A force feedback wheel is provided on a mouse or other interface device
manipulated by a user. A sensor detects a position of the mouse in a
workspace and sends a position signal to a connected host computer
indicating that position. A rotatable wheel is mounted upon the
manipulandum and rotates about a wheel axis, where a wheel sensor
provides a wheel signal to the host computer indicating a rotary position
of the wheel. A wheel actuator coupled to the rotatable wheel applies a
computer-modulated force to the wheel about the wheel axis. The mouse can
be a standard mouse or a force-feedback mouse, where forces are applied
in the mouse workspace. The host computer is preferably running a
graphical environment, where the force applied to the wheel can
correspond with an event or interaction displayed in the graphical
environment. The wheel can also be included on other devices such as
remote controls and radios.