WO1996006392A1

WO1996006392A1 - Content-based haptic input device for video

Info

Publication number: WO1996006392A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/010475
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Naimark; Robert L. Adams; Robert. D. Alkire; Christoph Dohrmann; David J. Gessel; Steven E. Saunders
Original assignee: Interval Research Corporation
Priority date: 1994-08-18
Filing date: 1995-08-17
Publication date: 1996-02-29
Also published as: EP0776499A1; US5816823A; ATE189539T1; EP0776499B1; US6075967A; DE69514926D1; JPH10504920A; AU3329595A; DE69514926T2

Abstract

Disclosed is an input device and method for interacing with motion pictures incorporating content-based haptic response. Content data relating to the motion picture (19) is stored in a content data storage device (16) while motion picture data is stored in a prerecorded image data storage device (17). A viewer input device (14) is provided so that a viewer (end-user) can advance and reverse the frames (23) on a display screen (11) while substantially simultaneously, the content data is accessed and braking commands are sent to the viewer input device. The result is that the viewer is provided with haptic responses to the viewer's input through the viewer input device.

Description

CONTENT-BASED HAPTIC INPUT DEVICE FOR VIDEO

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to haptic devices and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for providing the viewer of prerecorded visual data a way in which to receive sensory response which is correlated to and dependent on the prerecorded visual data through an input device which the viewer uses to browse the prerecorded visual data.

Background of the Invention

As early as the first motion pictures there have been devices which provide viewers of movies the ability to advance the frames of images, thus causing the motion pictures. Originally, crank arms were used to advance the frames . Early motion pictures were typically "hand-cranked" at 16-18 frames per second (fps) ; today's motion pictures run at 24 or 25 fps; various "special venue" film formats run at 48 and 60 fps; and video runs at 50 or 60 fps. In all cases, the playback fps rate is held constant and equal to the recorded fps rate to convey the sense of real-time motion.

On the other hand, in the editing process, control over the frame rate is desirable. In editing application, knobs are commonly used as input devices to advance the images to cause the variable frame rate. During the course of movie editing, the editor needs to move back and forth through the film or video material to determine the exact locations in to and out of which to cut, or edit. The his or her better control over this back and forth motion, the more effective the editing process. Such control ranges from hand-cranking film on open reels to sophisticated electronic control for video.

The use of tactile or haptic feedback is advantageous in video tape recording and editing equipment to provide the user with a "feel" representative of the type of control or operation being effected. Force-feedback circuitry is used to provide the operator with tactile feedback. Force-feedback may be defined as computer-controlled rate of friction or movement of an object. In the case of a rotary knob, force-feedback could occur with an on-off brake, a variable brake, or a motor.

In video editing systems, two fundamentally different modes of edit control exist: "shuttle" and "jog." A shuttle control is typically a spring-loaded rotary knob which controls frame rate: each unique position of the knob corresponds to a unique frame rate. A jog control is typically a free-turning rotary knob which controls frame position: progressive turning of the knob progressively increments or decrements from one frame to the next. One functional distinction is that a shuttle knob may be held in a non-zero static position and result in a non-zero fps rate while a jog knob must be moving for a non-zero fps rate. In other words, a shuttle is rate-control while jog is position-control . Editing, in all cases, in interactive only for the editor. Once the editing is completed, the viewer is a non-interactive recipient of the completed linear program. Other than the ability to vary the frame rate using jog or shuttle controls, currently there is no system or method which provides tactile interactivity between the viewer and the movie.

In viewing movies while varying the frame rate, it would be advantageous to provide to the viewer haptic responses to his or her input which is dependent on the content of the movie, which may be refereed to as content-dependent, content-based, content- triggered and/or content-driven. For example, the viewer could then experience boundary constraints, textures and hills in combination with speed. While content-dependent tactile response may not be particularly desirable with respect to conventional movies, those movies made for end-user fps control or "browsing" would be well suited to be viewed on a system which was capable of providing content-dependent haptic responses to viewer input.

