Virtual mass systems and methods
Systems and methods of the inventive subject matter are directed to control systems that create virtual mass in a haptic feedback system. Embodiments include a jog knob coupled with a PCB stator motor such that the PCB stator motor can be controlled to give the jog knob a feeling of mass that is different from its actual mass. Thus, a system of the inventive subject matter can be configured to continue a rotation as if it has a higher mass than it actually has, resulting in smoother rotations that last longer. This functionality can be useful to, for example, remotely control a camera's movements while still giving a user the feel of a comparable mechanical system.
1. A virtual mass system, comprising:
a housing;
a printed circuit board (PCB) stator fixedly coupled with the housing;
a rotor comprising a set of magnets, the rotor being rotatably coupled with the housing and positioned near the PCB stator to facilitate magnetic interaction between the PCB stator and the set of magnets;
an annular jog knob fixedly coupled with the rotor; and
a display positioned at least partially within the annular jog knob.
2. The virtual mass system of claim 1 , further comprising a rotation encoder configured to determine angular position of the rotor.
3. The virtual mass system of claim 1 , wherein the housing is circular in shape and comprises a protruded portion that protrudes from the center of an interior side of the housing.
4. The virtual mass system of claim 3 , wherein the rotor couples with the housing by a bearing that is coupled with the protruded portion.
5. The virtual mass system of claim 3 , wherein the protruded portion comprises a hollow middle area that allows wires to extend from a rear portion of the housing to the display.
6. The virtual mass system of claim 1 , further comprising a second rotor comprising a set of magnets, the second rotor being rotatably coupled with the housing and positioned on an opposite side of the PCB stator from the rotor.
7. A virtual mass system, comprising:
a housing;
a printed circuit board (PCB) stator motor;
the PCB stator motor comprising a first rotor and second rotor with a PCB stator positioned therebetween;
wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are coupled with a protruded portion of the housing by a first bearing and a second bearing, respectively;
wherein the PCB stator is fixedly coupled with the housing; and
a jog knob fixedly coupled with the rotor.
8. The virtual mass system of claim 7 , further comprising a rotation encoder configured to determine angular position of at least one of the rotor and the jog knob.
9. The virtual mass system of claim 7 , wherein the housing is circular in shape and comprises a protruded portion that protrudes from the center of an interior side of the housing.
10. The virtual mass system of claim 9 , wherein the first rotor and the second rotor couple with the housing along the protruded portion.
11. The virtual mass system of claim 9 , wherein the protruded portion comprises a hollow middle area that allows wires to extend from a rear portion of the housing to a display disposed adjacent to the jog knob.
12. The virtual mass system of claim 7 , wherein the PCB stator is fixedly coupled with the housing along at least a portion of an outer edge of the PCB stator.
13. The virtual mass system of claim 7 , wherein the first rotor and the second rotor comprise a first set of magnets and a second set of magnets, respectively.
14. The virtual mass system of claim 7 , wherein the jog knob is annular.
15. The virtual mass system of claim 14 , further comprising a display positioned at least partially within a center portion of the jog knob.
16. A virtual mass system, comprising:
a housing;
a printed circuit board (PCB) stator fixedly coupled with the housing;
a rotor comprising a set of magnets, the rotor being rotatably coupled with the housing and positioned near the PCB stator to facilitate magnetic interaction between the PCB stator and the set of magnets;
a jog knob fixedly coupled with the rotor; and
wherein the jog knob and the housing form an enclosed space.
17. The virtual mass system of claim 16 , further comprising a rotation encoder configured to determine angular position of the rotor.
18. The virtual mass system of claim 16 , wherein the housing is circular in shape and comprises a protruded portion that protrudes from the center of an interior side of the housing.
19. The virtual mass system of claim 18 , wherein the rotor couples with the housing by a bearing that is coupled with the protruded portion.
20. The virtual mass system of claim 16 , further comprising a second rotor comprising a set of magnets, the second rotor being rotatably coupled with the housing and positioned on an opposite side of the PCB stator from the rotor.