Method and apparatus for providing high bandwidth, low noise mechanical I/O for computer systems

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 5731804
SERIAL NO

08374288

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

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Abstract

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A method and apparatus for providing high bandwidth and low noise mechanical input and output for computer systems. A gimbal mechanism provides two revolute degrees of freedom to an object about two axes of rotation. A linear axis member is coupled to the gimbal mechanism at the intersection of the two axes of rotation. The linear axis member is capable of being translated along a third axis to provide a third degree of freedom. The user object is coupled to the linear axis member and is thus translatable along the third axis so that the object can be moved along all three degrees of freedom. Transducers associated with the provided degrees of freedom include sensors and actuators and provide an electromechanical interface between the object and a digital processing system. Capstan drive mechanisms transmit forces between the transducers and the object. The linear axis member can also be rotated about its lengthwise axis to provide a fourth degree of freedom, and, optionally, a floating gimbal mechanism is coupled to the linear axis member to provide fifth and sixth degrees of freedom to an object. Transducer sensors are associated with the fourth, fifth, and sixth degrees of freedom. The interface is well suited for simulations of medical procedures and simulations in which an object such as a stylus or a joystick is moved and manipulated by the user.

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First Claim

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddressTotal Patents
IMMERSION CORPORATIONSAN JOSE, CA778

International Classification(s)

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Rosenberg, Louis B Pleasanton, CA 325 27126

Cited Art Landscape

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* Cited By Examiner

Patent Citation Ranking

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Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
Other [Check patent profile for assignment information] (2)
* 2003/0030,621 Force feeback device including flexure member between actuator and user object 4 2002
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SIMBIONIX LTD. (5)
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STRYKER CORPORATION (9)
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SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. (2)
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CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (2)
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Simon Fraser University (1)
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MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (3)
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IMMERSION CORPORATION (151)
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8803795 Haptic communication devices 2 2003
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7209117 Method and apparatus for streaming force values to a force feedback device 77 2003
7821496 Computer interface apparatus including linkage having flex 4 2004
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7944433 Force feedback device including actuator with moving magnet 2 2004
7249951 Method and apparatus for providing an interface mechanism for a computer simulation 90 2004
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7710399 Haptic trackball device 29 2004
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7561142 Vibrotactile haptic feedback devices 80 2004
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8059104 Haptic interface for touch screen embodiments 75 2007
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9280205 Haptic feedback for touchpads and other touch controls 1 2013
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UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (1)
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BALLY GAMING, INC. (1)
9056244 Gaming apparatus incorporating targeted haptic feedback 0 2013
 
GOOGLE LLC (16)
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7411576 Force reflecting haptic interface 14 2003
7382378 Apparatus and methods for stenciling an image 17 2003
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* 2005/0168,476 Apparatus and methods for stenciling an image 33 2003
* 2005/0093,821 Force reflecting haptic interface 24 2003
* 2005/0093,874 Apparatus and methods for texture mapping 3 2003
7889209 Apparatus and methods for wrapping texture onto the surface of a virtual object 12 2003
7626589 Haptic graphical user interface for adjusting mapped texture 12 2003
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7102635 Systems and methods for sculpting virtual objects in a haptic virtual reality environment 42 2004
* 2005/0001,831 Systems and methods for sculpting virtual objects in a haptic virtual reality environment 10 2004
7149596 Apparatus and methods for modifying a model of an object to enforce compliance with a manufacturing constraint 18 2004
* 2005/0154,481 Apparatus and methods for modifying a model of an object to enforce compliance with a manufacturing constraint 6 2004
7864173 Systems and methods for creating virtual objects in a sketch mode in a haptic virtual reality environment 18 2004
* 2005/0062,738 Systems and methods for creating virtual objects in a sketch mode in a haptic virtual reality environment 51 2004
7212203 Systems and methods for voxel warping 12 2005
* 2005/0248,568 Systems and methods for voxel warping 2 2005
7710415 Systems and methods for three-dimensional modeling 7 2005
7714836 Force reflecting haptic interface 12 2005
7400331 Apparatus and methods for texture mapping 2 2006
* 2007/0018,993 Apparatus and methods for texture mapping 2 2006
7259761 Systems and methods for sculpting virtual objects in a haptic virtual reality environment 19 2006
7800609 Method and apparatus for generating and interfacing with a haptic virtual reality environment 12 2008
7808509 Apparatus and methods for stenciling an image 2 2008
8994643 Force reflecting haptic interface 10 2008
8576222 Systems and methods for interfacing with a virtual object in a haptic virtual environment 5 2011
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8456484 Apparatus and methods for wrapping texture onto the surface of a virtual object 2 2012
9802364 Systems and methods for construction of an instruction set for three-dimensional printing of a user-customizableimage of a three-dimensional structure 0 2012
 
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* 2006/0271,286 Image-enhanced vehicle navigation systems and methods 61 2006
* 2006/0173,556 Methods and apparatus for using user gender and/or age group to improve the organization of documents retrieved in response to a search query 12 2006
* 2006/0256,008 Pointing interface for person-to-person information exchange 172 2006
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* 2006/0223,635 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ON-SCREEN/OFF-SCREEN FIRST PERSON GAMING EXPERIENCE 170 2006
* 2006/0195,361 LOCATION-BASED DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE 79 2006
* 2006/0179,056 ENHANCED STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL OF SPATIALLY ASSOCIATED INFORMATION 25 2006
* 2006/0186,197 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WIRELESS CUSTOMER INTERACTION WITH THE ATTENDANTS WORKING IN A RESTAURANT 21 2006
* 2007/0083,323 Personal cuing for spatially associated information 18 2006
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