METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DESIGNING FORCE SENSATIONS IN FORCE FEEDBACK COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

摘要

A design interface tool (300) for designing force sensations for a force feedback interface device (14) connected to a host computer (12) that displays the interface tool (300). Input from a user is received in the interface (300) to select a type of force sensation to be commanded by a host computer (12) and output by a force feedback interface device (14). A graphical representation of the force sensation is displayed on the host computer (12) which provides a visual demonstration of a feel of the force sensation so that the user can view an effect of user input parameters on said force sensation. The force sensation is output to a user manipulatable object (34) of the force feedback device (14) so that the user can feel the designed force sensation, where the graphical representation is updated in conjunction with the output of the force sensation. The user can interactively modify force sensation characteristics and feel the results.