A wearable device and method for simulating sensation of wind

Abstract

The invention is related to a wearable device and method for simulating sensation of wind by using electronic component.

Description

[0001] A WEARABLE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SIMULATING SENSATION OF WIND

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention is related to a wearable device and method for simulating sensation of wind by using electronic component.

[0004] Prior Art

[0005] Haptics or similar technologies can be used in various fields such as Robotics, Extend Reality (XR), health, video games. For example, it is improving the sense of touch for robotic hands and virtual reality, or vibrating the Game Pad when the ball hits the post in a Football Video Game. It can also be used to create military simulations for use in military training.

[0006] One of the sensations is needed to be simulate is the wind. There is multiple study that aims to create winding effect on users.

[0007] In study of Ranasinghe et al. [1], a device named Ambiotherm is disclosed. Ambiotherm provides the user with the feeling of wind and temperature of the virtual environment. Two rotating fans are used with the help of servos connected to the VR glasses to give the player the feeling of wind, and the temperature module that performs heating and cooling processes attached to the neck gives the feeling of temperature according to the weather in the virtual environment. It is done with controlled Bluetooth communication between the platform and the device. It only gives the feeling of wind towards the head and even towards the side of the face, although the motors can rotate with the help of servos, this event covers a limited area.

[0008] Also, the product named OWO suit [2] is known in the market. The OWO suit provides the wearer with 30 different sensations, including the feeling of wind. The suit provides sensation to 10 parts of the body. The connection between the platform and the suit is provided by wireless communication via Bluetooth 5.2 [BLE]. The mobile application provides features such as calibrating and adjusting sensations according to the user's body. The system is compatible with PC, console, mobile, and VR. With these, a compact and flexible wearable device is created and users are offered 9 different size options. The suit also has a rechargeable battery with a battery life of 8 hours and the suit weighs less than 600 grams. The proposed invention can be done with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This device uses gel pads and electrodes to give sensation to the player, but the use of gel pads can be a side effect for some people it can cause skin irritation and discomfort over time.

[0009] Other similar devices use electrical impulses that are harmful to people with cardiovascular disease.

[0010] KR20190013204A discloses a virtual environment is created by installing these systems on a circle at certain intervals with fans that can be from 2 to 8 without a specific number. It is not a wearable device. The connection between the motors and the platform is provided by wireless communication. Wireless communication is established with Wi-fi or Bluetooth modules. Other winds are obtained by combining the wind vectors of both motors to give the wind in directions other than the direction in which the motors are placed (if the number of motors in the system is more than two) However, this intention is deficient in providing thermo wind. Also, the invention lacks in providing whole body wind, it only provides wind to the upper body.

[0011] In KR20200049261A, the user is given the feeling of wind with the help of circularly arranged motors. The platform is not the only thing that affects the speed of the wind, the distance between the user and the motors is calculated with the help of a distance sensor and the speed of the motor is adjusted accordingly. The communication between the system from which the commands come and the control system is done with the Wi-Fi module, which is wireless communication. However, this patent lacks in providing thermo wind and lacks in rain effect.

[0012] As a result, all the problem mentioned above has made it necessary to provide a novelty in the related field.

[0013] Objects of the Invention

[0014] The main object of the present invention is to establish a wearable device and a method for simulate wind sensation that provide more realistic winding sensation without any electrical stimulation or gel peds and such devices to preventing skin irritation and discomfort and effects that may cause harmful to people with cardiovascular disease.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to create rain sensation. Another object of the invention is to create 360° winding a and / or raining sensation.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to establish a wearable device and a method can be used with extended reality device or VRs.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to establish a wearable device can be used all body parts such as limbs.

[0018] Description of the Figures of the Invention

[0019] The figures and related descriptions necessary for the subject matter of the invention to be understood better are given below.

[0020] Figure 1. A schematic view of wind generating system.

[0021] Figure 2. An isometric view of a wearable device.

[0022] Figure 3a. An isometric view of a wearable device’s upper body.

[0023] Figure 3b. An isometric view of a wearable device’s lower body.

[0024] Figure 3c. An isometric view of a back section of upper body.

