Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for testing integrated circuit package devices using automatic testing equipment. The automatic testing equipment may be provided with a light source to enable the testing of image capture type integrated circuit devices. Alternatively, the automatic testing equipment may be provided with an imaging device, e.g., a camera, or both an imaging device and a light source to additionally enable the testing of display type integrated circuit devices.

Abstract: A probe device having a contact probe including a film, a plurality of wiring patterns formed on the film with each wiring pattern having a front end portion projecting from the film so as to form contact pins, and a metal layer provided on the film. In one embodiment, the contact probe device includes first and second contact probes connected to each other, the first contact probe including a first film, and a plurality of first wiring patterns formed on the first film, each first wiring pattern having a front end portion projecting from the first film so as to form contact pins. The second contact probe includes a second film, and a plurality of second wiring patterns formed on the second film. The plurality of second wiring patterns are connected to the plurality of first wiring patterns, and the second contact probe is formed separately from the first contact probe.

Abstract: A method for testing electronic components includes the step of outputting test output data for the tested electronic components on a test board without activating individual scan lines or individual scan signals. Starting from a first activated electronic component successively the following electronic components are activated one after another by passing an activation signal from electronic component to electronic component. A device for testing electronic components is also provided.

Abstract: In order to improve drive performance of a voltage regulator (on resistance of an output transistor) while suppressing increases in surface area resistance of an output transistor is reduced by changing the threshold voltage of the output transistor by controlling the back-gate voltages of output transistors of a voltage regulators.

Abstract: An attenuating circuit for reducing the inductively induced voltage transients in an electrical signal. The attenuating circuit is formed by a primary circuit and a smoothing circuit both coupled to a voltage source through an inductive conductor. The primary circuit operates in two states having a first and second current draw, respectively. The smoothing circuit also has a first and second state and a first and second current draw, respectively. The current draws of the primary circuit and the smoothing circuit are such that the total current draw on the voltage source through the inductive conductor maintains relatively constant regardless of the state that the primary circuit is in, thus minimizing any induced voltage transients as a result of the conductor's inductance.

Abstract: A method is provided for carrying out a trimming operation on an integrated circuit having a trimming circuit portion which includes memory elements and a modification circuit for modifying the state of the memory elements, at least a first input or supply pin, an output pin, and a second supply pin. According to the method, a single pin is enabled to receive trimming data by biasing the pin to outside its operating range. A clock signal is obtained from a division of the bias potential of the pin, and the logic value of the trimming data is obtained from a different division of the bias potential of the pin. Serial acquisition of the data is enabled in accordance with the clock signal, and the data is transferred to the modification circuit.

Abstract: A power-on reset circuit connected to a supply line feeding a supply voltage, the circuit including an output terminal supplying a power-on reset signal; a divider connected between the supply line (36) and ground and having an intermediate node supplying a division voltage correlated to the supply voltage; an inverter having an input connected to the intermediate node and an output connected to the output terminal and supplying a reset logic signal; and a deactivation branch coupled to the supply line and the intermediate node. The deactivation branch preventing switching of the power-on reset signal on the output terminal when the supply voltage is higher than a deactivation voltage.

Abstract: A pulse generator circuit, in particular for use in or for integrated circuits, which, in the usual way, has a number of inverting elements connected in series, a logic combining element and a delay element. A buffer circuit provided in accordance with the invention ensures that a minimum pulse length of the output pulse generated in response to the input signal is ensured even in the case of an input signal of a very short duration.

Abstract: A dynamic latch that can be used in a high-speed analog-to-digital converter is provided. The dynamic latch includes a discharging unit which discharges a first output node in parallel in response to one of a pair of differential input signals and a second output node, and discharges the second output node in parallel in response to the other of the pair of differential input signals and the first output node, and a current source which sinks current from the discharging unit in response to a clock signal. The dynamic latch is capable of removing kick-back voltage which may occur in the existing latch and compensating for a drawback caused by a low-speed charge/discharge, which allows for improvement in operation speed.

Abstract: The integrated circuit has a clock input for an external clock signal and an output unit controlled by an internal clock signal in a normal mode of operation to output data to a data output. In addition, the integrated circuit has a control unit generating the internal clock signal from the external clock signal. The control unit has a phase shift unit that, in the normal mode of operation, effects a phase shift of the internal clock signal generated by the control unit with respect to the external clock signal. In addition, the integrated circuit has a detector unit determining the capacitive load on the data output. The detector unit supplying the phase shift unit with a corresponding detector signal on the basis of which the phase shift is set.

Abstract: For low-voltage and high-speed operation of a MOSFET in an integrated circuit, a small voltage is applied to a source node, causing slight forward bias of the source junction and thereby reducing its threshold voltage. Due to the combined effects of the bias at the source node and a body effect, the reduction in threshold voltage is larger than the absolute value of the source voltage being applied. A performance improvement over simply applying a bias voltage to the body (well) results. Detection of an event can be used to apply the performance boost to a critical path in the integrated circuit only when needed. Upon detection of a logic event, which determines that a signal will propagate through the critical path shortly thereafter, the source-node bias for circuit elements in the critical path can be adjusted in time for a speed improvement. However, the source remains at another potential when no signal is passing| through the critical-path, to save power when not boosting speed.

Abstract: Power source voltage is supplied to a boost driver of a booster circuit. The boost driver generates a pulse signal when a boost-starting signal indicative of start of boost is input. A boost capacitor boosts voltage level of an output terminal when the pulse signal is received. A precharge circuit supplies voltage to the output terminal on standby before boosting. A constant-voltage generating circuit supplies constant voltage to the precharge circuit.

Abstract: An active bias circuit having a combined configuration of the Wilson and Widlar current source configurations is provided, which makes it possible to set the output bias voltage at approximately 0V even if a reference voltage applied to generate a reference current does not reach 0V. This circuit comprises cascode-connected first and second transistors, cascode-connected third and fourth transistors, and a diode with a specific forward voltage drop generated by a current flowing through the diode itself. The absolute value of the output bias voltage is decreased by the value of the forward voltage drop of the diode compared with the case where the diode is not provided. The diode is provided between the source/emitter of the third transistor and the drain/collector of the fourth transistor, or between the connection point of the third and fourth transistors and the output terminal, or the gates/bases of the first and third transistors.

Abstract: Eight resistors having resistance values of R×2i (i=0 to 7) (&OHgr;) are serially connected while eight switches exhibiting parasitic resistance values of r×2i (&OHgr;) in ON states are connected in parallel with the resistors respectively, for changing a resistance value by turning on/off the switches. The resistors are connected between an inversion input terminal of an operational amplifier and a terminal, and a non-inversion input terminal receives a prescribed reference voltage. Between the inversion input terminal and an output terminal of the operational amplifier, a resistor and a switch of a variable resistance circuit forming a negative feedback loop are connected to the output terminal while another resistor and another switch are connected to the inversion input terminal.

Abstract: A power combiner having a plurality of power amplifiers which are even-numbered, a plurality of series-connected branch circuits for respectively distributing input power to the plurality of power amplifiers, and a plurality of series-connected combiners for combining the respective output power of the plurality of power amplifiers. In the case of any one of such combinations as to equalize electric lengths of transmission lines for connecting between two power amplifiers selected from the plurality of power amplifiers, the combinations each being established by using all of the plurality of power amplifiers once, the electric lengths at which the any one of the combinations are established, take &lgr;/2i (where &lgr;=wavelength of fundamental wave, and i=positive integer).

Abstract: The present invention improves the stability and enhances the gain of amplifiers, particularly transistor amplifiers, by using mutual inductive coupling to partially cancel feedback current. Inductors at the input and output of an amplifier are positioned so that a mutual inductance is created between the two inductors. The mutual inductance is used to cancel the inherent capacitive feedback of transistor amplifiers. The use of mutually coupled inductors allows a large value of effective inductance to be obtained by using relatively small inductors. The use of mutually coupled inductors also avoids the problem of low-frequency instability.

Abstract: In a semiconductor integrated circuit, a selector 1 selects a signal FB at the input thereof by giving a proper level to a signal EN. By setting two-phase scan clocks SC1, SC2 of F/F 2,4 so that F/F 2,4 are set to the through state, a signal can be passed from F/F 2 to F/F 4 under a through state in the above circuit. Further, there can be fabricated a critical path-ring oscillator which is self-oscillated in the critical path by negatively feeding back the output of F/F 4 to F/F 2 through the signal FB. The logic in the ring is required to be an inverted logic. In a test other than a speed screening test or at the normal operation time, a proper level is given to the signal EN so that the selector 1 is switched to select the input side, thereby cutting a negative feedback path through which the output of F/F 4 is negatively fed back to F/F2.

