Abstract: Systems and methods for providing tactile sensations are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of outputting a display signal configured to display a graphical object on a touch-sensitive input device; receiving a sensor signal from the touch-sensitive input device, the sensor signal indicating an object contacting the touch-sensitive input device; determining an interaction between the object contacting the touch-sensitive input device and the graphical object; and generating an actuator signal based at least in part on the interaction.

Abstract: A control wheel for controlling at least one function of a system by a user includes a moveable engagement wheel for engagement by the user and an actuator coupled to the engagement wheel for providing force or haptic feedback to the engagement wheel in response to movement of the engagement wheel. A sensor for sensing movement of the engagement wheel is provided and a control system is coupled to the sensor for receiving information about positioning and movement of the engagement wheel, and is also coupled to the actuator for controlling force to the engagement wheel. The control system also provides control of the at least one function of the system.

Abstract: A control wheel for controlling at least one function of a system by a user includes a moveable engagement wheel for engagement by the user and an actuator coupled to the engagement wheel for providing force or haptic feedback to the engagement wheel in response to movement of the engagement wheel. A sensor for sensing movement of the engagement wheel is provided and a control system is coupled to the sensor for receiving information about positioning and movement of the engagement wheel, and is also coupled to the actuator for controlling force to the engagement wheel. The control system also provides control of the at least one function of the system.

Abstract: A control wheel for controlling at least one function of a system by a user includes a moveable engagement wheel for engagement by the user and an actuator coupled to the engagement wheel for providing force or haptic feedback to the engagement wheel in response to movement of the engagement wheel. A sensor for sensing movement of the engagement wheel is provided and a control system is coupled to the sensor for receiving information about positioning and movement of the engagement wheel, and is also coupled to the actuator for controlling force to the engagement wheel. The control system also provides control of the at least one function of the system.

Abstract: A control wheel for controlling at least one function of a system by a user includes a moveable engagement wheel for engagement by the user and an actuator coupled to the engagement wheel for providing force or haptic feedback to the engagement wheel in response to movement of the engagement wheel. A sensor for sensing movement of the engagement wheel is provided and a control system is coupled to the sensor for receiving information about positioning and movement of the engagement wheel, and is also coupled to the actuator for controlling force to the engagement wheel. The control system also provides control of the at least one function of the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing tactile sensations are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of outputting a display signal configured to display a graphical object on a touch-sensitive input device; receiving a sensor signal from the touch-sensitive input device, the sensor signal indicating an object contacting the touch-sensitive input device; determining an interaction between the object contacting the touch-sensitive input device and the graphical object; and generating an actuator signal based at least in part on the interaction.

Abstract: A control wheel for controlling at least one function of a system by a user includes a moveable engagement wheel for engagement by the user and an actuator coupled to the engagement wheel for providing force or haptic feedback to the engagement wheel in response to movement of the engagement wheel. A sensor for sensing movement of the engagement wheel is provided and a control system is coupled to the sensor for receiving information about positioning and movement of the engagement wheel, and is also coupled to the actuator for controlling force to the engagement wheel. The control system also provides control of the at least one function of the system.

Abstract: Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback is provided by using an actuator or other means in communication with the input device or electronic device. A controller may be employed to receive signals from the input devices and control the actuator. Tactile feedback to an input device or electronic device may be provided in response to one or more events or situations. Such an event or situation may be any one designated. Examples of such events and situations include the level of pressure placed on an input device; the availability or lack of availability of a function associated with an input device; and the function, menu, or mode of operation associated with an input device's activation. A variety of feedback types and combinations may be selected.

Abstract: A footrest which is adapted to be used by a person for exercise, enjoyment and relaxation. The footrest included an arcuate upper surface for contact by the feet of the user and motion enabling means for allowing the user to move the footrest virtually omnidirectionally. The footrest incorporates a mechanism to ground the unit if excessive force is applied to it exceeding a preselected amount. The grounding mechanism includes preloaded compressed springs which allow one element of the footrest to inhibit the motion enabling means upon application of a preselected force or a given displacement.

Abstract: A system and method of providing a surgical training apparatus which comprises a plurality of mechanical interfaces each of which is configured to receive a user tool operable by a user. Each mechanical interface of the plurality is configured to allow movement of its respective user tool in a rotational degree of freedom and a linear degree of freedom. The apparatus includes one or more sensors which are coupled to the mechanical interfaces and configured to simultaneously sense positional information of each user tool during movement. A computer coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to run a software application simulating each user tool as a respective simulated surgical tool operating on a simulated body part in a displayed graphical environment, wherein the computer updates movement of each simulated user tool in the graphical environment based on said positional information.

