High-precision stiff-spring 3Dmice

[Hypersonic]

I had this idea about a year ago, emailed it half a year ago, and it seems to have subsequently found its way into the circular file.
After having used 3dmice on and off for 15years or so, I feel that these are some important hardware enhancements.
3Dmice are currently great for 3D movement. With these enhancements, however, I believe they can go from great to fantastic!
Although this might not appeal to some, dismissing the idea of using anything more than subtle force on an input device, there may be many out there who might embrace the idea for its added benefits.

Here's the write-up detailing the proposed hardware enhancements http://sites.google.com/site/forceinput/

[jwick]

Excellent analysis Hypersonic.

[Hypersonic]

Thanks for the feedback jwick!

I admit I'm a bit speculative as to how many more input levels can be gained from accessing a greater force/torque range.
But I think it's something worth researching!
It might end up being analogous to rod/cone density lessening as the distance from the fovea increases.
In this case as the force increases the number of force levels per newton that one's fingers can reliably keep steady might start decreasing.
But still, it might end up adding quite a bit more input levels one's fingers could provide to a force input device.
Similar to impedance matching, perhaps studies could be done to determine how much finger force people can exert for long periods of time on stiff springs.
Stiff springs that hardly move so very little work is performed from the force, so at least in theory fingers shouldn't tire quickly.

For those who prefer a light touch should have no fear of stiff springs, as the drivers could be set so that a light touch maxes out input,
and still get a good amount of input levels out of it (same as today's 3dmice.)