[0025] Figure 3d. An isometric view of a wearable part of the invention.

[0026] Figure 4. An exploded view of an arm section of the invention.

[0027] Figure 5a. An isometric view of the clamps and fiber.

[0028] Figure 5b. An isometric view of the tube.

[0029] Figure 5c. An isometric view of the tube with clamps and fiber.

[0030] Figure 5d. An isometric view of the end part of the tubes.

[0031] Figure 6a. A cross section view of the tube in closed position.

[0032] Figure 6b. A cross section view of the tube in open position.

[0033] Figure 7. A flowchart of the method.

[0034] Reference Numbers

[0035] The parts and components are given in the figures are referenced for the subject matter of the invention to be understood better.

[0036] 10. Fan

[0037] 20. Rotating unit 30. Peltier module

[0038] 40. Driving unit

[0039] 50. Misting module

[0040] 100. Wearable device

[0041] 101. Neck section

[0042] 102. Wearable section

[0043] 103. Cuff

[0044] 104. Neck tubes

[0045] 105. Short tubes

[0046] 106. Control unit

[0047] 106.1. Processing unit

[0048] 106.2. Motor control

[0049] 106.3. Primary communication unit

[0050] 106.4. Secondary communication unit

[0051] 107. Wire

[0052] 108. Wire holder

[0053] 109. Tube holder

[0054] 110. Tube

[0055] 111. Aperture

[0056] 112. Joint area

[0057] 113. Tube body

[0058] 114. Valves

[0059] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0060] The invention is related to a wearable device (100) and method for simulating sensation of wind Referring to Figure 1; The wearable device (100) comprises a wind generating system. The wind generating system positioned on the wearable item such as vest, jacket, t-shirt, trousers, shorts.

[0061] The wind generating system comprises a fan (10) to generate air-flow which is necessary to generate wind. In a pathway of the air flow, the system also comprises a Peltier module (30). The Peltier module (30) is a device which comprises of two semiconductor materials joined together at one or more junctions. These junctions are alternately heated and cooled when an electric current is applied. The side that absorbs heat becomes the cold side, and the side that releases heat becomes the hot side. The air flow generated by the fan (10) contact the Peltier module (30) and according to which side of the Peltier module (30) contact with the air flow, the air is cooled or heated.

[0062] To control which side of the Peltier module (30) contact with the air flow, a rotating unit (20) is used to rotate the Peltier module (30). The rotating unit (20) rotates the Peltier module (30) in a such way that the hot side contact with air flow, when hot air is required and vice-versa. Preferably, the rotating unit (20) is a servo motor.

[0063] The tubes (110) are positioned in such way that the air flow generated goes through it. The tubes (110) are extended to the limbs of the user to transfer air flow to those limbs.

[0064] The cuffs (103) are provided to connect those limbs and the tubes (110) connected to the cuffs (103). The wearable device (100) comprises at least one cuff (103) and multiple tubes (110) that connect that cuff (103). The cuff (103) may configure to connect arm or leg, especially joint of them, or the neck. Preferably, the wearable device (100) comprises multiple cuff (103) that configured to connected all the arm and leg, especially joint of them, and the neck.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, wires (107) provided on the wearable device (100). One end of the wires (107) is connected to end of the one the tubes (110) and other end is connected to a driving unit (40) which preferably a servo motor. The driving unit (40) is a device pulls or loose the wire (107) and this force moves the end of the tube (110), as can be seen in Fig. 5d. By moving the end of the tube (110), it is possible that adjusting air flow direction to simulate wind more realistically. The tubes (110) may made of flexible material. In a preferred embodiment, a misting module (50) provided on the pathway of the air flow generated by the fan (10), preferably after the Peltier module (30). The misting module (50) convert the air generated to mist and the mist generated exits from the tubes (110). Preferably, ultrasonic mist device is used in the wearable device (100).

