Active Inceptor Hands-Off Detection for Force Sensor Drift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active inceptor systems face performance deterioration due to slow output drift from force sensors over time, caused by environmental changes, which can be misinterpreted as user input, leading to incorrect force feedback and a compromised user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to detect the hands-off status of a user input device, allowing for the application of filters to remove force offsets imperceptibly, using lag filters and threshold comparisons to differentiate between user and environmental effects, and compensating for drift only when the user is not interacting with the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If force sensors are used to detect user input, then the system can provide force feedback, but the sensor output drifts over time due to environmental changes causing performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting hands-off status and applying drift compensation filters before the drift affects force feedback accuracy. The filter is proactively engaged during hands-off periods to prevent drift accumulation, rather than reacting after drift occurs during active use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts filter application based on hands-off detection status. The drift compensation filter is selectively applied only during hands-off periods and disabled during hands-on periods, creating a dynamic adaptation to operational conditions that maintains accuracy while preserving user interaction fidelity.
2Measurement precision
If filters are applied to remove force offsets, then environmental drift is corrected, but user input may be incorrectly filtered if the user is still interacting with the device
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses hands-off detection as feedback to control filter application. The detection mechanism continuously monitors whether the user is interacting with the device and uses this information to dynamically enable or disable the drift compensation filter, ensuring filters are applied only when appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter application is made dynamic through hands-off status detection. The system transitions between filtered and unfiltered states based on real-time detection of user interaction, creating a adaptive filtering system that maintains both drift correction and user interaction fidelity.
3Reliability
If the system removes force offsets continuously, then drift is eliminated, but the user experience is degraded by imperceptible filtering during active use
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies drift compensation periodically during hands-off intervals rather than continuously. The filter is activated during periods when the user is not interacting with the device and deactivated during active use, creating a periodic pattern of filter application that maintains drift compensation effectiveness while preserving user experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter application dynamically responds to hands-off status changes. The system automatically transitions between filtered and unfiltered operational modes based on user interaction state, creating a dynamic system that adapts to maintain both drift compensation and user experience quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (200) to detect a hands off status of a user input device (110) is disclosed. The method comprising filtering a sensed force (205), acting on the user input device, using a first lag filter (210) to provide a first output (230), the lag filter comprising a first lag time constant. Filtering the sensed force (205) using a second lag filter (220), substantially in parallel with the first filter (210), to provide a second output (240), the second lag filter comprising a second lag time constant greater than the first lag time constant. Comparing with a first threshold value, in a first comparison (250), a magnitude of a difference between the first output (230) and the second output (240). Comparing with a second threshold value, in a second comparison (260), a magnitude of the second output (240). Designating the user device to have a hands off status (270) based on the first comparison (250) and the second comparison (260).