Closed-Curve Acoustic Control Points for 3D Haptic Perception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mid-air haptic systems face challenges in efficiently generating haptic feedback without noise and power inefficiencies, particularly when representing complex virtual objects and handling multiple user interactions, and they struggle to integrate audio and haptic effects effectively.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a closed curve traversal method for control points to minimize noise and optimize power usage, using a single control point to connect all intersections, and incorporates a physics engine for precise haptic impulses and spatio-temporal sound generation to enhance user interaction and immersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control points are created and destroyed to represent small parts of virtual object intersections, then haptic feedback can be provided at touched locations, but unwanted noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control points into a single continuous closed curve that traverses all intersection points. Instead of creating and destroying separate control points for each finger-palm intersection, the system connects all intersections into one continuous path, eliminating the creation/destruction events that generate noise while maintaining haptic feedback at all touched locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-defines a closed curve that passes through all potential intersection points before user interaction occurs. This preliminary setup allows the control point to continuously traverse predetermined paths without spontaneous creation or destruction, thereby preventing noise generation while ensuring haptic feedback is ready at all possible touch locations.
2Ease of operation
If multiple control points are used to represent different parts of virtual objects, then comprehensive haptic coverage is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate control points into a single control point that traverses a closed curve passing through all intersection points. This consolidation reduces the number of active control points from multiple to one, significantly decreasing power consumption while maintaining comprehensive haptic feedback coverage at all finger and palm contact locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The single control point is designed to perform multiple functions by traversing different segments of the closed curve that correspond to different touch locations. This universal control point can provide haptic feedback for any combination of finger-palm intersections without requiring separate dedicated control points for each location, thereby reducing energy usage while maintaining full coverage.
3Ease of operation
If control point amplitude is changed rapidly to create haptic effects, then dynamic feedback is achieved, but pops and clicks are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes a closed curve path that connects all intersection points before haptic feedback is needed. By having the control point continuously traverse this predetermined path, the system achieves dynamic haptic effects through spatial movement rather than abrupt amplitude changes, eliminating pops and clicks that would otherwise occur during rapid amplitude modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of rapidly changing control point amplitude with a spatial traversal approach where the control point moves along a closed curve. This substitution of the control mechanism—using position changes along a predefined path instead of amplitude modulation—achieves dynamic haptic feedback without generating audible pops and clicks.
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
This approach reduces noise and power consumption while providing effective haptic feedback and immersive audio-haptic integration, enhancing the perception of virtual objects and user interaction.
Implementation Method 1
By spatially modulating these disturbances created by ultrasonic foci, simply moving them backwards and forwards, it is possible to generate low frequency sound through the principle of acoustic radiation force as the focus pushes on the air or other materials around it.
Implementation Method 2
A continuous distribution of sound energy, referred to as an 'acoustic field' may be used for a range of applications including haptic feedback in mid-air.
Implementation Method 3
An alternative method to produce feedback is to create control points that are not modulated in amplitude and move them around spatially to create 'spatio-temporal' modulation that can be felt.
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic field may be produced from a transducer array having known relative positions and orientations In this acoustic field, one or more control points may be defined. An amplitude may be assigned to the control point. Mid-air haptic effect for a virtual object on a human body part may be generated by moving the control point in a single closed curve comprising a plurality of curve segments. The single closed curve traverses at least one location where the human body part intersects with the virtual object. Additionally, a user may interact with virtual three-dimensional content using the user's hands while a tracking system monitoring the user's hands, a physics engine updates the properties of the virtual three-dimensional content and a haptic feedback system provides haptic information to the user.