigid links interconnected by measured revolute joints to provide the position of a hand relative to a reference location, such as a desk, keyboard or chair. By proper selection of kinematic structure, and by placing one of the joints near the elbow and extending one of the links along the line of the forearm, translation of the joint-link structure is minimized, hence the undesirable perception of friction and inertia are also minimized. When Hall-Effect sensors are used as the revolute joint goniometers, the permanent magnets of neighboring joints are placed in the same link so the effects of magnetic field interference can be calibrated out. A hand-sensing joint-link device as described herein can produce data which is more noise free, at a higher sample rate, with less latency and more robust that competing electromagnetic, optical and ultrasonic sensing technologies, without adding much encumbrance.

Abstract: A man-machine interface is disclosed which provides force, texture, pressure and temperature information to sensing body parts. The interface is comprised of a force-generating device (900) that produces a force which is transmitted to a force-applying device (902) via force-transmitting means (908). The force-applying device applies the generated force to a sensing body part. A force sensor (909) associated with the force-applying device measures the actual force applied to the sensing body part, while angle sensors (917) measure the angles of relevant joint body parts. A computing device (911) uses the joint body part position information to determine a desired force value to be applied to the sensing body part. The computing device combines the joint body part position information with the force sensor information to calculate the force command which is sent to the force-generating device.

Abstract: A sensing system is provided for measuring various joints of a human body for applications for performance animation, biomechanical studies and general motion capture. One sensing device of the system is a linkage-based sensing structure comprising rigid links interconnected by revolute joints, where each joint angle is measured by a resistive bend sensor or other convenient goniometer. Such a linkage-based sensing structure is typically used for measuring joints of the body, such as the shoulders, hips, neck, back and forearm, which have more than a single rotary degree of freedom of movement. In one embodiment of the linkage-based sensing structure, a single long resistive bend sensor measures the angle of more that one revolute joint. The terminal ends of the linkage-based sensing structure are secured to the body such that movement of the joint is measured by the device.

Abstract: A man-machine interface is disclosed which provides force information to sensing body parts. The interface is comprised of a force-generating device (106) that produces a force which is transmitted to a force-applying device (102) via force-transmitting means (104). The force-applying device applies the generated force to a sensing body part. A force sensor associated with the force applies device and located in the force applicator (126) measures the actual force applies to the sensing body part, while angle sensors (136) measure the angles of relevant joint body parts. A force-control unit (108) uses the joint body part position information to determine a desired force value to be applies to the sensing body part. The force-control unit combines the joint body part position information with the force sensor information to calculate the force command which is sent to the force-generating device.

Abstract: Goniometers are provided having internal compensation employing two opposing variable resistance strain sensing elements separated by a flexible film. The goniometers may be used in sets for detecting complex hinge or joint movements, where patterns of hinge or joint positions may be used to define symbols. Algorithms are provided for parsing values from a system of goniometers in motion having information content.