Haptic force-feedback for computing interfaces

摘要

Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, provide two degrees of freedom active force feedback for touchscreens or any other general surface. The system includes a rubber ball attached to a pen-like structure with two motors that are capable of rotating freely when external force is applied. The system has also a mechanical structural arrangement including gears and cables to transfer motor power to engage the rubber ball. The system further includes a digital compass to measure the device tilt, along with a processing unit to control the system and a wireless communication module and a power module.

主权项

1. A haptic device comprising:
a housing; an actuation mechanical structure having: a ball partially disposed within the housing and rotatable thereto with a portion extending beyond the housing; a first motor and an associated first drive train in communication with the ball for rotating the ball about a x-axis, a first motor first drive gear, a first motor second drive gear perpendicular to the first motor first drive gear, and a first motor drive wheel for engaging the ball; a second motor and an associated second drive train in communication with the ball for rotating the ball about a y-axis that is perpendicular to the x-axis, a second motor first drive gear, a second motor second drive gear perpendicular to the second motor first drive gear, and a second motor drive wheel for engaging the ball; a gyroscope; a microcontroller in communication with a memory module, a communication module, the first motor and the second motor, and a power module; wherein at least one of direction of rotation and torque of the ball are selected based upon a factor selected from the group consisting of a selected color corresponding to a display on the graphical user interface and a determined position of the haptic device relative to an object displayed on the graphical user interface.