Abstract: A piezoelectric oscillator unit maintains the adhesive force of a quartz vibrator package with respect to a circuit substrate even when the solder connecting the quartz vibrator package to the circuit substrate melts. This prevents the vibrator package from lifting from or falling off of the circuit substrate. In this piezoelectric oscillator unit, a quartz vibrator housing a quartz member is overlaid on a box-shaped circuit substrate on which an oscillating circuit, a temperature compensation circuit, or other circuits are mounted. The electrodes provided on the four corners of the top surface of the circuit substrate and the electrodes provided on the four corners of the bottom surface of the quartz vibrator are bonded together using solder, and also the circuit substrate and the quartz vibrator are mechanically coupled by an adhesive.

Abstract: In a microwave oscillation circuit using a dielectric resonator, a bias resistor for determining a bias voltage supplied to a base terminal of a transistor is located in the neighborhood of a connection point between a feedback circuit side stub for the dielectric resonator and the base terminal of the transistor. The bias resistor has a resistance which basically determines a bias voltage supplied to the base terminal of the transistor and which is enough to make high the impedance of a bias voltage supplying circuit including the bias resistor, viewed at the input terminal of the transistor. Thus, a stable oscillation can be maintained independently of variation in a load impedance.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator includes an amplifier having a positive feedback construction, configured to output an oscillation signal of a frequency corresponding to a control voltage supplied to a variable capacitor of a tank circuit having an inductor and the variable capacitor, and a variable current source configured to change an operation current supplied to the amplifier according to the control voltage. When a certain oscillation frequency at which phase noise becomes minimum is set as a reference point, the variable current source increases the operation current supplied to the amplifier as the oscillation frequency becomes lower than the certain oscillation frequency, or decreases the operation current supplied to the amplifier as the oscillation frequency becomes higher than the certain oscillation frequency. With this construction, a voltage controlled oscillator having a stable and sufficiently suppressed phase noise characteristic can be realized irrespective of the oscillation frequency.

Abstract: To provide a nonreciprocal circuit device which is compact and capable of obtaining a large attenuation in a specified frequency band without increasing the cost, and provided with at least a built-in inductor for a filter, a nonreciprocal circuit constituted together with the nonreciprocal circuit device, and a communication device using the circuit, central conductors are disposed in a ferrite to which the DC magnetic field is applied in an intersecting manner with each other, matching capacitors are respectively connected between port sections of the central conductors and a ground to constitute a nonreciprocal circuit, a solenoid-shaped inductor is connected between the port section of the central conductor and a signal input/output terminal, and the inductor is disposed in a relationship so that the direction of the magnetic flux which is generated by this inductor and passes through the ferrite is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the DC magnetic field to the ferrite.

Abstract: A nonreciprocal circuit device it provided which has an improved reflection characteristic of the port of the center conductor which is disposed orthogonally to the side-walls of a yoke. In this nonreciprocal circuit device, the conductor width of one center conductor which is disposed orthogonally to the side-walls of the yoke is made wider than that of each of the two other center conductors.

Abstract: The rod ignition transformer including an integrated low-voltage connector to the on-board network supply, and an integrated high-voltage connector to the spark plug, both accommodated in a housing. In the housing, the primary coil and the secondary coil surround a central core comprising a ferromagnetic powder composite material. A magnetic feedback member is formed from a highly-permeable magnetic material having low eddy current losses. The magnetic feedback member preferably is formed from ferrite.

Abstract: A thick film low value high frequency inductor made by the process of subjecting a conductor layer to a plurality of linear cuts by a pulsing laser cutter imposed simultaneously on the entire length of the linear cut being made to create a cross sectional cut of substantial rectangular configuration. The conductor body is a layer of dried silver thick film ink. The method of making a thick film low value high frequency inductor involves the steps of taking a conductor layer comprised of a dried layer of photo sensitive silver ink, masking the ink with the negative of the desired configuration of the ink, exposing the ink to UV radiation, developing the ink, and firing the layer to adhere the silver to the layer.

