An XR handle with grip force sensing and control method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an XR handle with grip force sensing and a control method. The handle includes an arched elastic rubber that fits over a palm sleeve at the base of a person's hand. The palm sleeve includes a base and adjustment straps connected to the left and right sides of the base to adjust the diameter of the palm sleeve. The two ends of the elastic rubber are mounted on the left and right sides of the front end surface of the base. The front end surface of the elastic rubber is provided with four finger grooves, and a scale grating is connected to the middle of the rear end surface. The rear end of the scale grating is inserted into the inner cavity of the base through an opening at a relative position on the front end surface of the base. Together with the grating reading head in the inner cavity of the base, a grating scale is formed to record the direction and amplitude of movement of the elastic rubber. The handle also includes a signal acquisition circuit connected to the grating reading head for collecting data and transmitting it via wired or wireless means. The handle of the present invention has a simple structure and control method, with grip force signals as the main signal output type.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an XR (a general term for VR, AR, and MR) handle, and also relates to a control method based on the handle. Background Art

[0002] Modern society increasingly encourages children to participate in household chores within their capabilities. Typically, in first and second grade, and even in kindergarten, children are encouraged to create their own signature dish. While parents often accompany these activities throughout, they can still experience many frightening moments, especially when children are being unruly and not paying attention. Parents often worry about their children getting hurt by knives, scalded by oil, or burned by the pan, which can easily lead to parent-child conflicts and leave a negative impression on their children. If children subsequently experience accidents like cuts on their hands, frying pans catching on fire, or being splashed by oil, they may be traumatized and reluctant to attempt such kitchen chores again, which would defeat the purpose of the activity. For example, some manufacturers have launched VR kitchen programs, where trainees can perform various tasks in a virtual environment, treating kitchen chores like a game and facilitating a transition to the real world. These programs have been well-received by parents and children. However, these programs still have the following drawbacks:

[0003] Current products still rely on manufacturer-provided controllers to achieve content interaction. However, since most actions are performed through buttons on these controllers, not only are the controls limited, but they also don't fit the realities of kitchen operations. In some scenarios, such as when objects are small and clustered together, it's easy to pick up the wrong item, significantly reducing the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an XR handle with grip perception.

[0005] The first technical problem of the present invention is solved by the following technical solution: an XR handle with grip force sensing, including an arched elastic rubber, which is used to fit over the palm cover at the base of a person's hand. The palm cover includes a base and an adjustment belt connected to the left and right sides of the base to adjust the diameter of the palm cover. The two ends of the elastic rubber are respectively installed on the left and right sides of the front end surface of the base. The front end surface of the elastic rubber is provided with four finger grooves, and a scale grating is connected to the middle of the rear end surface. The rear end of the scale grating is inserted into the inner cavity of the base from the opening at the relative position of the front end surface of the base, and forms a grating scale with the grating reading head in the inner cavity of the base to record the direction and amplitude of the movement of the elastic rubber. The handle also includes a signal acquisition circuit, which is connected to the grating reading head for collecting data and transmitting it via wired or wireless means.

[0006] The scale grating is arranged in a spring, and both ends of the spring are connected to the elastic rubber and the base respectively. The spring is used to protect the scale grating from external physical damage.

[0007] The front end of the scale grating is connected to the middle of the rear end surface of a fixed plate, forming a T shape as a whole. The fixed plate is embedded or buried in the elastic rubber along the length direction, so that the scale grating can be better synchronized with the movement of the elastic rubber.

[0008] A circular ring or a frustum is protruding from the rear end face of the fixing plate and the front end face of the base. Both ends of the spring are sleeved on the circular ring or the frustum. The scale grating is arranged in the circular ring or the frustum.

[0009] The opening on the circular platform protruding from the front end surface of the base cooperates with the scale grating to form a guide rail for the linear motion of the scale grating.

[0010] The base is provided with a thumb groove on the end face corresponding to the thumb of the human hand. There are two buttons arranged in the groove, or in a similar position on the left and right sides or above the groove, one on the left and one on the right. Their signal output ends are connected to the signal acquisition circuit.

[0011] Both ends of the elastic rubber are inserted into the base and fixed by radially arranged bolts.

[0012] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a control method based on the handle.

[0013] The present invention solves the second technical problem as follows: a control method, which is implemented based on a VR system. The system includes a server, VR glasses, and two controllers. The VR glasses and the two controllers are connected to the server. The server is pre-set with a VR scene. The control method includes the following steps:

[0014] When the handle enters the area 1 defined in the VR scene, the server first preselects an object 1 for it according to the current position of the handle, and then waits to receive instructions:

[0015] When the user presses the left button, the currently selected object is switched to object 2, which is located to the left of object 1.

