A method and apparatus for providing force feedback to a user operating a
human/computer interface device in conjunction with a graphical user
interface (GUI) displayed by a host computer system. A physical object,
such as a joystick or a mouse, controls a graphical object, such as a
cursor, within the GUI. The GUI allows the user to interface with
operating system functions implemented by the computer system. A signal
is output from the host computer to the interface device to apply a force
sensation to the physical object using one or more actuators. This
desired force sensation is associated with at least one of the graphical
objects and operating system functions of the graphical user interface
and is determined by a location of the cursor in the GUI with respect to
targets that are associated with the graphical objects. The graphical
objects include icons, windows, pull-down menus and menu items, scroll
bars ("sliders"), and buttons. The force sensation assists the user to
select a desired operating system function or physically informs the user
of the graphical objects encountered by the cursor within the GUI. A
microprocessor local to the interface apparatus and separate from the
host computer can be used to control forces on the physical object.