Abstract: The thermal protection relay determines a value representative of the thermal image of an apparatus to be protected according to a measured current value, to a previous value of the thermal image and to preset heating and cooling time constants. The relay takes into account a non-zero initial thermal image, determined from experimental thermal resistance curves of the apparatus. In the case of a motor, for example, this enables the cold tripping curve of the relay to be lowered without modifying the hot tripping curve, so as to bring the tripping curves of the relay closer to the thermal resistance curves of the motor.

Abstract: A fuse has a fuse element (6), for example composed of silver, with constrictions (7) which follow one another at regular intervals, and which fuse element makes contact with a combustible element (8), preferably over its entire length. Said combustible element (8) is composed of a combustion compound, which consists essentially of a fuel such as guanidine or a guanidine derivative and a metal such as Mg or Al and an oxidant such as KNO3, NaNO3, NH4NO3, KClO4, NaClO4, KMnO4, the proportion of which is overstoichiometric by a factor of at least 1.1, and preferably of at least 10. The combustible compound also preferably contains a binding agent such as paraffin, a thermoplastic or an elastomer, so that it can be extruded. It has an ignition temperature of between 160° C. and 260° C. and emits more than 200 J/g of heat, so that it ignites even in the event of small overcurrents and melts the entire length of the fuse element (6).

Abstract: A thin-film resistor that enables a pattern to be simply formed by means of wet etching, that has an excellent resistance temperature characteristic, and that can be easily manufactured, and a method for manufacturing this thin-film resistor, as well as a wiring substrate with this thin-film resistor formed therein. A thin resistor film according to this invention has a structure in which crystal grains deposit in the matrix of amorphous titanium nitride. The thin resistor film is formed on a substrate. The crystal grains includes at least one of crystal titanium nitride and crystal titanium. The thin resistor film can be manufactured using a simple process and can provide a wide range of resistance values with a small tolerance and a temperature coefficient of resistance close to zero.

Abstract: A data converter is provided, which data converter includes a data conversion unit, a timer unit which counts time, and a lock system which locks a data conversion function of the data conversion unit in a disabled state based on the time counted by the timer unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transmitting data in a system comprising a reader that creates an interrogation field which contains at least two transponders that, after a start signal has been given in the interrogation field, transmit through load modulation of the interrogation field a uniquely assigned bit sequence back to the reader.

Abstract: Embodiments of an alarm system are described, which may be mounted or built-in to a bicycle or other device which is in need of anti-theft protection. A loud alarm is connected to or mounted in the protected device, and is operatively connected to either or both: a lock that anchors the device to a stationary object, and/or parts of the protected device that might be stolen or vandalized. The alarm unit is built and wired in such a way that the lock or parts of the protected device may not be significantly tampered with or removed without triggering the alarm. Externally-mounted alarm units preferably include a weather-proof casing, which contains a unique clamping feature that makes the alarm tamper-resistant or tamper-proof. The alarm casing may contain a sound chamber that preferably amplifies the alarm sound, waterproofs the alarm component, and prevents a thief from muffling the sound.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing an alarm sensor includes a receiver, means for modifying a signal received by the receiver to simulate a “moving target” return signal, means for varying the power of the modified signal, a transmitter for transmitting the modified signal to the sensor, and means for detecting a signal output by the alarm sensor. The sensor is mounted on an opposite side of an anechoic chamber to the transmitter and the receiver. The apparatus includes a controller to reduce the attenuation of an attenuator, forming part of the power varying means, from a high level until the modified signal received by the alarm sensor is large enough to trigger an output signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure sensor in the bore of a signal capturing means housing a subject to be imaged. The pressure applied by the subject to be imaged will be detected and displayed on the alerter unit to provide a signal capture apparatus and an imaging apparatus allowing the subject to have nothing in hand.

Abstract: An electronic toll collection system (ETCS) for use in a tollgate for charging a car without the need for the car to stop, in which communication failures or errors due to reflected waves from a structure or a passing car are prevented. A roadside communication antenna which communicates with a vehicle-mounted communication antenna for charging, and a car sensor which detects a car (cars) in an area wider than a designed communication area are installed at the tollgate. As an electromagnetic wave path judgment section obtains data on the profile and position of a car which has entered the tollgate, from a car data detector, it calculates electromagnetic wave paths of direct and reflected waves which connect the roadside communication antenna 21 and the vehicle-mounted antenna in each of the cars, and calculates the receiving electric field strength for each of the paths.

