MOUSE INTERFACE DEVICE FOR PROVIDING FORCE FEEDBACK

摘要

A force feedback mouse interface device as shown in the Figure connected to a host computer and providing realistic force feedback to a user. The mouse interface device (11) includes a mouse object (12) and a linkage (40) coupled to the mouse that includes a plurality of members (46, 50) rotatably coupled to each other in a planar closed-loop linkage, two of the members coupled to ground and rotatable about the same axis (52). Two actuators (64), preferably electromagnetic voice coils, provide forces in the two degrees of freedom of the planar workspace of the mouse object. Each of the actuators includes a moveable coil portion (64a) integrated with one of the members of the linkage and a magnet portion (90a) coupled to the ground surface through which the coil portion moves. At least one sensor (62) is coupled to the ground surface that detects movement of the linkage and provides a sensor signal including information from which a position of the mouse object in the planar workspace can be determined.