Abstract: Mechanisms for a control knob or other interface device providing additional degrees of freedom for the knob. One embodiment provides a rotatable knob moveable also in lateral plane approximately perpendicular to the axis of rotation. A mechanism providing the lateral motion can include agate member and a plunger member that engages grooves in the gate member. A rotational sensor detects a rotational position and a lateral sensor can detect a lateral position of the knob. Another embodiment provides an actuator that includes a shaft that is coaxial with the axis of rotation and which can be moved linearly along the axis of rotation with respect to actuator housing to accommodate linear motion of the knob. In another embodiment, a gear assembly including two interlocked gears is provided to transmit rotational motion from the knob to the sensor, and the interlocked gears translate with respect to each other when the knob is translate along the rotational axis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed having a distal end connected to a handle via an elongated mechanical linkage. The handle includes a first grip portion and a second grip portion pivotably coupled such that the distal end is controllable by manipulation of the handle. At least one sensor is coupled to the distal end of the surgical instrument, wherein the sensor detects a condition at the distal end. An actuator is coupled to one of the first and second grip portions is configured to provide haptic effects to the one of the first and second grip portions. A controller is electrically coupled to the sensor and electrically coupled to the actuator, wherein the controller controls operation of the actuator such that the haptic effects are feedback relating to the sensed condition.

Abstract: Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback is provided by using an actuator or other means in communication with the input device or electronic device. A controller may be employed to receive signals from the input devices and control the actuator. Tactile feedback to an input device or electronic device may be provided in response to one or more events or situations. Such an event or situation may be any one designated. Examples of such events and situations include the level of pressure placed on an input device; the availability or lack of availability of a function associated with an input device; and the function, menu, or mode of operation associated with an input device's activation. A variety of feedback types and combinations may be selected.

Abstract: A computer interface for use with a computer simulation system. The interface includes a first grip portion and a second grip portion pivotably coupled to the first grip portion. An actuator is coupled to at least one of the two grip portions and is configured to provide feedback to a user.

Abstract: A control wheel for controlling at least one function of a system by a user includes a moveable engagement wheel for engagement by the user and an actuator coupled to the engagement wheel for providing force or haptic feedback to the engagement wheel in response to movement of the engagement wheel. A sensor for sensing movement of the engagement wheel is provided and a control system is coupled to the sensor for receiving information about positioning and movement of the engagement wheel, and is also coupled to the actuator for controlling force to the engagement wheel. The control system also provides control of the at least one function of the system.

Abstract: Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback is provided by using an actuator or other means in communication with the input device or electronic device. A controller may be employed to receive signals from the input devices and control the actuator. Tactile feedback to an input device or electronic device may be provided in response to one or more events or situations. Such an event or situation may be any one designated. Examples of such events and situations include the level of pressure placed on an input device; the availability or lack of availability of a function associated with an input device; and the function, menu, or mode of operation associated with an input device's activation. A variety of feedback types and combinations may be selected.

Abstract: A haptic control device for use in control-by-wire systems in vehicles. The haptic shift device includes a manipulandum manipulatable by a user. At least one sensor detects a position of the manipulandum. At least one electrically-controlled actuator outputs a force on the shift lever. In some embodiments, the manipulandum is moveable within a pattern and is blocked from areas outside the boundaries of the pattern. The actuator(s) can be active or passive, and/or a variable mechanical gate can be used to implement the pattern. Provided modes can include automatic, manual, and/or sequential modes.

Abstract: Products and processes for providing haptic feedback are described. One such product includes a rocker switch and an actuator in communication with the rocker switch. The rocker switch is operable to output a first signal. The actuator is operable to provide haptic feedback associated with the first signal.

Abstract: A system and method of providing a surgical training apparatus which comprises a plurality of mechanical interfaces each of which is configured to receive a user tool operable by a user. Each mechanical interface of the plurality is configured to allow movement of its respective user tool in a rotational degree of freedom and a linear degree of freedom. The apparatus includes one or more sensors which are coupled to the mechanical interfaces and configured to simultaneously sense positional information of each user tool during movement. A computer coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to run a software application simulating each user tool as a respective simulated surgical tool operating on a simulated body part in a displayed graphical environment, wherein the computer updates movement of each simulated user tool in the graphical environment based on said positional information.