Edge tracing of virtual shape using input device with force feedback

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In manipulating shapes displayed on a screen by means of a keyboard, mouse, or tablet, the operator can only confirm his/her operation visually through the eyes. This process can easily cause eye fatigue, resulting in low work efficiency. To improve this situation, a reaction force to the operator's hands should also be used to provide feedback from the operation. We have devised an input device based on this idea. Its main feature is a two‐dimensional force sensor mounted on the head of an XY recorder connected to a graphics computer. The XY recorder head with mounted sensor can be controlled by the computer to move in the direction in which the finger force is applied. Using this input device, we have done experiments on human sensitivity to virtual shapes through following their contours when force feedback is available. As a result, we have discovered that low or shallow hollows in the shape, which are barely detectable to the eyes only, appeared as feedback signals, such as a change of direction of the reaction force and the speed. This change makes it easier for the operator to recognize the features of the virtual shape. Through this experiment, we were able to confirm the validity of the concept of using an input device with a force feedback mechanism.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: