Interactive mouse systems providing haptic feedback during the exploration in virtual environment

Abstract

This paper presents two kinds of novel haptic mouse systems as new human computer interfaces, which have a force and tactile feedback capability. The first one can reflect 1 dof grabbing force as well as 2 dof translation force. Five-bar mechanism has been adapted to realize the 2 dof translation force feedback, and double prismatic joint mechanism has been used to implement the grabbing force feedback. This system helps the user to feel grabbing force, contact force and weight while picking up and moving an object in virtual environment. The second system can simulate the surface roughness as well as contact force. This system consists of two parts a 2 DOF force feedback device for kinesthetic display and a tactile feedback unit for displaying the normal stimulation to the skin and the skin stretch. The proposed systems are expected to be used as new human computer interfaces by presenting realistic haptic interaction in e-commerce or VR environment. © Springer-Verlag 2004.