Abstract: A parking meter device that is devoted to a separate person or vehicle comprises a housing unit 10 that has an LED 11 that in use is clearly visible from outside the vehicle. The device includes a two-way radio circuit 12, a display 14 and a keyboard 15. The unit also includes a computer 19. In use, the user communicates, using the keyboard 15, with a remote central parking service provide via radio data network channels to demand a parking period. The parking service provider checks the authenticity of the demand and approves the parking request. During lawful, paid for, parking the LED 11 remains ON so that a patrolling parking attendant can easily monitor that parking approval has been given. The parking meter device is in effect a personal device and overcomes disadvantages and limitations inherent for usual side-of-the-road parking meter devices that are devoted to parking bays or zones rather than individuals.

Abstract: The present invention aims to implement a flexible transmission of the map data according to the performance of the mobile terminal of the receiver, the moving speed of the mobile terminal, or the communicating speed of the communication media. The dynamic priority setting unit determines and sets the priority to each of the parts constituting the map data with considering an improvement of readability of the guiding route, a necessity of real-time display, the static priority previously assigned to each part, and the user's request. The data amount determining unit calculates a total transmittable amount of map data according to the performance of the mobile terminal of the receiver, the moving speed of the mobile terminal, the communicating speed of the communication media and so on. The data amount determining unit also dynamically updates the total transmittable amount of map data according to change of the status.

Abstract: An encoder uses an input file of data and a key to produce an output symbol. An output symbol with key I is generated by determining a weight, W(I), for the output symbol to be generated, selecting W(I) of the input symbols associated with the output symbol according to a function of I, and generating the output symbol's value B(I) from a predetermined value function F(I) of the selected W(I) input symbols. An encoder can be called repeatedly to generate multiple output symbols. The output symbols are generally independent of each other, and an unbounded number (subject to the resolution of I) can be generated, if needed. A decoder receives some or all of the output symbols generated. The number of output symbols needed to decode an input file is equal to, or slightly greater than, the number of input symbols comprising the file, assuming that input symbols and output symbols represent the same number of bits of data.

Abstract: A method of data transmission from a data source to a data sink via a bus system. Run length encoding of the data to be transmitted is performed, where data units 1; 1′ having two data elements 2, 3; 2′, 3′ are used, the first data element 2 of which contains a repeat factor n of a datum D, and the second data element 3 contains the corresponding datum D; and at least one predefined repeat factor m in the first data element 2′ is defined as a flag for the presence of additional information ZI, where the second data element 3′ contains the additional information ZI.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating output pulses or oscillations in response to input analog waveforms which involves exciting, with a known but arbitrary analog waveform, a circuit with a variable operating point and having a transfer function characterized by an unstable operating region bounded by a first stable operating region and a second stable operating region. The analog waveform is characterized by having a first information region and a second information region. In response to sensing the first and second information regions, the operating point of the circuit is forced into its unstable and stable regions. This produces a sequence of oscillatory and non-oscillatory behavior at the circuit's output.

Abstract: A waveform generator 30 for generating a desired waveform includes a plurality of rectangular wave generators (40a to 40n) for generating a plurality of rectangular waves and a waveform synthesizing unit 42 for synthesizing the rectangular waves to generate a multi-level synthesized wave, and generate the desired wave based on the synthesized wave.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to methods of fast exploration in azimuth by a surveillance radar antenna and to radars implementing such methods. The method consists in driving, at slow speed, an antenna comprising two elementary electronic scanning antennas installed back to back, simultaneously controlling the electronic aiming of each elementary electronic scanning antenna, switching over the microwave signal sent alternatively between the two elementary electronic scanning antennas and, before each rotation of the radar beam, initializing the electronic aiming of each elementary electronic scanning antenna at a determined angle &thgr;i. The radar comprises an antenna with two elementary electronic scanning antennas and an aiming computer. Application especially to a sea patrol radar.

Abstract: An improved system for locating a stolen vehicle or the like is disclosed. The system includes a hidden transceiver such as a cellular transceiver and a positioning device such a GPS antenna and chipset located apart from the transceiver. To avoid disclosure of the location of the transceiver by following wires, the positioning device and the transceiver are in wireless communication with each other.