[0066] Furthermore, the wearable device (100) may comprise valves (114) provided inside the tubes (110). The valves (114) close or opens the path of the tubes (110) and because of that, it is possible that selective use of the tubes in case of it is required that only part of the limb must be stimulated by wind. Preferably, the valves (114) magnetically induced valves. This valves (114) may be controlled by wireless or wired signals. Preferably, transistor or relay is used for controlling and switching for current flow that controls valves (114). Alternatively, if valve (114) control is carried out by wireless electrical transmission. A iron hallow plate will be used to provide wireless electricity transmission by taking advantage of the alternating current coming to it with the wire wound on it, the magnetic field created by the wire passing electricity to the iron hallow plate with the wire wrapped on it, and the magnetic field created by the variable electric current.

[0067] Moreover, the system may comprise an inertia measurement unit for determining position and / or angle of the limb.

[0068] A controlling unit (106) controls the parameters of simulating wind by controlling component of the wind generating system such as the fan (10), the rotating unit (20) and the Peltier module (30) and preferably the driving unit (40) and / or the misting module (50). For example, according desired speed of the wind, the fan (10) speed is adjusted or according desired temperature of the wind, current flow on the Peltier module (30) and / or the rotating unit (20) or according desired direction of the wind, the driving unit (40) is controlled to move wire (107) or according desired phase of the wind, the misting module (50) is turned on / off or according desired part of limb where is desired to be stimulate, the valves (114) are controlled.

[0069] This electronic devices is energized by single or multiple batteries.

[0070] The control command of the controlling unit (106) may be pre-defined or generated according other system, such as VR based virtual environments. The pre-defined command or parameters for generating the commands is received by a communication unit. The communication unit may comprise primary communication unit (106.3) and the secondary communication (106.4) unit which are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi module.

[0071] Referring to the Fig. 2; Preferably, the wearable device (100) is configured to work on neck, arm and leg of the user and according to that, the tubes (110) extend along the said limbs.

[0072] Referring to the Fig. 3a to 3b; on the upper body part of the wearable device (100), the multiple tubes (110) extend along the arm of user to connect cuffs (103). As can be seen in Fig. 3a and 3b, multiple cuffs (103) may use in same limbs. In this embodiment, two cuffs (103) for elbow and the wrist of the user are used and two cuffs (103) for knee and ankle of the user. Furthermore, some of the tubes (110) extend to the first cuff (elbow, knee) and some of them extend to the second cuff (wrist, ankle) and according to this embodiment shows the tubes has different length from each other, it is possible that stimulate different part of the limbs. For sake of the scope of the invention, it must be understood that more cuffs (103) or cuffs (103) that configured to position other than wrist, ankle elbow, knee.

[0073] Referring to the Fig. 3c; as already disclosed, the controlling unit (106) is positioned onto the wearable device (100), for example onto upper body part of the wearable device (100). The controlling unit (100) may comprise sub unit for the function mentioned above. For example, processing unit (106.1) for processing received data or transmitting data, a motor control (106.2) unit controls above mentioned motor, the primary communication unit (106.1) and the secondary communication unit (106.2).

[0074] Referring to the Fig. 3d; the wearable part of the wearable device (100) may comprise apertures (111) to prevent air from accumulating inside the wearable part of the wearable device (100).

[0075] Referring to Fig. 4; the tube holder (109) provided on the tubes to connect tubes (100) to the cuffs (103). The tube holders (109) preferably U-shaped part which permit the tube goes through it. Furthermore, wire holders (108) are used in embodiment that comprises wires (107). The wire holder (108) is also in U-shaped and connects the wires (107) to the tube (HO). As can be seen in Fig. 5a to 5c, end of the tube (110), where the wire is connected, comprises tube body (113) connected to end of the tube (110) with joint area (112) which enables moving of the end of the tube (110) when the wire (107) moves.

[0076] Referring to Fig. 8; in the method of the invention, the command or data for command is received from host device by communication unit. The data may be provided from external system such as Google Sheet Documents ®.

[0077] After that, position related data in 3D space is received from IMU sensor and data processing and sending signals to the fan (10), the rotating unit (20) and the Peltier module (30), the driving unit (40) and the misting module (50) according to the processed data. Firstly, the driving unit (40) positions the tubes (110) at the appropriate angle. After that, the valves (114) are opened or closed with the help of magnetic fields. The Peltier module (30) is adjusted according to desired function (cooling or heating). The fan (10) is turned on and the misting module (50) is turned on, if necessary.

