Abstract:
In one embodiment, a robotic instrument system includes a master input device and an instrument driver in communication with the controller, the instrument driver having a guide instrument interface including one or more guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device, for manipulating a guide instrument operatively coupled to the instrument interface. The master input device includes an operator interface coupled to a linkage assembly, with one or more load cells interposed between the operator interface and the linkage assembly, wherein control signals generated by the master input device are based at least in part on output signals generated by the one or more load cells in response to movement of the operator interface relative to the linkage assembly.
Abstract:
A mobile pointing device having an inverted U-shape such that the device can be supported upon the proximal portion of the index finger of a user (see figure 1). The device can have controls and a wireless connection such that a user can selectively send indicator and/or position signals to an external device. In some embodiments the device can include an image display region on one surface of the device.
Abstract:
Pointer-joystick / mouse device (10), which comprises an elongated pointer element (12) having an axis and a tip (35); means for determining and transmitting to a computer the coordinates of two points (45) lying on the axis, whereby to determine the position on a predetermined reference surface of the intersection of the axis with the surface, and the orientation of the axis with respect to a reference plane. The body of the device comprises a sliding element (21) defining the reference plane; means for supporting the pointer element, with its tip in fixed position with respect to the sliding surface (21); means (33) for permitting and guiding the swinging motion of the element about the tip as a pivot point; and elastic means for constantly urging the pointer element to the position in which the axis thereof has a predetermined reference orientation.
Abstract:
A six-degree-of-freedom hand controller in which motions along six axes are resisted by motors (53-54, 63-64, 83-84) and in which the motors are arranged so as not to be required to carry the mass of another motor and to provide the proper "feel" for the motion of the hand grip (10) is provided.
Abstract:
L'interface haptique comprend une base (2), une plate-forme (24) espacée de la base (2), au moins 5 deux câbles (32) ayant chacun une première extrémité fixée à la plate-forme et une seconde extrémité reliée à un actionneur tirant (36) apte à exercer une traction sur le câble (32). Des moyens de poussée sont montés sur la base (2) par l'intermédiaire d'une articulation 10 (50). Ils comprennent une tige de poussée (40) ayant une première extrémité en contact avec la plate-forme (24) et une seconde extrémité reliée à un actionneur poussant qui pousse la tige de poussée (40) vers la plate-forme (24). Les actionneurs (36, 44) exercent sur 15 la plate-forme des forces représentatives d'une information relative à un système. La plate-forme (24) constitue un organe de commande.
Abstract:
Cet organe de commande comprend, entre une embase fixe (1) et une poignée de commande (4), trois branches (2) semblables dont chacune comprend trois tronçons (5, 6, 7) articulés entre l'embase et la plate-forme de poignée par un pivot (8), deux articulations de rotation (9 et 10) et une rotule (11). Cet organe de commande ô six degrés de liberté comprend des moteurs de retour d'effort aux premières et deuxièmes articulations (8 et 9), dont le premier est fixé ô l'embase (1) et le second au premier tronçon (5), si bien que le premier est immobile et l'autre bouge très peu ; la troisième articulation (10) est libre. La structure résultante est simple et légère, ne nécessitant aucun parallélogramme, et les singularités cinématiques de commande sont très réduites.
Abstract:
A hand controller arm assembly provides for the sensing of the position of a handle (4) at the end of an arm (3) in the X and Y direction through supporting linkages (2), and in the Z direction through a hinge (14) which permits the arm to rotate upwardly. The joints of this controller may be actuated to provide haptic feed-back.
Abstract:
The invention comprises a fixed platform (1) and a displaceable platform (2) that are coupled by six tension springs (3) and an elastic spacing element (6), which forms with each platform, for instance, a ball-and-socket joint, so that the platforms can be displaced in a total of five to six degrees of freedom with respect to each other. Displacement is detected by measuring at the tension springs (3) or at the spacing element (6). This is preferably done by measuring the inductivity of the tension springs (3), thereby making it possible to easily determine the relative position of the platforms.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for interfacing the motion of a user-manipulable object (44) with an electrical or computer system (16). A gimbal mechanism (38) is coupled to the user object (44), such as a joystick or a medical tool, with at least two degrees of freedom. The gimbal mechanism (38) preferably includes multiple members, at least two of which are formed as a unitary member which provides flex between the selected members. An actuator (126) applies a force along a degree of freedom to the user object (44) in response to electrical signals produced by the computer sytem (16). A sensor (42) detects the position of the user object (44) and outputs sensor signals to the computer system (16). Another embodiement includes a local processor (410) separate from a host computer (16) for communicating with the host computer (16) and controlling the forces output by the actuators according to a processor subroutine selected in accordance with a host command, sensor signals, and timing information. Another embodiment of the interface apparatus (14) uses voice coil actuators (126) that produce forces in either linear or rotary degrees of freedom using currents applied in a magnetic field.