SBIR Phase I: Multimodal Activated Network of Tactile Interfaces for Advanced Computing With Haptics (MANTIACH)

这个小型企业创新研究的第一阶段项目，多模式激活触觉界面网络，用于先进的触觉计算（MANTIACH），是一种创新的方法，为人类操作员在三维空间中提供虚拟触觉刺激显示。该设备既可以传递关于虚拟物体的触觉信息，如位置、放置和方向，也可以传递关于力、顺应性和纹理的触觉信息。MANTIACH为视障作业人员提供了非视觉界面，增强了视障作业人员与2D和3D图形环境交互的能力。MANTIACH采用成熟的增产技术、手指和手定位、增产制图以及三维图形解释器。MANTIACH被设计成以最小的努力和标准接口集成到标准计算机系统中。该设备的关键在于它能够将操作者完全从工作区域的固定机械臂或杠杆中解放出来，同时仍然提供与屏幕显示的虚拟图形直接相关的完整触觉和触觉刺激。MANTIACH为盲人和视障人士提供了一种新的用户界面，用于标准计算机的完整2D和3D显示功能。轨道技术公司最终计划设计一个简单的人机界面，将其插入一台标准的计算机，该计算机将提供整个2D和3D模拟物体和屏幕的控制和反馈界面。一个主要的应用是为盲人提供计算机图形显示和控制。其他商业应用包括虚拟现实培训和娱乐系统，校准和远程控制工具和机器人的反馈，危险化学品和武器处理的反馈和控制接口，腹腔镜和机器人手术设备以及许多其他应用。为盲人提供先进的用户界面，以减少计算机系统的视力和盲人用户之间的差距，这可能是该系统最深远和最普遍的用途。需要进一步研究的具体商业领域包括：(1)盲人2D和3D图形用户界面，(2)软件和娱乐接口设备，(3)当前机器人和远程机器人设备的接口，(4)聋人声音翻译器，(5)假手传感器增强，(6)增强手术和仪器工具，以及(7)纳米操纵器的力反馈系统。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project, Multimode Activated Network of Tactile Interfaces for Advanced Computing with Haptics (MANTIACH), is an innovative approach to provide a virtual tactile stimulation display to a human operator in three-dimensional space. This device conveys both the haptic information about a virtual object such as position, placement, and orientation as well as the tactile information of force, compliance, and texture. MANTIACH provides a non-visual interface to enable visually impaired operators and to augment the ability of visually enabled operators to interact with 2D and 3D graphics environments. MANTIACH uses proven stimulation technology, finger and hand positioning, stimulation mapping, and a three-dimensional graphics interpreter. MANTIACH is designed to be integrated into standard computer systems with minimal effort and standard interfaces. Key to this device is its ability to completely free the operator from fixed mechanical arms or levers in the work area, while still providing the full haptic and tactile stimulation directly related to the virtual graphic of screen display. MANTIACH provides humankind with a new user interface to standard computers for full 2D and 3D display capability to enable blind and visually impaired people. Ultimately Orbital Technology Corporation projects a simple human interface that plugs into a standard computer that would provide the entire control and feedback interface with 2D and 3D simulated objects and screens. A primary application would be computer graphical displays and controls for the blind. Additional commercial applications include virtual reality training and entertainment systems, feedback for calibrated and remotely controlled tools and robots and feedback and control interfaces for hazardous chemical and weapon handling, laparoscopic and robotic surgical equipment and many other applications. Advanced user interfaces for the blind to decrease the gap between sighted and blind users of computer systems is possibly the most far reaching and general use for the system. Specific commercial areas to be investigated further include the following: (1) 2D and 3D graphical user interfaces for the blind, (2) software and entertainment interface equipment, (3) interfaces for current robotic and telerobotic equipment, (4) sound interpreters for the deaf, (5) prosthetic hand sensor augmentation, (6) augmented surgical and instrumented tools, and (7) force feedback systems for nano-manipulators.