Abstract: A GPS receiver is disclosed wherein GPS position measurement can be performed in a short time without the necessity to wait for periodical time information from a GPS satellite and power consumption is minimized also with a minimized position measurement time. The GPS receiver includes a GPS antenna section for receiving a signal having a signal frequency of a high accuracy from a GPS satellite, a GPS block including a frequency oscillator for generating a frequency and operable to use the frequency from the frequency oscillator to read orbit information placed in the signal from the GPS satellite in synchronism with the signal and enter itself into a standby mode, and a GPS control block having a timer function for rendering the GPS block after entered into the standby mode into an activated mode based on the timer function.

Abstract: According to the invention, the method of driving a plasma display panel uses a preconditioning ionization during each subscan with a reduced light background. This method applies to the display-while-addressing mode in which ionization pulses IP, address pulses AP and erase pulses EP are superimposed on a sustain signal common to all the lines of a PDP. The sustain signal according to the invention is a signal which comprises at least four levels L1 to L4, two successive levels L1 and L2 of which allow an ionization pulse IP and an erase pulse EP to be superimposed, respectively.

Abstract: Barrier ribs of the second type (50) of the same height and material as barrier ribs of the first type (29) are formed on a second substrate in parallel with each other along a first direction (D1) to which display electrodes XE and YE extend. Further, phosphors (28) adhere to both side surface portions (50W3 and 50W4) of the barrier ribs of the second type (50). This achieves a surface discharge type PDP capable of reducing a loss of ultraviolet rays due to repetition of the self absorption and emission of ultraviolet rays, and preventing the leakage of luminescence and discharge to adjacent display lines.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a gray level for a display panel driven by a plurality of scan line signals and a plurality of data line signals is characterized in that some bits of the respective data are pulse amplitude modulated and the other bits are pulse width modulated (PWM) so as to control the gray level for the display panel.

Abstract: An IPS-LCD panel includes first and second substrates, and a liquid crystal interposed therebetween. On the first substrate, gate and data lines are formed perpendicular to each other to define a pixel region. On the pixel region, pixel and common electrodes are formed perpendicular to the gate line, and transverse pixel and common lines are electrically connected with the pixel and common electrodes, respectively. Since a triangular groove is etched away around a cross point between the pixel electrode and the transverse pixel line, a uniform gap is achieved between the pixel and common electrodes. Due to the uniform gap, a uniform electric field is applied between the pixel and common electrode such that the liquid crystal molecules are aligned uniformly throughout the pixel region.

Abstract: A low cost and easy to assemble communicating utility meter provides selectable measurement, calibration, display, and communications means so as to be re-configurable based on several factors including; harmonic content of the power signal measured, LCD display alternatives, time of use measurements, bandpass filter settings, power quality measurements, PLC communications alternatives, radio frequency communications alternatives, optical communications alternatives, and hard wire communications alternatives.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of opposing substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the substrates, plural pixels each having a switching element and disposed in an area surrounded by first and second gate signal lines and drain signal lines. Each video information supplied for each pixel from a corresponding one of the drain signal lines is written thereinto via the switching element driven by a first scanning signal from the first gate signal line. A second scanning signal from the second gate signal line rises approximately simultaneously with fall of the first scanning signal such that disturbances introduced into one of the pixels by the first scanning signal and the second scanning signal cancel each other.

Abstract: A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed on a base board. A resist is formed on the base board so as to cover the first electrode. A capacitance-operated silicon rubber sensor is provided on the base board so as to cover the resist and the second electrode. A click rubber is disposed above the silicon rubber sensor. A button deforms the click rubber so as to press down the silicon rubber sensor and the resist. The silicon rubber sensor and the resist generates an analog output signal between the first and second electrodes in proportion to a force pressing the button, when the pressing force is larger than a predetermined pressing force enough to deform the click rubber so as to establish the output signal.

Abstract: A low-cost force feedback interface device for providing low cost force feedback for enhancing interactions and manipulations in a graphical environment provided by a computer. One embodiment provides a mouse movable in a planar workspace and providing output sensor signals representative of that movement. Mouse button movement is detected to send command signals to the host computer, and an actuator coupled to the button applies an output force in the degree of freedom of the button. In a different embodiment, a force feedback pointing device includes a cylindrical member that may be rotated about an axis and translated along that axis to provide sensor signals to control a position of a graphical object such as a cursor. A command sensor detects motion of the cylindrical member perpendicular to the translation, such as when the cylindrical member is pressed down by the user. An actuator applies an output force in the perpendicular degree of freedom of the cylindrical member.