The types of movies which are particularly suited to providing content-dependent haptic responses to viewer input include those movies made for surrogate travel, virtual travel, or "moviemaps" [MIT 1978] , "browesable movies" [Naimark, Apple 1988] , and "navigable movies [Quickti e team, Apple, cl990] . Also, browesable video includes collections of stillframes, such as slide libraries are stored on videotape or disc. Since they are stored as a one-dimensional sequence, they also have no one correct viewing rate, but rather demand user-control for getting from one to another.

Summary of the Invention

In contrast to the available systems described above, the present invention provides a system and method for taking into account various aspects of the medium's content, such as edit points and other boundaries. Moreover, the quality of the "route" through which one "travels," such as rockiness or uphill/downhill grades, are also movie content for which the present invention accounts. According to the present invention, content-dependent data is composed and stored on a data storage device. The content-dependent data can either be manually entered or machine detectable and therefore entered automatically. Herein the term viewer denotes end-user and operator denotes composer of content data and the whole program. In setting up the system in the manual context, an operator views the prerecorded image data on a visual data display at either its real-time speed or a slower or faster frame rate. Using commands, the operator, through a content input device, sends content signals to a content data storage device where they are stored for use during a viewer's use of the apparatus. When a viewer views the prerecorded image data on the visual data display, the viewer is able to advance the frames by turning, for example a knob, which is the viewer input device. The viewer input device is in communication with a processor which is in turn in communication with the content data storage device . According to the present invention, the viewer input device substantially immediately responds to the viewer's input in a haptic manner based on content-dependent data stored in data storage device which corresponds to the prerecorded visual data which is displayed on said visual data display at a particular time.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the specification, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several views.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic showing some of the features of the present invention;

Figure 2 depicts a section of film having particular points thereon marked;

Figure 3 is a blow up of a section of the film of FIG. 2 including frames of footage shot of landscape scenery as one is traveling on a road;

Figure 4 shows a rotary device located on a scale of positions, wherein "MAX" indicates a braking position and "0" indicates another braking position;

Figure 5 depicts a braking position such as a "wall" wherein the viewer input device will be stopped and bounced back upon impact;

Figure 6 depicts a viewer input device in communication with a brake;

Figure 7 is a blow up of the flex coupling device depicted in FIG. 6;

Figure 8 is depicts another embodiment of a viewer input device in communication with a brake;

Figure 9 illustrates the memory device responsible for the brake value depending on whether the rotatory device has reached MAX or 0 as depicted in FIG. 4;

Figure 10 shows a portion of a DC circuit for turning off and on the brake of the present invention;

Figure 11 shows a typical pulse width modulation which is capable of signalling the brake to turn off and on; Figure 12 shows a quadrature signal configuration used in accordance with the present invention to indicate in which direction the viewer is turning the user input device;

Figure 13 is a circuit diagram of a circuit providing some functions of the present invention; Figure 14 depicts the variation in speed and direction a viewer provides to the system of the present invention through the viewer input device; and Figure 15 is a flow chart of a method in which the present invention provides the ability to apply the brake given the variations depicted in FIG. 14.

Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention includes a system and method for composing content data which is correlated with prerecorded visual data so that it can be played back as a viewer "browses" through the frames. Moreover, the present invention further includes a system and method for providing a viewer with the ability to experience in a haptic manner the content of the video as he or she uses the viewer input device to browse through the frames.

Turning to FIG. 1, a combined system is shown. That is, the schematic includes both the creation hardware and the play back configuration. These systems are more typically separated into two different systems but are combined in FIG. 1 for economy. In both the creation and the play back systems, the prerecorded medium is viewed on a display apparatus 11.

