Acoustic Phased-Array Tracking with Continuous Haptic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in simultaneously tracking objects and providing haptic feedback without disrupting the haptic experience, as conventional ranging techniques require significant interruption and are costly and complex, and transient acoustic methods are limited by update rate and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A system using phase and frequency modulation of acoustic fields to create haptic feedback while tracking objects, employing transducer arrays that switch between plane and focused states, allowing for continuous tracking and haptic sensation without interference, and integrating acoustic and optical sensors for fast, accurate 3D scene analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ranging techniques are used for tracking, then tracking capability is achieved, but haptic experience is disrupted and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic transducer array performs multiple functions simultaneously: generating haptic feedback sensations and tracking objects. By modulating the acoustic field with tracking waveforms during haptic generation, the system eliminates the need for separate tracking hardware, reducing complexity while maintaining both haptic quality and tracking accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the haptic feedback generation process with the tracking measurement process into a single integrated system. The same acoustic transducers that create haptic sensations also emit tracking waveforms and receive reflected signals for object tracking, merging two previously separate functions into one unified system
2Measurement precision
If conventional ranging techniques are used for tracking, then tracking capability is achieved, but haptic experience is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous haptic feedback generation without interruption for tracking measurements. By embedding tracking waveforms within the ongoing haptic acoustic field and using the same transducers to receive reflections, the system achieves uninterrupted haptic experience while continuously performing tracking measurements
3Productivity
If transient acoustic methods are used for tracking, then tracking is achieved, but update rate and accuracy are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic modulation of the acoustic field with tracking waveforms at ultrasonic frequencies. This periodic action enables continuous tracking measurements at high update rates while maintaining accuracy through the use of modulated carrier waves and coherent signal processing techniques
4Measurement precision
If optical cameras are used for tracking, then tracking capability is achieved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical camera-based tracking systems with an acoustic field-based tracking system. By using acoustic transducers to emit and receive tracking waveforms, the system achieves gesture recognition and object tracking without requiring complex optical hardware, image processing pipelines, or associated computational resources
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-rate, low-latency, low-cost, and accurate tracking and gesture recognition with uninterrupted haptic feedback, utilizing long wavelength acoustic fields and on-chip processing to reduce complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
phase and frequency modulation of acoustic fields to create haptic feedback while tracking objects
Implementation Method 2
phase and frequency modulation of acoustic fields to create haptic feedback while tracking objects
Implementation Method 3
Haptic feedback is generated by an array of transducers
Implementation Method 4
a transducer output obtained as an interpolation of the transducers' state between a plane-wave state and a focused-wave state
Implementation Method 5
By changing the amplitude and/or the phase angle at the control points, a variety of different effects can be produced to create haptic feedback, levitate objects or produce audible sound
Implementation Method 6
These signals would be reflected from objects in the field allowing existing echo processing techniques to perform tracking
Implementation Method 7
These signals would be reflected from objects in the field allowing existing echo processing techniques to perform tracking
Implementation Method 8
integrating acoustic and optical sensors for fast, accurate 3D scene analysis
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are techniques for tracking objects (including human body parts such as a hand), namely: 1) two-state transducer interpolation in acoustic phased-arrays; 2) modulation techniques in acoustic phased-arrays; 3) fast acoustic full matrix capture during haptic effects; 4) time-of-flight depth sensor fusion system; 5) phase modulated spherical wave-fronts in acoustic phased-arrays; 6) long wavelength phase modulation of acoustic field for location and tracking; and 7) camera calibration through ultrasonic range sensing.