Adaptable Tactile Surface With Variable Stiffness for VR Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feedback devices for entertainment systems, such as virtual reality headsets, are either bulky and expensive or inadequate in simulating a range of physical sensations, posing safety risks and failing to enhance immersion.
Innovation Solution
An adaptable surface with a first layer that adjusts physical parameters like resistance to deformation in response to in-game conditions, using a mesh structure and tension control to provide realistic feedback without bulky hydraulic or pneumatic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional feedback devices use hydraulic or pneumatic pistons or rams, then realistic physical feedback is provided, but the device becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hydraulic or pneumatic mechanical systems with an adaptable surface that uses controlled deformation of a flexible membrane or sheet. This substitution eliminates bulky pistons and rams while maintaining the ability to provide realistic physical feedback through controlled surface deformation that mimics tactile sensations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible membrane or sheet as the core component of the feedback device. This thin film can be deformed in controlled ways to provide tactile feedback, replacing the need for thick, bulky mechanical structures while maintaining effectiveness in simulating physical sensations.
2Reliability
If conventional feedback devices use hydraulic or pneumatic pistons or rams, then realistic physical feedback is provided, but safety risks arise from trapped body parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible membrane or sheet that can deform to provide feedback but cannot trap body parts. The flexible nature of the thin film allows it to conform to user contact without creating pinching or trapping hazards, eliminating the safety risks associated with rigid pistons and rams.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing rigid mechanical pistons with a flexible deformable surface, the patent eliminates the pinching and trapping hazards inherent in conventional mechanical feedback devices while preserving the ability to deliver realistic tactile feedback through controlled surface deformation.
3Device complexity
If simple vibration feedback is used, then the device is cost-effective and easy to implement, but it cannot simulate all desired physical sensations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adaptable surface that can change its physical properties in real-time based on game events. The membrane or sheet can be deformed in various ways (stretching, compressing, undulating) to simulate different tactile sensations beyond simple vibration, providing rich physical feedback while remaining relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the feedback surface such as stiffness, tension, and deformation amplitude dynamically in response to game events. By adjusting these parameters, the system can simulate a wide range of physical sensations from soft touches to hard impacts without requiring multiple complex mechanical components.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptable surface for a videogame system is provided in accordance with the present disclosure, the adaptable surface comprising: a first surface layer having one or more physical parameters adaptable in response to in-game conditions, wherein the one or more physical parameters include at least a resistance to deformation of the adaptable surface.