[0016] When the user presses the right button, the currently selected object is switched to object 3, which is located to the right of object 1.

[0017] After receiving the grip signal, the currently selected object is confirmed to be the target object, the target object is attached to the handle, and after the grip signal disappears, the target object is released.

[0018] This control method effectively addresses the difficulty of accurately capturing the target object and the risk of misplacing it, particularly in situations where small, densely packed objects are located, such as in a kitchen knives area. To select and confirm the target object, the control method uses gripping the handle to select and pick it up, and releasing the handle to release it. This method is both convenient and authentically replicates real-world operation scenarios.

[0019] The control method further comprises the following steps:

[0020] Different gripping strength thresholds are set according to the mass of the object. The object can be picked up only when the gripping strength of the handle reaches the gripping strength threshold corresponding to the target object.

[0021] When facing objects such as buckets in the kitchen, although it is not easy to encounter the problem of difficulty in accurately capturing the target object, in real life, the force required to lift a full bucket of water, a half-full bucket of water, or an empty bucket is different. The present invention sets different grip force thresholds according to objects of different masses, so that users need to apply different grip forces when lifting these objects, which increases the level of grip force control and further improves the authenticity of the user experience.

[0022] The control method can also be expanded as follows:

[0023] Set different left-hand and right-hand coordination rules according to the type of operation object:

[0024] When cutting vegetables, the left handle grip strength must reach threshold A1 for stable support, and the right handle grip strength must reach threshold A2 for effective cutting;

[0025] When cutting fat, the left handle grip strength must reach threshold B1 for stable support, and the right handle grip strength must reach threshold B2 for effective cutting. B1>A1, B2>A2;

[0026] When chopping bones, the grip strength of the left handle must reach the threshold value C1 to provide stable support. Only when the grip strength of the right handle reaches the threshold value C2 and the grip strength of the left handle disappears can the bones be chopped effectively, C2>B2.

[0027] While this control method may appear logically complex, it actually aligns closely with people's daily habits. Users can quickly grasp the rules and understand the various levels of grip control, resulting in a richer experience. Furthermore, this control method, through its rules, helps reduce real-life accidents, such as chopping bones and hitting your hand.

[0028] Beneficial effects:

[0029] 1) The handle structure and control method of the present invention are simple, with grip force signals as the main signal output type;

[0030] 2) The control method of the present invention can effectively solve the problem of difficulty in accurately capturing the target object and easy to take the wrong one;

[0031] 3) The control method of the present invention sets different grip force thresholds according to the mass of the object, increasing the level of grip force control and improving the authenticity of the user experience;

[0032] 4) The control method of the present invention is highly consistent with people's living habits when performing corresponding operations, so that people do not need to deliberately memorize the various operating rules of the handle, but can operate more according to their own living habits, thereby obtaining a better gaming experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an XR handle with grip force sensing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the installation method of the grating reading head and spring;

[0035] Figure 3 It is a structure of an opening on the base that cooperates with the scale grating. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an XR handle with grip force sensing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the XR grip with grip force sensing includes an arched elastic rubber 1, which fits over the base of the hand. The palm grip includes a base 2 and adjustable straps 9 connected to the left and right sides of the base 2, each capable of adjusting the diameter of the palm grip. In this embodiment, the adjustable straps 9 are elastic rubber bands. The ends of the elastic rubber 1 are inserted into the left and right sides of the front end of the base 2 and secured with bolts 5. The front end of the elastic rubber 1 is provided with four finger grooves, and a scale grating 4 is connected to the middle of the rear end. The rear end of the scale grating 4 is inserted into the inner cavity of the base 2 through an opening at a position opposite the front end of the base 2 (opposite the middle of the rear end of the elastic rubber 1). Together with the grating reading head in the inner cavity of the base 2, the scale grating 4 forms a scale that records the direction and amplitude of movement of the elastic rubber 1. The scale grating 4 is mounted within a spring 3. The ends of the spring 3 are connected to the elastic rubber 1 and the base 2, respectively. The spring 3 protects the scale grating 4 from external physical damage. The handle further comprises a signal acquisition circuit (not shown), which is connected to the grating reading head for collecting data and transmitting the data via a wireless method such as Bluetooth. Of course, a wired method can also be selected to transmit the data.

[0037] The base 2 has a thumb recess 8 on its end surface, corresponding to the thumb of the hand. Two buttons 6 and 7 are located near the top of the recess, one on the left and one on the right. Their signal output terminals are connected to the signal acquisition circuit. Buttons 6 and 7 can also be placed directly in the recess 8, but caution is required to prevent accidental pressing. Alternatively, they can be placed on either side of the recess 8.