In the composition mode, the operator views the apparent motion of the prerecorded image data at a speed which is suitable for composing content data. The content data input device 12 is of any type such as a key board or mouse and can be in communication with another display device (not shown) . As the operator views the prerecorded image data, the operator can determine which of particular content characteristics are applicable to that data. For example, in composing content data, the operator finds edit-points, enters into a software program those points and then enters boundary constraints such as beginning points and end points. On the other hand, instead of the operator composing the content data by hand and hand entering it into the system, the content data can also be composed by machine. That is, it can automatically be composed. For example, when the footage is being shot, the camera or camera rig can include sensors which sense the texture of a road or the uphill/downhill characteristics of the road. That information can stored on the film stock so that when the film is played back, the content information is retrieved at the same time that the film is played. That information can then be interpreted into braking commands and stored in content data storage 16. Alternatively, a sophisticated software program can be used to detect certain conditions and characterize those conditions, interpreting them into brake commands which are stored in content data storage 16.

As mentioned above, particular types of footage are well suited in accordance with the present invention. For example, moviemaps, dollies and timelapses are particularly browesable. Moviemaps are distance-triggered sequences (triggered by using an encoder on the wheel of a camera rig and a camera capable of recording single-frames such as one frame every meter) where the camera is pointing in the direction of movement; the effect is "moving forward." Dollies are distance-triggered sequences with a camera pointing sideways where for example, carefully arcing around a sculpture recording one frame per degree of arc provides browseable footages . Timelapses are time-triggered sequences with a stationary camera but where time intervals are exaggerated (such as by recording one frame per minute for 24 hours) .

Unlike conventional video, in the above discussed browseable movie applications, there is no one "correct" fps rate with which to view such footage. By providing end-user control, the viewer feels a sense of movement or travel through the visual material. In a moviemap, where the footage taken from a car as the car was moving in the forward direction down a road, the content data could be created so that it is correlated to dips and bumps the footage has captured as the car advances . In that case, data simulating the texture of the ride in the car is created.

On the other hand, where the footage taken or simulated from the front of a bicycle which was moving in the forward direction up a hill, the content data could be created so that it is correlated to the effects of gravity on rider as the bicycle advances. In that case, data simulating the pull of gravity on the bicycle is created.

Moreover, where the footage taken or simulated on a skateboard as it was ridden through a concrete skateboard course. As the skateboard advances up one of the curved walls of the course, it reaches a point where it has lost momentum and therefore can go no farther in that particular direction. The skateboarder would then change direction and head down the same curved wall, continuing in the forward direction. In that case, a boundary constraint has been reached. When the point is reached where the skateboarder can go no farther in a particular direction, data simulating the boundary constraint is created. The boundary constraint in the case of the skateboarder need not be absolute, thus allowing the skateboarder to change direction and head down the same curved wall. When the skateboarder crashes, then the boundary constraint is absolute.

Referring to FIG. 1, the content data input device is in communication with a processor 13. (Processor 13 can serve all of the functions described herein or each function can be carried out by individual processors.) The data used to simulate texture, uphills/downhill, boundaries, among other data possibilities, for example, gravity, is translatable into brake control. That is, how a brake in communication with the viewer input device 14 changes the way in which the viewer input device responds to the commands of the viewer. Thus the content data input device has a set of programmed commands such as the magnitude and/or timing of the brake response which are stored in the content data storage 16 for retrieval during the viewer's use of the system and method of the present invention. The magnitude and/or timing of the brake response is discussed in detail below.

While the content data is stored in the content data storage 16, the prerecorded visual data is stored in video data storage 17. For example, frame sequences can be stored on a single laserdisc as separate disconnected sequences, like tracks on a music CD or chapters in a book. Just as the prerecorded visual data can take any form such as digital or analog, the images can be shot or animated, or can be a combination of both, or can be stills as well. The content data and the prerecorded visual data are correlated and when replayed, are accessed by a processor 16 so that they can be experienced by the viewer substantially simultaneously. The viewer input device 14 is a rotatory device such as a knob, a "browsewheel, " a crank or a trackball. On the other hand, the viewer input device is also a mouse joystick or another suitable input device. When using a knob, browsewheel or crank, a rate-controlled "shuttle" and position-controlled "jog" can be used.

In the viewing mode of the present invention, the user views the prerecorded visual data on display 11, such being generated by data stored in video data storage 17 and processed by processor 13. While the viewer has control over the frame rate through viewer input device 14, in accordance with the present invention, the processor 13 provides signals to the viewer input device to give the viewer a haptic sensation as the viewer advances through the frames in either the forward or backward directions.

FIG. 2 depicts video or film footage 19. FIG. 2 though depicting a film strip, is also representative of digital data, stored on a laser disc or the like. Arrows 21 represent time codes or stamps, the number of which corresponds to hours, minutes, seconds or frames. In one application, time codes are interpreted as edit points for use in editing. In accordance with the present invention, time codes are used to correlate video data with content data. Film footage 19 is a prerecorded plurality of frames, distinguishable from generated images which are provided in real-time, such as computer generated images. Between time codes, there may be several frames. For example, FIG. 3 is a blow up of a section 22 which contains four frames 23. These four frames represent landscape in a moviemap, were the footage was taken the car as the car was moving in the forward direction down a road. The content data played in conjunction with the frames is created so that it is correlated to dips and bumps the footage has captured as the car advances . In that case, in advancing the frames through the viewer input device, the viewer senses data simulating the texture of the ride in the car.

Frame 24a depicts a stop sign far off in the distance while frames 24b and 24c depict the car approaching the stop sign. Frame 24d depicts the car having reached the stop sign and braking to a stop. In providing feedback signals to the viewer input device based on the content of prerecorded image data, the present invention takes into account that it is preferable to provide the illusion of a mechanical stop. Therefore, the present invention provides the illusion of release without much "stickiness" .

FIGS . 4 and 5 both depict the concept of the boundary constraint of a full brake stop. Turning to FIG. 4, a crank arm 26 is depicted in communication with a ball or cylinder 27. The ends horizontal line 28 represents boundary conditions where for example, "MAX" is equivalent to the full brake stop in frame 24d and "0" is equivalent to the starting position of the car (not shown) . In FIG. 5, wall 31 depicts the brake zone. Arrow 32 shows the brake being applied, such being full stop at the brake zone 31. In a mechanical system, when an object hits the wall, it is stopped in only one direction. However, it has been found that when a full brake, such as particle brake system, there is no motion in the reverse direction because the brake is on, and therefore the system feels unnatural (sticky) . It is preferable to induce a sense of release after braking to best capture the feel of a mechanical system.

Turning to FIG. 6, a system of the present invention includes a rotary shaft coupling device 36 which couples the hand control element such as a crank handle or a browsewheel 37 to the brake 38. The shaft 39 is in communication with a highly accurate shaft encoder 41 such as an optical encoder to encode the shaft motion. For example, a shaft encoder providing 5,000 counts per revolutions is preferable. Turning the browsewheel by hand changes the optical encoder output, which is translated by a processor 42 to simultaneously change the frame position of the video laserdisc player at box 43 and change the resistance of the variable brake. Changes in the resistance of the variable brake are dependent on the content of the video material stored on the laserdisc. As mentioned above, it is preferable to capture the feel of a mechanical system in accordance with the present invention. In so doing, in one embodiment the rotary shaft coupling device 36 includes a flex coupling device 44 which is blown up in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the flex coupling provides a minute flexibility in the shaft. With sensors, particular types of motion which are caused by a change in the motion of the shaft rotation are detectable. A different embodiment is depicted in FIG. 8, where the brake is coupled to a chain link system 46 having chain 47. By providing the chain with a little slack 48, the change in the motion of the shaft is detectable by a small increment . Accordingly, the feeling of a mechanical stop is effected because the system then induces a release when such conditions are sensed.

Alternatively, replacing the brake with a programmable motor provides active self-contained movement by the input device as well as variable resistance, i.e. it turns by itself. For example, the user input device moves on its own if the video material is of moving downhill. Such a replacement further enhances the feeling of tight coupling and control with the image content .