[0078] For the manufacturing the wearable device (100), the controlling unit (106) is built. Preferably, an Arduino (or any other microcontroller) circuit and connecting parts is used such as Wi-Fi Module (or Bluetooth Module), rotating unit (20), driving unit (40), Peltier Module (30), transistor (or relay), wire. After that the circuit elements is placed and creating the circuit on the PCB, which is made to create a more neat and compact structure than the circuit elements and necessary libraries is downloaded to the controlling unit (106). After that, codes for modules are prepared and an algorithm is established for various mathematical transformations and arrangements are made integrated with the system with all the code. The valve (114) is covered with conductive wire to create a magnetic field with current and close it by magnetization. The valves (114) are placed in plastic pipes, attaching wires (107) to the ends of plastic tubes (110). Finally, the created electronic and mechanical parts is placed on the clothing in accordance with the design. REFERENCES

[0079] [1] Ranasinghe, N, Jain, P, Karwita, S, Tolley, D, Do, EYL (2017-02-05). Ambiotherm: Enhancing sense of presence in virtual reality by simulating real-world environmental conditions. CHI '17: CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2017-May : 1731-1742. S

[0080] [2] http s : / / o wogame . com / technology /

Claims

CLAIMS1. A wearable device (100) for simulating sensation of wind characterized by comprising A wind generating system having a fan (10) for generating wind, a Peltier module (20) for heating and / or cooling the wind generated by the fan (10) and a rotating unit (20) that rotates the Peltier module (30) to change where the wind contacts on the Peltier module (30)Multiple tubes (110) connected to a cuff (103) which configured to connect limb of the user and connected to the wind generating system to transfer the wind generated to the body of the user andA control unit (106) configured to control the fan (10), the rotating unit (20) and the Peltier module (30).

2. A wearable device (100) according Claim 1, characterized by wires (107) connected to the end of tubes (110) where the wind generated is exit and a driving unit (40) connected to the wire to move end of tubes (110).

3. A wearable device (100) according Claim 2, wherein the control unit configured to control driving unit (40).

4. A wearable device (100) according Claim 1, characterized by comprising multiple cuffs (103) and the tubes (110) connected to the said cuffs which are configured to connect at least two of the arm, neck and leg.

5. A wearable device (100) according Claim 3, wherein the cuffs are configured to connect the arm, neck and leg.

6. A wearable device (100) any of preceding claims, wherein the length of the tubes (110) connected to the cuff (103) differs from each other to transfer the wind generated to different part of the limb.

7. A wearable device (100) any of preceding claims, wherein connection point of the tubes (110) and the cuffs (103) are distributed around the limb at equal intervals.

8. A wearable device (100) according Claim 1, characterized by inertia measurement unit for determining position and / or angle of the limb.

9. A wearable device (100) according Claim 1, characterized by at least one communication unit for receiving a data to control the fan (10), the rotating unit (20) and the Peltier module (30).

10. A wearable device (100) according Claim 9, characterized by the communication unit comprises a primary communication unit (106.3) and a secondary communication unit (106.4) which are different from each other.

11. A wearable device (100) according Claim 10, wherein the primary communication unit and the secondary communication unit which are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi module.

12. A wearable device (100) according Claim 1, characterized by valves (114) for opening and closing the tubes (110).

13. A wearable device (100) according Claim 12, wherein the valves are magnetically induced valves.

14. A wearable device (100) according Claim 1, characterized by a misting module (50) for converting the wind generated to mist.

15. A wearable device (100) according Claim 14, wherein the misting module (50) is ultrasonic mist maker.

16. A virtual reality system comprises a wearable device (100) according to the any of preceding claims and a VR device and a device generating data according virtual environment for simulating sensation of wind by the wearable device (100).

17. A method for simulating sensation of wind characterized by comprising step ofReceiving data from a virtual environment, generating control command from the data to control a wearable device (100) according Claim 1 to 15 for generating wind, wherein the data comprises at least the direction, speed and temperature of the wind and sending the control command to the wearable device (100) for generating wind.

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