[0038] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the installation method of the middle grating reading head and the spring. The front end of the scale grating 4 is connected to the middle of the rear end face of a fixed plate 11, forming a T-shape as a whole. The fixed plate 11 is embedded or buried in the elastic rubber 1 along the length direction (the long side is along the direction in which the finger grooves are arranged), so that the scale grating 4 can be better synchronized with the movement of the elastic rubber 1. A circular ring or a frustum 22 is protruding from the rear end face of the fixed plate 1 and the front end face of the base 2 (the structures on the two end faces may be different), and the two ends of the spring 3 are mounted on the said circular ring or frustum 22. The two ends of the scale grating 4 are located in the said circular ring or frustum 22.

[0039] When the elastic rubber 1 is deformed by gripping the handle, the scale grating 4 moves accordingly. The grating reading head in the base 2 can calculate the direction and distance of movement, thereby determining the degree of grip.

[0040] In order to make the scale grating 4 to do linear reciprocating motion better, a frustum design is selected on the front surface of the base, such as Figure 3 As shown, the opening 23 on the truncated table 22 cooperates with the scale grating 4 to form a guide rail for the linear motion of the scale grating 4. The opening 23 is a square channel. The cross section of the scale grating 4 is in the shape of an "I". Figure 2 As shown, it includes a central grating surface 41 and two protruding edges 42 on either side. These edges 42 slide in conjunction with the square channel while separating and protecting the grating surface 41. The left and right buttons on the device can be designed with different functions based on needs. For example, different functions can be defined based on short and long presses.

[0041] The present invention also provides a method for controlling a living kitchen VR scene. The method is implemented based on a living kitchen VR system. The system includes a server, VR glasses, and two controllers. The VR glasses and the two controllers are connected to the server, and the server is pre-installed with a living kitchen VR scene. The control method includes the following steps:

[0042] When the handle enters the area 1 defined in the VR scene, the server first pre-selects an object 1 for it according to the current position of the handle. At this time, the position of the object 1 can be shown as rising in the VR scene to reflect the pre-selection state, and then waits for receiving instructions:

[0043] When the user presses the left button, the currently selected object is switched to object 2, which is located to the left of object 1.

[0044] When the user presses the right button, the currently selected object is switched to object 3, which is located to the right of object 1.

[0045] After receiving the grip force signal, the currently selected object is confirmed to be the target object, the target object is attached to the handle, and after the grip force signal disappears (the grip force does not reach the threshold), the target object is released.

[0046] The above control method can be applied in the following scenarios:

[0047] Operations in Area 1—Tools: Because tools are often clustered and small, it's difficult to accurately locate the intended object after a hand enters this area, making it easy to pick up the wrong one. Therefore, when a hand enters this area, the server preselects an object based on its position. The user then uses their thumb to press the left and right buttons on the handle to accurately select the tool. Once selected, they then squeeze the elastic rubber grip of the handle to reach the tool. If the hand lets go, the tool will fall to the ground.

[0048] This control method effectively solves the problem of difficulty in accurately capturing the target object and the risk of misplacing it when operating on small, densely packed objects. Furthermore, the control method uses a method of selecting and confirming the target object by gripping the handle and releasing it directly when the handle is released. This method is both convenient and authentically reproduces the real-world operation scenario.

[0049] Of course, the above-mentioned control method of the present invention is not limited to application in the VR scene of living kitchen. As long as the operation objects are small and very dense, the control method of the present invention can be considered.

[0050] The control method further includes the following steps:

[0051] Different gripping strength thresholds are set according to the weight of the object. The target object can be picked up only when the gripping strength of the handle reaches the gripping strength threshold corresponding to the target object.

[0052] The above control method can be applied in the following scenarios:

[0053] Bucket Operation: Buckets are large objects, so you don't need to use the left and right buttons on the handle to select them. However, the force required varies depending on the amount of water in the bucket. That is, if you want to lift a full or half-full bucket, you need to apply different grip strengths.

[0054] This control method sets different grip force thresholds according to objects of different masses, so that users need to apply different grip forces when lifting these objects, increasing the level of grip force control while further enhancing the realism of the user's gaming experience.

[0055] The above control method can also be extended to other fields with similar requirements.