Turning to FIG. 9, there is shown a memory 49 for applying different amounts a brake depending upon digital MAX and 0. That is, to induce variable brake values digital inputs are sent to the braking system. Such a circuit configuration is shown in FIG. 10 where in a DC circuit for applying voltage to the brake. Variable braking values are effected by turning "off" and "on" the voltage at different rates. As shown in FIG. 11, by generating a signal having variable pulse-width-modulation, different brake values are possible. However, it has been found that by using a constant pulse, the brake has a tendency to resonate and provides an audible noise. That is the brake acts like a small EM speaker device. Accordingly, instead of making different pulse width regular pulsetrains to vary the brake value, the present invention includes a pseudo random number generator, a greater- than comparator, and a register. The pseudo random number generator generates numbers out of sequence from 1 to 255. This value is continually compared to a register holding the brake value (0 to 255) . For example, using a generator which generates 1 through 255, if one were to set it at 126, there are half high values and half low values, and the output is the average of high to low. By providing a good random distribution of pulses, changing at arbitrary times, there is no period to the noise and therefore there is no resonance.

Turning to FIG. 13, a random number generator circuit diagram and a quadrature counter circuit used in accordance with the present invention is shown. In the random number generator circuit, a program integrated circuit 51 is in communication with a comparator 52 which is further communication with a register 53. The quadrature counter circuit portion of the circuit depicted in FIG. 13 is provided to determine at a given position whether the frames are moving the forward direction or the frames are moving in the backward direction. Quickly turning to FIG. 12, by offsetting the signals by less than a half period, the last known position can provide information about the direction of the direction of the given frame at a particular time.

Again referring to FIG. 13, the voltage is detected by quadrature circuit 56 is in communication with, for example, a 24 bit counter 57 which is communication with a second counter

58. Those circuits are in communication with register to receive counted information and interval timer 59 (integrated for convenience) . Preferably, the interval timer is set to every 20 msecs . In this manner, the system is able to determine which direction the viewer is going and how far the viewer has come from information provided by the shaft encoder 41 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) .

In using a system in accordance with the present invention, it is common for a viewer to change the frame rate frequently, providing backtracks and stops. In such situations, it is preferable to provide a manner in which to avoid accidently slipping into a brake zone. Turning to FIG. 14, three possible frame rate levels are denoted as being represented by parallel horizontal lines. The dotted line interwoven among the solid horizontal lines represents the stopping and starting of the user. As discussed above, the rotary encoder sends signals to be counted so that the position within the frame sequence can be detected. The important points for consideration here are boundary constraints such as the starting point and the ending point, such denoted by position 0 (zero) and position MAX. According to the present invention, by using the counted position, the accidental slipping into the brake zone is avoided.

Referring to the flow chart of FIG. 15, a manner in which to avoid slipping into the brake zone when the user moves to slowly is provided. The present invention provides a method for determining the position of the viewer in the film sequence by starting at box 61, such being flowcharted in FIG. 15. In the first decision box 62, the inquiry as to whether the position is greater than 0 is asked. If the answer is no, then the program asks whether the position is greater than MAX at box 63. If the answer is no, then the system proceeds normal as indicated by box 64. On the other hand, first referring to box 62, if the answer is yes, other conditions are considered. The portion of the flow chart depending from a yes answer to box 62 is symmetric to the portion of the flow chart depending from a yes answer to box 63. Therefore, only the portion relating to box 62 will be discussed herein, and the same meaning is applied to the portion relating to box 63.

If a position less than zero is detected, the next question is whether the velocity is zero at box 66. If the answer is yes, the program asks whether the last velocity was less than zero at box 67. If the answer is yes, the brake is turned off at box 68. If the answer is yes, the brake is turned on at box 69. On the other hand, if at box 66 the answer was no, then the program sets the velocity to the last velocity at box 71. If that last velocity was less than zero as questioned by box 72, then the brake is turned off at box 73. If the answer to box 72 is no, then the brake is turned on at box 74.

Another aspect of the present invention, is that according to the present invention, an amount of braking can be assigned depending upon the speed. A certain amount of braking provides advantageous effect. For example, were simulated centrifugal force to provide a haptic response to viewer input, braking is dependent upon content and velocity. In that case, the amount braking is a function of variables which can be programmed into the system.

