Abstract: An apparatus for providing a tactile stimulus to a part of the body of a physical operator when a virtual operator, created by movements of the physical operator, encounters a virtual object defined by a computer. A signalling unit communicates with the computer and emits a signal when the virtual operator encounters a virtual object. A stimulus unit responsive to the signalling unit is disposed in close proximity to a part of the body of the physical operator for providing a tactile stimulus when the virtual operator encounters a virtual object. The stimulus unit may comprise a segment of memory metal which undergoes a martensitic transformation to a different form or a solenoid having a member which moves in response to a signal emitted by the signalling unit. A vibrating member, such as a piezoceramic bender may be used instead of or in addition to the solenoid or memory metal.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a tactile stimulus to a part of the body of a physical operator when a virtual operator, created by movements of the physical operator, encounters a virtual object defined by a computer. A signaling unit communicates with the computer and emits a signal when the virtual operator encounters a virtual object. A stimulus unit responsive to the signaling unit is disposed in close proximity to a part of the body of the physical operator for providing a tactile stimulus when the virtual operator encounters a virtual object. The stimulus unit may comprise a segment of memory metal which undergoes a martensitic transformation to a different form or a solenoid having a member which moves in response to a signal emitted by the signaling unit. A vibrating member, such as a piezoceramic bender may be used instead of or in addition to the solenoid or memory metal.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a tactile stimulus to a part of the body of a physical operator when a virtual operator, created by movements of the physical operator, encounters a virtual object defined by a computer. A signalling unit communicates with the computer and emits a signal when the virtual operator encounters a virtual object. A stimulus unit responsive to the signalling unit is disposed in close proximity to a part of the body of the physical operator for providing a tactile stimulus when the virtual operator encounters a virtual object. The stimulus unit may comprise a segment of memory metal which undergoes a martensitic transformation to a different form or a solenoid having a member which moves in response to a signal emitted by the signalling unit. A vibrating member, such as a piezoceramic bender may be used instead of or in addition to the solenoid or memory metal.

Abstract: A position tracker wherein a base unit scans a selected path with electromagnetic signals. A remote unit whose position relative to the base unit is to be detected includes a sensor for detecting the signals from the base unit. When the scanning signals are detected by the remote unit, the remote unit transmits a response signal to the base unit. The base unit may calculate the angular position of the remote unit relative to the base unit by comparing the time intervals between successive response signals. By locating multiple base units in different positions, the position of the remote unit along multiple coordinate axes may be determined. By adding multiple sensors and response transmitters to the remote unit, the roll, pitch and yaw of the remote unit also may be calculated.

Abstract: A computer model of a virtual environment is continuously modified by input from various participants. The virtual environment is displayed to the participants using sensory displays such as head-mounted visual and auditory displays which travel with the wearer and track the position and orientation of the wearer's head in space. Participants can look at each other within the virtual environment and see virtual body images of the other participants in a manner similar to the way that people in a physical environment see each other. Each participant can also look at his or her own virtual body in exactly the same manner that a person in a physical environment can look at his or her own real body. The participants may work on a common task together and view the results of each other's actions.

Abstract: A distributed animation comprising a plurality of processors wherein each processor is responsible for rendering only a portion of the entire image. After the plurality of processors compute their respective images, the image data is communicated to a buffer. The buffer also receives image data from other sources. The buffer combines the image data from all sources into a single image frame which is then stored in a frame buffer. The buffer comprises a plurality of buffer elements, each buffer element being associated with a single graphics element (processor or video source). Each buffer element includes an input terminal for receiving pixel data from its corresponding graphics element, an output terminal for outputting pixel data, and a second input terminal for receiving pixel data from the output terminal of a previous buffer element. The pixel data typically includes a Z value which provides the depth location in the image of the object represented by that pixel.

Abstract: A radiation source directs radiation toward a radiation sensor in such a way that the intensity of radiation sensed by the radiation sensor alternates in a periodic manner as the radiation source moves radially relative to the radiation sensor. The radiation sensor generates either a "1" or a "0" depending upon whether the intensity of the radiation sensed by the radiation sensor is above or below a particular reference value. Thus, the angular position of the radiation source relative to the radiation sensor is indicated by an alternating series of "1"s and "0"s. A multi-bit binary value which indicates the absolute position of the radiation source relative to the radiation sensor can be generated. In this case, a band of radiation is directed toward the radiation sensor. The radiation band is separated into a plurality of portions, the intensity of each successive portion being twice the frequency of the preceding portion. Each portion of the radiation band impinges upon a corresponding sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of sensors are placed over the joints of a hand. Each motion sensor comprises an optical fiber disposed between a light source and a light sensor. An upper portion of the fiber is treated so that transmission loss of light being communicated through the optical fiber is increased only when the fiber bends in one direction. In another embodiment of the invention, a flexible tube is disposed in close proximity to a finger joint and bends in response to bending of the finger. A light source and light sensor are provided on opposite ends of the tube for continuously indicating the extent of bending of the tube. A wedge is disposed between the tube and the finger for setting the tube straight when the finger is hyperextended for eliminating the symmetry of the output signal which ordinarily would result from bending of the tube on opposite sides of the axis of movement.