[0056] The control method further includes the following steps:

[0057] Set different left-hand and right-hand coordination rules according to the type of operation object:

[0058] When cutting vegetables, the left handle grip strength must reach threshold A1 for stable support, and the right handle grip strength must reach threshold A2 for effective cutting;

[0059] When cutting fat, the left handle grip strength must reach threshold B1 for stable support, and the right handle grip strength must reach threshold B2 for effective cutting. B1>A1, B2>A2;

[0060] When chopping bones, the grip strength of the left handle must reach the threshold value C1 to provide stable support. Only when the grip strength of the right handle reaches the threshold value C2 and the grip strength of the left handle disappears can the bones be chopped effectively, C2>B2.

[0061] This control method is highly consistent with people's daily habits. In fact, people don't need to specifically memorize the operating rules of the controller; they can unconsciously complete the operation of the controller based on their own life experience, thus obtaining a better gaming experience. At the same time, this control method also helps to reduce accidents in real life (such as chopping bones while cutting hands) by constraining users to standardize their operations through rules.

[0062] The control handle of the present invention has a simple structure and operation. The control method of the present invention effectively solves the problem of difficulty in accurately capturing the target object and the easy misplacement of the target object when used in situations where small and densely packed objects are manipulated. Furthermore, the control method of the present invention is highly consistent with people's daily habits when performing the corresponding operations, eliminating the need to specifically memorize the operating rules of the handle and making it easier for users to experience an immersive experience.

Claims

1. An XR handle with grip force sensing, characterized in that: The invention relates to a palm glove comprising an arched elastic rubber member, which is adapted to fit over the base of a person's hand. The palm glove comprises a base and adjustment straps connected to the left and right sides of the base for adjusting the diameter of the palm glove. The two ends of the elastic rubber member are mounted on the left and right sides of the front end surface of the base. The front end surface of the elastic rubber member is provided with four finger grooves, and a scale grating is connected to the middle of the rear end surface. The rear end of the scale grating is inserted into the inner cavity of the base through an opening at a position opposite to the front end surface of the base, and together with the grating reading head in the inner cavity of the base, a grating ruler is formed to record the direction and amplitude of movement of the elastic rubber member. The handle further comprises a signal acquisition circuit, which is connected to the grating reading head for acquiring data and transmitting it via a wired or wireless manner. The scale grating is arranged in a spring, and the two ends of the spring are connected to the elastic rubber and the base respectively; The front end of the scale grating is connected to the middle of the rear end surface of a fixing plate, forming a T-shape as a whole, and the long side of the fixing plate is embedded or buried in the elastic rubber along the direction of the finger grooves; A circular ring or a frustum is protruded from the rear end surface of the fixing plate and the front end surface of the base, both ends of the spring are sleeved on the circular ring or the frustum, and the scale grating is arranged in the circular ring or the frustum; The opening on the circular platform protruding from the front end surface of the base cooperates with the scale grating to form a guide rail for the linear motion of the scale grating; The base is provided with a thumb groove on the end face corresponding to the thumb of the human hand. There are two buttons arranged in the groove, or in a similar position on the left and right sides or above the groove, one on the left and one on the right. Their signal output ends are connected to the signal acquisition circuit.

2. The handle according to claim 1, characterized in that Both ends of the elastic rubber are inserted into the base and fixed by radially arranged bolts.

3. A control method, implemented based on a VR system, comprising a server, VR glasses, and two controllers according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the VR glasses and the two controllers are connected to the server, and the server is pre-installed with a VR scene. The control method comprises the following steps: When the handle enters the area 1 defined in the VR scene, the server first preselects an object 1 for it according to the current position of the handle, and then waits to receive instructions: When the user presses the left button, the currently selected object is switched to object 2, which is located to the left of object 1. When the user presses the right button, the currently selected object is switched to object 3, which is located to the right of object 1. After receiving the grip signal, confirming that the currently selected object is the target object, attaching the target object to the handle, and releasing the target object after the grip signal disappears; The following steps are also included: According to the different weights of the objects, different grip strength thresholds are set. The object can only be picked up when the grip strength of the handle reaches the grip strength threshold corresponding to the target object; Also includes: Set different left-hand and right-hand coordination rules according to the type of operation object: When cutting vegetables, the left handle grip strength must reach threshold A1 for stable support, and the right handle grip strength must reach threshold A2 for effective cutting; When cutting fat, the left handle grip strength must reach threshold B1 for stable support, and the right handle grip strength must reach threshold B2 for effective cutting. B1>A1, B2>A2; When chopping bones, the grip strength of the left handle must reach the threshold value C1 to provide stable support. Only when the grip strength of the right handle reaches the threshold value C2 and the grip strength of the left handle disappears can the bones be chopped effectively, C2>B2.

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