Moreover, in the event that the viewer's strength is tested to adapt the viewer input device to a particular user, then the brake is applied in an adaptive manner and is therefore velocity dependent as well as content-dependent . In such a case, feed back generates a speed limit.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention interactively provides the viewer with a haptic experience based on the content of the prerecorded image data being viewed at a particular moment in time. While the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A device for viewing prerecorded visual data, comprising: a data storage for storing said prerecorded visual data; a data storage device for storing data which is dependent upon the content of said prerecorded visual data; a processor in communication with said data storage device; a visual data display in communication with said processor; and a viewer input device including the capability for causing the display of said prerecorded visual data on said visual data display to advance in response to a viewer's input and wherein said viewer input device is in communication with said processor for causing said input device to substantially immediately respond to the viewer's input in a haptic manner based on said content-dependent data stored in said data storage device corresponding to said prerecorded visual data which is displayed on said visual data display at a particular time.

2. A device as recited in Claim 1 wherein said content data is hand entered.

3. A device as recited in Claim 1 wherein said prerecorded visual data is machine sensed and said content- dependent data is machine entered.

4. A device as recited in Claim 1 wherein said viewer input device is in communication with a brake system and wherein said viewer input device further comprises: a shaft in communication with said input device; a brake in communication with said shaft; wherein said brake system includes means for signalling said processor to disengage said brake in particular circumstances.

5. A device as recited in Claim 4 wherein said means for signalling said processor to disengage said brake includes a flex coupling apparatus.

6. A device as recited in Claim 4 wherein said means for signalling said processor to disengage said brake includes a slacked chain link apparatus.

7. A device as recited in Claim 4 wherein said shaft of said braking system is further in communication with an optical encoder for monitoring the position of said shaft and the number of rotations through which said shaft has advanced, wherein said monitoring of said position and number of rotation is carried out by a pseudo random number generator.

8. A device as recited in Claim 1 wherein said viewer input device further comprises means for testing the physical strength of said viewer.

9. A method for providing the viewing of prerecorded visual data with an additional sensory input, comprising the steps of: a data storage for storing said prerecorded visual data; providing a data storage device data for storing data which is dependent upon the content of the visual data; coupling a processor to said storage device; providing a visual data display in communication with said processor; and providing a viewer input device including the capability for causing the display of said visual data to advance in response to a viewer's input and wherein said viewer input device is in communication with said processor for causing said input device to substantially immediately respond to the viewer's input in a haptic manner based on said content-dependent data stored in said data storage device corresponding to the visual data which is displayed on said visual data display at a particular time.

10. A method as recited in Claim 9 wherein said content data is hand entered.

11. A method as recited in Claim 9 wherein said prerecorded visual data is machine sensed and said content- dependent data is machine entered.

12. A method as recited in Claim 9 wherein said viewer input device is in communication with a brake system and wherein said viewer input device further comprises: a shaft in communication with said input device; a brake in communication with said shaft; wherein said brake system includes means for signalling said processor to disengage said brake in particular circumstances.

13. A method as recited in Claim 12 wherein said means for signalling said processor to disengage said brake includes a flex coupling apparatus.

14. A method as recited in Claim 12 wherein said means for signalling said processor to disengage said brake includes a slacked chain link apparatus.

15. A method as recited in Claim 12 wherein said shaft of said braking system is further in communication with an optical encoder for monitoring the position of said shaft and the number of rotations through which said shaft has advanced, wherein said monitoring of said position and number of rotation is carried out by a pseudo random number generator.

16. An apparatus for providing data dependent on the content of prerecorded visual data to a viewer input device, comprising: a display for viewing prerecorded visual data; a content input device for receiving content data which is dependent upon the content of said prerecorded visual data and for generating a content data signal; a data storage device for receiving said content data signal and for storing said content data; and a processor in communication with said storage device for receiving content data signals.

