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Abstract

A programmable computer user input/output (I/O) system having a multiple degree-of-freedom magnetic levitation (maglev) device with a matched electrodynamically levitated flotor and stator combination and an electrodynamic forcer means for receiving coil currents for applying controlled magnetic forces mutual to the flotor and stator. A sensing means measures the relative position and orientation of the flotor and stator. The I/O system includes a maglev I/O device control software module for measuring the relative movement of the flotor-stator combination of the maglev device and for controlling the coil currents provided to the electrodynamic forcer means. At least one active device model module, comprising a software representation of a mechanical I/O device, controls the maglev I/O device control software module to generate signals which emulate the mechanical I/O device represented by the active device model. An application software module contains code instructions representing predetermined information relevant to that application and understandable to the user of the application software. An application binding software module is interposed and operatively coupled between the maglev I/O device control software module and the application software module for controlling at least one of a) the application software module as a function of the measured sensing means output, and b) the maglev I/O device control software module as a function of the predetermined application software information.

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