17. A device as recited in Claim 16 wherein said content data is hand entered.

18. A device as recited in Claim 16 wherein said prerecorded visual data is machine sensed and said content- dependent data is machine entered.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 1 February 1996 (01.02.96); original claims 1-18 replaced by amended claims 1-18 (4 pages)]

1. A system for interactively displaying a plurality of frames of prerecorded visual data, comprising: means for storing a plurality of frames of the prerecorded visual data; means for generating content data corresponding to selected physical characteristics of an image depicted in a frame of prerecorded visual data; means for storing the content data; means for processing a frame of the prerecorded visual data and the corresponding content data to generate a control signal corresponding to a selected physical characteristic of the image on the frame of prerecorded visual data; a viewer input device connected to the processing means for manually controlling the rate of display on a display device of frames of the prerecorded visual data; and means, coupled to the viewer input device, for generating and providing to the input device a haptic feedback force based on the control signal, the haptic feedback force being correlated to an image on the frame of the prerecorded visual data being displayed.

2. A system as recited in Claim 1, wherein the content data generating means comprises means for manually generating said content data.

3. A system as recited in Claim 1, wherein said processing means comprises means for processing the prerecorded visual data in accordance with preselected criteria to identify said selected physical characteristics of the image depicted in order to generate said content data.

4. A system as recited in Claim 1, wherein said haptic feedback force generating means comprises: a shaft in communication with said viewer input device; a brake engaged with said shaft; and means for signalling said processing means to disengage said brake from said shaft .

5. A system as recited in Claim 4, wherein said signalling means comprises a flex coupling apparatus.

6. A system as recited in Claim 4, wherein said signalling means comprises a slacked chain link apparatus.

7. A system as recited in Claim 4, wherein said viewer input device further comprises an optical encoder in communication with said shaft and a pseudo random number generator for monitoring the angular position of said shaft and a number of revolutions through which said shaft has advanced.

8. A system as recited in Claim 1, wherein said viewer input device comprises means for testing the physical strength of said viewer.

9. A method for interactively displaying a plurality of frames of prerecorded visual data, comprising: storing a plurality of frames of the prerecorded visual data; generating content data corresponding to selected physical characteristics of an image depicted in a frame of prerecorded visual data; storing the content data; processing a frame of the prerecorded visual data and the corresponding content data to generate a control signal corresponding to a selected physical characteristic of the image on the frame of prerecorded visual data; manually controlling the rate of display on a display device of the frames of the prerecorded visual data with a viewer input device; and generating and providing to the viewer input device a haptic feedback force based on the control signal, the haptic feedback force being correlated to an image on the frame of prerecorded visual data being displayed. 10. A method as recited in Claim 9, wherein said content data is manually generated.

11. A method as recited in Claim 9, further comprising processing said prerecorded visual data in accordance with preselected criteria to identify said selected physical characteristics of the image depicted in order to generate the content data.

12. A method as recited in Claim 9, wherein providing said haptic feedback force comprises disengaging a brake attached to a shaft of the viewer input device.

13. A method as recited in Claim 12, wherein disengaging the brake comprises using a flex coupling apparatus.

14. A method as recited in Claim 12, wherein disengaging the brake comprises using a slacked chain link apparatus.

15. A method as recited in Claim 12, wherein manually controlling the rate of display comprises monitoring the angular position of said shaft and a number of revolutions through which said shaft has advanced using an optical encoder and a pseudo random number generator.

16. An apparatus for generating content data that corresponds to physical characteristics of images depicted on a frame of prerecorded visual data, comprising: means for storing the frames of prerecorded visual data; an input device for receiving content data from user commands, the content data corresponding to physical characteristics of an image on a frame of the prerecorded visual data, and for generating a content data signal that corresponds to a particular frame of the prerecorded visual data; and means for storing said content data signals. 17. A device as recited in Claim 16, wherein said content data is manually entered.

18. A device as recited in Claim 16, further comprising means for processing the prerecorded visual data in accordance with preselected criteria to identify said selected physical characteristics of the image depicted in order to generate the content data signals.